Darlington just makes this team better even when he doesn't play. Morris doesn't play as well in the final without a year of training with and against a guy like Nagbe. His blessings upon our team are plentiful and boundless!
On majorleaguesoccersoccer today: Nagbe flips into beast mode, again Just as he was when he entered the league a decade ago, Darlington Nagbe remains one of MLS’ most fascinating figures: incredibly gifted, occasionally unstoppable, but guided by an unassuming, unconventional personality compared to most of his peers. He’s a star with a seemingly limited hunger for the spotlight, a world-class talent happy to be a homebody, a potential USMNT starter who’s chosen family time instead. Even with three MLS Cup titles under his belt, that combination has often infuriated fans and pundits impatient to see him attain their conception of his potential. It’s left us with some knotty ‘what ifs.’ But when Nagbe is on point and ready to seize the moment? Hang onto your seats. The graceful central midfielder has lit up his share of big games, including the 2019 Campeones Cup where Atlanta United memorably knocked off Club América, and he was for my money the best player on the pitch by a safe margin Wednesday. His strength, dribbling technique and burst of pace make him absurdly press-resistant, and Cruz Azul’s attempts to slow him down grew increasingly comical as the game played out, giving the Crew a priceless release valve on a night where they had about 25% of possession. “Look at all the trophies that he's won; we've won a lot together,” said Porter of Nagbe, also his key protagonist in Portland and at the University of Akron. “I love him like a son. I don't think there's a better player in our league. I think he continues to be underrated. You watch him today, the guy can play anywhere in the world. “He’s a modern midfielder – keeps the ball, defends, covers ground, surges out of midfield. Yeah, he was incredible today, absolutely incredible and it's because he's a winner. He's a winner and he’s quality. It's no coincidence that he's won as many trophies as he has.”
It has become obvious to me over the last few games that I've watched, that I have completely under-rated Nagbe Never thought he was bad or anything, but, dang, that dude has been a beast lately. Maybe being in the building has helped me see everything he does that has often been off-screen.
Complete with a lovey-dovey Copley, Ohio shoutout. “When I saw him first play, my jaw dropped and I said, ‘this is one of the most special players I’ve ever seen.’”Caleb Porter speaks about his relationship with @darlingtonnagbe and wishes him luck before the MLS All-Star Game pres. by @Target.#Crew96 | #MLSAllStar pic.twitter.com/37IlSlG5NF— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) August 10, 2022
10 years ago this guy had a 10G season this year he has 1. He has had 8G for the Crew and this is his 4th season. Now i know he does more than the stat sheet can show at times but we are giving him 1.7M in my opinion he is vastly overpaid. I want to see him back at a reduced rate but how much is he worth ? Will he even want to play at his age because he came back into Ohio for family reasons and one has to wonder how many seasons does he have left ?
10 years ago he played a completely different position: Winger. The role he has played his entire crew tenure is not a goal scoring one. He is very overpaid (now) but I do think he gets more flak than he deserves. If the crew can get this dude to come back at less than a mil it would be great, although I wouldn’t be bothered if they look for his replacement this summer/off-season.
He's the glue in the midfield. Things go through him. He's the linkage. I didn't agree with the huge bump in salary he got in an off-season (IIRC it went from like 500k to over a million in one re-signing) but that happened while the Nagbe hype ring-leader was here. Can't do too much about that.
Let me take a moment to say Nagbe was really good against Club America. He struggled the first third of the season adapting to Nancy’s system, but he’s only gotten better and better since then. I still don’t think he should be a DP next season, but I’m definitely more comfortable keeping him on a TAM salary now for another year.
The quiet little man is a winner. 2015 🏆2018 🏆2020 🏆2023 ❓Will Darlington Nagbe win another #MLSCup pres. by Audi? pic.twitter.com/tmIHOSrskL— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 7, 2023
I searched through 15 pages and didn't see a thread about Darlington. If I missed it please merge. I was reading the debate others were having on if Cucho deserved to be in the Ring of Honor. And I was immediately thought Not Yet but you know who does?
https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/the-darlington-nagbe-hype-falconx.2114324/ @TKyle @hardhead merge assist?
Dude has almost four seasons' worth of regular season matches for us (and counting), has been a rock-solid contributor in the midfield, is a two-time Massive champion, once as captain, and seems to be a world class human being. Not to mention a GOTY and some highlight bangers. Not going to get an argument from me.
In order to be eligible as a player for the Circle of Honor: An individual must have been retired as a player for at least one (1) year Played at least four (4) seasons for the Crew Exception: Requirement to previous entry may be reduced to two years for a player who is named MLS Best XI, wins an MLS Individual Award or captains the Crew to the MLS Cup title in that time Appeared in at least 50 or more League matches for the club Win Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield or CONCACAF Champions League title It would be nice if Nagbe could retire with the Crew, I think he is a shoe-in then for the Circle.
One could make the argument that Darlington Nagbe is the best between the boxes American midfielder ever. I’d also suggest that if we made a Mt. Rushmore of American MLS players, he’s one of the four. The three that immediately come to mind are Donovan, Nagbe, and Rimando.