Stewart departs an MLS champion This kind of surprised me. Is he leaving to go to Europe for a big pre-retirment pay day? Family reasons? Is it because he didn't get to play where he wanted, as he alludes to below: Any theories?
Stewart is more Dutch than American...can you blame him if he and his wife/family want to go home for the last years of his career? Anyways, he played with all his heart for the game...very hard not to respect the man and his decisions.
If anyone can figure out the exact answer to this thread's question, perhaps they can help us understand why Eddie Pope never left MLS. I'd place this into the "To each his own" category within the sub-category "Because he can".
Pope may have not left the MLS b/c he older than some teams my want in a defender or he may have been like Donovan and wanted to be close to family. As for Stewart, he may not have been happy with playing the way he was for DC. Maybe he does not like D.C. Who knows?
MLS was probably not going to offer him a max salary to stay. At least not early this year. He only has a few earning years at best left as a player and may feel more comfortable entering coaching/management back home.
Based on all he has said, this year was unique and memorable (sometimes 'unique' is best forgotten) -- he relished the companionship of his teammates. I'm willing to take him at his word. He also may be feeling too old for MLS, which he says is a 'very, very' physical league, not so much in tackles and contact, but for its running -- and often pointless running. He also mentioned that American (MLS) teams couldn't be killed off; they keep coming off the canvas, believing that they can come back and win. In Europe, teams know when they are beaten, they back off, indicating they are just marking time till they can hit the showers. Not so here. Then there are his comments about never settling into his best position, coupled with offers from Dutch teams, and his family's desire to return to the place they call home. Very different from Jaime Moreno, who's children were born here, who has put down roots. I can imagine Moreno coaching DC one day, maybe even the US Nats, if coaching is in his future.
He was very emotional after the game yesterday, it was actually good to see in a professional athlete in America. Hes a good guy. I may have one his very last autographs, got it in the DC lockerrom after the game
I hope he does. I know there are a lot of people out there that love him, but I am ready to see him part. His time is up. No one ever said anything about John Harks when DC would not give him a contract, and to be honest when he retired he was in better form than stewert's current level.
if U're used to the Netherlands, where would U rather live, there or here? especially nowadayze. it's been great he's been in the league the last two years. i've enjoyed watching him every time i've seen him play. while not always a perfect player, he exudes that european sense of professionalism and soccer knowledge so often lacking in our league...or at least it used to be lacking. i think it's less so as time goes on.
I'm really happy Earnie spent two years in MLS. For about 18 months we was one of the dominant players on the national team and a solid contributor for a lot longer period. Its too bad he couldn't be a big star in MLS, but he was a quality player here. Best wishes to him back in the Netherlands.
Please try to stop using phrases like the above for any reason whatsoever on this site.(even if being funny) Some of us are still in shock and mourning, thanks. (i was being funny)
maybe he's leaving because he vowed to leave if bush was reelected. maybe he can take alec baldwin with him. please. (p.s. -- that's not a dig on bush, so let's not flame each other until this thread is closed). either way, earnie's the best and I hope he's happy whereever he goes.
erm he played in Dutch league for gazillion years before 2 seasons in MLS, he wants to retire there (he's not exactly in his prime football years ) Allways a class act