I understand Marco's motivation 100%. I hope he makes it back in time to play, but most importantly, he gets his son here safely. Via Con Dios, Marco Mark
A First Even I feel sorry for Ray now. Hope he has better luck as a color commentator than he's had as DCU's coach.
Here's a few more that don't shy away too much from what caused alot of the mess in Bolivia (US): http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/23/international/americas/23BOLI.html?th http://www.narconews.com/Issue31/article885.html http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/308/bolivia.shtml I feel for Marco. I wish he was here and everything was fine, but you can't argue his reason for being away. Someone on the team (paging, Bobby Convey, white courtesy phone) needs to step up and say "I'll take the team to the playoffs, follow me" and take control of the game. We really need to take it to theses bastards tomorrow. Goff said nothing shocking, I disagree .... I was shocked and I hope Marco (and his son, etc.) make it back in good health. Oh, and that DC United win !!!!
True, which is why I'm curious so many people are pissed at Warren for attending his brother's wedding a few weeks back, when he had let the team know of the situation 6 months earlier? Not trying to start anything, just curious...
Unfortunately, when someone has volunteered to lead this season, it has not been like the end scene in Braveheart where "The Bruce" leads the Scottish Army to victory but more like the scene in Braveheart where Wallace leads his small band forward but the rest of the army doesn't move... Win one for Diabolito (sp?)! Bring it home for Etch!
Marco in Bolivia My heart goes out to Marco, his family, and all of Bolivia. I hope that if Marco is retiring that this isn't the last we see of him in a United kit. To me, Marco is United! One question thought, can his son play like his dad, and if so can you say Discovery Player?
Damn, my mom left down there last week, 2 days before the President was kicked out. I knew what was happening, and tried to keep my mom from going, but she went claiming she knows her people better then me. Last time I spoke to her, she claimed she was having the time of her life. Almost 70 people died, but from what I hear, most of the encounters were between euro decendents in Bolivia vs the indigenous people. ONe group was asking for electricity, running water etc, as the other group couldnt stand to live with out shopping or work for another day. They didnt mix well.
I believe the problem is getting his son out of Bolivia, not getting him into the US. "Minors (under 18), who are citizens or residents of Bolivia and who are traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party, must present a copy of their birth certificate and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent or with a third party" I don't know if this adds anything or not.
I was all for Warren going to that wedding (if, indeed, that's what happened) so as you can imagine I'm even more in favor of Marco getting his son out of what could be a dangerous situation. And frankly, it's not up to us to judge how dangerous the situation is. I'm sure he knows more about it than we do. That said, I can't help but be shocked by the poster who said that Marco should play instead of fetching his son. Honestly, I've seen some cold things said on this board but that has to take the cake. And one more thing, it's irrelevant how old the kid is, why he was there, and the status of the relationship between Marco and the kid's mom. The only thing that matters is that he's Marco's kid and for Marco that should come before anything. Including, believe it or not, his fans.
Fer cryin' out loud! It's just soccer--it's not like it's important. I hope Marco returns safely with his son--he's got more important things than the game to worry about.
I'll stand by my previous post. Although I admit that none of us know exactly what is going on. If Marco's son is in any imminent danger then he is absolutely right to go down there and bring him back. There is some serious instability and political upheaval going on there. But for Ray Hudson to say that Bolivia is a "war-torn country" is typical Hudsonesque over-exaggeration. The photo caption in the print version of today's Post says DC United expects him back for today's afternoon practice. If that's true then I would say there's little harm done. But I also continue to value Marco's on-the-field contribution to the team. We're missing Dema, Ben Olsen and possibly Earnie Stewart for tomorrow's game. So I'd like to see the likely starting midfielders have a chance to prepare together.
As the resident Warren basher I can just add (hopefully without further extensive discussion) that I see this as different simply because this is a family EMERGENCY and not a pre-planned event. Etch had no idea that Bolivian internal politics would flair up into deadly violence. We will also not have to fly a player in that has never played on this team before to replace him. We have capable (even if not ideal) backups. I wish Marco the best, and hope he and his son arrive back soon. (Ideally this Friday )
*Marco was not at practice today. The team says he's flying back tonight and will be at the game Saturday. *Stewart practiced but still a game-time decision. *Geddes out with back injury, so the roving goalkeeper was activated.
Hey, it works for WalMart So we can safely assume Etch will now be only available as a 60th+-minute sub (unless we see him on the bike during the first half, then 46th minute). I WOULD NOT start Hristo, he plays crappy first halves and gets us doing all the wrong things. He does much better off the bench. If Earnie's not ready, that leaves us with very few options, except FORCING Bobby to play that position instead of letting him decide when he's ready. Q2 can play left mid, someone else can play right.
this time it is different and dangerously so. this, regardless of race of economic status, is the worst. i hope it doesnt really get out of hand, but if it does, we are in for a long, ugly stretch.
Careful you may be next! ps-Glad to hear that everything has been resolved and Marco is coming back in time for the game. pps-Thanks Steven!