You know, if someone would have told me that there would ever come a point where I would be on Big Soccer, arguing on behalf of Andres Mendoza, I never would have believed it. Honestly, I think it was Cunningham's grace and his staunch defense of Andres that has pulled me into this. But OU's right....cheers or boos, his relationship with the fans resolves itself if he does the right things regardless.
I like how we have been praising Jeffro for his dealing with the "situation" with a calm and respectful and insightful way. Most of the people praising him for this are doing the exact opposite themselves.
After the statement I'm willing to give the guy a chance. He's going to play with an injury and that earns some respect too. I'd like to see him make some effort to connect with the fans but I think this is a good first step.
If you're somehow suggesting that simply because Jeff forgave him for THIS transgression, then it somehow becomes out of line for fans who bleed the colors to notice a repeated trend of such transgressions, or that those of us who demand more than being a constant asshole presence are somehow unable to be insightful or intelligent at the same time... Quite frankly, you can take that suggestion and stick it. I'm not an Andres Mendoza fan. I'm not a Jeff Cunningham fan. I'm a Columbus Freaking Crew fan. If I see a player repeatedly engaging in behavior that demonstrates that he's only interested in himself, not a good teammate, and doesn't care about his club's fans, I'm damn well going to point it out, and you're not going to tell me otherwise. It doesn't mean I'm not "respectful or insightful" (although you're right right about now on the "calm" part) because I'm believing what I'm seeing with my own eyes. You can't hold a skunk three inches from my nose and then whine when I notice the smell.
Fine, I'm easy. I'll give Mendoza another chance after that moving statement. But from this moment forward, he's on double secret probation.
right now we need competitive, we need winners, we need someone to put the ball in the back of the net. So Mendoza you is good with me.
Yes. Don't like what he's done but for 90 minutes (or less) he's in Black & Gold. The family fight stays in the family.
If Mendoza doesn't receive a standing ovation or at least the loudest cheers of the night the fans have failed. Cunny has implored fans to get behind him, Mendoza has apologized. Unless you view yourself as bigger than the club you get behind the kid 110% and hope he has the best game of his career.
1. Where/when did he apologize? Williams did for taking drugs but havent seen that Mendoza apology. Its been as elusive as a direct apology from Tressel. 2. As long as Mendoza scores goals you dont care what he does do you? He could go stab a 5 year old in celebration and youd be ok with that. At least thats the feeling I get. 3. Speaking of celebrations, how can you get behind a player who mimics a pregnant woman and a baby at the same time? And what kind of a paradox is that to begin with? Its dumb, weird and creepy. 4. Ill get behind him when he starts showing class. Until them F him. Bench his ass. Anyone can score PKS. Which is what hes mostly done. Of course that and Blow a header 10 yards wide and shank another golden opportunity with his off foot also from point blank range. 5. Start Meram and Cunny up top today.
I'm sorry his statement didn't mention Crew Chuck by name, I know that must have been hard to deal with for you and your family. Is the five year old a DC United fan? A Chicago fan? Boy or girl? I do not advocate violence against women, or future women in any form. Clearly Mendoza is confident in his manhood, and intelligent enough to make a statement about gender equality. I'm sorry that you patriarchial world view does not believe that women should be honored at a soccer match. It's 2011, Chas. Get with the program. Tony Sanneh disagrees. Besides, we've had so many goals from the run of play, right? They are coming in bunches for this club, so lets bench a guy who can actually create and score on his own. While we're at it, let's bench Cunny for the header off the post, and the blown opportunity in the six yard box. Clearly Cunny's had his chance, if not Mendoza Iro must start up top.
His gesture to the booing fans after he scored a goal, assisted on the equalizer and left the game with a broken wrist? His statement, while obviously gone over with the PR paintbrush, indicates that he was talked to and the issue is now put to bed internally. The Philly PK problem is even more similar in that I believe Jewsbury was the designated PK taker for the team. Cooper obviously ignored that and decided it was in his best interest to take the kick. I'm all for a guy making a statement with his desire for the ball in that kind of situation and can easily fogive ignoring a coaches direction. The coach sends his players on the field and its up to them to take it from there. I'll reiterate. Mendoza is a prima donna bastard, but he's our prima donna bastard. He is this team's best chance to score in any given situation, we need him to be successful.
Zman keeps nailing home the obvious here, so I shouldn't restate it, but I will anyway. Primadonna? Yes, without a doubt. Ours? Whether you like it or not, yes. One more thing, since I think this is where the Mendoza hate train took off from the station... Overpaid? Almost definitely. But is that Mendoza's fault? No, not at all. He's taking what the front office gives him. And given the opportunity every singe one of us (with the exception of Fooshino and ZipSix, who are good, left, and true wealth sharing liberals) would gladly take more money than you were worth for your job. He's doing his part to live up to the contract. The front office knew exactly the style of player they were getting when they offered him this cash, and if they didn't, shame on them. Ire should be directed at the FO, not at our men on the field.
With all due respect, my friend, I was watching that match, and not once was there anything to suggest that Jewsbury had been selected for a PK in the manner we're describing. It was only after Cooper screwed the pooch twice over that any question was raised -- be it by the broadcasters, the coach, other player on the field -- about who would shoot the THIRD time. Again... I'm glad he wants the ball there. But the manager of the club decided that the club would be better off if Jeff took it. You don't have to agree with that decision, but Warzycha made it, and he's entitled to it. And he probably had his reasons. As I've already suggested -- maybe Jeff was hitting PKs better in practice, or maybe Bob hasn't gotten him as many minutes as he'd hoped he would have to this point and wanted to reward him for his hard work and for being a good teammate, or maybe he just wanted him to crack the goose egg and take the pressure off. I don't know. But to me, all of those reasons sound better for the team than "I'm the striker, I'm taking it, screw y'all." I said at the beginning: If Mendoza starts scoring goals by the boatload, I'll come around. Deep down, I want to love the guy. But he's making it so damn hard. Literally every time he's done something positive, he's accompanied it with something utterly douchetastic. That, and I'm still not convinced he's all that good.
Maybe, just maybe... it was Mr. Andres Mendoza. Its ridiculous all the negative attention he gets, I know he does some dumb stuff but he still plays for Columbus. I cant believe all the boos he gets from Crew fans. How are we going to boo one of our own players especially after he has 3 goals and an assist in the last 3 games. Aside from Renteria, he has been arguably our most productive offensive player (I know not saying much ). I just can not justifiably boo a member of a team I root for.
Which would prove his point that fans aren't knowledgeable. Anyone that boos him after that statement is clearly putting their opinions and feelings above the team (ironically, their same problem with Mendoza). He has moved on and is trying to help the team, will the fans do the same. Tonight Andres, Crew and the fans should have one goal: winning. Anyone that boos him tonight* does not have the same goal. *assuming he does nothing stupid or has any shanks.