i personally think that we should get john harkes back, i say this because he helped captain us to a few championships and because of his vetern leadership, we will also be short a few people several times because of the usa mnt....what do you guys think
it was "rumored", whatever that means, Harkes was a bit of a cancer to the younger guys on the Crew last year. DC has more of a veteran team but i'd still be wary. speaking as a neutral of course.
I would say bring him back so he can help mentor some of the younger players, but I think Stewart can fill that role just as well and be productive to boot.
Bring this man back. I'd rather have a veteran like him compared to some kid who will ride the bench and doesn't know as much about soccer as Harkes.
Take him, and let him retire in United colors. An experienced guy who plays a position we're shallow at. Why not?
They should let Harkes retire in a DC jersey then let him become coach of one of the super y-league teams. imagine etch and harkes developing our talent for the future, actually not our talent but we could still draft them when they see the potential is there to succed at the next level. I think harkes would be more than grateful if he could play for DCU one more time before he completly runs out of gas.
take him, take him he was the first american soccer player i really liked, and had he not started with DC I might not be the fan I am today. He is the first legend of DCU and deserves to retire in the black & red. Having him retire with us, and have him work in the front office is the euro thing to do, look at FC Bayern Munich everyone in the front office played for them, Franz, Uli, Karl. Imagine a DCU front office run by Marco, Harkes, and sooner or later Eddie.
I can't believe all of you guys saying to bring him back because of what he did in the past! We're not a charity. This is a team that wants to win now, not a retirement home for players who once played for us with heart! Cap space is incredibly tight! Let's say we can get Harkes for the low low price of $50,000. I'd rather use that money for incentives and tell the existing team that bonuses will be paid to players who meet or exceed certain milestones. We can still have a retirement party for Harkes, and he can still work his way onto the coaching staff some day. But let me just remind you all of one thing before you say United should bring him on board. Columbus cut him.
Problem with the logic of Columbus cutting him is they also have Denton penciled in as a starter right now.
If Harkes comes to the team at leage minimum, or close to it, and only takes Chino's spot on the roster, I don't see a problem with it. But the argument " he should come back to DC because he scored a goal at Wembly " doesn't hold water.
As of Friday now he is the only trialist left in Florida. http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=main&cont_id=165182
And that's quite an honor. He can retire a happy man that he got an honest shot. Mind you, if Hudson takes him and he scores a goal for us I'll be only too happy to admit my mistake!
Can't hurt to have Harkes around. Experience is key and this team could benefit from his leadership. He could be a valuable mentor. Stewart will provide a lot of leadership on and off field as well. What have they got to lose? This internet GM says sign him. Bill
I'd love to have Harkesy back IF he can still play. Hudson was attributed as saying that Johnny was finished and that he [Hudson] didn't want to have to be the one to tell him. If Ray hires him at the minimum, it will be because he compliments the team in some capacity and can still play well enough. If Harkesy IS finished, let's get behind a movement to have a Harkesy day at one of the home games, and let him hear the fans one last time as he retires in the Black and Red jersey. My $.02. I love you Johnny. GM
I would love to see him remain in some sort of admin. capacity with the United or US Soccer if he does not play or do TV. He means too much to the game to just go away.