RSL FM, I meant in no way to take away from your wonderful work on our behalf. I am very happy with the updates you give us. You do a great job. I simply hadn't read anyone's actual account of what happened. I'll I heard was "someone told me" or something to that effect. With your RCB link, I've now read someone's first hand account. Not cool at all.
If DC's getting hard up for cash, I hear he owns some real estate in Sandy that he won't be needing anymore.
Dave might want to hang on to that 7 million dollar donation he is planning on giving to Salt Lake County for the youth soccer fields as well.
Seriously, I'm the only one who finds this hilarious? I know it was inappropriate and unprofessional and probably offensive even... But still, there is a bit of irony around the whole business and the people involved. I think it's good to see the front office get ticked off once in a while and show SOME emotion about SOMETHING--ANYTHING. Anyway... my apologies for finding humor in this, but there it is.
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640198199,00.html "He talked candidly about his jockstrap comment, which was targeted at a few players in particular, not the whole team. He laughed about trying to motivate an unnamed lethargic player by having midfielder Kenny Cutler warm up intensely just a few minutes into the game — a ploy he said worked. "I'm not as dumb as I look," joked Ellinger." Is anyone as concerned about this quote as I am? The dude continues to think that silly crap like this makes the difference. Buddy, you HAVE to actually organize your players. Questioning their manhood, hiding your starting lineup and telling someone to work harder doesn't do it at the top level. His view on coaching is that if you simply TELL someone what to do then it is sufficient. How can people be so blind as to how clueless this guy is?
Who exactly are these "people" that you refer to? I don't think many of them are RSL fans. Maybe the GM and the ownership, but most RSL fans. I think they see the real problem here.
So, anyone know if unused bonus tickets will get you into the Rapids Open Cup game on Wednesday? What's the deal with tickets for that game? I'm pinning my season's hopes on that Cup.
Nope. You have to buy them, but I can think of three different people trying to sell tickets in order to get into that stupid autograph session, so finding them shouldn't be a problem.
Most, but not all. And those that do not are important decision makers (i.e. front office). That is the key.
Do you really think that Checketts is happy with Ellinger? Or that Pastorino is? ... Checketts has MILLIONS of dollars riding on him (and the franchise). Pastorino likely has his job and professional reputation as a GM (this was his break to prove he could be the #1 in the franchise, not the #2 as before). These guys are gutted. Ellinger is gutted. He's watching his professional reputation and employability seriously diminish - He will personally bare the results of his failed stay here. This isn't a game for these guys. They're risking much more than the cost of season tickets... Now, do we have a right to be pissed, frustrated, and to call for heads to roll. YES. I just don't think we need to pretend that they "don't care" or "it's not important to them" etc... Or that somehow, Ellinger is so stupid that he didn't think to work on the teams discipline in the first or last minute after the loss to FCD or whatever... Now, CLEARLY, it's not working and he will be accountable for it. It seems appropriate to challenge someone's credentials/capabilities on these boards but so often the criticisms move past rational analysis to frenetic villification. Practically speaking, owners don't call out coaches in the press because it's bad business - the message out to other "potential" coaches/employees is that the owner will publically handle his dissatisfaction with you. Coaches (particularly in a tight night world like MLS) watch how employees (coaches) are treated by the team/franchise and you have to be mindful of that. Personally, I think Checketts has one priority between now and August 12th - FIGURE OUT IF HE REALLY WANTS TO BE IN MLS. Once that is done, and assuming he chooses (finds a solution that works - not necessarily a stadium deal) to stay in the game... You can set the timer for Ellinger's departure. At that point, the only thing that will prevent Ellinger's departure would be an AMAZING run in the last 10-13 games (basically winning 8-10 of those) to show that there is something worth keeping with this current coach/team setup. Assuming he doesn't want to stay in the game, Ellinger is a moot point. Cut and run.
Have to buy them, but prices are lower. I think they are $15 for seats on the side, and $10 for corners or north stands. Need to pick one up tomorrow night at the DCU game.
I'm going to agree with the premise that nothing major is likely to happen until after the Major League Decision is made. If RSL is leaving Salt Lake soon, it's not practical to make major changes now. IF RSL stays, then Checketts can start to think long-term.
Jules, I had been pondering this mannerism that seemed prevalant in Ellinger for quite some time. I had, in fact, come to the conclusion that he was of the same guild as Gary Crowton. I was about to start referring to him as Crellinger, or Ellington (I prefer the latter) because it always seemed to be an excuse and a plea that they were still coming together, etc. However, after the other night and the whole jock strap thing, I was pleased. I think a good mix of being Mr. Nice-Guy-Gary-Crowton and having a little fight, accountability, and discipline like Meyer and Mendenhall (although the latter is less proved than the former) will suit Ellinger well.
I don't know if it is funny, ironic, or sad. The RCB cheers from the section where Coach Ellinger last year asked the supporter groups to be located so that the team could better hear and feed off of their support. Now chants for the dismissal of the same man that wanted them there rain down and a team staff member uses salty language in the coaches defense. However, earlier in the year fans located close to that section were offended at the language being used yet those that were offended were told (by those that were using the language) it was approved of and encouraged by some members of the front office and if they didn't believe them they should check with said front office and names and numbers were provided to the offended. Now the front office uses the same language that once was defended by them in return to the same group that was originally using the language and was using the approval of the front office to defend themselves against the offended and we are all shocked and confused at the actions of the front office staff. It's like an offensive riddle wrapped inside of a defended enigma.
Stewart may be RSL's key vs. DC On Eddie Pope: "Pope, however, could be available, depending on how healthy his right foot is feeling Saturday morning. The national team defender has struggled with the foot injury for weeks, and Ellinger is not about to rush Pope back into action." Stewart on the trade: "It's the first time I've ever been traded but it's a good feeling," Stewart said. "You're coming in here, and you are expected to help out. It's a good feeling for a professional player; you want to be on a team where you can help." And it really isn't news, but also on MLSNet is Tino Palace's new column, which contains this dig: "In case you haven't heard, Planet LA is cooking. Al Gore jokes aside (maybe it's not so funny), it is steaming out here. I mean, they are giving away 110-degree days like RSL is giving away late goals."
7/29/06 local news roundup RSL vs. DC United... Deseret News/James Edward:Tonight's Real S.L. match is best vs. the worst "D.C. United makes all the right decisions," said Ellinger. "When guys go forward, guys cover. They're very comfortable with themselves individually and as a team." ... The average age of Real's starting backline tonight could be one of the youngest in MLS history. It will definitely have rookie Willis Forko on the left and second-year player Kevin Novak on the right. In the middle, Pope is highly unlikely with a foot contusion, and 17-year-old Nikolas Besagno is preparing to start in his place. At the other center back position, Ellinger was very disappointed in Douglas Sequeira's performance in Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Chivas, and he's tempted to start newcomer Jack Stewart in his place — another second-year player.SL Tribune/Chhun Sun: Ellinger trying to get through to his sinking soccer team "To be real honest, I thought it [Ellinger's 'jockstrap' insult] was kind of funny," midfielder Chris Klein said about his coach's comments on Wednesday. "I didn't take it to heart. We should have won the game. That's the bottom line. All the players know that they didn't have to read a quote to realize that." ... "The pressure that's on [Ellinger] is different from the pressure on the players," Klein said. ... "It's never easy, like I always say," Ellinger said. "You can talk to my pillow anytime and see how hard it is for me to go to sleep." Ogden Standard-Examiner/Jasen Asay: Young back line could be Real challenge--D.C. United, best in MLS, comes to town (paid subscription only) For the Fire, Stewart scored a goal against D.C. in last season’s MLS playoffs. “I can do it all,” joked [Jack] Stewart. Brian Gil signing... 2006 Combine Profile here SL Tribune: Locals in Sports Stadium... Deseret News/letter: Checketts has 'Real' tantrum SL Tribune/letter: Thanks, Mayor Corroon SL Tribune/letter: Pro sports a crapshoot SL Tribune: Rocky's Head Butts Legacy started the war, but Anderson's attacks on the state's liquor, gun, abstinence, English-only and anti-gay laws kept the battles raging. His strained ties with the Capitol Gang may have hurt the city's shot at a Major League Soccer stadium. "STFU"... If silence is what the RSL FO craves, they won't be disappointed [RSLFM editorial note: Trey Fitz-Gerald must either publicly apologize & retract his odious remarks... or else resign immediately. The well has been poisoned.] The rightfully outraged comments posted to Nessie's blog entry are representative. Outlaws season recap... Ogden Standard-Examiner/Justin Johnson: All in all, Outlaws’ 1st season promising--Hickman vows team to return for ’07 season (paid subscription only; yesterday) “We wanted to average about 800 fans a game and toward the end of the season, we were getting there,” Hickman said. “We had a lineup on the field that was about 90 percent Utah players, and I felt like we put a good, exciting product on the field. We’re definitely going to be back next year.” PDL Playoffs... Ogden Standard-Examiner: Cougars win thriller (paid subscription only) Provo Daily Herald/Justin Lloyd: BYU win first PDL playoff contest "This is huge for us," [BYU coach Chris Watkins] said. "It's easily our biggest win in the PDL. We played really well out there and not only did we win, we deserved to win."Deseret News/Scott Taylor: BYU makes the most of playoff debut with victory over Seahorses The second-place finisher in the PDL's Northwest Division, BYU (10-6-1) upset the Southwest Divison champion Seahorses (13-4-0) on Jacob Cavanaugh's second-half breakaway goal, snapping a 1-all tie and propelling BYU into the finals, which also will be played on the Cougars' home field. They will face the Blue Star (11-4-2) , which allowed Northwest Division champion Abbotsford (9-5-3) a 2-0 lead through 60 minutes of Friday's first semifinal match before scoring three straight goals in the final 30 minutes for the victory.WPSL Final Four... SL Tribune/Chhun Sun: Championship feels the Fury Ogden Standard-Examiner: Newcomers advance to final (paid subscription only) Deseret News/Dan Rasmussen: Long Island, River Cities advance At Juan Diego Catholic High Tonight's final: Long Island vs. River Cities, 8 p.m. Tonight's consolation game: San Diego vs. Ajax America, 6 p.m.
Just an FYI...Trey and the RCB leadership went to lunch yesterday to talk about this...he offered what seemed to be a pretty sincere apology, he felt pretty bad about what happened. He's offered to talk to anybody about the incident.
A good start. A public aplogy (written or on 700AM) will help put this matter to rest. The sooner the better.
Why should he have to apologize to the public? He's apologized to the people involved and they have apparently accepted it. What does the general public have to do with this? He didn't say it over the air or anything. In fact, I'm wondering why you are even involved. Except for this is another chance for you to criticize and stir the pot. It didn't happen to you so why should you care, especially if the people involved have solved it and put this matter to rest.
Why? 99.999999% of the public didn't here it. Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration... 99.9999% of the public didn't hear it - nor was it directed towards them. I think the only people he owes anything to are the ones that he said it to.
7/30/06 local news roundup Lots of good news--for a change. Can someone else post the links today? I'm not well ("foot contusion").
Not the quality we're used to from RSLFM, and I couldn't find my Ogden Standard subscription number, but here are some links anyway. (if I did this right!) Cunningham delivers for RSL By Chhun Sun http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_4114085 Monson: Ellinger not just some dumb jock http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_4114082 10 stupid, idiotic questions for John Ellinger http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_4114094 Dallas bulldozes Rapids MLS Roundup - http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_4114081 Late goal gives Long Island WPSL title Women's Soccer - By John Coon http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_4114078 Up to the minute: Real pulls huge upset with Cunningham penalty kicks By James Edward http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640198745,00.html Moreno creeping up on Kreis' record By Michael Black http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640198743,00.html Three Nunez points propel FC Dallas past Colorado Associated Press http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640198749,00.html D.C. United's unbeaten streak ends By Michael Black http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640198744,00.html BYU men's soccer loses on PK's JASON FRANCHUK http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/188085/ It takes awhile, but Y. is ousted Season ends on penalty kicks By Scott Taylor http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640198747,00.html Another perspective: Salt Lake Ends D.C.'s 14-Game Unbeaten Run By Nate Carlisle Special to The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/30/AR2006073000004.html
and This guy's a real charmer - he pins the blame squarely on his players and continues to claim that his strageies are sound but his players are boneheads with no fighting spirit. NOT a way to win confidence from your team. And this whole golfball bit is embarrassing. He should never have talked about that in the press.