Convey for DCU Captain 2004 (if Nellie Goes)

i vote olsen or petke - bobby's lack of effort last year should preclude him from the captaincy

 

Olsen, he actually signed a 4 year deal with the team because you know, he's not trying to jump ship as fast as possible like Mr. Convey. Also, Convey's attitude is nothing in comparison to Benny's.

 

Olsen without question...with Etch leaving he's the lone link to the glory days and has the heart to inspire the team. No offense to Ryan but I wish Olsen was the captain even if Nellie stayed.

 

Man, this thread is going to get so many panties in a bunch there's going to be an epidemic of gangrene.

... and honestly people, lack of effort? attitude?

 

I had been thinking about starting the thread, but felt too new Glad someone else did.

I think Bobby could make a good captain, but for that to happen he needs to step up and forget going to Europe. I think he will be able to do more with DCU next season than he will in a top flight European team for the next 2 or 3 seasons, if he decides to stay on and focus. To bring him in next season and have him split in the summer would be an ugly blow to the team.

Ben I think is the obvious choice since he is the (assuming that Etch leaves) the most senior player on the team, not to mention the spark he gives to the team. The issue with Ben (which is also an issue with Bobby as well), is that I see Bruce starting to work him back into the MNT. Given that we are going to have friendlies and WCQ games through our next season, I can see him missing many of our games.

If you take Ben and Bobby out of it for those reasons, I think Petke or Nicky are the next choices. As much as I like Nicky, I think Mike would be a better choice (he appeared to have a good effect on the back line last season).

-gnat

 

Bobby may show leadership qualities on the field with the Under 20/Under 23/Under whatever team, but that doesn't necessarily make him a leader on DC United. I think that he would need to "earn" the captain role either through exceptional play on the field, or an exceptional career over time.

I'd only consider Ben, Earnie, and Ryan for captain next year. Ben and Ryan for exceptional play, Earnie for an exception career.

While some keepers may do well with the arm band, I don't see Nick as being that man... not that he couldn't do a good job.

 

As much as I like Bobby and would love to see him assume a leadership role with DCU, it's highly likely he'll be gone before we reach mid-season, possibly even before the season starts, given his current form in the U-20 WC.

 

Well, going on his performance in the playoffs, Bobby seemed to try and take some leadership. He was the only to try and stand up to Hristo when he was acting like an embaresment.

 

Unless a SI slot (if we have one? Or if we dump Ivanov, please!!) is used on a central mid, the success or failure of the 2004 season rests on Convey. If that is the case, Convey should be captain, if only to reinforce to him that the team is his to run. If he needs additional motivation, which he shouldn't, the captaincy should focus him on the job.

It's no knock on Nelsen, Olsen or Stewart, but the fact is their performances will have a lot less to do with the success of the team than Bobby's.

Of course, whoever gets the armband is just keeping it warm for Adu.

 

I thought Bobby should have been captain after that game in Dallas and his infamous halftime interview. I also remember reading his line in the post about "Forwards need to score, thats what they are paid to do" that came out about the same time. However he will be gone at the first chance he gets, so I would rather it be Benny or somebody who will be here for a long time. If Bobby drops his England dream, I think he could end up in Europe when the winter transfer window opens.

 

Oh, I don't know... I think many of us agree that when we lost Olsen, our season was lost... not when we lost Bobby.

 

Through the last couple of games of the season, I saw a lot more maturity and leadership from Bobby. From going to refs to get the game moving again, to trying to get Hristo to shut up.

That said, the Captain has got to be a guy that really sets the tone of a team, and leads the charge. I think that amonst the current group of players, Nellie does have the most qualifications. He also handles it well. Remember, just because somebody has the ablitiy, doesn't mean that they won't fold under the pressure. I think Ben is the best choice to fill in after Nellie. Earnie is another logical choice.

Dema and Petke also have some ablities and potential, but I don't see them doing it for more than a fill in role.

Let's let Bobby be a young player who takes on more playing responsiblities before he takes on more leadership responsiblities.

 

cap'n

olsen, definitely. I was surprised nellie was offered it before him in the first place.

I agree that convey might be inspired by the arm band, but as other posters have said, captaincy is earned. the captain is the player who best represents the team, and who you want others to emulate. bobby simply hasn't earned it, benny has, and being the longest-tenured player makes all else academic.

1) benny
2) stewart
3) nellie (if he's here)
4) convey
5) dema (for his passion and mvp... tho controversial)
6) petke

any if not all of the top four could be called up, though.

how about a poll? gives us something to do while we await a new coach....

 

Anyone who doubts this assertation must have been watching DC United season on their playstation and not the real thing. OTOH i do wish the real season turned out like the FIFA 03 version.

 

Even as a card carrying member of the Bobby Convey appoligists club I think Olsen is the best choice.

 

i thought it should have been olsen last year...id like to have a captain that actually plays well in mls games and one that doesnt have europe on his mind at all times (convey)...but hey thats just me

 

But 2003 was a year that Ben had to prove (even to himself) that he was a capable player. The burden of leadership shouldn't be hoisted onto someone with such challenges.

 

Olsen was also hurt during this time, although he was trying to come back from the injury sooner, risking further serious injury, to help the team.

If their roles had been reversed how can you say Convey wouldn't have pulled a Quaranta and taken double the time needed to get back? I don't think that would've happened but I would have been very surprised to hear talk of BC coming back early.

 

As much as I like Convey, I think it has to be Benny. If not him, I wouldn't mind seeing the band on Petke or Rimando.

After the u-20s, Convey will be heading to Europe at the August transfer window at the latest.

RS

 

sticky issue

Here's my two cents:
If Nellie is gone (which I think will happen next year)

1. Benny - the guy is a workhorse and a leader
2. Dema - no one worked harder for DC last year

The next two are based on contingencies

3. Bobby - if he has his chance under a new coach to do what we all hope he can - direct a dangerous offense
4. Earnie - if he actually starts to be worth more than any other benchwarmer DC has. Don't get me wrong, I love what Earnie's done for the Nats, and I love that a seasoned Euro-vet wants to play for DC. But, despite what Eric (I'll-write-an-article-about-my-unappreciated-style-and-cleverly-try-to-get-people-think-it's-about-someone-else) Wynalda says, I didn't see much from him last year.

Fire away

 

Right. But Ben has had a significant amount of time recovering from injury to think about things and where he is at in life.

http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=main&cont_id=209730

Of course, unless he has the Caligiuri clause inserted into the contract, Olsen could be traded.

Similar background...and Bobby outweighs Ben(?)

Bobby Convey
http://www.ussoccer.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=1725

Ben Olsen
http://www.ussoccer.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=7994

 

1. Ben Olsen
2. Earnie Stewart
3. Bobby Convey

 

and
4. Mike Petke