Who was the most valuable player to DC United's efforts this year, making our losses less devastating, making the opportunities to give us our victories?
Agreed. Made 3 mistakes last night, but made about 6 all year and kept us in more games than I can count. The Patrick Roy of MLS! Dave
The combination of Rimando and Reyes kept 15-20 goals against this team out of the net. Now if they can find someone to put 15-20 goals FOR this team IN the other net.....
I voted for Rimando for obvious reasons, but a case could be made for Ben Olsen. His return marked the the appearance of the team's heart. His presence seemed to lift everyone else's play and made for a great end of season run.
Ahem, since I see someone else opened this up (Shut the ************ up Eric). If you don't vote for Nick Rimando you seriously need to see a priest or psychologist or something. Now I'm going to get back to my hangover.
Nicky was the hero for us all season. Without him, we wouldn't have finished with 20 points. Ryan Nelsen emerged to be very good but wasn't the MVP. Ben Olsen helped us push in the late season but again Nick Rimando obviously deserves it.
A few players played well but none better than Rimando. Some of the saves he made were unreal! I guess he was just doing his job but if only the rest of the team had done their jobs in the same manner then DC United would be Championship bound!
Well said Rev. Little Nicky never phoned in his performance for a single match this season. Great job Nick!!
Nick is the clear first choice, but I think Ryan Nelsen deserves a lot of recognition. Not just for his goalscoring, but his general attitude and consistency. I've said it before...I think that if he sticks around for another couple years he'll make a great captain. It goes without saying, though, that Nick Rimando was the best player all season long.
I agree with the concensus: St. Nick. With all due apologies to Ryan Nelson, Reyes is the only other candidate worthy of consideration. They should each be proud of their performance, but Nicky mattered most. No offense to Mike Amman, but just imagine how we'd have fared with Amman in goal rather than Rimando!
One other name: Bobby Convey isn't even listed in the poll, but I think he deserves a great deal of credit for his performance this year. In the middle of United's dark, scoreless period, he persisted when others seemed to have given up. His little spate of goals near the end of the season were a justified reward for constant effort. Hopefully they signal his long-awaited emergence as a consistent scorer. What a pleasant development that would be.
Geez, it seemed an obvious choice to me but I'd think somebody would've voted differently. Little Nicky saved DC's bacon, and earned his Little reward. Mad props also to: Nelsen Olsen Convey Santino and Pope ('cause Japorea counts in my boook)
Don't get me wrong, Nelsen and Reyes lit the joint up in mad style. 10,000 volt and all. But St. Nick it has to be.
My four choices in order: 1) Nick Rimando. Geez, if even Kelly thinks so than it has to be. But why? - he played every minute of every game - bailed out the defense many many times to keep us in many games However he did let in a couple soft goals that really hurt in a couple of games. He still has room to improve. Prediction: Watch posters on the US mens boards go wild when Nick gets called up as 'everyone knows that Howard is a better goalkeeper." yeah, right. Watch them yowl even more when Nicky starts over Timmy. 2) Bobby Convey. Most of the little offense that we had (very little) went through our best teenager. Ending up tied on the team with most goals scored he's proved to be the only offensive player on the team who knows how to break down a set defense with any consistency. Regardless of Etch's status next year, Convey has just become our #1 a-mid. 3) Ben Olsen. Since he started at right wing in San Jose, the team's record has been 3-3-1. Two of the losses have been when Hudson brain-farted and played him at forward. he lifted the team's spirits and ability better than 10 year's worth of Ray hudson quotes and motivational speeches. I hope he spends some time getting fully heqled in England this winter, comes back and tears the league a new one. 4) Ryan Nelsen. He's not ranked higher because Ray didn't play him much until Pope went to Korea, then got injured with three games to play. organized the defense superbly and was a genuine threat in the box. Please, please let him come back to United next year. Other players who merit consideration, in order: 5) Pope. I think he works better with Nelsen than he did with Llamosa. 6) Reyes. Is he the first choice to be d-mid for next year? 7) Etcheverry. Going down a slippery slope but still had some magic on occasion. gracefully stepped aside the last few games, giving Convey the keys. 8) Santino Quaranta. Can't wait to see him with Convey and The Car%#^& in the U-20's. That's it. No one else is worthy of consideration.
Agree with all the pro-Rimando posts. As one of the worst defending teams in the league against quick counterattacks (look at last night's game winner), DCU more often than not had only Rimando to bail us out, and while far from perfect, he did a pretty spectacular job. Just look at how few goals allowed as a team DCU had -- two years ago, United allowed more than any other club in MLS. This year, we were actually one of the better defensive clubs in MLS if you use goals allowed as a measurement, and that is predominantly the work of Nick R. I think Reyes gets honorable mention -- his speed and phenomenal ability to get back when beaten as well as to cover for other players who were out of position saved many a goal as well. His speed also helped put what little energy there was in United's offensive thrusts this year as well, so he gets second billing IMB.
Nicki Ticki Tavi, without a doubt! Had Bobby Convey played the whole season the way he's played the last 3 - 4 games, we would have a few more wins, be in the playoffs, and he might be the MVP, instead. Winoman
Rimando for sure. This way I won't overlook him like my daughter did. She and a bunch of her team-mates (almost all from the NYC area) went to see the United/Metroscum game in NJ and went down to the locker room area after the game. My daughter, of course, hung out in front of United's. She said most of the players really didn't make eye contact as they left (Lassiter being an exception to this), but this one good looking Latino-looking guy did and she couldn't remember who he was. When we figured out with her later that it was Rimando she really felt bad because she had wanted to tell him what a great game he had had. One other part of that story. Etcheverry was the last out of the locker room, and by that time the rest of her team had wandered over to where she was outside of DC's room. Etch came out and Tori asked if she could get a picture taken with him. He said sure and invited the rest of her team into the picture. She said no way, just her, since she was the United fan. She's fierce about our team.
She said no way, just her, since she was the United fan. She's fierce about our team. that's pretty cool
As a "new fan" this year, I have to compliment all the members of DC United. Thier graciousness with fans, willingness to relate, and availability to fans is incredible. Marco in particular, has been great, signing a birthday present ball for my son "Happy Birthday Garth, Marco Etchevery". And, at a later game, shaking hands with and a lil boy in total awe of him. Thanks to all the guys for a great and warm reception of us fans. Mark
I wonder if people still think we wasted our first pick in the supplemental draft on Nick Rimando. I seem to recall that being a popular opinion at the time. Nick's athleticism and heart not only kept us in games but kept other players trying harder. Let's remember the days of Presthus and never take St. Nick for granted. Thanks Nickie for playing your heart out.
Oh yeah, I was one of those! And I'll still say that Nicky would have been there in the second round for us. You remember the second round- where we drafted Alevanja?
Let's also acknowledge that Alan "We Don't Need No Stinkin' Wall?" Kelly is no longer the goalkeeper coach. Dave