The Rapids need to retire #17!! (And anyone who agrees needs to holler about it too!) Marcelo was the blood and guts for that team for so many years....he is an amazing athlete, had an amazing career and fans everywhere love him, but they especially love him here in colorado.....retiring his jersey is simply the right thing to do. I bet announcing it would fill the stands too...in fact, a July 4th pre-game tribute would be perfect. (I believe they are already planning on adding his name to the "Wall of Fame" that day, why not do it right and Retire the infamous #17 too?!) There has been no #17 on the team since he left...and in the future, no other player in their right mind will ever take that number from him anyhow...#17 will forever be Marcelo's...why not make it official! Show the man some honor and respect, Rapids
IMHO he was a great player and did good things for the club. Even had one of the greatest goals in MLS history. Although I wouldn't be necessarily opposed to retiring #17, I don't think it's a must. He was a major player for the Rapids for many years bet he never really carried the team to anything special.
And how did the Rapids end up in each of those games? I'm not knocking Celo here. I just don't feel it that necessary to retire his jersey either. I say give it a few more years and then maybe. It certainly won't happen with the current front office and coach. Lots of bad blood there.
They BARELY made it into the playoffs in 97, when 4/5 of the league got postseason games. And they had the worst record of teams in the playoffs that year. And I'm not sure what switch got turned on to make them play the way they did, but it wasn't Balboa that made it all happen. And I'd rather banish that US Open Cup final match from my memory.
Retiring a number has become a bit too easy in sports in my opinion. McBride in Columbus. Coby in LA. Etcheverry in DC. For all of MLS ... these are the only contenders in my mind. Pope for DC would have only been a possiblity if he hadn't been traded. Balboa doesn't make the grade ... he hasn't lead the Rapids to a Championship. He didn't play for 10 or so years for the club (yes either did any of the above ... but they will or close). Balboa's a ledgend yes, but hopefully in 30 years, he won't be the Gretzky, Jordon, Elway of the Rapids. If he is we're in for a life time of agony. He was very big to the club indeed ... but not big enought to warrant no body ever wearing #17 again. McBride IS the Columbus crew. He's the face of the club from day one. He's been a large piece of the Nats success at the same time. He will be there for years to come if he doesn't head to England. Etcheverry is also the face of the club from day one. He has brought mulitple MLS Cups to DC United. Coby is the same as McBride with an MLS Cup.
Balboa was the heart and soul of the franchise from day one. He is the most recognizable player the Rapids have ever had. He carried the team on his back with sheer will, when we had rosters that were pathetic. The guy is pure class and the Rapids need to start building some foundations of tradition with this franchise. He was a great player with fantastic pedigree, without whom there might not have been a Rapids team (see retirement party press release). If we cannot honor one of the best players the Rapids have ever had, then what history is there for us? And where is his retirement game? Sometimes this organization just doesnt get it.
The only thing that Balboa didn't do with the Rapids was win a championship. But should that really be a knock against the player? Look at what DC United did for John Harkes. He only spent 3 seasons with DC -- granted, two championships -- but the guy is given a match against Tottenham and his name plastered on the wall behind one of the goals. In as much as this was also a big celebration and thank you to Harkes for his entire career, doesn't Balboa deserve the same? I think the Rapids recognizing Balboa should go well beyond what he did for the club. The guy is one of the founding fathers of modern American soccer, and if you believe Ivan Gazidis, the key reason that Anschutz brought a team to Colorado -- and ulltimately, single-handedly saved MLS. I'm still hoping that something more is in the works regarding Balboa, other than an introduction during the July 4th game and a spot on the new Wall of Fame (or Ring of Fire or whatever it's called). With games against Mexican teams in the works, it seems that one of those matches might be a fitting reward, tribute and farewell (as a player) to one of the greatest players in American soccer history.
You made great points Greenie, especially regarding Harkes, but this is the best of all. Balboa was a rock for the NT through the mid 90's and would still be a member of any Best 11 National teamers of all time. His record with the national team, his status as captain and heart and soul of the Rapids for 6 years all speak to Celo's stature as the greatest Rapid of all-time (albeit a short time at that). Sure, others may come along, and hopefully will, that will eclipse his accomplishments, but there must always be a first, and anyone other then Marcelo doesn't belong there. Look at the Broncos Ring of Fame at Mile High Stadium (well Invesco, whatever). Who was one of the first players up there? Frank Tripucka. Frank Tripucka, if you aren't a die hard Broncos fan, you probably would never recognize the name. But he was the first quarterback the Broncos ever had, and despite not being near Hall-of-Fame caliber, nor winning any championships, and going by the 1960's era Broncos, probably not winning much at all, he is honored by the organization. They may not have retired his number, but a lasting tribute was made, nonetheless. Balboa is no Tripucka, he is one of the greatest players the US has ever produced, and the Rapids should recognize his achievements in appropriate fashion. A halftime introduction during a July 4 game doesn't cut it, he deserves better. I just hope the Rapids realize it.
Most of us fans know what he has done for the Rapids, but here are some highlights for his career prior to MLS. From MLSNet - player bios: National Team Highlights One of the all-time leaders in U.S. soccer history with 128 caps (13 goals, 4 assists)… Played in his third consecutive World Cup when he appeared for the U.S. in France '98… Perhaps Balboa's finest moment in a U.S. jersey since 1994 came in the 1997 qualifier against Costa Rica in Portland, where his assist set up current teammate Tab Ramos for the lone U.S. goal in a vital 1-0 win… One of only five U.S. players to participate in every minute of the United States' four games of the 1994 World Cup... Winner of U.S. Soccer's 1994 and 1992 Male Athlete of the Year... Winner of the 1994 USA World Cup Most Valuable Player... Winner of the 1994 Honda Player of the Year, as voted by the U.S. media... Played in the FIFA World All-Star Game on Sept. 2, 1995, in Tokyo with Brazil's Dunga and Jorginho and Colombia's Valderrama... In a game against Iceland in 1993, Balboa suffered a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee ... Following a miraculous 7 1/2 month rehabilitation Balboa immediately assumed his starting role for the USA… Played in all three of the U.S. World Cup Team's 1990 matches in Italy, starting twice ... Captained the U.S. National U-20 Team in the 1987 World Youth Championship in the FIFA/Coca Cola Cup in Chile.
Playing for the National Team is one thing, playing for the Rapids is another. Everyone's talking about what a great player for the Nats he was. That has nothing to do with the Rapids. And yes, he was a great player for the Rapids. Definitely deserves to be on a Rapids First Decade Best XI in a couple of years. But I just don't see that he needs to be put on a pedestal for his service for the Rapids. I don't ever remember thinking to myself "The Rapids have Balboa, so we'll definitely dominate the league this year." A guy who has his number retired should be one who far and away was the best player on the pitch most games, and was a leader. Sorry, but that wasn't Celo. Leave this to the Elways and the Jordans and the Gordie Howes of the sport.
I must admit I could give a crap about retiring a number, which is really what this discussion is about. That said, RAfan, are you against honoring Balboa in the ways others have suggested above? I do think that Balboa has meant a ton to this club. They may not have won championships with him, but he's meant a hell of a lot more to the Rapids than Harkes did to DC United. In my opinion, Balboa has done more for the Rapids than any single player for any other MLS club. If the Rapids had been without Balboa, I don't think they ever reach MLS Cup '97 or the Open Cup in 99. Balboa was a selfless servant to the club, both on and off the field. I don't think you can accuse him of playing without passion, especially not considering the number of last-second game-winning goals the guy scored. Besides, if the Rapids don't honor him for his entire career, who will? Realistically it's not feasible to retire numbers for soccer teams anyway, not when you don't have guys wearing numbers like 33, 67, or 00.
I think the Wall of Fame is perfect for him. You make a good point that he needs to be honored for his pro career, and the Rapids will be the only team that can do that. But retiring his jersey and calling him a living legend is a little over the top. Just honor him, give him a fitting tribute for his 6 years, and leave it at that.
When you have a relatively new league, its tough to build a tradition. We are always going to be in the shadows of the other teams in the league if we don't make an effort to start building a history. You have to start somewhere. Honoring Balboa for his service to the Rapids and the USNMT is a start. It gives the Rapids organization a positive shot of attention. The guy is/was pure class, and the Rapids should share it with the rest of the league. "Remember Balboa? That guy left it on the field every night. That bicycle? Great guy." Who else can we talk up? Marquino?
Huh? You think getting rid of a shirt with #17 on the back is going to put us up in the pinnacle of MLS teams? I have an idea! Let's start a tradition of winning some friggin' games and maybe getting some silverware one of these days. Maybe we should concentrate on that rather than worrying about playing in "other teams' shadow" because we haven't retired a jersey. For about two seconds until it happens and then people stop thinking about it.
...."A guy who has his number retired should be one who far and away was the best player on the pitch most games, and was a leader. "..... This statement is so invalid, it almost makes me laugh. And on another note, no one can deny the Rapids pretty well suck this season. Chelo was, is and will always be a crowd favorite....a retirement event in his honor would not only give the Balboa the respect he deserves, but just might give the depressed and bored fans a little something to look forward to. I am also finding it interesting that the people who think this topic is a waste of time seem to be spending their time by continuing to post replies about it.
RAfan, who pissed in your wheaties? You a Glickman bunkbuddy? Honoring a classy guy and getting some wins have nothing to do with each other. Harkes got a little love, I'd like to see our guy get a little. And Harkes was a prima-donna malcontent. Celo kept his act clean. I just wish the Rapids organization would go out on a limb and give a little tribute to a guy that meant a lot to the team and country. I can go either way on retiring the jersey, cause who the hell wants to wear #17 anyway. Take issue with the players playing right now that aint getting anything done. Not with Celo. This is a Celo thread. There are lots of other threads that bash the coach and players. This is not one of them. What DC did was a class thing. It is good for the DC org and good for the league. We should follow suit. If they wait too much longer it will be too late.
I agree about retiring the Jersey. There really aren't a load of numbers to retire so we probably shouldn't be too hasty about that. BUT, without a doubt anything less than a tribute to his success is IMHO an insult. And I'm not talking about a quick schpeil between the frisbee dogs and 8yr old girls National championships at halftime. I want a real ceremonial type thing that recaps his success both Nationaly and with the Rapids. Hell, throw in a highlight reel on the bigscreen. Do this all before the game and show the guy that we appreciated him.Who knows,maybe it will give the players a little emotion and motivtion to show something for a change. Garrett
We're beating the crap out of a dead horse here, so I'm just going to recap my opinions and then I'm out. Does he deserve a tribute? Yes. Does he deserve to have his jersey retired? No.
I'd have to agree with what was posted before, that retiring a jersey number in soccer is a bad idea and impractical. Instead, jersey #'s are worn as an honor. Look at the #10 for Brazil and the legends who have worn it, jersey numbers in soccer signify a player's position (1 - GK, 2-4 Defense, 5-8 midfield, 9-11 attacking) obviously with some exceptions, but this is the Italian model, I suppose. Regardless, anyone with a number over 30 generally becomes a question mark as to what the heck that guy is doing in that number, or he's the funny kid on the local kids rec soccer team who got #69. I am all for honoring Balboa in a Wall of Fame type manner, even mention his #17, because the prestige of the jersey should carry over to another player in the Rapids organization. But to contradict myself, having seen the error of my ways, retiring the jersey goes one step too far for any player.
I think so. World Cup 2002 roster link right here. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/teams/arg/roster.html They must have done it between '99 and '01, because I swear Ariel Ortega was #10 for them in the 1998 World Cup. Given Maradona's downward spiral, and despite being one of the 3-5 greatest soccer players ever, I wonder if Argentina will regret such a gesture in years to come?
mls should not retire numbers... not for nowak, etcheverry, mcbride, kreis, jones... anyone just do what the fire are doing... wait til the right person comes along to wear that number... place the player's name into some sort of team hall of fame... but not the number this is an 8 year old league... how can we even think of retiring numbers?