So what Gus? Any player on the senior roster wants and expects playing time and is thinking the same was as Richie. I'm sure he thinks he should be on the left wing rather than Joey but it's clear that SN wants to get the Defensive Rhythm going before he interjects players new to his defensive system into the lineup. Ah but then a reporter must find something to write about
I for one would like to see the guy get a shot. Certainly Franchino is not the answer at left mid. Obviously Nicol felt he needed joey out there to help Marshal. However I don;t think Marshal needs the help. The offense could certainly use better service from the left side and Richie can't be any slower than Joey, if he was he would be standing still.
I think that the guys who have been here for the past couple of years will attest to the fact that if you work hard in practice, do whatever is asked of you and be patient, you will get your chance. Since only 11 guys can start, there will always be guys who are disappointed, and that is a good thing. If they are not busting their tail in training trying to prove that they should be starting instead of the guy who is there, I don't thing Steve would want him. There have been lots of examples of guys who see lots of time who didn't start out that way. Marshall Leonard and Pat Noonan come to mind right away from last year. Shalrie Joseph basically won his starting job by the second or third game of the season, but be honest, none of us expected him to be the starter at the begining of the season. Baker will get his chance soon enough. Tom
Absolutely with WC qualifying and the Open Cup all coming up, he will get his chances for sure. He just better darn well be ready to take advantage of them when they come up. It sounded to me like (and I know I am reading between the lines here) that he figured he would be a starter here, given the playing time he had back home. In addition, he is seeing defenders fill in midfield roles where he thought he would get a shot....so natural to be a bit disappointed. He just needs to keep the perspective 'professional'. I don't see any cancer in the comments in the article.
Baker should talk to him teammates (like Marshall, Joseph, and Noonan) and figure out only working harder will get you ahead. He's got the skills and I've only seen him play 5 minutes. How do I know?, cause Nicol has him on the roster. Nicol doesn't waste roster spots. Baker should stur up some controversey, a controversey of who to sit. Baker, when he gets his chance, should play his best football out there and make a case to be a starter. He should make a case that he shouldn't be relegated to the bench, as should Marshall. Now I'm not saying Franchino should go to the bench, but let the 3 of them duke it out, have them outplay each other. Thats the only way they'll get better. And for that fact, sign White and have him outplay Twellman, that guy needs a kick in the butt to get back on the scoring sheet.
When I saw Baker warming up in front of the Fort Saturday, I thought he was going to be the first sub into the game. But with a two-goal lead, SN went for the defensive sub with Dorman. If we fall behind in Denver, I think we will see Baker out there.
From the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune Joseph has nose for defending: http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/20040505/SP_003.htm
"Prima donna? Locker room cancer? Discuss..." Absolutely neither. End discussion. Richie's just frustrated: he doesn't have the luxury of playing for a reserve squad, and rather than going and complaining to the coach he's going to keep doing what he's been doing, and hopefully will get his opportunity. Quite frankly, as nice a guy as Ralston is, he hasn't shown the form that has won him accolades over the years, and with a relatively stagnant offense, Richie should seize whatever opportunity he has. The Magpie
Apparently ineffective attempt at irony. Point being, these phrases seem to get tossed arount in a relatively selective and haphazard sort of way. Since I've been following the team only two players - Harkes and Diallo - ever deserved either one.
Perfect point by Magpie as ususal. This is the biggest issue for players who don't see the field (even as a regular sub), and probably somewhat of a culture shock for players who have grown up in countries that do have reserve teams. Basically Richie is just practicing, with the occasional scrimmage here and there. I know we love to spout on the boards about working hard in practice, you'll get your chance, etc - but in MLS, it seems to be more often than not a little luck - the unfortunate injury, red card, or caution points suspension, or the big losing skid that gets a player their shot
Hey, congrats to Joey...but, what the heck, Stevie Wonder could have scored on that one. Are you telling me there was not another goal this past week that was a tad harder, or more spectacular?
Absolutely correct. First of all, coaches don't play the hardest working 11 (you don't keep your job long that way). They generally play the best 11, although there are several other considerations (is Freddy better than Eskandarian *right now*?). The other consideration is that coaches, and Nicol is a perfect example, have an unspoken bond with the veteran players - in that they have to do something to lose their spot (i.e., Daniel Hernandez), but they don't necessarily have to be the best. The assumption is that the younger guy, even if he is better now, will eventually get his turn. If they pull veterans from the lineup, they are igniting a firestorm of dissension (i.e., Harkes, Burns). Those guys are not going to be good soldiers while their careers wither away. Franchino has good reason to be scared to death of Leonard. He's younger, cheaper and better - right now. As soon as Nicol finally makes the switch for good, you'll hear Franchino demanding a trade. The award may go to Franchino in name, but it was a "team" goal. It was a very sweet play, with two blind passes leading to an easy finish - those are my favorite goals. It's good to see great team play get rewarded for a change, instead of always the spectacular kick or header.
Yes, I'll give you that, it was a team play, as nearly half the Galaxy 11 followed TT into the box and left Joey wide open. I'm not so sure if you can chalk this goal up to "sweetness" as much as you can to "stupidity." (It was a cheeky backheel though!)
Only when it is done by a "cultured left foot." I think I saw Ivan McKinley's left foot at the opera the other night. I hardly recognized him in the tux