Why do all the broadcasters have such a hard time getting Trory Perkins background straight? It seems every game, whether its the ESPN crew, Dave and Thomas on Comcast or whomever is filling in for them, the FSW yocals, HDnet and the out of town broadcasts I watch on the DirectKick package make a big deal out of Perkins "jumping all the way from Cape Cod of the PDL to starting for DC United." While it's correct that Perkinds did play for Cape Cod for several summers, there is nothing unique about him having done so. Like most college players with hopes of playing MLS ball, he played PDL in the summer during college. After the PDL season, he went back to school. Perkins was a senior at the University of Evansville last fall. After his senior season, he did not go back to playing for Cape Cod. So, he did not "jump" straight from Cape Cod to MLS. So, Cape Cod was not his "last team" prior to joining MLS, Evansville was. And, it's not like playing PDL ball before going to MLS is that unique. On DC United's roster alone, Kevin Ara (Jersey Shore Boca), Alecko Eskandarian (North Jersey Imperials), Bryan Namoff (Rockford Raptors) and David Stokes (Raleigh CASL Elite) all played PDL ball then returned to college before coming to United. Yet, no one ever talks about how they jumped from the PDL "straight" to MLS. I realize this isn't really a big deal, but it bugs me when the broadcast outlets countinuously get this wrong and perpetuate misinformation. And, I don't want to take anything away from Perkins. An undrafted rookie becoming a starter ahead of two goalkeepers with all sorts of youth and, in Rimando's case, senior national team experience is in itself a great story. And, I don't want to take away anything from the PDL, which I follow closely and support, for helping in Perkins' development. The PDL serves a great roll in players development, but it's not like Perkins was playing there because he couldn't land a pro gig. He was playing there because that's what most good college players do during the summer before going back to college and I just wish the announcers would get it right.
Because they're all a bunch of morons. And they all listen to each other, so the story gets morphed into what they believe to be the truth, even when it's not.
Congrats to Perkins on the year so far. I hope it continues. Always good when I get the very rare chance to see a fellow Purple Ace do well in a top-division American sports league. Doesn't happen often, outside of Jamey Carroll with the Expos (who I went to school with), Andy Benes and Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. In terms of soccer anywhere, I think David Weir is about the best it got for us, but it wasn't like he was homegrown or anything. Been injured so much the last 2 years, he's dropped off the map. Troy Perkins small story here, if anyone's interested: http://gopurpleaces.com/article.asp?articleid=58420
Then you, of all people, should be particularly miffed that the broadcasters keep screwing this up and, instead of referring to Troy as "the rookie from Evansville" talk about him "making the jump from Cape Cod of the PDL." Your school deserve's its daps for Perkins and the announcers are screwing it up. And speaking of former Aces that did well, the most recent one that comes to mind is the former Evansville hoops player who wrestled the shoe bomber to the ground. That, is something to really be proud of.
It just sounds like a better story the way they portray it. Facts be damned, nevermind that plenty of players go from the PDL to MLS ... it's just a good story.
Yes, Kwame James did a great thing there, and got INS red tape for his reward. From what I can tell, he's got an international marketing degree and has been able to stay in the US on a renewable (annually) P-1 visa, which works for athletes. His nickname is "Plane." But the most current story I could find is June 2003, so that could have changed. Yes, the Perkins thing ticks me off. It ticks me off about MLS announcers in general, in that 90% of them don't do their homework - which is the first thing you're supposed to learn before you even pick up a mic. But then, maybe that's just because I'm a bitter former soccer radio guy who got to call UE games when we were still somewhat good. Our matches with IU were quite the event. I miss doing that stuff, loved that a hell of a lot more than newspapers. Another Purple Ace, defender Adam Schultz, just signed with Harrisburg.
Probably because they're so stupid and/or lazy. God forbid an announcer would neglect to mention that the starting linebacker for [insert name of NFL team here] went to [note I didn't say "graduated"] [insert name of whatever school the guy went to here]. His producer would probably read him the riot act for that little brain fart. Although I have to admit I really do enjoy replaying the soundbite of Rob Stone saying: "You just got BURNED Jonny Walker!!!" So at least he got that right.
Um, you do understand that the above Ryan Nielsen and Jamie Marino have actually been used in comentary from TV broadcasters... There have been other butchering of names but I cannot think of them right now...
Gee... its like the whole, "the" DC United thing! The media only cares when there is money at stake for them, and given that MLS isn't raking in big bucks from these guys means they'll continue to butcher team names, player names, and their feel good story.
You're not the only UE alum who follows the team from DC. I too have wondered why Evansville hasn't gotten any credit for Perkins (granted he only spent one season there after playing three for South Florida). Speaking of David Weir, I used to see him all the time my senior year at UE because his girlfriend lived in the apartment below me. And don't forget about Scott Cannon playing in the early days of MLS.
Rob Stone does this ALL THE TIME. Except to him they are all "products" which drives me crazy. "Ben Olsen, the UVa product passes to Wake Forest product Brian Carroll" etc. AAAAGGGGHHHHH!
Well, in fairness to Rob, since many of the MLS players leave college early and even most of the ones who play four years leave before the spring semester of their senior year because they're in camp with their MLS team, not a lot of the MLS players are actually "graduates" of the school at which they played college ball and I can't expect Stone to know which players have their degress and don't. I'd much rather Olsen be referred to as a "UVa product," which in this context is correct, than a "UVa graduate" which he is not simply because it's accurate. Much like I'd like to see Perkins referred to as an "Evansville product" instead of "jumping all the way from the PDL's Cape Cod Crusaders." (See how I kept this on topic? Daps for me!)
I agree that 'product' is often more accurate than 'grajiet', but I think American announcers would do well to aspire to using fewer words. Just say the name. We're watching TV: we can see the play. We don't need to be told that Olsen passes to his right. WE SEE IT! It's much more useful to have formation shifts pointed out, or off-the-ball runs, which don't make it on TV. But no, we're 'treated' to the experience of listening to announcers who dread silence like the plague. Another Rob Stone favorite is 'aggregate'. He says it all the time, sometimes pointlessly. I guess he thinks it gives him soccer cred.
Regarding the college connection, to a growing sport, it's good to get as many ties in there as possible. I know guys who don't like soccer, but are Notre Dame fanatics and will probably corner me for an hour if a "Domer" ever makes MLS. It's another way to create a connection.
Time to start getting cornered. Justin Detter, Notre Dame 04. I believe he made his MLS debut against United a couple of weeks back. http://kc.wizards.mlsnet.com/MLS/players/bio.jsp?team=kcw&player=detter_j&playerId=det622937 Here's his ND bio. http://und.collegesports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/detter_justin01.html With Bobby Clark, the best coach in America not in MLS (or with the national team), now running Notre Dame, there will be more and more Fighting Irish players in MLS. BTW, I believe your basic premise about "creating a connection" is well made and apt in MLS' case.
I'm stunned they haven't brought it up. I heard about their women's soccer team for a while a few years back when they were doing really well.
Good to hear a ex-purple ace is being looked after. i know troy well, and he worked his way into a starting spot. he trains well everywhere he goes. he did well for cape cod and for UE. he represents himself, his family, and former sides well.
More Announcer F-ups There is this guy, Matt Pickens. GK, played in PDL. Didn't Perkins make his debut against Chicago? That might explain the initial confusion... On both the FSW and MSG broadcasts, the announcers made these references. MSG-JP Dellacamera "DC in the playoffs for the first time in 5 years." FSW-Max Bretos "EARnie Stewart making his first appearance in the MLS playoffs." Did I miss something last year? Thx, Jay!