Is currently on ESPN2 right now playing sweeper for AEK Athens vs. Real Madrid. No kidding... The Magpie
AEK is just about to get caught on a break away with too few defenders back. Actually, the headline could read: Revs 2001 Cast off Starting Against Real Madrid in Champions League. Maybe this league is not as poor as many would say.
Did anyone hear reference to Wright- "Steve Nicol could have sure used a player like that with the Revolution last Sunday." Final score- Real Madrid- 2 AEK Athens 2
Was it Wright that was supposed to mark McManamon on the first Real goal ? AEK did well for a team whose league is on strike
I don't think he was on for either of SM's goals. I think both AEK goals were scored when MW was on the pitch. Notice that he didn't get caught up filed like he did in the MLS?
Sorry Rkupp But good advice is to avoid any thread that relates in any way to a game you might have taped Also how long do we need to keep using an (R) after a game ? A day ? Two ? Years ? Not being sarcastic either just wondering so we don't ruin someone else's day
Sorry Rkupp But good advice is to avoid any thread that relates in any way to a game you might have taped Also how long do we need to keep using an (R) after a game ? A day ? Two ? Years ? Not being sarcastic either just wondering so we don't ruin someone else's day George, It's an expected courtesy in all Bigsoccer threads, and Rkupp does make a good point since this isn't exactly a forum where one would expect a Champion's League result to be posted. For all Rkupp might have known we could have been discussing Wright's (relatively) new choice of hairstyle. The Magpie
Oh I do know that part I guess I am in the camp of dont want to know a soccer result dont log on to bigsoccer or any other site that might give it away Seriously though - is there an accepted amount of time after a match from which point it can be openly discussed ?
I'm willing to believe that a good part of Wright's problems in NE were with the amount of freedom Clavijo gave him on the pitch. It's interesting to speculate whether Nichol could have worked him into the defensive mix more effectively. Brian
Mauricio's problems in New England had nothing to do with his attacking proclivities (IMHO) or his assignments in Fernando's back three. His problem was all about attitude. He didn't train well, and none of the other guys respected him as a result. He was given the captain's armband and proceeded to try to tell everyone how to do their job. That works if everyone wants to work for you (as with Joe Franchino). It doesn't work so well when you're the slackingest guy on the training pitch.
The system should fit the players, not the players fit the system. The system should fit the players, not the players fit the system. NER did not make the best of Wright’s ability. He could have been on of the best players in MLS but at New England he was not used correctly. Would Taylor Twellman make a good right back? More than likely not, so why would you play him there? Did Wright make a good sweeper in a 3-man backline? The answer is no, so why did they continue to play him there? Wright is playing AEK Athens one of the top teams in Europe and they seem to think he has something to offer but the powers that were in the NER seemed to differ with that assessment ???? Now how many times has this mistake been made? It even looks like Mauricio has even had a change in attitude to go along with his new found success. I wonder why that happened?
There's a great post on another thread about how Wright's occasional mental lapses are more easily covered up when he's surrounded with good talent as he is now with AEK vs. when he played here. BTW, he was out there for both of the goals, but overall I thought he played very well. I kept waiting for him to go forward, but I think he only did it once near the end of the game. I also think there are more than a few current MLS players who could contribute to many teams playing in the CL.
Who was Mauricio playing with in 2000/01 and who is he playing with now? Further, if he were here, who would he be playing with today and who would be coaching him? Enough said. There is no comparison. I'm not saying that the current Revs back line is as good as AEK but they aren't bad and none of them would stand for the old Mauricio, nor would their coach. Wright is gone and he won't be back but he certainly would be a terrific part (potentially) of the current Rev setup. Best of luck to him in the Champion's League, especially when he is involved with dumping such self-satisfied fat cats as Real on their kingly tushies on a regular basis. Dale Mauricio! JIM DOW
When you're playing at the top-level, you have to be in incredible shape, and be very disciplined. The coaches have plenty of talented alternatives if you're not doing everything they want. The additonal pressure of having a rabid fanbase down your throat if you screwup is also a motivation to be on the top of your game. I'm sure Mauricio never had to worry about his physical safety after messing up on the field with the Revs. In the MLS, what is a coach going to do? Sit down his most physically talented player when you desperately need him in defense? It's kind of the same situation with Lalas. It's still incredible to me that he was able to start in the Italian League. Until his comeback last year, he never had the same focus in the MLS.
I think Lalas' comeback has been one of the more remarkable stories in MLS from the past year. I wonder whether Sigi's the reason, the team he's on or whether he's just matured a little bit, but to me we're not looking at the same guy right now who played here.
Aw, shucks. Thanks. I thought he played well enough -- pretty much looked like he did most of the time here. Made me wonder how (a healthy) Pierce would do in that same game. A fun thought experiment...
The difference is that Wright has the quickness AND size to fit right in at that level. Pierce would look like a midget, and would be "posted up", in hoops terms. The guy who I fully expect to see at that level before too long is Kante. If I were a Euro scout, I'd be on the line with his agent right now. He's the whole package - size, speed, skill, quickness, timing, poise, maturity, ...