Esky Explanation
In thinking about my Esky comment in my last post, I feel like I need to explain why it was noteworthy to mention him trotting onto the field.
Initially, I was not a fan of the trade. Expelling the team's leading scorer for a not-as-lethal, yet younger, Alecko Eskandarian only made sense on one level - personality. Even if they never actually had a falling out, it was obvious that Jeff Cunningham and Jason Kreis came from two completely different worlds. Cunningham gives off the aura of a flashy arrogant goal scorer, while Kreis is more of the bleed for the team kind of guy. Both personalities have their place on a team. But, when the team bleeder becomes coach you would have to think the flashy guys days are numbered.
And so it happened, and now we have Esky - who's never been quite the same player since donning the headgear. But, like I mentioned previously, I'm getting more excited to have him around. Here's to hoping that his tap in against China is the first of many more for RSL.
Photo credit: Claire Monson/The Daily Universe
posted by Scott @ 10:39 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Who would you say are RSL's "bleeders"? Cunningham definitely is not a bleeder: talented, but unable to stay focused for a full 90. Kreis obviously was, but when you lose that (as he becomes coach), who then becomes RSL's bleeders? I haven't been following RSL very well since their inception, and I'd be interested in a real fan's view on that. For me personally, a flashy layer like Cunningham can only be effective if the team is centered on a core of bleeders. Then the flashes of brilliance can mean something. Otherwise, you get what we saw from RSL during Cunningham's time there: a man who can scores goals on a team who doesn't have a winning mentality. Bring in an Esky. Let him influence the team to become bleeders and then in the future, someone like a Cunningham could be effective.
Good question, elopingcamel. The obvious no nonsense sort of bleeders on RSL would be Chris Klein, Carry Talley, and a special case would be Andy Williams. He's a special breed that is a cross between a flashy player who bleeds for the team.
I think you're correct in that a good team needs a healthy mix of bleed and flash, but I think RSL is lacking in flash in a big way. Freddy Adu has the audacity to try flash in any situation. And Mehdi Ballouchy, although he's been in a funk this season, can be inspiring to watch on the ball.
Not that other RSLers can't be inspiring or flashy, my point talking about these players overall personalities.
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