I am from Holland and a fan of VVV-Venlo, the soccerclub you all see as the next club of Ernie Steward. Here in Holland there are also going the rumors that Steward will return to us. For all the Steward-fans I gonna tell something about VVV-Venlo. I can imagine that it'll be nice to know something of this club. In Holland we have 2 prof-leagues: - Eredivisie (Holland Casino Eredivisie), that's the highest league. Most familiar clubs who play in it are Ajax Amsterdam, Feyenoord Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven. - Eerste Divisie (Gouden Gids Divisie), that's the league below the Eredivisie. VVV-Venlo plays in this league, they are doing very well this season, thay are called one of the biggest favourites for the title, and when you become Champion, you'll promote to the Eredivisie. There are also play-offs, you can qualify for the play-offs by winning one of the four-period titles, there are four periods in the season. If you ranked as number 1 at the end of such period you win the period. Then you will automatically qualify for the play-offs. Totally 8 clubs will play the play-offs, 2 off the Eredivisie (numbers 16 and 17, the number last; 18 sacks automatically to the Eerste Divisie) and 6 off the Eerste Divisie, 4 off these are the winners of the periods and the other 2 are the highest ranked. But most of the time 1 of the 4 clubs who win a period will be later Champion, that means that in stead of 4, 3 periodchampions will play in the play-offs. The missing-spot will be replaced by the third highest rank. VVV-Venlo is doing quite well, they've won the first period-title so they're already making chance of promote to the Eredivisie. But ofcourse they gonna try to become the champion, than they will promote directly to the Eredivisie. They also have a young and talented squad, thay have 3 youth-internationals for under the 19; 2 Dutch and 1 Belgium. But they also have some important routine in the squad. This mix is succesfull! That's why we need probably Steward. VVV-Venlo has a nice and cozy little stadium: De Koel, it's the last classic stadium in Holland. It is located in Venlo, that's near to Germany. It's capacity is 5.998 seats. Not very much, they'll need to expand if they promote to the Eredivisie. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Now that was what I can tell you off VVV-Venlo, but now I wanne know something of Steward.. I'm 18 years, and I cannot remember Steward playing for VVV-Venlo.. I can remember him as player for NAC Breda, but i cannot remember his type of playing.. So please.. tell me stuff about Steward.. What's his favourite position, can he play as Striker.. Does he score easizly, can he controle matches.. tell me al you know thx
thanks for the post VVV-Tommy. Your last paragraph will invite comment since Stewart played striker for much of his first season here. This is not really his best position and he was not too successful. He is currently playing right mid and doing well for DC United. He also has played this position for the US National Team. Earnie is a class act and has added a lot of professionalism to this team. He is well liked personally here (my wife's favorite player). Unfortunately he is making probably the highest salary on the team. MLS has a pretty strict salary cap and the team salary budget is only ~1.3 million euros. For his salary he would have to be an outstanding superstar (i.e. best XI) in the league which he is not. At his age, the team just can not justify it. If vvv-Venlo is trying to be promoted, Earnie will be a great pickup for his leadership skills and his experience. However, I wouldn't count on him to be a scoring leader.
vvv-Tommy also - check out Earnie's cross on this goal from Saturday. mms://a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2004/open/topplays/archive11/110604_ecf_cocdcu_gomez_goal_56.wmv
Thx.. DoctorD nice reaction... thx.. but 1 thing.. the link for the goal doesn't work.. where can i find the goal? Than I'll look for myself.. But for the others.. go on! Post new info!! hahaha
Go to http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/mls/events/mls_cup/2004/sights/ and click on the "Gomez puts DC up 3-2". also under highlights of Oct 22 there is a goal by Stewart.
Some additional info for you: Earnie Stewart spent most of his professional career playing for NAC Breda in the Eredivisie; so Breda fans are also a source of information for you. Earnie's not really a striker. As a mid, his work rate has historically been very good, and his efficiency has been good. He's been subbed out late from some recent matches for DC, but historically he's rarely been subbed out and I've never seen him truly sucking wind at the end of a match. The biggest thing he brings, though, is a hell of a lot of experience (102 appearances for the national team, third among active players in the player pool), strong leadership skills, and a sense of calm. One of my enduring memories of our WC02 run was Earnie comforting Donovan as they walked off the pitch after we came up just short against Germany. On the other hand, he's not someone you should look to to dribble through a double-team or whatever.
A magazine in Holland comfirms the interest of VVV-Venlo in Steward. But VVV is not the only club who's after Steward, RKC Waalwijk is also after Ernie. Steward himself confirmed that it is for sure that he's going back to Holland, he's flattered by the interest of the clubs. I'm afraid he's not going to sign for VVV, they play in de lower division "Eerste Divisie", RKC plays in de highest division "Ere Divisie". VVV has good chances for promotion and is the first pro-club of Steward, but RKC has probably got more funds to pay Steward and they already play in the "Ere Divisie" that makes it probably more actractive.. But we'll see..
Earnie isn't a striker, but he's a fine player on the right flank. He's a clubhouse leader, but not the most influential player on the field. And while the breakdown on the Dutch leagues wasn't unappreciated, it was rather unnecessary. You'll find that we understand how the sport works in Europe around these boards. (I wouldn't say the same for Americans at large, but the ones who come here are big fans of the game all over the world)