Hey! I didn't say it! Ives Galarcep did! http://www.bergenrecord.com/page.ph...lRUV5eTYzOTI0NzAmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2 Metros lame duck leaders Tuesday, June 17, 2003 By IVES GALARCEP SPORTS COLUMNIST The only thing missing from the MetroStars locker room after Saturday's 3-2 loss to Chicago was the M.A.S.H. Unit red cross. Argentine Jose Galvan limped around as if he'd been shot, rookie Ricardo Clark tried to answer questions even as his swollen lip grew bigger and Amado Guevara sat in his locker room wondering how a 240-pound goalkeeper could shove him with both hands and not be ejected. The Metros were battered and bruised and facing the reality that things aren't going to get any easier.
I love this part.... "If MLS officials had any guts, they would hit Thornton with at least a one-game ban and some sort of fine, but given the league's erratic track record of issuing fines and suspensions it wouldn't be surprising if Thornton got off with no penalty at all." I also can't really disagree with the article on a whole either.
Quack! "Mathis, Pope and Howard were brilliant enough in the season's first two months to cover for some serious deficiencies, and now that they aren't around, opposing teams are taking aim on a vulnerable unit". He's right. Metros probably will go winless over the next 3 games (Galaxy, Fire & SJ). "Leitch's return could also allow Bradley to move DiGiamarino to a left wing role, which might be a blessing since DiGiamarino has looked atrocious at times on defense." Thank goodness. "Though Bob Bradley did his best after the match to spread blame to his entire team, it was hard to hide Kenny Arena's poor performance as a key factor in the loss....it would be hard to justify starting Arena over Forchetti again, especially with L.A. striker Carlos Ruiz coming to town. Good Lord....someone actually criticized Bradley Chicago Fire fans may disagree but it was an absolute joke that Zach Thornton was not shown a red card for his violent, two-handed push of Amado Guevara Wooley got 2 games for an elbow; Zach won't get even a fine for a hard shove. No blood, no foul I guess.
Re: Quack! You're right, Zach won't even get a fine. This has less to do with the lack of blood on his face than it does with the fact that the referee was standing right in front of the incident, as it happened (unlike the Wolyniec elbow). I believe the purpose of the review committee is to go over events that the ref missed. Hall obviously didn't miss the shove. I guess keepers have a different threshold for what warrants a red card. Either that or Mr. Hall was afraid Zach would do the same thing to him. So if Leitch returns, he starts on the right? Ziadie moves to the left? I like moving Digi to the wing in midfield - his forte is obviously moving forward with the attack and we could definitely use more of that on both wings. I'd even be up for trying it with another temporary outside back if Leitch hasn't recovered yet. (Regan?) Does Gaven get the start up front again next week? Or is it Wolyniec?
Re: Re: Quack! disagree....mls suspended razov additional games even after he was issued a red card for a foul that happened right in front of the ref a the end of last season vs. the revs.... but who knows....
Re: Re: Re: Quack! Yes, but they did that because the ref had already handed out the harshest punishment available to him, and they felt he deserved even more than that. In this case, they would be overruling the ref in a sense to suspend him. And I think Ives was joking (or surmising) about the 2006 stadium thing.
I think the point of the stadium statement was that Magee and Gaven will be stars years from now and could be the marquee attractions when a stadium is built. Galarcep has written some things about a potential Metros stadium the past few months. He seems to be high on the team's chances of building one. My money is on Thornton getting a fine and nothing else. Say $250 or $500. No games though, not with the Fire already missing three players to the Confed Cup. I also see Leitch playing at left back and Digi moving up to the left wing in a 4-4-2 with no right wing, sort of what they had early in the season.
Re: Re: Quack! I hope its Gaven, 'cus Wolyniec is horrendous. I dont know what Bradley see's in this guy. I dont think he's gotten off a quality shot all year.
Leave Wolyniec alone. The guy can't create shots but he sure can deliver an elbow. He's just the type of guy you need against those dirty L.A. players.