I work at Metro HQ and in the last huge fight that Bob and Nick had Bob yelled at Nick and I Quote: " I curse the damn day I ever left Chicago to come to this S**t" I guess Bob loves chicago...... Nick was super pissed that this fight took place in front of the whole office with every one listening.. But its not the first time they have had major fights 2 at the office and 1 down in the practice field. and its over the same crap NICK REFUSES TO STAY AWAY FROM WORK OUTS AND YELLS INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE SIDE LINES TO PLAYERS DURING GAMES... Yes kids our GM is a MORON!!!!!
This from the guy who says he's going to be working for the NY Rangers in one thread and Champions World in another. He doesn't have an axe to grind, I'm sure.
Well, he's near his family now, and I'm sure that's all the consolation he needs at the end of another losing season for the Metro.
Too bad, so sad. I wouldn't trade Dave for anything. Especially since his son proves to be one helluva player scout. If Bob wouldn't have left and we never aquired Dave, then do you think we ever would have seen Damani on the field playing for any team?
You guys are great. When Bob left you guys were flipping out. Now that Bob's team is doing well with Dave, you guys are loving every second of it. I would do the same, but just remember that Bob had you guys playing the prettiest soccer in MLS for a stretch there.
I wanted Bob to go stick it because he left the team right when it was going to have to rebuild. He gave up instead of sticking out the rebuilding process. Dave stepped in and has done well so far. Good for Dave. Bob can stick it for backing out on his players!
Rebuild? When the team was staying the same? The players that left never played anyway. Nowak as good as he was played minimal minutes on your team over the past two years. Wolff???? Same. The only change was that Kovalenko was leaving, but Armas coming back more then made up for that. My point though is that he bled for your team for so long. It was never about him, it was always about the fans and the players...the organization. This time he felt that the best option for his FAMILY, was to come to Jersey. Can you blame him for that? I honestly can't.
The Fire is family. Do I blame him? It was his choice and no other. He's the only one to blame. Do I really care? No, not really. My point was just that not everyone around here was all teary eyed when he left. Wilt did the right thing by letting him go early though.
My 2 cents (as a neutral observer with not ties to the Fire or Metro).... 1. Let's not try to make BB into someone noble here. Yes, he and Wilt created a superb organization. And yes, BB is possibly the best coach in MLS (I said possibly). And I cut him some slack for his roster decisions last year--he could have had 7 possible National team callups, MLS wasn't allowing roster exceptions for USMNT WC slots so he really had to keep guys like Nowak and Stoichkov. That said...he did leave the roster in a shambles. To argue (as Arisrules does) that "the Fire are winning with all of his players" ignores the point that Sarachan was faced with some incredibly difficult roster decisions this off-season, had to reduce their cap commitments by something like $700K just to get to the cap (without even filling the empty spots). Bob Bradley built a great organization (with Wilt), developed some fine players and always fielded a smart competitive team. But he left things in a very difficult state. 2. I've got no problem with a coach making a move that is best for him, especially for his family. No secret of his ties to the NJ area. 3. Sakiewicz is a fool and Bradley (ala Arena) doesn't suffer them lightly. Whether the blowup happened or not, the Metro fans can certainly share plenty of NS stories about his mistakes, missteps and mis-statements.
GK-Zach Thornton, D-Kelly Gray, D-Jim Curtin, D-Carlos Bocanegra, D-Orlando Perez, M-Evan Whitfield, M-Chris Armas (Capt.), M-Jesse Marsch, M-DaMarcus Beasley (Logan Pause 92+), F-Damani Ralph, F-Ante Razov. That was the lineup that started against LA the other day. Except for Damani Ralph (which was a great pick by Sarachan), everyone one of those players are Bradley's guys. Listen people, the guys that were let go, ultimately were not that involved with the team over the past two years. That is a fact. Except for Dema and Stoich somewhat, which of the players let go were starters???? Now I am not trying to belittle the job Sarachan has done. He has done a super job with the Fire. But to marginalize Bradley, by saying that this isn't the core of his team, is a joke.
Zach Thornton, Evan Whitfield, C.J. Brown (Ryan Futagaki 73), Jim Curtin, Orlando Perez, Kelly Gray, Logan Pause, Andy Williams (Nate Jaqua 68), Justin Mapp (Craig Capano 84), Damani Ralph, Ante Razov. Logan Pause, Andy Willimiams, Justin Mapp, Damani Ralph with subs Jaqua and Futagaki. All new players to this team. All playing in a 3-2 victory of DAVE'S team over bob's team Bob bailed because he knew he had to start over and didn't want to. I blame him and thanks to an amazing job by Dave Sarachan and as always Peter Wilt I don't miss him at all. It's Dave's system, it's Dave's tactics, it's Dave motivating the team. Any credit to Bob left with him when he volunterily walked out the door. End of discussion.
I am going to have to disagree with you here. What is a bigger challenge, slightly retooling the best organization in MLS, the Fire, or going to Jersey, to try to resurrect the mess that is the Metros? Your argument that he left the Fire, because he was afraid of the difficult job is incorrect. He chose instead, a bigger challenge. Again, Dave looks like he is a great coach. He has done many great things for you guys, namely picking up Ralph to partner up with Razov. However, are you really willing to argue that the core of this team aren't Bradley's guys? Those 10 players that started in your USOC match? Again, I am just making the simple point that Dave still fields a team that is the striking image of the one that Bradley would field. Just remember that, and be greatful for what he did with you guys. I just hope he can bring some of that magic over to us.
Actually, you just made the point to ridicule us Fire fans. But that's OK. Bob did some great things, but Bob's gone now. Dave so far has done some good and luckily for us he'll he has some MLS experience now so the next offseason should be easier for him. Bob, and you guys, unfortunately still have Nick.
Actually four of them, and they were half of the top eight point producers for the team, including 2 of the three tied for number 2 last year. I'd say that's a pretty devastating loss, and hardly "not that involved."
True, but if it makes even one metrostars fan upset to hear it, it's worth saying. Bob gave us some great years, which I loved him for. Now he is gone to a team I hate (ie: any team but the Fire). So Buck Fob. A screw some metro fan for trying to tell us how we should feel about anybody or anyone. Your right though, it is a bigger challenge doing anything in New York because you guys suck and even Bob's smoke and mirrors can't fix that.
The four players that left were Nowak (retirement), Wolff (KC), Kovalenko (DC), and Stoichkov (DC) (unless I am mistaken????). Nowak, Wolff, and Stoich were injured for very long stretches over the past two years. One of the reasons you guys had trouble winning games was because these guys were out. The fact that they were productive when they played in such few games, is a testament to how good they were as players. The fact that these four guys were the ones that left to cover the cap problems, when they hadn't played much, proves at least to me that the core of the team that has played, day in day out, the past two seasons is the same. Also, don't forget Armas came back, as he was out all of last season. Part of the reason the Fire were always in the top 3 in man games lost, is because these players were so fragile. In theory they were part of the core, but because they were injured so often, the Fire ended up playing without them most of the time. The trade of Kovalenko for Mapp I think is even. You guys get a young player in Mapp who is very good. His speed on the ball, and his crossing ability on the run are amazing. Listen, again, I am not trying to belittle the accomplishments of Dave. It was obviously very difficult to make the decisions that led to Nowak retiring, and Wolff going to KC. However, belittling Bob is not right either. Also, making it seem like the team that was left, was a sinking hulk, is also revising the events that occurred.
BB didn't walk into a rose garden at the MetroStars. The team was a disaster and BB had to rebuild more than the Fire had to. The Fire just had to unload some hefty salaries and get some pick or young players in return. The Metros needed an overhaul from top to bottom. I think Metro only have six players left from last season and one is a backup gk. Now that is rebuilding.
Prior to Dave and PW wheeling and dealing before the draft, what was the highest draft pick the Fire had? Something like 16th. Add the fact that the Fire was 700K over the salary cap and you begin to see that Bob Bradley had been trading the team's future for the present for a very long time. The reaper was knocking on the door and Bradley walked out. Dave and PW made some very hard choices in a very short span and turned the Fire's "rebuilding year" (according to everyone, not just Fire fans, ask Jeff Bradley, any other sportswriter or anyone at MLS HQ) into something we've all been thrilled with, and with Bradley suffering in Jersey having been gifted a top notch team.