Lead story in the sports box on Boston.com: It’s one and done for Ralston Midfielder will retire after game http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2010/07/20/its_one_and_done_for_ralston/ The end of an era. Rookie of the Year in the league's first season; iron man consistency; a class player and person through it all. Thank you for all you've done for the team and the league. And thank you for coming back and retiring in a Revs shirt. I hope your Houston stint is short and you're back to coach our guys one day soon.
Anyone else feel a bit miffed that the Revolution don't have one breath about this up on their website?
Yep, all 1000 of them tonight. I would go tonight (sold my tiks already), but I wonder if he'll even get on the field?
Screen cap from just before 10:00AM today (July 20th): Absolutely no mention of Ralston's decision or that tonight will be his last game.
His retirement has nothing to do with the most recent injury. He's taking that Houston job and it was a move that was too good to pass up. Getting a chance to coach with his old buddy Dom Kinnear.
At first I thought it might be a ploy to boost the attendance for tonight, but after seeing nothing on the web site that clearly is not the case. It is a crying shame that not only will many people miss paying tribute to Ralston because of the short notice, but the lack of publicity will mean many more who could have gone won't because they don't know. I had no plans on going to any Superliga matches, but now I am going to make an effort to attend tonight's match. I do hope that the Revs plan a Ralston night to pay him tribute some time this season.
I'm sure they will, and it would be nice if they put up a simple press release and photo on their web site letting fans know Ralston is retiring and that they are doing something special tonight to honor him... but I guess that's too difficult.
Oh, I saw it. I know we live in a 24-hour news cycle with the media nowadays. Maybe the Revs can catch up to a 12-hour one, at least.
I suppose 8/14 vs. Houston will be the opportunity to honor Ralston? If the team doesn't organize something, perhaps we should plan something? Signs with #14 filling the fort could be a start. That would be nice tonight as well.
I'm having a really hard time finding information about this. I know he was a candidate, but former captain Wade Barrett has also been working as an interim assistant coach for a while now so we're curious to see if a decision has been made one way or the other.
Top spot on the line in group stage finale Having already assured themselves of a spot in the SuperLiga 2010 semifinals, the Revs can clinch first place in Group B with a win or draw against Morelia | NOTE: Steve Ralston to announce his retirement following tonight's match - coverage to follow.
I don't know what's worse, the almost "blink and you'll miss it" passing reference to his retirement, or that they posted a match preview that says: http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=43514&pcid=115 "It’s possible the Revs could receive a boost against Morelia with Steve Ralston set to return from a dislocated left elbow, although veteran defender Cory Gibbs (L quad strain) won’t play until at least July 31 when New England returns to league action against the Philadelphia Union. Ralston was hoping to receive medical clearance on Monday afternoon, and if given, he’s likely to see action as a substitute on Tuesday night." :rolleyes: Talk about a half-assed effort.
The PROACTIVE thing to do: plaster the media BEFORE THE GAME (like a day ahead) and create excitement and interest for the event. The REACTIVE thing the Revs will do: Get a few write-ups in the media concentrating on the match foremost after the game has been played in front of a small crowd and whatever interest there was has waned.
I wonder if Ralston wants it this way -- no spotlight, no big deal. He's a really classy guy who may not want to draw attention to himself. He's not a media whore (like Lebron James or Brett Favre...or Monty) so is it possible he wants to do it quietly, tonight, in front of a small crowd? Not that I am defending how the team has handled this news. If this is not Ralston's wish than the team has really screwed this up. There had better be something big planned very soon.
I thought about that, but then why would the Revs have mentioned it last night on their social media feeds? Seems half-assed to me.
Good point re: the feeds. Jeff Lemieux mentioned it in a couple tweets yesterday. I tweeted to him asking why there was nothing about Ralston on the club's home page but I don't expect a reply. Nothing against Jeff, I genuinely feel he's done a great job all season with online Rev content. That is a big plus this year. But how he can write a blog entry about a "playoff beard" earlier in the year and not one about the classiest player ever to wear a Revolution jersey's impending retirement 24 hours ahead of his last match ever is perplexing to say the least. What a blown opportunity to raise average SuperLiga attendance by the FO.
Too bad Garber named his All Star selections already. I think it would have been a nice gesture to name Ralston to the squad. Especially since he was a MLS original and he is just pure quality on and off the field.