http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20030201-22649148.htm just basically saying we will be an interesting team this year (with our new pick-ups and our "veterans"). Also, its says that (as has been noted before) petke and kovalenko are tough, and etch and stoichkov have pretty big egos.
I really like John Haydon's writing for the most part but his insertion that Hristo is the most effective left footed player since Maradona is a bit over the top..
you can make the case for Stoichkov being better than Marco because he's taken his team farther in the World Cup and his club play with Barcelona. He was a finalist for World Player of the year wasn't he?
Wait are you guys actually saying that Marco might be better the Hristo in his career? Please, that is a ridiculous statement. Hristo is one of the greatest players ever, and I really don't think that Marco has anything on him. I usually am very defensive when people hate on MLS, but if this is what you guys are implying, I'm going to have to greatly disagree. Marco is a fine player, but he is in no way near the league that Hristo is in.
I really like John Haydon's writing, I think he's the best Times writer covering United, and I hope he continues to be the main one. But I am just dying to know what John Haydon thinks of Hayden Woodworth ... sorry, but it's bugging me! -Tron
"Then there's rugged defender Mike Petke, a 6-foot-2 platinum blond tackler who rarely takes prisoners. Petke drew hordes of female fans to games of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars at Giants Stadium." Like Eric d and the rest of the ESC...
If not the "Maradonna of the Carpathians" (sp?) then who is the most effective left footed player since the fat little cheater. For the purposes of this question how he plays now is not all that matters. In the interests of civil discussion amongst fans of the beautiful game I would be interested in hearing the answer. Did I leave out any cliches, I gave it 110%.
Hristo Stoitchkov left a pretty big,deep impression on the history of world football,one that comparing Marcos gifts to,is childish.Etch is a wonderful player also,perhaps Hristos lost brother in some ways but lets not get into a who-is-better debate....hell,I just wanna see the two of them together for 10 minutes and I`ll die happy!
Yeah, hoss, but he misspelled 'rogue' in 'rogue's gallery.' Come to think of it 'rouge gallery' could be an apt description. Can't wait to see your side take the field in make-up and opera hose. Leave it to Ray to bring the fun back to RFK.
Easy there, sport. The Times is WAYYYYYY late to the Hot Stove Season. Strictly catch-up stuff there.
That's it I don't know about Marco, but Hristo has about 120 goals for FC Barcelona and just take a look at the awards he collected in the same time (1992-1995). It's 2003 now and of course he's not in his best shape but you can always learn something from a player who'd shared a same locker-room with Romario and Laudrup, who'd been the mentor of Ronaldo in his first year at Camp Nou and who'd played with/against every good player in the world in the last 10-12 years. And about his left foot... I don't know. I've seen only one like his - and it's actually right - Beckham's. And BTW "Maradonna of the Carpathias" is indeed Hagi - with whom Hristo shared some days of glory in Barca.
Action Man What can I do. I just love the guy. In my opinion one of the best 50 players in the history of the game. And now he's with DC United. I wish all the luck to him and the team.
What wasn't clear? Marco is 32. Hristo is 36. Stoichkov is one of the greatest players of all time, however, age has caught up with him. He is no longer able to be consistently effective due to injuries and has slowed down considerably. I would really say that as far as skill level, they are about the same level and probably always have been. The difference is athletic ability, especially strength and speed. Now that Hristo is on the short road to adult diapers, he is only half the player he was. Marco is very quick, but he would never be confused with fast. And he has never had Hristo's strength. Marco's career doesn't compare to Hristo's, however, as of this writing I would say Marco is a more effective player. Stoichkov, even way past his prime, will make significant contributions this year. I think Marco is highly underrated. He is an eminently talented player. 1996-1999 he was probably the best player in MLS. If he were a little faster, he could have really been one of the great ones.
Marco still has a few more good years left and Hristo is at the end of the road. As for the past, Marco can't even hold Hristo's jock. You will still get to see a few glimpses from the Hristo of old though if he gets to see some playing time.
Wouldn't it suffice to say that we have two legendary players on our team that like and respect each other? They'll lead by example and push our younger guys to be better and put our team back on track.