Did Jeff Bradley really say we're one of the worst teams on paper?

I disagree that DCU is , but he got it correct with the Metros.

 

He's stating that the difference is slim though.

 

I think Jeff was referring to last year's records.

 

Exactly. That's also why it says "Extreme Parity" there is a slight difference in talent from top to bottom.

 

He also seems to give the edge to teams with proven, cohesive rosters.

 

Give me your probable lineup for '03, then tell me how many MLS goals those players scored in '02. I don't blame you for being excited about all the change, but there's proving to be done, folks.

 

You're very serious.



Probable lineup

. . . . Rimando
Reyes . Ivanov . Petke
. .Nelsen . Kovalenko
Olsen . Etcheverry . Convey
. .Stewart . Quaranta

Not many goals there (in MLS), but who knows how well Stewart will adapt, and if Olsen and Convey can contribute more goals than we've been getting from the wings of late. I agree that there is some proving to do, but I'm optimistic.

 

I guess it all depends on how you look at things, from a fans' perspective (hey, Dallas has the talent and the depth to win it all this year!) or from a more impartial observers'.

Looking at that lineup you posted:

Invanov, Petke, Etch, Kovalenko at a more defensvie position, Nelsen at dmid, Quaranta, how Stewart will handle the pounding an MLS forward will take are all big questions.

Also, not much depth behind Olsen and Bobby on the wings. Esky is unproven and you can't be really sure what kind of minutes and play you're going to get out of Hristo.

 

Well look who's here!

It depends on your definition of "proven". Yes, Earnie Stewart hasn't scored any MLS goals yet, but I think he's a proven commodity.

That said, talking strictly about forwards, I hear what Jeff is saying here. We know Quaranta is a nice player, but he isn't (yet) a top MLS scorer. And Esky is totally new...

But what about that defense? Reyes, Nelsen, Petke, Prideaux, Ivanov. Even if Ivanov is merely capable and not as good as Hudson says he is, that is one hell of a backline, one of the 2 or 3 best in the league.

 

Well, I suppose Earnie Stewart didn't score any MLS goals in '02...

I'm not sure I'd equate '02 MLS goals with how good a team looks "on paper". For example, what about players that were injured for all or part of '02? In some cases, the injuries were serious enough (e.g. Olsen's ankle, Mathis' knee) that there are questions about whether or not the player will ever return to pre-injury form, but in other cases (e.g. Quaranta's hernia), teams will be seeing a player back in peak (or near-peak) physical condition.

Additionally, what about players, like G.G. in Colorado, Stewart in DC, and JMM in New England, who are known quantitites that just didn't play in MLS in '02? Clearly, those three additions (and there were others this off-season) make their teams instantly better in the hypothetical world of "on paper."

Finally, it's important to ask what teams did to address their deficiencies from '02. DCU, for example, did a whole lot to address their problems (and their problems were myriad): up front, they brought in Stewart, Stoichkov, and Eskandarian, Quaranta is healthy. They added veteran toughness and leadership (Stewart, Stoichkov, Kovalenko, Ivanov), replaced the irreplacable Eddie Pope as best they could (Petke and Ivanov), and unloaded a couple of players who may or may not have been dragging the team down a bit (Moreno, whose attitude had been questioned and whose play had slumped, and R. Williams, who just ain't what he used to be).

While the Metros did address their biggest problem when they replaced OZ with Bob Bradley, I'm not sure about their personnel moves - only time will tell on that.

 

I think basically every team save the Quakes looks better on paper this year than last. The thing is, you probably could have said the same thing right after last year's dispersal draft.

So, yes, although I believe that United looks better this year than last on paper, I think Jeff is perfectly justified in saying that DC and the Metros are still the weakest on paper (had to throw in the Metros just to try to show I'm not JUST being a Metro troll on the DC board). Remember, the '02 Revs looked awesome on paper - but didn't turn out to be decent until they traded/injured/stopped playing three or four of the guys who made them look awesome on paper.

 

Chicago is worse on paper now than they were before.

 

We could be dramatically better, but an awful lot of things have to fall into place. A trade for a legit D-mid would help the cause a lot.

But if Convey and Quaranta have the kinds of year we all think they can and this year's version of DCU adds Petke, Olsen, Ivanov, Stewart and Eskandarian -- we could be pretty good.

I still think the biggest problem will be an unproductive Etcheverry in the middle of the park, but that's for another topic I suppose.

I picked the team to finish 10th last year, but think 6th-7th is about right this season. Anything better and we should be pleased.

 

I don't know that I can agree with you there Mr. Bradley. Forgetting the defense and midfield for a minute--our points of strength--and focusing on DC United's poor finishing, here's what I see:

1. Addition of the most prolific US scorer, Stewart
2. Return of an exciting MLS prospect with a decent point-per-minute ratio, Santino
3. Addition of the most prolific collegiate scorer and U-23 US International, Esky
4. Return of Ali Curtis, who had a comparable point-per-minute rate to Chris Carrieri and Rodrigo Faria who scored 11 and 12 goals last season respectively
5. Addition of Hristo Stoichkov, who while not a full time player has proven the ability to be a scorer as a sub

While I agree that it isn't the best strike force in MLS, I do not think that is an achilles heel either. Additionally, this team's midfield not only creates, but it also scores. These are approximate numbers, but Convey--returning from a hernia--scored 4, Nelsen 4, Etch 2 (?), and Olsen was injured almost the entire year and Dema was overworked playing MLS/Bundesliga/MLS so he now has recuperated. I expect goals from both Olsen and Dema.

The gone players, Moreno (few goals), Williams (0 goals) Pope (few goals), Petter Villegas (zero goals?), Lazo Alavanja (0 goals).

I fully expect to score double what we scored last season, hopefully more.

While it is quite true that their is great parity in MLS this season, possibly better parity than last season, I think 8 teams can make a claim to be as good as any "on paper." I do not think that KC can. While Chicago is still strong in the back and up top, they are weak attacking from midfield. I appreciate you trying to reduce the expectations for your brother in New Jersey, but clearly this Metros team is not the same as last years. Ditto for DC United. Will they be the early season imploding Clavijo Revs, or the late season rock solid Nicol Revs? Who knows, but I'm guessing that both the Metros (best coach in MLS IMHO) and United (solid coaching and loaded with talent) will do just fine this year, and fight for the Eastern Conference crown.

-Tron

 

My U-7 team can kick his U-7 team's behind!

How is this relevant? We can have the game at RFK, if he is man enough! I have 5 girls on my team, I hope that is not a problem.

 

OH,YEH...JEFF. We didn't have any MLS scorers on the team in 1996....none whatsoever and look what happened!

John

 

I'm with you guys. I think Jeff's been running too many marathons.

 

He's just trying to get a rise out of you. You know, for shits and giggles.

 

yep shits and giggles

 

Jose, our team is so bad...we even mess up the post-game high-five line.

 

First, I think it's pretty cool that writers like Bradley also visit BS and will post comments/responses. So kudos to Jeff.

Second, he's got a point about "goals scored in MLS." On paper this team does raise questions. On paper Stoichkov isn't much of an acquisition, Quaranta is a weak forward (5 goals) and no-one else stepped up to the plate to perform. But the game isn't performed on paper but on grass. And we all know that 2002 wasn't typical for Kovalenko, that Eskandarian and Stoichkov and Stewart all bring some big assets to the table, that some players will get better, etc. But if you look at it objectively, on paper, we don't have a lot of goals and we were dreadful as a team the past 2 years. Look at it this way, on paper LA had no goal scoring at the start of the season (b/c what was Ruiz?).

Third, as Bradley pointed out (and I felt the same way), you'd look at Hudson's Fusion at the start of 2001 and wonder "how the heck does this team fit together? It doesn't!" Ditto here--a bunch of midfielders all.

Last of all, every team in MLS right now is riding high b/c they're convinced their rookies will fill key holes, their new acquisitions will be the next stars, their injured players will be healthy and make the all-star team. And then the season starts and reality kicks in.

 

Quite possibly the funniest thing I've heard today.

 

I can't believe Bradley is going to the media with quotes about his team like that! What is he thinking???!!! I'm sure that those kids know how to use the internet. They're 7 and this is 2003, right? Man, I don't want to see what the mood in that locker room is tomorrow? Maybe Bradley is trying to motivate his team, but I can't see how this is a good way to handle it. Call me old fashioned, but I'm of the opinion that if you're team is having trouble with the post-game high-five line, then you should handle that problem behind closed doors

 

you must have had a pretty depressing day.
OH!

i agree with what jeff had to say though. digressing i think we have another season where who knows who will take charge in the east. hopefully we'll see some more points though.