And thus, the Legend of Bodkin comes to an end. I'm sure this will get more coverage later, but I'm going to miss Branko a lot for his free kick service and for his commitment to the team. Coming back from the injury, taking a pay cut, and staying with the team through World Cup Qualifiers showed that Branko really wanted the best for the team. He will be missed. Favorite Bodkin memories?
@PROreferees: #RBNY vs. #DCU Red Bull Arena (8:00pm ET) R: M.GEIGER A1: C.Morgante A2: G.Barkey 4TH: J.Rivero #MLS #RBNYvDCU
DCU is asking fans to vote on goal of the year, but this beauty wasn't nominated. The one-time cross from Najar. The diving header. The fact that it was fullback to fullback. Consider this my write-in vote.
Sad news. "Youth soccer coach Mike Jones was killed in a brutal stabbing in the West Village early this morning[.]" Thoughts and prayers to Mike's family, and the NYRB staff and fan community.
A group of D.C. United fans, myself included, gathered in a radio studio last night in Richmond, Virginia, to play the Total Soccer Show's infamous Wikipedia game. In this instance, all of the questions were about former D.C. United players. Did I defend the honor of Black and Red United? You'll just have to find out.
D.C. United midfielder Branko Boskovic expressed frustration about being taken out inside of sixty minutes during United's shaky win against the New England Revolution: 'The season is [almost] over and they say I am still not fit," Boskovic said. "What can I say? I feel good. Maybe I look like I am not ready, but that’s how I look, that’s how I play, that is my style, that is how I run. I can’t change how I am. It’s a little bit stupid to say I am not fit but the season is over. When am I going to be ready if I am not now ready? Maybe this league too strong for me, I don’t know.' Although the propensity might be to freak out and put too much stock into Branko calling Benny's decision stupid and throwing up his hands to say that he isn't strong enough for this league, personally, I think these sound more like comments of extreme frustration than anything serious. Branko went on: 'Asked if he was upset about being removed, Boskovic said: "Yes, of course, because everybody is upset when they go out or sit on the bench. I am not angry, I respect the decision, it’s good for us because the guy who comes in scores the goal, it’s beautiful, it’s good. But like I say, if I am not ready not, when am I going to be? Maybe if I have 90 minutes in two or three games, it will be better. Practice is one thing, but games are something different."' Honestly, I was standing on a platform yelling at the crowd for most of the time that Branko was on the pitch on Saturday night. Anybody care to weigh in on who was right, the Maestro or the General? Beyond who was right, I really can't see this doing anything but lighting a fire under Bosko to work even harder. He's said that he's staying here through any WC Qualifiers and wants to focus on taking this team all the way. I'm a Bosko-believer and love him for it, but obviously reasonable folks can disagree. Your thoughts?
Apparently Olsen and company are not done adding pieces to this lineup. Andik Vermansyah is a small winger and has been listed as an Asian player to watch by ESPN. Of course, we have had plenty of guys come on trial and not pan out.
Former D.C. United defender Bryan Namoff is suing Tom Soehn and D.C. United for $12 million, and plans to add current and former trainers and doctors to the suit as well. Namoff alleges that he never received proper treatment after receiving a concussion and was forced to play in a game three days later that made his symptoms worse. I know we all wish Namoff the best and that he will continue to recover and improve. I can't imagine the long term suffering he is going through, and I hope that he and the team can reach an equitable solution.
This is why we lost two points. You can blame Hamdi Salihi for stepping in the area too soon. You can blame the Union players for leading him in there. You can blame Mark Geiger for calling this play by the absolute letter of the law. Or you can blame the refereeing system in the U.S. that encourages him to do so rather than to use his discretion. You can blame whatever you want. But this image that you're looking at right here... This is why we lost two points. And it's effing stupid. (via @svertgoalcom)
Not sure we really needed another striker and think we will miss Cruz. And also the timing ahead of the two teams playing each other is interesting. While we had depth at midfield, we also had depth at striker but not so much at defender... Thoughts?