Daniel Hernandez of the Revs blasted Nicol again this week about Revs attack and, apparently as a result, was dropped from the travel team for today's game against Dallas despite actually making the trip to Texas. From MLS Confidential: Wonder if it would be worth a phone call or two to the Rev home offices? My gut says no right now: our midfield defense has been strong despite the lack of a true d-mid, Ivanov should return soon (allowing Nelsen and Kovalenko to move forward), Namoff and Alegria provide decent cover, Carroll appears to be developing at a reasonable pace, and our biggest current problem seems to be scoring goals. Also, Hernandez has a reputation for being a "locker room cancer" and the team's mood seems pretty good despite all of the personalities. However, he is a solid two way defensive midfielder with a cannon of a shot. It sure would be nice to see someone occasionally put a ball on frame from outside the 18. Anyone know how much Hernandez is getting paid? Also, I've kind of lost track of our cap situation.
Keep the attitude problems with our conference rivals, thank you. Besides, he has a problem with Nicol's defensive tactics, so why would he be any more satisfied withours?
No, in our powder keg of strong willed personalities at United, we don't need a spark-maker like Hernandez. I agree with your analysis Bird. He has a rare combination of off/def skills. Too bad he's a cancer. I can only see him being valuable to the Rapids, Wizards or possibly the Burn. But absent a losing streak of significant proportions, I just cannot see those coaches dealing for him. -Digital
If Ray didn't want someone like John Harkes to upset team chemistry - someone who had loads of professionalism and has actually won championships - I don't see how someone who can't go a few months without bitching about his coach or teammates would do anything positive for our team. The only reason I would want Hernandez is so Hristo could work on his tackling.
We don't want him here, even as a tackling dummy, as he reeks of metrostars. Hernandez only wishes. He will probably be delt to Chicago for opening his big mouth.
Just to refresh memories, last year (when ABMOD was here) and we were talking trade with the Metro, my understanding is that Hernandez was one of the possibilities, we ended up with Villegas and Perez and afterwards, Hudson said that he had been about to take another player but Richie had been invaluable talking about locker room problems and head cases and his advice meant that someone we'd been offered we then chose to decline. Some of the speculation was that Hernandez was that person. I've read Hernandez' comments. They're more than just about the defense. He talks about the Revs playing "direct soccer" and bypassing the midfield. He than talks about how that means he needs to do more running (running to get up, then running to get back). And, when he got pulled against the Crue, he took it personally (even though afterwards Nicol said it was b/c he had a bum ankle and the entire team played terribly). I'm not interested in Hernandez at all (and that's too bad, he's American, young, quasi-talented and not too expensive I believe). In a few weeks, Ivanov is back (which frees up Nelsen to play D-mid if we want). I can live with Ivanov, Nelsen swapping central defense/organizer duties and Nelsen/Kovalenko sharing D-mid. As for Dallas, man that's a deep midfield right now. They'd have to go on a losing streak and Deering would have to be terrible (so they could cut him to get cap room) for them to really be that interested in Hernandez I think. Rapids? They're supposed to be interested in a Jamaican who is on the bench for Sheffield Wednesday (which is being relegated to the second division).
Re: Monster's post: I know that the speculation on why Ray passed on Harkes was that he was locker room poision, but when I asked Ray at The Exchange why he passed on John he said "You know, when the legs begin to go...." Take it for what it's worth.