Apologies if this has already been posted. The link comes from the Mainzer Allgemeine newpaper, but I found it in the Mainz fan forum, where this link to the article goes. Scroll down to the last paragraph. Essentially he's only training, and has traveled at his own expense. Rev fans correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he play centrally this past year? The article mentions he's a right sided defender. Mainzer fans want to know what he's all about. I remember him mostly as a rugged man marker who's not much with the ball at his feet. Is this correct?
do they want someone to try and take the edge off casey???? cause i think rusty would just piss him off even more
While Rusty needs to work on his distribution, he is feared and reviled by everyone except Revs fans. And that is the highest compliment a defender can get.
Geez, are we entering the late 80s Hyundai period of Yanks Abroad? (inferior products, bad quality passed off as good?)... Seriously, good luck to Rusty and any YA, but would be ein "Blauen Wunder" if this stuck...
There's Mathis training with Hannover, and then there's Jamil Walker training with Celtic. This falls in the latter category.
Except Rusty's out of contract, cpwilson. He's trying to win a deal. And he may be overly physical, but I'd take Rusty on my team on every day of the week, and twice on Saturday. I think the Bundesliga may be tailor made for his skills set.
RE: Jamil Walker Even that's being generous. Did it say what kind of training? We are talking about soccer here right? Not something else?
Gotta agree with the Buff-man on this one. Being out of contract makes one appealing to a lot more teams. And, Rusty isn't the most popular or skilled player but he's one tough SOB and that mentality is coveted on a lot of teams, both in MLS and outside of it. Teams that don't have it, want it and if Rusty can find a team that needs it, he can find a home. He ain't pretty but he's effective. I won't be at all surprised if he latches on somewhere in Europe.
I don't agree with MF a lot, but he hit it straight on the head. Rusty just needs to stay healthy, that's all. He can contribute very well on a club level.
Strong, good in the air, mean, experienced and not too slow. I think there are a few defenders in Germany who have that same skill set.
He's not very good. He would not have started for DC, for example. He wouldn't have started for KC. But superdave, you're saying, those were the two best teams in the league, that's a pretty high standard. Rusty Pierce wouldn't have started for the MetroStars, and their defense sucked. He wouldn't have started for the Crew. Rusty Pierce is a below average starting central defender in MLS. In a league which takes persistent infringement more seriously than MLS (which would be EVERY FRIGGIN' LEAGUE IN THE WORLD) he won't help your team win (unless your team is in BL.2. trying to avoid the drop to the regionalliga.) Really, it's one thing to judge him in MLS. He's not that good. But in a league which properly punishes PI, I don't see how he can help a team, unless that team well and truly sucks to begin with.
OK, let me try again. Buff and Sandon are right, the guy has some defensive abilities. The problem as I see it is he's lazy and will commit a foul in a heartbeat, rather than use those abilities. In MLS, we don't take persistent infringement too seriously as a cardable offense, but in a league which punishes PI, Rusty either is going to have to change his game (and who knows if he is capable?) or he's going to be useless, as he'll have a yellow by halftime as often as not, which takes away the very aggression which is his main positive.
The Bill Laimbeer of MLS. Good for the kid, being a UNC-G alumni, it is cool to see former players doing well.
I might add that Rusty is no longer a Rev anyway, he was picked up by Real Salt Lake in the Expansion Draft. FYI
Gotta agree with sd on this. I don't know if he's lazy, in fact I don't think that's the case at all. I just think he fouls a lot because his feet are slow and he's a half beat behind mentally. And that's going up against MLS players. I just don't see him as a BL-level defender. At all. Let's contrast him with a guy like Gregg Berhaulter. There's a guy that uses positioning and toughness to craft a very solid (if rather underwhelming) European career. And, let's be honest, a LOT of folks here and on USMNT criticize him to no end. Rusty Pierce is not nearly as good as Gregg.
he is a way,way better player than he is given credit for on BS.I am really upset if the Revs lose him.I think he had like 3 cards this year- he is very tough but rarely takes unnecessary cards anymore.He is literally the only player in MLS who can play Landon Donovan man to man.He NEVER loses concentration.
Bruce, you do know that the Revs have already lost Rusty? Even if he doesn't sign in Germany, Real Salt Lake owns his MLS rights now after drafting him in the recent expansion draft.
I didn't think that bit of well known info slipped by you, just that your post is worded sort of goofy. Btw, I'm with in that Rusty's game is well suited to the German style. Sure he's not going to impress anyone with his ball skills, but his physical play, demeanor, and his ability to get on strikers nerves or get under their skin will come in handy.
I guess I have npt accepted that the Revs might not still get him back.He is a very good marker.He is a much better player than people realize.