Because I'm sick of what does "X" nickname mean, I'm starting a reference thread. Newbies, please check this thread should you have questions regarding any of the numerous nicknames we have for the players on our beloved national team. Mods, if you think it'd be appropriate to sticky this thread so that it will always be available to new posters, go for it. I'll get the ball rolling, but I'm sure much more will come: ABMOD: Richie Williams - "Ankle Biting Munchkin of Death" or "Ankle Biting Midget of Death" - given to him by US fans here on BigSoccer because of his stature and style of play. GAM: Eddie Johnson - "Grown-Ass Man" - when asked if he plays video games on a US Soccer feature video, Johnson replied that he does not, because he's a "Grown-Ass Man." Captain for Life: John Harkes - a notorious chapter in US Soccer history. Steve Sampson entitled Harkes his Captain for Life just prior to cutting him from the 1998 World Cup Team. Harkes responded with a book by the same name. 4": Cobi Jones - During his short-stint in England, the British media were underwhelmed by a certain appendage. McFragile: Brian McBride - Mike Segroves was less than impressed with Brian McBride's durability in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup, during which time McBride amassed the craziest set of injuries known to soccer. His Holiness: Eddie Pope - At his peak, Eddie was regarded as infallible. Unlike many Catholic versions, our Pope was worthy of the title. Jack and Ty: Jack Edwards and Ty Keough - The infamous broadcasting duo for US and MLS games before the 2002 World Cup that created so many catch phrases used by US fans to this day, including, "That's why he's here!", "HAV-OC", "Climb the ladder", "Torpedo header", "Friedel must be from Mars. He's certainly not from this planet!" and most embarassingly, "Mine eyes have seen the glory!" I'll let others take it from here.
Good call -- I was hoping somebody would start this. DMB/DFB/Run DMB/Run DMP/Jitterbug: DaMarcus Beasley. Jitterbug isn't used too often anymore, but appeared during the WC 2002 run up. DMB is obvious, and Run DMB references the Beatles of rap. Run DMP appeared after Beasley relieved himself at WC 2002 on the field. DFB is more recent, as he is now one of the best US players...I think you know what the F stands for. Captain America: Claudio Reyna. Most notably, for the classic pictures after the Germany game in WC 2002 where Reyna has the US flag wrapped around his back. That, and he's the captain...it's funny and true. Gooch: Oguchi Onyewu. Pretty straightforward. The classic, "this is stopping traffic all over Europe" line was another great one from Jack and Ty. Check out the rest of the Jack and Ty collection: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63&page=1&pp=15
LD, Lannycakes, Cakes = Landon Donovan, Some posters also refer to him just as "pvssy". EJ = Another name for Eddie Johnson.
JOB = John O'Brien 'Dolo = Steve Cherundolo BMB, McHead = Brian McBride Boca = Carlos Bocanegra Mastro = Pablo Mastroeni
Orange Traffic Cone = Danny Califf. Hopefully we won't have to further discuss his involvement with the nats, but just in case... Boogie Nights - Chris Albright. The hair. The movie. Beerholder -- Greg Berhalter. Not sure where this one came from. Joe Bazooka -- Joe Cannon. From the much publicized spatt between Cannon and Scott Garlick when they were competing for the starting job in Colorado. Q - Santino Quaranta. Obvious.
T&T = Taylor Twellman JOB = John O'Brien Mooch= Glen Myernick Celo = Marcello Balboa( no, not Rocky's brother) Etchy/ El Diablo= Marco Etchevery El Pibe = Valderrama
Krautmann = Grover Gibson, check the YA boards right now for more info. El Guzano = Brad Guzan, Nicknamed 'The Worm' when he was one of the worst Keepers in MLS. But now he R0XX0RS, still the name stays cause it goes with his name,
The Goats: Chivas USA Big Mama = Mamadou Diallo McHead = Brian McBride The Little Fish = Carlos Ruiz Pepe = Cancela Spiderman = Walter Zenga
Big Cat = Tony Sanneh Tino = Santino Quaranta (also Q, as mentioned) Goose = formet MNTer Jeff Agoos Frodo = Freddy Adu Lando Calrissian= Landon Donovan
haha. i distinctly remember when he said that turning to my wife and saying, "how long do you think he'd been rehearsing that one in the bathroom mirror?" it was jack's very own "do you believe in miracles??!!??". haha!