that is a good piece and it is nice to see a bit of focus on the "non-statistical" contributions earnie has made. i have heard both trask and ray also talk about earnie's play in terms similar to eric's.
Oh, crap! The Wynalda Kiss of Death. That's like Pele predicting you'll win the World Cup. Just ask Taylor Twellman.
I like his suggestion that referees not be so overly dramatic about showing the card. Pulling the card out instantly and standing up all stiff like a hanging judge about to levy a murder sentance makes for good drama, but it is better to take some time to explain what has happened. I've seen this approach in EPL matches, and the players seem to react more respectfully overall towards the refs compared to MLS players. - Paul
Fascinating! Not exactly shocking that Wynalda supports Earnie, his former teammate I too thought that he would have better stats by now....I've been watching Earnie really closely and I was a little concerned by Game 8. He hadn't scored. I watched him and he was trying to do way too much. I've watched him and he was doing WAY TOO LITTLE. Part of the problem was he was TOO nice. you get caught up in that "I'm nice guy Earnie Stewart, National Team Player" persona, afraid to take shots, take chances that may make you look bad or upset a teammate who you could've passed to instead Also, and those who have played KNOW this is true, it's VERY easy to get caught up in just playing and not producing. Part of the reason is you're running around all over the place, and you get tired. It's very easy to just coast on your reputation and hope something happens One of the more unselfish players that I have ever played with But that's a PROBLEM!! Earnie is actually BETTER technically than most of the players on the field, INCLUDING some of our own players, but he doesn't PLAY LIKE IT. He plays like players are equal to him in ability-that's TOO unselfish. He plays like if he makes a great pass to a player, like on the national team, or in Holland, he's gonna get a great pass back. He positions himself like he's going to get a ball from a gifted player, and oftentimes he's NOT going to see a ball from a gifted player. You often see his frustration when he doesn't get a pass when he thinks he's open-he slaps himself or something like that. That's why playing w/Cerritos makes a difference-Cerritos can play Earnie's game Earnie should play w/a determination like HE is going to be the one that makes things happen. Lately he's been doing that-seemingly more out of frustration and anger than anything else, but if him being angry and frustrated is what's needed for him to produce, so be it... Earnie's time is NOW. His past play didn't help, but it can be seen as a learning experience. Whether or not Earnie Stewart is to be a DC United star will depend on how he will do in this CRITICAL stretch to end the season Thanks to Wynalda for the article
1) Are there a lot of Earnie bashers out there? I don't read a lot of Earnie-smack, but maybe I'm missing something. 2) One of the things that is amusing/annoying about former players is a habit, nay, an addiction with regards to reminding the reader/viewer that they are a former player. Go back and read that piece. At least 4 references to the fact that he's a former baller. Yah. Ok. We get it. We know. Knock it off. Check for it on TH/FRI on the telecast. We should have an over/under on "When I played..." comments from Waldo.
A few weeks ago perhaps.... The timing is a bit suspect, to write the article after Earnie's been producing....probably too scared to write it a couple weeks ago and look like an idiot Waldo still sets himself up to look like an idiot if Earnie doesn't produce the rest of the season
In fairness to Waldo, it's only his second article and he is writing them in conjunction with the ESPN2 match of the week. That would explain why he's writing about Stewart now instead of when the harpies had their claws out.
No he doesn't... The article was pointing out that you don't have to produce point-wise to be a contributor. Did you read the article? Yes, Wynalda mentioned him scoring on Thursday... but i wouldn't say he set himself for anything.
Maybe bashing is what Earnie needed. He seemed to play better after it. 0 goals and 0 assists 2/3 through the season-maybe Earnie was pleading for attention We need some wins, some help from Mr. Earnie Stewart, and NOW. To Mr Self-Confessed Team Player, it's SHOWTIME!!!
Nope. Not me. I didn't read it About your "points didn't concern Waldo", here's what he said: I've been watching Earnie really closely and I was a little concerned by Game 8. He hadn't scored.
This was a good analysis. Stewart has been doing too much for United to be called a wash-out. His play with Cerritos has been outstanding. So, even if he was a let-down at the beginning of the season, he's come on strong down the stretch. I'll take that anytime. (Just look at my Gunners last season- talk about flaming out at the clutch!)
I will to anytime BUT! the stretch is still to come... 2 games against the Metros. Win both, looking at home field advantage for the playoffs against the Metros in the first round. Lose both, looking at maybe tied for last place, no home field, maybe even no playoffs I'm so pumped for these 2 games....paging Mr. Earnie Stewart, YOUR TIME HAS COME
You wouldn't have been saying that after last weeks article if you had read that. Hopefully Prus gives more reds to the Metros than us on Thursday, he could give us a decided advantage in the series if he keeps up the easy cards and DC keeps their heads in the game.
I really like Waldo, I like him warts and all. Definately has a genuine personality and point of view. I gotta say, though, I get tired of soccer experts lecturing me about how I need to appreciate what players do off the ball. You know, I'm a fan, and an occasional (and really awful) player. I'm not a coach, I don't plan to be one. I don't care about "off the ball." Ernie was playing as a forward--I care VERY MUCH what a forward does WITH the ball. Just my uninformed opinion...
I didn't know Waldo was such a comedian. His last paragraph: "Besides, if refs would start actually doing this, it would give the guys in the TV truck enough time to pull back the replay so I can review it before I say something stupid. Just a thought."
"Don't believe everything you read. Start watching games and stop judging players on points. " This made me laugh after his Pro Twellman for the US piece last week. I like Ernie's game, but think the only thing Twellman has going is points, if you watch him closely his game is really lacking at the international level, IMO.
While I do not think Earnie has been detrimental to the team, I hope Earnie sticks a fork into the overcooked Metrodonkeys to quiet all the criticism.
Eric Wynalda is starting to establish himself as one of the p-r-e-c-i-o-u-s few soccer pundits who actually knows a damn and has the personality and the Ballz to tell it and in agreat,slightly annoying laid-back California type way.....!?!???...Great credit to Eric thpogh,not just for this call but so many others....too many to mention,but that make listening to Ty Keough just barely tolerable....and i mean JUST....The play by play guy Davis was very good.