I know. It might be a little early for this sort of thing. But Big Jake's calling for Pareja to retire got me thinking, "Will Oscar be the Burn's MVP again in 2003?" My own thinking is that while Pareja will still play a key role on the team, Jeffries (at least if he's smart) will rest Oscar a fair amount during the regular season (1) so that he's fairly fresh when the key games of October and November arrive and (2) so that Jeffries can evaluate various players at central mid to see who should eventually replace Pareja as a regular starter. So who will be the Burn's MVP in 2003? One of the old hands like Oscar or Jason? One of the more established players like Suarez or Vaca? Or a young gun like Johnson or Gbandi? (Note: if you pick "other", it would be nice if you posted who you picked)
When I chose Ronnie O, I thought I would be the only one but when I saw the resuts I realize I'm not. Call me crazy but I have a feeling this guy is gonna save our ass on a couple of occations this season. I'm really excited for him, he seems to be able to be everywhere at once and is great with the ball. Plus his goal v.s. Shitcago was too cool (always like to see Thorton on the ground looking like an ass). ofcourse thats not to say that Pareja won't do what he does best every season.
I picked O'Brien too, though it's hard to guess how many minutes he'll play. Will Jeffries use Vaca to spell O'Brien (or vice versa), or will Joselito play mostly in the center giving Ronnie the chance to rack up a lot of points on the wing? Who knows.
I know it's not a sure thing that Eddie will develop into a bona fide star this year, but there's just so much upside there. This kid is a more athletic Brian McBride with better ball skills (yes, I know Brian's are good). He can play with either foot and seems so comfortable with the ball at his feet, much more like the Brazilians, Mexicans, etc. If he ain't the MVP, he'll be the player I expect to have the most fun watching.
I voted for Chivas...and I can't believe he is not even up there, along with Suarez. Does nobody care that Chivas led the team in assists? How about Suarez? Our only USMNT callup. Chivas is a great player and works hard. He got the MVP from hispanic fan groups last season: La Raza Latina and La Mara Loca. Joselito and EJ? How could they be MVP's? Knowing Jeffries...he will probably bench both of them which is unfortunate.
Unfortunately you can only have a max of 6 choices in the poll. Otherwise, I would have put Chivas in there as well. And Suarez? Well, he had a great rookie season, but I wasn't especially impressed with his play last year. IMHO, he's quite a bit better as a marking back in a 3-5-2 than as a wing-type player in a 4-4-2.
That's my point you have 6 choices...and you put the leading scorer last year(Kries), but not the leader in assists(Chivas). I guess he would have been your 7th choice.
The main reason I didn't have Martinez as a choice is that I think Davis will see quite a bit of playing time on the left side as well and this will cut into Chivas' numbers a bit. Of course, a similar situation exists at right mid, where Vaca and O'Brien may be competing for a regular starting spot. But it's also possible we might see Joselito playing in the center more this year. And if Joselito lives up to the "next Etcheverry" hype we all heard when he first came here, he'll have a good shot at winning the MVP.
What about Davis playing 3 positions? That is what everyone is saying and why people are saying we have a lot of depth on the team...because Davis can play forward, centermid, and leftmid. I think with this depth on the team...a lot of players are going to have their numbers go down. Including Vaca, ROB, Kreis, EJ, and Pareja...not only Chivas. Funny how all of these names are on your poll except for Chivas.
Pareja got the MVP last year with 1 g. and 6 a. not necesarily the best numbers. So numbers don't mean everything when it comes to team MVP.
Martinez happens to be one of my favorite players, so it's not like I have a bias against him or anything. In fact, for the last 3 months or so Chivas has been my Windows desktop "wallpaper". http://www.mlsnet.com/multimedia/wp_archive.html
I wouldn't get my hopes up. Ok, BigJake, I've noticed the hostility in your posts around these parts and since your a fan of the Burn and new to the boards let me just say HI! WELCOME! CALM DOWN! Can't we all love eachother? Take it down a notch, if you want to support Chivas, which is a wise choice he is a great player, then simply choose "other" and tell us why. rrriiiigggghhhhttttt
Sorry if I get a little excited. I just love this guy and I feel he doesn't get enogh recognition. Everyone sees him as a gonner after the season and writing him off. I for one wants him to stay.
I agree, Chivas may stay, even though he can get more money in Mexico. The thought of him drawing defenders wide on the left, and ROB doing the same on the right, and EJ gladly-accepting-feeds at the top of the box from both... well, I've talked to MJ about this very setup and he likes it alot. Look for Chivas and ROB to get PLENTY of minutes together.
Can't decide between Chivas and Deering(other) gets my vote. Chivas stats get better every year and in the final year of his contract, its going to be fun. Deering had a great season and will have to lead the team when pareja is not on the field. Should be named team captain IMO. Can't believe Pareja has 0 votes? no infierno fans in BS???
Allocating "other" votes based on what folks have posted, the results so far are: Ronnie O'Brien........7 Ed Johnson............4 Chivas Martinez....1-1/2 Brad Davis.............1 Diego Serna...........1 Chad Deering........1/2 other (unknown).....2 Jason Kreis............0 Oscar Pareja..........0 Joselito Vaca.........0
I think most people are optimistic about the future. If you vote Pareja you are voting the current or the past. ROB, Johnso, Chivas... those are votes with a upside for the future.
The official MVP yes, but there is an Inferno MVP, and 3rd Degree has one as well. But who the offical MVP will be is not what I think this poll is asking. Instead it is trying to determine a general consesus amoung fans for will have a great year for the Burn. Which is certainly a valid question and fun to talk about.
Wait until you see the sign I'm planning on making for him, O'Brian and possibly Higgins. The Irish Drinking Team.
Who is Higgins? Has the Burn signed him? Does he count as an international? What position does he play? Why hasn't the Burn released the info about he signing yet?