Polarizing MLS Players

As promised, my first MLS "article." Bear with me as I work out the kinks!

Every sport has them; those players we just love to hate. Unless, of course, that player happens to be on the home team! In basketball, players like Kobe Bryant and Rasheed Wallace irk the masses, while appeal to the fans in their own respective gymnasiums. Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson come to mind in the NFL, and Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens certainly divide MLB fans. Well, in my experience, the MLS has those same types of players. Here is my list, and their stories:

1. Carlos Ruiz – FC Dallas – Ruiz is the league’s most celebrated “flopper,” as well as one the players most willing to circumvent the rules of fair play. Most recently, in his long list of offenses, he elbowed a Dynamo defender in the face in their 05/13/06 match, and then rolled on the ground as if they smacked heads. At least the referee called him on it, this time.

2. Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution – Dempsey has made quite a splash on the national scene in the last year with his creative play on the pitch. However, it appears that he may hold a higher opinion of himself than his status would indicate. He already has his own rap song. He recently was suspended by the Revolution for tussling with team captain Joe Franchino. Lastly, although he does play with passion and flair, he often loses his composure in the heat of the battle.

3. Kyle Martino – L.A. Galaxy – I take this one personally. “Mr. Rookie of the Year” just didn’t have it in his heart to give his best effort in Columbus. I don’t recall getting a discount on my tickets, because the team wasn’t delivering the best product! He expressed as much to Sigi, and fortunately, Sigi agreed. Now he’s in L.A., and will undoubtedly make an impression as a player who occasionally flashes skill when not knocked over by a strong gust of wind. Had he worked harder at making a creative play than trying to draw a foul, he might have had a few more assists and goals in Columbus.

4. Freddy Adu – D.C. United – Freddy’s just a kid. I don’t necessarily hold him accountable for everything that he’s endured in his brief career. It’s not his fault that he’s been hyped as the American version of Pele, and there’s no doubt that this level of hype has an impact on the fans’ perception of a player. It does seem that the hype may have gone to his head, though, as I find it pretty audacious that he’d complain about playing time at age 16 on a Major League club. Be happy that you’ve earned an opportunity that no one else in the history of the league has. He also voiced similar thoughts about actually playing on the U.S. World Cup team. Not yet, Mr. Adu. Prove it to me first.

5. Clint Mathis – Colorado Rapids – What happened to you, Clint? I can only conjecture that you let your temper keep you from becoming the international star you were destined to become. There is no bigger whiner in the league than Mathis. There is no doubt this has made him a bench player on the Rapids, and it got him removed from both his German club and the U.S. National team. It’s all about the proper attitude, and an attitude like his makes him hard to admire.

6. Jeff Cunningham – Real Salt Lake – Jeff is one of the best 1 v 1 players in the league. He can be down right electric at times. He can also be downright selfish, putting his interest ahead of the team’s, and pouting when things don’t go his way. Again, being a Crew fan, I’ve observed this in the first person. It’s a roller coaster ride rooting for Jeff, and many don’t have the stomach for it.

7. Ante Razov – Chivas USA – Did I just describe Jeff Cunningham? I could copy-and-paste virtually the same text for Ante. He is a clinical finisher, and a colossal jerk. This guy can destroy a team, if he’s not happy. Why is it that a lot of my list consists of former Crew players (albeit briefly, in Ante’s case)?

8. Chris Armas – Chicago Fire – I really have nothing negative to say about Chris. He’s just a very aggressive player, and sometimes that aggression leads to tough fouls on players on your team. I respect a man of his stature that plays so hard, but I don’t like it when his boots meet up with the ankles of my guys. Chris is the epitome of a guy that I’d love to have on the Crew, but that I can’t stand when he plays against the Crew.

9. Frankie Hejduk – Columbus Crew – Fortunately, we have our own “enforcer” in Frankie Hejduk. I’m sure many opposing fans feel about Frankie exactly how I described my feelings for Armas. Frankie is a moderately skillful player, with a tireless work ethic, and a “tough guy” disposition. He’s just over-aggressive at times, which can lead to mistakes and bad fouls. He also has a temper, and acts a bit like a prima donna at times, but I wouldn’t trade him for anyone on this list.

10. Nick Garcia – Kansas City Wizards – This one is 100% personal. The cheap shot he laid on Knox Cameron at Crew Stadium was total bush league. This kind of play can’t be tolerated. At least the league gave him a 2-game suspension last season, even though the referee somehow didn’t see fit to show him a card.

11. Armando Guevara – New York Red Bulls – Armando reminds me a lot of Ruiz, but he’s even a bigger jerk and a greater problem for his club in the locker room and off the pitch. Case in point: after being substituted in the 55th minute in their 05/13/06 match against Chicago, he went to the locker room, showered, and watched the rest of the game from the stands with his wife. He also had heated arguments with his manager and with former GM Alexi Lalas prior to the season beginning. Armando puts the “ass” in “class.”

12. Adrian Serioux – Houston Dynamo – Adrian is a Canadian international, and he’s just begun his career in the MLS. So far, he’s off to an illustrious start with 3 yellow cards in his first 6 matches. Evidently, Nick Garcia is his mentor.