Well? If you think he should be, please say why. Make your argument convincing. Remember: the fact that he may have been the best defender for the Earthquakes does not make him Defender of the Year for the entire league. If you think he shouldn't be Defender of the Year, who in the league is better, and why?
Since I started this... I have to say, I'm not sure. I didn't even vote in my own poll. I don't know which defenders around the league had great years. That said, I think Wade had a very good year, and obviously must be in consideration. But as I said in another thread, he can do much better on possession and in attack. To compare: I don't think Wade was as good this year as Agoos was last year.
I don't feel I have watched the other teams enough to make a semi-objective comparison. However, I will say that if Wade Barrett is named defender of the year it will be very difficult for the Earthquakes to retain him for 2003, as he is now a free agent and would deservedly expect a salary commensurate with his acclamations.
Interesting question. Mostly because you say SHOULD he. I believe he should, however, due to not having MLS Shootout, I havne't been able to watch other teams as much, so I am not really one to talk. However, I doubt he will get it, even if he does deserve it because, if I recall, every DOTY has been a center-back, since '96, and I feel as though MLS has no idea of changing that. Sean
Up until the last four weeks of the season, I would have said yes, as the Quakes had the best defense in the league at that point. I was thinking that we should either get the goalkeeper of the year or the defender of the year as our defense was dominating, and since Cannon probably is not the goalkeeper of the year, then Barrett should have been the defender of the year. Then we gave up 3 to Colorado, 4 to DC, 3 to Columbus, and lost four games in a row after that, losing the Supporters' Shield and getting knocked out of the playoffs. Barrett played in all those games. What happened to our D? I don't think that Barrett will be considered for the defender of the year when he was there for this kind of collapse.
Sean, I'm glad you said that. I was thinking the same thing. For a central defender to be DOTY, it seems that he must be a great distributor (Goose), or dominant in the air -- like Doyle. Notice, Goose is not dominant in the air, and Doyle was an o.k. but not great distributor (imho). For an outside defender to be DOTY, he would have to be a great man-marker (Barrrett?), or a great overlapping attacker (that fast guy at DCY). OR--- both a great man-marker and attacker. Just food for thought. ps: was Goose Defender of the Year last year? If not, who was?
Yes, he should be selected because he is part of a team defense and offense that performed near the top of the league in both categories. He displays poise and judgement every game, and he was versatile in playing on the wing or in the middle. His crosses were constantly dangerous and he scores well although never taking corners or directs; he is needed to counter any fast break from the offense. He can match up with the speed of attackers and outside mids and he is rarely beaten on the outside. Even on the play in which he matched Cunningham step for step late in the first playoff game, Cunningham did not get by him; the cross however went to a totally unmarked Garcia who hit it in. Barrett's speed and jumping ability served him well well when he played in the middle. He won many of the headers, and while not possessing the girth or size of many central defenders, he played the position well. Should an outside back be DOTY? Absolutely, if his performance causes teams to alter thier attack. The best compliment to Barrett is that teams seemed to avoid his side of the field.
Sorry, near doesn't cut it. I have to agree with billreeves, in that anyone who participated in our defensive collapse near the end, doesn't deserve awards. Am I allowed to change my vote? Sean
Sorry Bill and Shawn, but that's just plain stupid. Yes, the Quakes had a four-game meltdown at end of the season, but to insist that this must remove Wade from consideration is nonsense. Using this 'logic' the only candidates for any MLS award would be members of the team that wins the cup, since by definition, any other team ended the season on a negative note. I think you need to look at the entire year in context: Wade played every minute of every game in a defense that was the stingiest over 28 games of a 30 game season. He was the only unalterable ingredient in a defense that was plagued by injury, excessive suspensions by a not-to-be-named player, extended WC absences and other factors and yet managed to be one of the stingiest defenses in MLS history. Wade excelled not only at his spot, but also in the central defense role when required due to injuries and absences. He played with unequalled intensity at all times, participating in defense and offense with equal alacrity. Look at the stats - one goal and six assists (including three assists on game-winning goals). All of this, and he only earned 16 caution points all season. Truly, a superlative season. I would like to challenge the naysayers: Who better deserves the award? Give me some stats that show ANY defender in the league had a better season all around and I'll shut up. In the meantime: Put up or shut up!
I voted for Wade for the above reasons. The last 4 games sucked but the fact that he was the only constant in a defence that played so well for most of the year carries more weight for me. I don't have the shoot-out package either, but from the teams we watched at Sparten and the few other games that are televised I haven't seen anyone more deserving. It would truly suck if the Quakes couldn't afford to pay him if he received the award, but I think he is due a big raise anyway as I believe he is one of the lowest paid currently.
I hate to say it, but the Big Red Donkey had a pretty good season. Lalas was the mainstay of the Galaxy defense (fewest goals allowed in the league) and his team's second-leading scorer behind Ruiz.
bsman, you make an excellent case. In order to enhance my "research", I started a thread on the MLS N&A forum: Who is the MLS's top defender? And no one seems like a runaway contender. There was one vote for Milton Reyes of DCU. He looked pretty damn good against us.
Oh - and as far as goals scored - with the exception of Ruiz, LA sucked monkey balls re: scoring. Lalas has 4 lousy goals, fer christ's sake! If Barrett was 6'3" and was "the" target for every friggin' corner kick and free kick, I guarantee you he would have at least that many! I don't think we should reward the goat because his team focuses solely on getting the ball to the floppin' fish!
No argument from me. Just wearing the Galaxy jersey qualifies him for that description. My point was that a decent case can be made for Lalas. Four goals is still four times as many as Barrett, and if you're going to tout the virtues of the Quakes defense, it's fair to point out that the Galaxy gave up even fewer goals and that Alexi was the anchor in central defense. Sure hope Barrett takes the honors over Lalas, though...
Agreed that Lalas anchored the Gal's D and scored a few at the same time, but Lalas anchored a defense that was, for the most part, able to field a consistent lineup for the entire season, whereas Barrett was the one constant in a defense that was rarely able to field a consistent lineup more than two games in a row. I believe that the individual contribution Wade had to the Quakes' defense was far greater than that Lalas provided to LA, and after all, that is the measure that IMO should be evaluated in making the award.
Wow, the stupidest argument i've seen on BS. I guess Roner would be our DOTY because he wasn't on the pitch for our end-of-season meltdown. I dont mind that, BTW. But.. Without a doubt Wade is the 'Quakes defender of the year, and untill you guys pull out of your asses another canidate for DOTY, stay quiet. Mr Bajoro seems to say that the WHOLE season counts in determining DOTY, but he gives a vote to a guy who had "A good game".
Did not. I just said that Reyes looked great against us. Twice, iirc. I agree that Wade is definitely the Quakes' DOTY. Whether he's the MLS DOTY, I have no idea. I just wanted to submit the questions to all you experts.
Barrett is definitely DOTY with the Quakes, for MLS? I say no. He was making a strong case, but you have to include the last four games of the season. Agoos was DOTY last year with a consistent lineup in the back. Unfortuneatley I have to lean toward Lalas as DOTY. Yes, he's taller and heavier than Barrett, but this isn't the "Little Engine that Could" award.
Hell no!!!! Wade Barrett sucks!!! He was lucky to even make it as an all star. He's never impressed me and he's certainly one of the weakest players on the Quakes roster. TRADE HIM!
Just read my Soccer America MLS Confidential from Friday. Anyone else get these emails? They picked Wade for DOTY.
I thought I received all the MLS Confidential emails, but I didn't get one on Friday. Got one on Thursday, though, but no mention of Barrett. Did it have all their picks for the year? If so, who else was selected?
Apperently, Wade already won it, but I will still say my POV. Defender of the Year is based on the entire year not one or two games. It should go to someone who stayed a consistent threat to other teams, a continuious great player, and someone who keeps the team together, whether or not the team wins or losses. It should go to someone who, no matter what the score is at the end of the 90 minutes, gave the players of the opposite team a challege to get by. Wade was all of these things and more. Of all the players on this team, his is one of the few players who continued to show improvement throughout the entire season, and got better and better every game. The last four games where lost, but, he still looked to be playing his best and didn't let the other teams win easily. Wade Barret does deserve the DOTY award. I also did not watch every other MLS game but I noticed that the other candiates, from my observation, only where stong contenders near the end of the season. Whereas, Wade has been playing his best year-round. About the money thing: I don't think he will leave the team. In fact imagining him on another MLS team doesn't look good and would even make him look out of place with others in this leauge. Wade has been with us 3+ years (I think) and I don't think he plans on going anywhere. Whatever intentions the leugue has for him is different. Yallop may make decisions that seem wack but I don't think he is going to trade a player that are as big as Wade. By big I don't mean "Landon-superstar" cause Wade isn't that, but I mean such as asset to the team. While Wade may want to get paid more, I don't think his checks will be from any other than the Quakes. That last line was analogy. That is all. Broccoli Dolores
> What do we have here? A spejic clone? Hardly. I never use more than three exclamation points in a single sentance.