[Freddie]

Bet you if the players on the Metrostars voted he'd be out 21-0. He is here for the easy money and to have a party in Manhattan, where he can go out and pretty much not be recognized at restuarants, theaters, etc. He doesn't give a damn about using his experience to help educate the young players in the league. That crap is what destroyed the NASL and other early leagues here. The teams were run buy the "British Mafia", who brought their broken down old has-been buddies here to get a paycheck when they couldn't cut it in Europe anymore, at the expense of giving Americans a chance. MLS's structure of the league owning the player contracts sucks in some respects, but it is what helped it get off the ground and avoid this garbage, though it will have to change soon for the league to attract better players and move toward international credibility. My message to Mattheus? You were great my man, now use your return ticket and enjoy some beer and bratwurst!!

[Edited by Freddie on 22-08-2000 at 16:13]

 

[Freddie]

Your 3 categories are on target. I was embittered because American players were shut-out, though admittedly there wasn't as much a breadth of talent as now. I rooted for the Washington Diplomats and there were some guys on that team that were decent to us youngsters, but many were bums. Dennis Viollet coached them for a while and he was a hell of a nice guy. Scottish I think, right? Believe he passed away from cancer or the like. A couple of the Brits on the side still live in the area and are involved in the game. Two guys on the Dips come to mind as belonging at the top of your heap of neer-do-wells; Paul Cannell and Jim Steele. These guys were legendary around town for destructive drinking binges and other trouble. Cannell pulled an opponents' shorts down in one game and Steele was the dirtiest player I have ever, ever seen. Broke a guys leg once on the nastiest unneccessary blind foul from behind that I ever witnessed.