Yesterday I watched a replay of the last 20 minutes of Saturday's game on the MSG network -with New York announcers. Overall, it was wonderful. The noise from the DC faithful was world class -- in no way inferior to the levels at Premiership matches. Even the announcers are impressed. The ugly part were Shep Messing's (the New York commentator) comments about Freddy. When Stewart came out of the game, he kicked the bench (I didn't catch that on Saturday.) Messing criticized Earnie for poor sportsmanship and added that he was just as bad as Freddy. Messing then went on at some length about how Nowak was the sort of coach who would not be intimidated and would play only players whom he thought would help the team -- as if Freddy were somehow throwing his weight (?) around. When Freddy did enter the game, we heard more of the same. Of course, it was delicious when Freddy changed the tone of the game completely around. I seem to recall that Messing spent a great deal of his career (?) decorating one bench or another, but even an aging mediocrity should recognize that any player worth his salt wants to play every minute --even 15 year olds. It must be nice to get paid to spew your biases over the airwaves. Messing also thought that the Metros are unlucky that Cornell Glen got hurt after Bradley used his three substitutes. Maybe so, but I would have thought that using all three subs by the 60 minute mark was an example of poor coaching.
Don't forget the bitchness status of the last two defenders, too. Freddy's move and pass broke down three players. Besides Shep Messing is just jealous because Freddy is able to garner the attention of the world with his game, not some sort of cheezy Viva centerfold. BTW, Shep, love the moustache, it's so 70's pornstar.
Shep Messing is the worst commentator of soccer in America. For most of the game he's out of his mind. He's such a Metros homer that he makes no sense. Every game I watch he says how great the Metros are playing and they lose every time. He defends Bradley's nonsensical decisions like in the last playoff game. There must be pressure at the MSG network to not criticize the team. Remember when they got rid of Marv Albert because he was too critical during Knicks broadcasts. That sent a message.
I'm not sure what Freddy did to Shep Messing, but I suspect whatever happened to him actually occured long before Freddy was born. That guy was a joke on Saturday. He kept talking how the Metros were in this great position being 2 goals down at half... and that if the Metros scored, the pressure would really be on DC United. Did the guy even stop to think that the team that's losing has the more pressure? But with all that being said, he's a Metro's fan and it's probably just over exposure to the stench of New Jersey that's making him sound like a fool.
what was that he said about it would be better for them to score int he second half rather than the first?
I think his reasoning was that if they scored in the first half, then DC could go into the lockerroom and make some adjustments to prevent the Metros from scoring again. Also, for the Metro's to score two goals, they would need to have some momentum. The half-time break would stop any momentum they might have had in the first after scoring 1 goal. I see what he's trying to say, but when you're down by 2, you really just need points. Delaying until the end of the game to score just so you have momentum is reckless and very poor coaching. Fortunately, Shep isn't a coach and I'm sure Bob Bradley wasn't thinking along the same lines as him. Bradley just got screwed by his substitutions... deservingly so.
I have to disagree here. There are plenty of announcers who are much more partisan than Messing. The worst, Bretos and Hopkins, loudly slurp the Galaxy every match, and even Dave Johnson is capable of seeing bad DCU matches through red-and-black colored glasses. I've been (un)lucky enough to watch quite a few Metros matches this year on MSG, and Shep has been quite willing to speak critically when they've played badly. Granted, he has his own code for it, but he has definitely been willing to call their play poor. I actually enjoy watching matches broadcast by 'opposition' outlets. OK, esp. when we win, but I find it refreshing to hear descriptions of the games that aren't United-centric. I don't care who does the broadcast on Nov 14th, so long as they get our players' names right.
More like desperation. You could argue that poor coaching leads to desperation, and make a good case for it.
Nothing Shep just has been honest and has had many of the same positions the DC Utd fans on this board have had on Freddy during the year. After Freddy made a difference in the game he said that he was wrong you forgot to point out. When he saw Earnie Stewart do what he did Shep being an outspoken guy spoke out and said how he felt, he would call out the Cunninghams and Guevaras when they do it. You should hear how much he kills Amado for his baby tactics. Shepp may not be always right but he speaks his mind without so called Metro colored glasses
I wish I would have known this one was on Direct Kick, I ended up taping the FSW version and their sound quality always sucks...I know we were louder than that. Plus Max Bretos could put me to sleep after 5 double shot espressos.
Let's not use "Shep" and "overexposed" in the same sentence anymore. I didn't catch the MSG broadcast of the two playoff games, but I was impressed with Shep and J.P.'s work on our 1-0 win up there. Shep had nothing but praise for Ernie and how tough he was, despite a nasty challenge on Gaven when Ernie knew he was going to be subbed. Most of the MLS regional homers would have been screaming for a red. He was very critical of the Mutts all night, even though they had the run of play. Bretos and Hopkins are OK as long as they don't do Galaxy games--and as long as you've started drinking at least an hour before their match comes on. They are huge Josh Gros-boosters; their enthusiasm for "the Mechanic" is now kind of over the top. Did Max really whip out that dated "Speedy Gonzalez" accent Saturday when mocking some Spanish phrase about how "dee eggs down't steeeek"? Very dodgy--I was embarrassed for Rupert Murdoch, and that take a lot. You want homers, try Brad Sham from Dallas, or the Crew Crew--Presthus seems to think the Crew should get five PKs a game.
Hello, my name's Walt Garrison. You may know me as Ken Houston's biatch when I couldn't drag him over the goal line from a slant pattern where I caught the ball at the three. But when I want it to feel real good up there, I jest put in a pinch ... Messing's actually a pretty good announcer, I think. His "Wow" I like a lot and he does call the diva on his behavior. I wish I coulda heard what he said about cheatin bob's tactics last year when he needed a fourth sub late in the game. cheatin bob is still reaping his karma on that one. GM
ESPN2 had that game when Gaven scored in overtime(I remeber Rob Stone screaming when gaven 16 at the time he scored the goal). I am almost sure he would have said it was a smart move though the league should do something about the rule. You call it a cheat but he went along with the rulebook, which was the main reason the rules where changed. It was a smart legal rule at the time though im glad the league got rid of it.
After the last game, I asked Cheatin' Bob if he wanted that 4th sub back. I've not seen a look of such pure hate since I told my college girlfriend I was dumping her for her roommate. Sachin
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Sachin again. someone get that for me, wouldja, that was beautiful