Thanks for this news Chamo, you made my day. Anyone who has ever listened to Longo do color on a telecast of an US Nats game knows he will NOT be missed. I have a great story from the Columbus/Mexico game when I stayed at the Westin in Columbus where Andres, Norberto, and the FIFA ref crew were also staying. But in the interests of keeping it civil, i'll refrain. Know this, however: Norberto Longo went to his grave with the foul taste of Jeonju on his breath, and that is justice served. -bs
You know what? I thought about trashing this post, given that it basically pisses on a man's grave. But I won't because I think that the stupidity of it should be given some sort of tribute. A man died, and you're cheering just because he happened to hold opinions that you disagreed with. That's contemptible. It's even more contemptible, considering that I know how much Spanish you can't speak and therefore only know about his opinions by way of secondhand sources. Rest in Peace, Norberto.
I disagreed with most of Longo's opinions and I recall even starting a thread about some of his more ridiculous statements, especially when it came to MLS or the US Nats. However, I enjoyed the debate he would stir and I usually enjoyed listening to him and Cantor discussing the latest game, no matter who was playing. One of my favorite pastimes was talking on the phone with my brother, a big MFL and Mexican Nat'l team fan, while Longo and Cantor where announcing a game. Trading barbs while listening to Longo and Cantor give their opinions made for many entertaining afternoons. I'll miss Longo, no matter how much I disagreed with his opinions and I wish his family and those closest to him my sincerest condolences.
Longo pissed on everyone, it was his style. People that got their feathers ruffled because "their" side got ragged on are shortsided or didn't realize he did it with everyone. No one escaped. That was his "claim to fame." And to have someone be glad this happened is dispicable. There are times to criticize and times to shut up.
Dude, way out of bounds here. Get a grip. We can discuss the basis for your hatred of Longo some other time, but this isn't the time or the place.
I said dang because this was the first i had heard of it. It took me by surprise. Outside of Andres Cantor, I don't know any Mexican announcers by sight or sound. I had heard the name Norberto Longo and knew his reputation but I can't speak Spanish so it didn't get me all worked up.
I hated him quite passionately for what I thought was an anti-MLS agenda. Then I heard him do a MFL game and he absolutely savaged the teams involved using his trademark "poco futball," "nivel baja" etc. I had to give him credit for even-handedness at least.
An opinionated guy like Longo probably would not mind Brushes Sands' post. He'd probably love the fact that we were talking about him; and what we were saying about him would be secondary. Longo said what he thought, no matter whose feelings got hurt. I didn't like some of the things he said, either; but let's face it, MLS needed someone like Longo in the early days and they still need someone like him now. If God puts together a team and has a kickaround in Heaven; I'd just bet that Longo will roll his eyes and sneer, "Por favor!" every time The Almighty puts one over the crossbar or passes behind a teammate. Longo would not care. He would just say what he thought.
He was an equal opportunity trasher and would even rip on the Mexican NT if they were playing poorly. I thought that he offered some good analysis of what was going on in the games. One of my favs is when he called one of the MLS players in a game, "torpe" (clumsy). It was spot on and had me laughing my ass off.
sorry to hear the loss Longo was a good analyst. I've been watching his games for years. He may have been bias or has his opinions, but that's what analysts do.....HE WILL BE MISSED. It's a big loss BTW...The MLS Sucks !!!!!!
Re: sorry to hear the loss 3-2 sucks even worse I suppose with 3 MLSers scoring goals(McBride, Donovan, and Agoos).
Re: sorry to hear the loss Laugh it up. What team was favorite to advance out of the group stage? Oh yeah Porto who lost to the USA and Korea. Look forward to seeing the repeat at Euro 2004. Now I have no idea who Longo is, but if he was an influence to the soccer world, it will be a lose and someone will have some big shoes to fill. How old was he anyways?
There's an obit from the Miami Herald, I think, where it said he was only 62 and "in good health." This, I doubted. He looked more like 82 and sounded like a two-pack-a-day man, which would be typical of an Argentine of his generation (or any generation). Nonetheless, he served as a crotchety foil for Andres Cantor and did his job with a certain aplomb. He also introduced me to a wonderful Spanish adjective--"pauperrimo"--meaning pauper-like, exceedingly poor, rubbish. Thusly, he once described the first half of an MLS game a few years ago. I don't remember disagreeing at the time. I think it's awful to revel in anyone's death--Norberto always said exactly what he believed and is owed respect for that. But it's also factually incorrect to say that Norberto never went out of his way to single out and denigrate the LEAGUE of MLS, not just certain teams or players, as he does with the LMF. He actively said, week after week, game after game, that the league as well as the American player were subpar. The only exception I remember him making was Tab Ramos, for his heritage and ball skills. He was often outrageously biased and he was a true character and he will be missed. It's those contradictory qualities that make life interesting, no?
Not entirely true - some of the MLS players that Norberto Longo loved included: Brian McBride - "Goleador neto" He liked Brian all the way back to 96. He always would go apeshit when Columbus would get a penalty kick and somebody other than McBride took it. Brad Friedel - "Que Arquerazo, Dios mio!" after Friedel would make an amazing save. Landon Donovan - "El joven tiene imaginacion" Thomas Dooley - "ese es de los que sabe" (He is one of the ones that know the game) Some of the others american MLS'ers that he routinely praised were Pablo Mastroeni, Marcelo Balboa, Edie Pope, Chris Armas, and a couple more that escape me at this moment. So while it is true that he offered more than his fair share of constructive criticism to the MLS and US Soccer he was not blind to what has been taking place the last 12 years.
I can remember hearing him make positive comments about Mathis and even Kreis also. I tend to agree with him on some things. We CAN get better at this game.
It is in the same "outrageously biased" manner that Brushes Sand writes. For if indeed we ought to respect those who say exactly what they believe, than certainly Brushes Sand must have earned our respect. These contradictory qualities you write of Brushs Sand defines. Let me say I have some idea of who this fellow was. I generally watch Mexican games whilst listening to the Sisters of Mercy or Christian Death. I have not the expereince to write about him. I would be disappointed if the Inferno did not revel in my death. Speak the truth, and say "I am really glad that cumudgeon is gone."