I think we should think about giving Dema a callup for the world cup. His team in Ukraine, FC Metalurh Zaporizhya, has made it to the Ukrainian cup final where they'll play Dynamo Kiev, assuring them of a UEFA cup place for next season. They are currently 7th overall in the league and only one win off 5th. Obviously we all remember what a tough player he was and we could use someone like him off the bench against a team like Italy or the Czech Republic if we're winning and need to close out a game.
I'm all in favor of this except for two things. 1. It's against the rules because he's not a US citizen. 2. He's not very good.
Ah, but you see, Kovalenko was quite close to citizenship before signing with the Ukrainian club. I understand that he still has ties to the DC area and is poised to be pulling a David Regis (ie, getting a little beltway magic on last minute qualification for citizenship...just in time for the World Cup). He has been doing well with FC Metalurh Zaporizhya and has yet to be capped with Ukraine...so it is entirely plausible. I won't dispute with you that he is not my favorite player (and I'm a DC fan). However, when you examine the paucity of options for the US at right midfield, it is tempting to think of an athletic, skilled, and extremely hard-working player that could slot in as an alternate to the inexperienced and hot-headed Dempsey. Are you saying that Ralston is better than Dema? Cheers, Tim
But he's lived here for longer than Regis had... I mean it wouldn't be totally unheard of for us to fast-track his citizenship. we're not talking holding midfielder here... we're talking 2nd half destroyer alongside Mastroeni or if Pablo is out for cards or w/e reason.
Don't you worry about that, in the Los Teniqos interview Bruce said, in a part that autogolazo forgot to post(don't worry it was still the most bad ass thread of the year), that he still has ABMOD on speed dial. He has secretly been training in the WWE and UFC and should be more than ready come cup time.
but if Bruce thinks he is a good player, he will be a citizen in a month just as David Regis in the past.
Stupidest idea ever. Don't you think that Bruce, quite familiar w/ DC United, woulda thunka this in the last, oh... 7 years?
not really... we were deeper in the position of midfield badass before. behind chris armas we had pablo. and ritchie williams was still in his prime. clearly the time is NOW for capping Dema. or Ukraine might do it and then we'll have lost our chance. its one thing to lose a reserve team player like rossi... but to lose a player starting on a UEFA cup side would be a big mistake.
That's a great idea. It's five days before Arena announces his World Cup roster. I'm sure that's plenty of time to get Kovalenko naturalized.
All that's well and good, but dual nationality is not recognised nor permitted in Ukraine. If he gets a USA passport, he would have to reapply to get a work permit and Visa as he wouldn't be allowed to hold onto his Ukrainian nationality whilst he's playing there...
One man... Two options... When only one will do... Call... THE DECIDER! right... because putting Dema in close proximity to so many malnourished knees isn't a recipe for disaster.
after having watched Dema for years in MLS... I can clearly state that Dema Kovalenko is a better defensive midfielder than Rossi.