Let's Be Like Professionals on the Field

[Mango Jam]

Doesn't matter to me, as hard as they work out there they can do what they want. I really don't understand the long sleeve thing, that would be way too hot for me.

[Jim Umber]

Doesn't matter to me, either. In fact, if he's the only one with his shirt untucked, it makes it easier to tell who he is from a distance (like the OTHER GOAL:mad: ) In fact, I think each player should be required to have something distinctive about him (Tiger's dreadlocks, Andy's untucked shirt, Clint's Mohawk). Yeah. Then even I could tell the players apart from a distance (like the OTHER GOAL :pissedoff ).

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by clarette

The only benefit I see to having a shirt tucked in is that it makes it more obvious when an opposing player pulls on said shirt.

You mean like when they pulled on Jamie's shirt in the P-box during the Chicago game? Oh wait......
:ohmygod:

[RSL Punk]

Was it the Catolica game when one of our guys (I'm thinking it was Trembly--someone kinda small & feisty) got his jersey ripped by the other team? No call, of course, even though he ran past the ref holding up the ripped half of his jersey.

And for the record, I'm not too concerned about an untucked jersey. Like clarette said, it's easier to tell if someone's yanking on it if it's tucked in, but I think the whole untucked look fits with Andy's style of play. He and Tiger are, imho, the coolest guys to watch move the ball up the field. Andy because it seems so effortless (and the untucked shirt feeds into that), Tiger because you just can't believe he kept the ball the whole time.

[clarette]

Originally Posted by RSL Punk

He and Tiger are, imho, the coolest guys to watch move the ball up the field. Andy because it seems so effortless (and the untucked shirt feeds into that), Tiger because you just can't believe he kept the ball the whole time.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to RSL Punk again."

:signrocko

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by dysko

Another oddity that I don't understand is why Brian Dunseth wears a long sleeve jersey even when it is 100 degrees out.

Could it be the turf??

--Geoff :dontgetit

[FarPostGhost]

A lot of you have commented more on Williams' and Watson's playing ability than you have on the main point Mookee was trying to make. That is, whether or not players as professional athletes should have to tuck in their jerseys. If MLS soccer players truly want to be referred to as "professionals," then they have to expect to act and look like professionals. Untucked shirts look sloppy and show disrespect to the players, coaches, referees, and fans. I hate it. It's like going to a corporate board meeting and your boss isn't wearing his tie or forgot to shave. Nobody is going to take him serious. Same holds true to soccer players. In the 20+ years I have played soccer, I have never taken anyone serious who shows up looking like a slob. And not coincidently, their playing ability always seems to match their appearance. Great players always look great.

I don’t understand how these soccer players can get away with leaving their shirts untucked and why the referees and coaches don’t demand more respect. Whether I was playing soccer on a top-level competition team, with the high school, or even with the ODP team, my teammates and I were always required to tuck in our shirts. My coaches demanded it and referees would enforce it throughout the game. It’s not like the ref would pause the game or anything, but he would mention it as he ran by during slow play such as direct/indirect kicks and throw-ins. Bottom line, tucking in jerseys could easily be enforced throughout the league and looks very professional.

Now, as for Williams…I’ve only been to two games and all I have to say is that I wasn’t impressed. He just looks so sloppy with his untucked long-sleeve shirt that looks two sizes too big and leaves these big long sleeves flopping a foot out in the wind. It’s really ridiculous. If he maintains such a sloppy look for superstitious reasons, he really needs to fix something because it just isn’t working. He may have a few good moves, but when he’s away from the ball he seems so lazy. At the first game I attended on April 30th, he was always out of position, losing the ball, and making terrible passes. I kept yelling at the coach to take him out and he finally did in the second half. I was also at the game Mookee referred to on July 23rd. I was shocked when they said he was “Man of the Match.” If anyone should have received that recognition it was DJ Countess. He was incredible! Williams, on the other hand, missed an easy shot right in the center of the goal and just a yard or two outside the goal box. And I think we counted two or three times where he lazily walked back from the penalty box in clearly an offsides position as the entire defensive line was already at the half-line. That’s just plain lazy! Williams should do a lot of conditioning and get himself in shape. With his strong shot and accuracy, he could really be a greater asset to the team’s arsenal.

Now on to Watson…By “Teeny Bopper,” I think Mookee was referring to young age and inexperience and I really have to agree. When he walked out after the July 23rd game with his new clothes and big diamond-stud earring I had to chuckle and shake my head. He kind of looked like one of those high school punks full of themselves and way too ****y. That’s the wrong kind of attitude to have after missing a wide-open shot. The money and excitement of being a pro athlete has clearly gone to his head but hopeful his young mind will mature. I think when he grows up and matures a little he’ll be a great player. As for his missed shot, there really is no excuse. All he had to do is barely chip it over the goalie because you always know the goalie is going to hit the grass on a play like that. Instead, he shot it right at the goalie. Yes, it may have been a late pass from Williams (I was surprised he even dished it off in the first place), but Williams was smart to wait and draw the keeper towards him and away from Watson. And yes, it didn’t matter because we were already winning and wouldn’t get any more league points, but if you are someone young and new trying to show you earn a starting spot on the team, then you need to show it. I don’t think that the coaches, his teammates, or his fans (including his family members in the stands) were impressed when he choked. Those easy shots become so much more important. Currently he may not have a good head on his shoulders, but with some playing time and experience I think he’ll definitely mold into a powerful threat on the field.

[Scilaci]

Originally Posted by FarPostGhost

As for his missed shot, there really is no excuse. All he had to do is barely chip it over the goalie because you always know the goalie is going to hit the grass on a play like that. Instead, he shot it right at the goalie. ...
I don’t think that the coaches, his teammates, or his fans (including his family members in the stands) were impressed when he choked. Those easy shots become so much more important. Currently he may not have a good head on his shoulders, but with some playing time and experience I think he’ll definitely mold into a powerful threat on the field.

If I remember correctly Landon Donovan had a very similar shot against Trinidad & Tobago that he botched. Of course, Landy Cakes has several other goals and excellent assists in WCQ play that Watson doesn't have.

But if I am holding Donovan to his level then I will hold Watson to his.

How old is he? 19 right? He's not a punk. He's got energy and doesn't back down. How many seasons of MLS has he played? Oh yeah, he's a rookie. People will treat him like a rookie and we might expect him to perform like a rookie. When he exceeds that expectation we (as fans) are really excited. When he meets that expectation we kind of sigh and move on. He has great potential, but so did everyone on the USMNT at one point. They've had time to reach some of their potential. I'll give some time to Watson too.

About the shirts tucked in...
I think that looks have nothing to do with how you play. Discipline does.

That's all.

[taytay33]

Originally Posted by FarPostGhost

Now on to Watson…By “Teeny Bopper,” I think Mookee was referring to young age and inexperience and I really have to agree. When he walked out after the July 23rd game with his new clothes and big diamond-stud earring I had to chuckle and shake my head. He kind of looked like one of those high school punks full of themselves and way too ****y. That’s the wrong kind of attitude to have after missing a wide-open shot. The money and excitement of being a pro athlete has clearly gone to his head but hopeful his young mind will mature. I think when he grows up and matures a little he’ll be a great player. As for his missed shot, there really is no excuse. All he had to do is barely chip it over the goalie because you always know the goalie is going to hit the grass on a play like that. Instead, he shot it right at the goalie. Yes, it may have been a late pass from Williams (I was surprised he even dished it off in the first place), but Williams was smart to wait and draw the keeper towards him and away from Watson. And yes, it didn’t matter because we were already winning and wouldn’t get any more league points, but if you are someone young and new trying to show you earn a starting spot on the team, then you need to show it. I don’t think that the coaches, his teammates, or his fans (including his family members in the stands) were impressed when he choked. Those easy shots become so much more important. Currently he may not have a good head on his shoulders, but with some playing time and experience I think he’ll definitely mold into a powerful threat on the field.

I disagree on the subject of Jamie's attire after the game. We were talking about wether or not they should be required to tuck-in their shirts ON THE FIELD. What Jamie wears to games is whatever he chooses to wear. He dresses up slightly, just like all of the other guys. They ALL wear stuff like that, it's not like he was purposely giving off the "I'm all that." attitude. As for his earings, Jamie, Andy Williams, and Sergio Flores all wear them, do you get that feel from Sergio or Andy? I do agree that they should tuck their shirts in when they're playing, but as for Andy's long-sleeve jersey, as long as it's tucked in, it shouldn't matter, that's what he's comfortable playing in. I also disagree that you say wether their shirt is tucked in or not reflects their play. Have you notice that Jason Kreis, Mr. 100, almost always has his untucked?

[bordelais7]

As long as we're having them tuck their shirts in, we might as well make them all get buzz cuts, march in unison, and address each other as "Sir".