The Queen is Dead!
I lament the international retirement of one Claudio Reyna, captain. Fans of the USA side that performed so admirably, so gracefully, and so proficiently in terms of tactics and technique over the past three matches in the group phase are going to miss this living legend. He really did his best to put soccer "on the map" in the states. We will miss his charm and candor during interviews, his passion and leadership on the pitch and in the clubhouse, his willingness to play through pain and injuries. Most of all, we'll miss his ability to hold possession in the midfield, spring players with laser-precision through balls, win 50/50 challenges and attack 1v1 with success against the best defenders his qualifying region has to offer. Pass me a tissue, please. This is a bit too much for me to take on the heels of yesterday's loss to Ghana. I found this picture of Reyna in action and hope you all enjoy it. Look at the determination on his face as he dices up a few Italians! Wow! I don't know what we're going to do without him - kind of like the feeling I had (pit of my stomach, growling, aching, nausea) when Lalas, Agoos and Dooley all hung up their boots. How will Team USA ever recover? (it's amazing how freezing action with high def makes actual matches LOOK like video game fantasy recreations in which loser scrubs can dominate)
posted by GAC at
6/23/2006 02:15:00 PM
7 Comments:
Glad to see the back of him. Also noted he did not sing the national anthem. Nor did most of them for that matter.
Renya, Donovan, Beasely - they represent the worst of America. McBride - the best. Arena - just a fat eejit
The Metro had a cover shot of Donovan, sans shirt, bending over pensively after the loss. Of course he did f%$k all during the game so he is perfectly entitled to be disappointed after the match.
He is a lazy, shifty eyed tosser.
Come on England! Also, taking Sweden over Germany
By
Chris P, at 4:21 PM
Good article on Donovan for anyone who wants a read.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=372268&root=worldcup&cc=5739
Chris, I agree with you ,McBride gave his all , I am guessing this was his last World Cup and would definitely be missed. The US needs to get more players into bigger clubs. This World Cup has shown that the teams with the players in the bigger leagues have all faired very well.
By
WhatsupWheaton Simon, at 6:08 PM
To be fair to Reyna, certainly not the worst player in the world - bad mistake in Ghana game to be sure but overall he has very much taken America forward from when he began. Question is who can take them further forward in his absence? I am not Reyna's biggest fan in the Premiership as I always felt he played well within himself and did a lot of sideways passing but he will go down as one the US's greatest players. In 2002 he was extremely good, and if I am right may have made the FIFA best 11?? Anyone?
By
WhatsupWheaton Simon, at 6:30 PM
Good read Simon. Donovan is a pussy full stop. I would say most of the brave man who fought off German aircraft during the Battle of Britain and saved cilivisation were no older than 24.
Does anyone think he is going to relocate when he is engaged to an American actess? I don't even know what this slag looks like but she can't be that good if she's engaged to this tosser.
By
Chris P, at 8:26 PM
Ha! Some quality hate that " I dont even know what this slag looks like" - Too funny! You are right though, no way Landon leaves the country with the wife's film career - so I think you need to dump him.
By
WhatsupWheaton Simon, at 8:34 PM
Said Bruce Arena about Renya: “The greatest comment I’ve heard about Claudio from a fellow player was Earnie Stewart saying that he brings peace to the game,” U.S. manager Bruce Arena said. “He established such a comfort level for our players in big games, all along. He’s been there in all the big games in the World Cups. He was part of what everyone will view to date as our greatest moment in the 2002 World Cup.
What does "peace to the game" mean? - jogging quarter speed, allowing yourself to be stripped of the ball when you're the last defender, not giving a toss. This is almost as baffling as Arena's "second balls".
The same article stated Renya was in the 2002 FIFA team so Simon you are correct.
By
Chris P, at 10:41 AM
Yes, included but undeserved. A blind alley merchant with no pace and limited passing ability. unless it's a turn and a pass back to a defender. his passing completion ratio is unfairly boosted by how many he completed to pope, cherundalo, gooch, etc. lurking behind him.
good to get one out of the way. i'm looking for the international retirement of pope next. and expecting the sad news that mcbride has removed himself from consideration too.
now, if only arena will do the right thing. perhaps a tour of hitler's bunker before his transatlantic flight home will give him some inspiration.
By
gooner71, at 1:03 PM
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