The difference between being critical and being against
July 13, 2007 by f4denz.
So I am a fan of RSL, I have not missed a single home match or major home event in the history of the team. I am a supporter, I am a member of a supporters group, and I am allowed to be critical of team, staff, players, and coach. I am not against the team, staff, players, or the coach; if you are not aware of the difference, please allow me to explain.
I believe that many who are in the public forum (bloggers, media members, and others) are firmly against RSL and some have been against them from day one. Why, is the question I am asked when I offer that opinion, it is easy, they dislike Dave Checketts, or they dislike soccer, or they dislike Dean Howes, or they dislike Spencer Checketts, or they dislike Trey-Fitz Gerald, or they dislike anything that might challenge their control of local sports, or they dislike them because they don’t get to make money off them, or they dislike them because someone said or did something to offend them, the possible reasons could be limitless.
How do you know they are against RSL, that to is easy, look at their words or deeds. Listen, I am the first to admit that RSL and their staff from top to bottom have given everyone reason to question their logic, intelligence, or sanity at times. But to claim that every action, every statement, every intent of RSL is evil, or that they are greedy, or that they are whatever negative term you want to use, is just plain wrong and inaccurate. I have looked for anyone in this group to mention the jobs being created in Sandy by the new stadium project, but they haven’t. I have looked for anyone in this group to mention, how many local business owners and managers near the stadium site are excited about the potential increase in customers, but they haven’t. I have looked for anyone to give credit to RSL players and staff members who have donated hundreds of hours to local charities, educational program, and other local causes, but they don’t. Even last season when RSL had the best record in the 2nd half of the MLS season, and just missed making the playoffs, you could barely find a kind word from these cynical bastards. You can believe there is no bias, but you are fooling yourself, and if you simply review the history you will see it. Heck, in most cases it is not even subtle, but overt in every way.
Now see there are those of us who think the letter from Jason Kreis to the fans this week, was a good thing. It was a coach admitting that he, the team, and the organization are failing to meet the expectations of the fans. He is not assigning blame to any one person, but to the entire organization. Folks, if you didn’t know, that is a mighty rare thing for a coach to do. I respect Jason more today, than I did yesterday because of it. Will it change anything, I hope so, but as I stated yesterday “Actions, speak louder than Words”. Will Jason have the heart, and balls to bench his starters? He has in the past, just ask Freddy. Freddy may say that it was unfair, and some of us would agree with him. Will Jason be willing to do this more; he has shown he is willing to trade his stars. Even if they are personal friends of his, if it will improve the team, he will trade them.
I am still a critic of the organization in general, and of some specific individuals both players and staff members. I do still call for the resignation of Dean Howes, and the senior staff of RSL, they have allowed the failure to happen. I don’t think you can blame a coach with under 3 months at the helm, for a season of failure. I do think we have a number of players who are not living up to their expectations or potential; Medhi, Stewart, Talley, Torres, Adu, Williams, and Besagno. All of them have disappointed by their on field performance. I do believe that a few players have held their own, by playing hard, and giving everything they have while on the pitch; Eddie, Esky, Jamie, Atiba, and surprise Chris Brown. I am disappointed that John Ellinger has been allowed to keep such a tight reign over RSL, despite his removal as head coach. In reality it seems now that his actually got promoted and is filling the GM role, something he may end up being better at than coaching, but not what our team needs at this time. I must admit I am confused why John who has made so many bad decisions for RSL, Besagno, Mathis, Soto, Tejada, Gregorio, and others is still allowed to make call after call on player decisions. He should be unemployed at this point, but no he is the “defacto” GM & while he is not on the bench, we know he is still calling a lot of the shots.
But again, there is a difference between being critical, I am critical but I also see the good, the effort, the potential. See those who no matter what is done or said by RSL, they will only see what they want to see, they will only hear what they want to hear, they will only comment what they feel they want you to hear, they are against RSL for whatever reasons, they are a large part of the problem. They will not go away, but when you read, hear, or see things from them, remember they are not honest brokers of information, they surely are not fans of RSL, and they should simply be ignored.
OFF MY SOAPBOX