Love him or Hate him #61: Mark Chung

Discussion in 'Colorado Rapids' started by GoRapids, Jan 5, 2006.

  1. GoRapids

    GoRapids Member

    Sep 1, 1999
    Boulder CO
    One of MLS originals:

    Mark Chung
    Regular Season Stats
    YEAR TEAM GP GS MIN G A SHT SOG FC FS C EJ
    2005 San Jose 24 23 2,053 6 7 32 16 36 39 2 0
    Colorado 6 5 434 1 0 7 4 6 9 0 0
    2004 Colorado 22 21 1,914 3 4 49 20 21 35 0 0
    2003 Colorado 29 29 2,639 11 6 78 39 23 39 1 1
    2002 Colorado 27 27 2,401 11 10 83 33 30 61 0 0

    2001 MetroStars 26 24 2,226 3 6 56 25 36 71 1 0
    2000 MetroStars 30 28 2,539 3 11 60 28 42 64 2 0
    1999 MetroStars 26 22 1,995 3 7 56 22 20 56 1 0
    1998 Kansas City 30 29 2,551 2 8 60 23 19 66 0 0
    1997 Kansas City 32 32 2,871 10 8 62 32 26 69 0 0
    1996 Kansas City 32 32 2,847 8 9 81 40 35 69 0 0
    Career 284 272 24,470 61 76 624 282 294 578 7 1
    Playoff Stats
    YEAR TEAM GP GS MIN G A SHT SOG FC FS C EJ
    2005 San Jose 2 2 180 0 0 6 1 2 3 0 0
    2004 Colorado 2 2 180 0 0 2 2 1 4 0 0
    2003 Colorado 2 2 180 0 0 7 4 4 9 0 0
    2002 Colorado 5 5 461 1 1 13 4 10 17 0 0

    2001 MetroStars 3 3 288 1 2 9 5 2 9 0 0
    2000 MetroStars 5 5 460 1 0 9 4 6 12 0 0
    1997 Kansas City 2 2 180 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0
    1996 Kansas City 5 5 449 1 1 10 6 7 10 0 0
    Career 26 26 2,378 4 4 58 26 33 65 0 0
     
  2. ringshot

    ringshot New Member

    Sep 14, 2005
    Broomfield, CO
    Overall, I thought he was great... except for his last year here when he appeared to have given up. I know he had a reputation for 'getting bored' with teams, I just wish he could have hung on with us for his last two seasons!

    G'Day...Ron
     
  3. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hard call, his last season or so wasn't so great, and he was unofficially part of the Balboa trade, but he played so well at the start of his time in Denver I had to go with loved.
     
  4. rockymtn_mike

    rockymtn_mike New Member

    Jul 25, 2004
    Adams County, CO
    was a real class guy and a guy that any team would want
     
  5. orbie

    orbie New Member

    Jul 9, 2003
    Austin
    At the first Rapids/ MLS game I ever attended I was quickly asking myself "who is this guy" he was all over the place with a crazy work rate, creating alot of problems for the other team. I would look for him to get the ball every game after.

    Class player!
     
  6. Rei de Boston

    Rei de Boston New Member

    Mar 16, 2004
    I went with loved him. Sure his end here in Colorado was maddening but he and Spencer are the reasons I finally decided to support the Rapids as my team. He was fun to watch when he was at his best.
     
  7. IllBeats Hooligan

    IllBeats Hooligan Commander and Chief

    Feb 17, 2005
    Walnut Creek, CA
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    HERE HERE!!!

    Brown
     
  8. greenie

    greenie New Member

    Feb 6, 2000
    Boulder, CO
    I'm neutral. If I had to choose, the needle wavers towards "hate."

    I loved what the guy brought to the team. When he brought it.

    But for me to really get behind a player, I need to believe the guy loves what he does and/or is passionate about the team he plays for.

    For two years with the Rapids, Chung was an excellent player who brought much more to the team than the stats alone tell. But by the time he left, he clearly didn't give a crap anymore.

    Some of this I can blame on the eventually malaise-cum-total dissatisfaction that seems to hit everyone that plays for the Rapids, but this was Chung's pattern with every team he's played for -- even the senior USA side. He'd start out pumped, work hard and and earn his spot and respect, and then slowly dwindle.

    Part of my opinion is admittedly biased based on his off-field attitude towards fans and members of the press. He always came across aloof, and if you asked him a question his eyes would stare at you to let you know that his feces smelled of roses.
     
  9. spot

    spot Member+

    Nov 29, 1999
    Centennial
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He's a guy who had the talent to put the team on his shoulders, but couldn't be bothered. He'd do it in games here and there, but he didn't seem to have the heart or drive to do it over a season. The team needed him to.

    It's unfair and irrational. But.. I'm a fan. He disappointed me. I hated him on the Rapids. Give me a guy with less talent, but more desire.
     
  10. GutBomb

    GutBomb Red Card

    Aug 28, 2003
    Outside Boston
    that's stupid. sorry, but seriously. he got results. he was an excellent player. take someone that loves the rapids more but doesn't play as good? just dumb.
     
  11. congo2

    congo2 New Member

    Jan 31, 2005
    anyone see the comments that Chung says about Clavijo?

    says he is the worst coach he has ever had and is a complete idiot. Clavijo's training sessions: lets run. and run.

    I need to find that article (soccer coaching mag), it was unreal what he says.
     
  12. greenie

    greenie New Member

    Feb 6, 2000
    Boulder, CO
    This was why I said for me to "love" a player, he's either got to love what he does and/or love the team.

    There's no denying that Chung was an extremely talented player; long before he came to the Rapids, I felt he was one of the most skilled midfielders in the league.

    Overall success takes more than talent. You need to carry some sort of passion with you, something that keeps the fire burning. Do you have to love the team, the city, the coach you play for? No. But you at least have to love the game, love the competition, love the feeling of performing your best.

    With each of Chung's teams, his pattern was always the same: over time he would become disinterested, and his gradual drop there was always matched with a drop in his production. It's no small coincidence that Chung has never been part of a title-winning side.

    I'll close by saying that I'd never want a team where I "loved" every player. All I dream about is a Rapids side where I can respect the bulk of the roster. And I've got ultimate respect for what Chung's talent, especially for what it did for the Rapids in his first two years here. But I just don't have "love" for the guy.
     
  13. Wendys

    Wendys Member

    Mar 28, 2000

    It's in the magazine called American Kicker. I've tried to find a link to it online, but didn't have any luck. I have the interview in front of me, and was rolling on the ground laughing at some of the things Chung says about Clavijo. If I can't find an online link for people, I'll post it myself. It's not too long. Funny Stuff!
     
  14. WJMarx

    WJMarx BigSoccer Supporter

    May 5, 2003
    Boulder, CO
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There was nothing funny in what Chung said. It was immature and humiliating. Absolutely classless comments!
     
  15. Quango

    Quango BigSoccer Supporter

    Jul 25, 2003
    Colorado
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Yea, Chung's comments would definitely take away my "love" vote, if not only to make sure he had more "hates" than Henderson. Henderson wasn't as skillful, but he worked his a* off even when dealing with Clavijo's running regiment. Chung was terrible last year, and now it appears he was dogging it because he didn't like the coach. I would take a Henderson over a Chung any day.

    GoRapids, I've changed my vote (if I can :D).

    Quango
     
  16. spot

    spot Member+

    Nov 29, 1999
    Centennial
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Like I said it isn't totally rational, but there are players in the league who I think have less talent then Chung but I'd choose over him any day. Henderson was one. Ben Olson's another. Chris Armas. Hell,.. Jesse Marsch too. These are all guys who I think have less talent than Chung, but far more will.

    Chung had all the tools, but lacked the heart.
     
  17. greenie

    greenie New Member

    Feb 6, 2000
    Boulder, CO
  18. nowar99

    nowar99 Member

    Apr 14, 2003
    Boulder
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Sorry, GoRapids - I am the anonymous "hated" vote...I thought I was logged in, and it may change, so if there is a problem, then that second anon vote was me.

    At the risk of getting panned for giving Chung the hate...

    Its not that I HATED Chung, per se, but I hated his half-hearted attitude that seemed to show up on the field in 2004 and into 2005.

    Sadly, Chung's play here will always be measured by his first couple of seasons, '02 and '03 where he put up great numbers.

    Both Chung and Hendo seemed to struggle in 2004, but the difference is, Henderson, for his mediocre stretches, was never invisible...even when he wasn't producing, you could still see Hendo running and trying to make something - anything - happen. Chung was invisible.

    So I wouldn't say I hated him...almost the opposite, for a lot of his tenure here, I enjoyed Chung's play. But 2004 and early 2005 just took away the love. Chung "left" the Rapids before he was traded...and it was obvious with his coming back to life in San Jose.

    A very good player, and overall, very good for the league. I don't want to take away from his value to the league. But our trade of him looks better every day.
     
  19. GoRapids

    GoRapids Member

    Sep 1, 1999
    Boulder CO
    When you score oodles of goals ... the love comes no matter what! ;)
     
  20. pigtail

    pigtail New Member

    Apr 7, 2000
    95.5% love him, 5.5% hate him. I would say the minority is miner and they must be seeing something that the rest of us cannot see. I personally think they are just dumb asses whose words are not even worth reading most of the time.
     

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