Who’s Your Pick for the Armband Without Keller?
By: Laurie | April 15th, 2009
I’m working my way through the video piece by piece — now that I actually have video, color me happy — and was reminded of something I wondered about after not catching it at the game: Who should be captain in the absence of Kasey Keller?
I wasn’t paying attention on Saturday — given that like most fans I was probably thinking and worrying about other things — but in the video I just noticed that Kasey left the field still wearing the armband, and later Freddie Ljungberg showed up wearing a different one.
Curious: Would Ljungberg be your first choice?
And assuming Freddie’s still not quite 90 minutes worth of match fit (he did seem to be flagging by the time he was subbed off on Saturday), who would you give it to if he leaves the game?
(And the following photo doesn’t really have anything to do with the post, but I stumbled across it and thought you might enjoy it. Because…mullets. Hell, yeah.)
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Comments
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I think he would be the next logical choice. He is probably the most experienced respected player on the field. There is not a situation that he has not seen in his long and storied career. You can’t say that about any of the other players. He was also the Captain of his Swedish teams.
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Yeah, I would agree with you.
When he leaves the field, though, I’m not sure who would be next in line. (I’m thinking it would have to be somebody fluent in English.)
I would probably go for Tyrone Marshall due to experience.
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Tyrone got the armband after Freddie left against Kansas City.
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It has to go to Ljungberg. No question.
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And I agree with you Laurie. Marshall would be a good next pick should Freddie leave the match.
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Watched Ljungberg for a long time in England. No way “Flash” Freddie is captain material. He may have the experience, but he is no captain IMHO.
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Tyrone got the armband after Freddie left against Kansas City.
See, yeah, the entire game is a blur. Didn’t remember that either. I hadn’t realized how much of a blur it was until I started watching it again. Now I’m thinking, “Didn’t remember that. Or that. And remembered that entirely differently.”
I could have sworn that the goal got its start as one of the many forays up the left that Zach Scott didn’t shut down, only to discover that he was pretty much blameless.
No wonder witnesses to traumatic events aren’t reliable.
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Richard, I find your point of view interesting.
Curious if there’s been some growth/change over the past few years since his days as king of the world at Arsenal. I’m wondering if going from Arsenal to West Ham to being unemployed before coming to MLS would give a maturity and perspective that might create “captain material” where it didn’t exist before?
On the other hand, Beckham was apparently never captain material at the Galaxy despite the adversity he’d been through, so maybe not.
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Laurie,
Yeah, there was a reason he went from Arsenal to West Ham to Unemployed FC, and to me at least, none of that has “captain” material attached to it. He may be the biggest name there, but that shouldn’t automatically make someone the best leader/manager of other people.
That said, perhaps his years in the wilderness have leant him to change a bit, so who knows. You’re looking for someone who can co-ordinate, motivate, lead, inspire and bring the best out of others, not necessarily be the best themselves (see the failing of the Galaxy) – but therein lies the weakness of most sports here in America – you guys love the “Lone Icon” (see designated player) and rarely focus on teamwork. Our Dynamo proving to be the exception, with follow up from Columbus. Even tonight I heard on FSC that “Blanco’s” Fire take on “Lopez’” Wizards at the weekend. Dont get that. Kind of disrespecting to the other players. Just my 10 cents, for whatever it may be worth.
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You’re looking for someone who can co-ordinate, motivate, lead, inspire and bring the best out of others, not necessarily be the best themselves
From what I’ve seen so far, you’re describing Kasey Keller in a nutshell. With luck this temporary captaincy will be a moot point after this weekend.
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Could there be a surprise pick, like Alonso? If there has been a stable force so far this season it’s been him if four games is a track record.
I still believe Freddie is the leader, but looking at others for discussion.
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Oh that picture! I remember wearing those short shorts back in the day. Ugh!
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From what I’ve seen so far, you’re describing Kasey Keller in a nutshell. With luck this temporary captaincy will be a moot point after this weekend.
I’d agree fully. I think Kellar is that man, for sure.
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Well, Freddie has captained before – Sweden, remember? Whether it was a good choice or not is another issue, but he has done it.
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I’m still not sure what, if anything to expect from Freddie outside of play on the pitch. I must say that I find it kind of refreshing that he hasn’t promised us the world the way Beckham did. Beckham gave a lot of sweet talk and made a lot of promises, then abandoned them when they interfered with what he wanted for himself.
Freddie’s not here to save American soccer or be an ambassador to the game. I get the feeling he’s just here to play as well as he can for as long as he can. And I’m good with that.
Jeff, I could see Alonso eventually being captain, but not for a few years. He’s new to MLS, new to the team, new to the city. Hell, he’s pretty new to the country, even. And he’s only 23. Give it three or four years and I could maybe see him taking a strong leadership role. (Assuming we can hold onto him that long.)
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