If DC United were to start a hall of fame, who would be in it. Of course El Diablo would be in the HOF, he would have to be the first bust. Two others who are not retired would be there. I see Jamie as bust #2. Benny as bust #3. So lets see what we have, retired and still playing if any.
Kinda weird no one has mentioned Gomez. He's obvious for inclusion. Perkins is working his way into consideration. A couple more years. ----------------- Just thinking this out, there have been so far in United's history three distinct eras (with the third still going on): - The team Arena built - The Bad years - The team Nowak built and Soehn is modifying. So then look at the three eras and look towards the players and coaches who were the backbones on those teams. - The 1st era was dependent on Etcheverry, Moreno, RDA, Harkes, Agoos, and Pope, with Llamosa, Williams and Lassiter getting consideration in that order. Arena should also be included. Olsen wasn't with this group long enough to be enshrined based upon his work in this era alone. - The 2nd era, well, zip, nada, zilch. The only one I'd consider strongly (who spent most of his DCU time in this era) would be Nelsen. Hmmm. I loved Nellie so I would put him in but I can see how he's marginal to some eyes. - The 3rd era was/is built on Gomez, Moreno, and Olsen with Nowak also of prime importance. All deserve inclusion. Of the rest Perkins is the closest to consideration then maybe Boswell and Namoff. After that, well, we have to see how their careers pan out. Same goes for Soehn. For instance last winter I would have thought Carroll was an eventual shoe-in and I might yet again, but not now.
yeah - thats pretty much how I see it too - I'd inlcude Mark Simpson as our first great Goallee - Since then he's re-joined us as GK coach and now assistant coach New kids on the block? - Emilio, Fred, Simms, Boswell, & Perkins are all strong possibilities but need to have years of consistent excellence and production to join the HOF Favorites NOT on the list right now - Gros; Carroll; Namoff; Maessner; Stewart; others ? - (fan favorites & hard workers but never a real consistent game-winners on their own)
Since nobody's added his name, let me: Earnie Stewart was a key to 2004 and a great tribute to United. He'd get a vote from me.
Since nobody's added his name, let me: Earnie Stewart was a key to 2004 and a great tribute to United. He'd get a vote from me
I was. But it's funny to think that Adu may become the most famous x DCU player in the end. I wonder how many people on these boards will try to "claim" him if/when he becomes a star in Europe...
That'd be a huge if hanging on the end of that. Also there's a difference between "most famous ex-DC United" and "Hall of Fame for their play at DC United"
So it could be an interesting exercise to run an unofficial, BS United HOF poll this offseason. Make it so that a player needs 80% of the votes to get in. Maybe a higher %.
Harkes, Etcheverry, Pope, Moreno, Olsen, and Arena would be my inductees today. With a few more years of service Gomez and Kevin Payne would be added to that list.
I think every single one of these guys is a no-brainer inductee at this very moment. IMHO, Jeff Agoos and Richie Williams should be on there too. And probably Ryan Nelsen too because, even though he was only here for a few years, he played at a very high level from the moment he became a starter. The first thing we should be looking at is if a guy was, at any time during their DC tenure, one of the two or three best players at their position in MLS. All 9 of the players listed above were, and Arena and Payne are just rock-solid no-brainers because of their contributions to the team on the management side. As much as I respected him, I don't think Earnie Stewart belongs. He was only here for 2 seasons, and while he was a major contributor in 2004 he wasn't a dominating player. You can probably make a stronger case for Alecko Eskandarian and you can definitely make a stronger one for RDA.