Massive Attack Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Time to move on If being cost-effective is a priority of the Canadian men's soccer team, the axe should fall on the player who made finances a first-class spectacle. Although Canada played remarkably well in the 1-0 loss to Costa Rica, a team just two years removed from a World Cup final, one glance at the final score sheet tells the tale. Paulo Wanchope (46th minute). Arguably the Ticos' most gifted player, and former Manchester City standout, Wanchope accomplished against Canada precisely what he is supposed to as a striker, he took advantage of a situation to score a timely goal. On the opposite end of the field, and the spectrum really, Canada fields their own gifted striker, with the very same responsibilities -- but too often neglects the duties, and now it is time for Tomasz Radzinski to go. Back to Wanchope for a moment. The fleet-of-foot forward, and household name on the Costa Rican squad, knows well enough the offensive onus is his to shoulder. In fine fashion versus Canada, Wanchope seized a nervous long ball near the edge of the penalty box, fought off a defender, and looped the only goal of the match over a frozen Pat Onstad. It was a goal to propel Costa Rica's qualifying hopes, while simultaneously bottoming out Canada's slim chances. Now Radzinski, the household name of Canada's national team, shares Wanchope's offensive onus, but rarely matches as an opportunist. In fact, those keeping track can count on one hand what Radzinski has done for the national program. Seven goals in 22 caps, the lion's share coming in back-to-back qualifiers versus Belize, and a pair over Switzerland in a 2002 friendly. Under Radzinski, Canadian soccer has neither advanced nor fallen, and for this, it is time for the Everton-turned-Fulham striker to hand in his red and white, and make way for someone capable and interested in the opportunity to score goals for his country. I, for one, had delusions of grandeur surrounding Radzinski, and the hope the Fulham newbie could feed off his public tantrum concerning travel arrangements. The fiery comments and harsh criticisms of the CSA's handling of its players, I thought, would serve as a prime motivator, something to propel the obviously gifted Canadian into goal scoring flight. Radzinski had the opportunity to make right the debacle of the 1-1 tie to Honduras, and put to rest referee controversies with a one or two goal night in San Jose. Instead, he shadowed in an unfamiliar 4-4-1-1 formation, getting a touch here and there, but never making a mark on the outcome. In hindsight one can now read between the lines of his expletive-laden CSA rant. Radzinski is a prima donna in his own eyes, spoiled by his brief stints overseas with the big club in London. In his own words, flying economy is "lots of bull and a big pile of crap", and first-class tickets should be provided, at any cost. Maybe he's right, or maybe a merit system should be implemented, where a first-class performance on the team gets you a first-class ticket. A facetious idea at best, but too many economy performances can warp the thought process. For now, Radzinski can take his myriad of 'phantom-knocks' and premier league attitude overseas, it'll be hard to miss either. Across this great land there must exist scores of young strikers, equally willing to travel 'cargo class' from wherever for the chance to play as an international. If not, what about Iain Hume? The marvelously talented midfielder has a hint of Alan Smith to his swagger, and a move to the front lines just might accommodate the scoring funk. Hume is relentless in his pursuit, knows his way around the 18-yard box and has shown brief flashes of a rocket right foot. Why not? Plus he's quiet, and appreciative of what the game has given him to date. Like the letter at the end of Radzinski's given name, it is the end of the line for this Canadian striker. Never one to embrace playing for Canada, the overdue striker would be best served to travel locally back in Britain, and open a spot for somehow who cherishes opportunity over economy. http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/columnist.jsp?content=20040909_181602_696 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcl_19 Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 I think maybe it is time for him to go when or if we do get mathamatically eliminated. He's not going to be around in 2010 and ya he is one of our best players but do you guys think he'll show up for the gold cup? i dont. I dont think he'll show up anymore anyways...so its probly a non-issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sstackho Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 IMO, Radz can come and play with us any time he wants. We need his talent. This article neglects the fact that Radz did travel first-class before he made his rant. Perhaps part of the rant was for the benefit of his teammates who were less fortunate. Regardless, I'm on Radz's side on the argument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 What a twat. Suppose we could call up all those phantom replacements who got us to the WC last go around.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Cheeta What a twat. Suppose we could call up all those phantom replacements who got us to the WC last go around.. Totally agree. He now joins Gerry Dobson (with his brilliant analysis of Julian de Guzman) in the dumb f*ck category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 One of the worst and most idiotic articles on Canadian soccer I've ever seen published. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theglove0 Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Well at least we really know who soccerbeast is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 quote:Originally posted by marcl_19 I think maybe it is time for him to go when or if we do get mathamatically eliminated. He's not going to be around in 2010 and ya he is one of our best players but do you guys think he'll show up for the gold cup? i dont. I dont think he'll show up anymore anyways...so its probly a non-issue You may be right and I expect we soon will find out. Does Rad really care about the Gold Cup ? I doubt it. In fairness to Rad, he's played hard but had no chance in our last game due to being our only striker up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 I agree -- this guy just making noise because the MNT is an easy target right now. Radz has a pretty good record for Canada: (sorry for the bad format...) Player.............caps/goals..goals/game pct. Dale Mitchell........55/19.........34.5% John Catliff..........43/19.........44.2% Alex Bunbury........65/16.........24.6% Igor Vrablic..........35/11.........31.4% Carlo Corazzin......58/11.........19.0% Paul Peschisolido...51/10.........19.6% Kevin McKenna.....24/7...........29.2% Buzz Parsons.... ...27/7..........25.9% Thomasz Radzinski..22/7.........31.8% (Data from the CSA web site -- not sure if it includes the three games after Belize.) Compared to other Canadian internationals who have produced a decent-sized sampling of goals, Radz is a pretty regular scorer. Of course, not even Henri or Van Nistelrooy will score without service, and the other thing to consider is that Radz plays against tougher opposition than Catliff and Mitchell did. Not to take anything away from their achievements, but CONCACAF gets better each year, and I'm sure Radz would have racked up more goals if he'd been playing in the mid-eighties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC supporter Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 With all the questions and challenges surrounding the national side, this is the best this guy Johnston can offer up? That Radzinski should go because he complained about business v economy class? Ho-kay. Next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sstackho Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Has this guy ever even done another article on the men's national team? I've never noticed one. Looking back in his article archive, there appears to be one article on the women's team, but that's it. (http://www.sportsnet.ca/columnists/archive.jsp?columnist=Ryan_Johnston) He seems to be just checking in to take a jab at someone - and our best striker at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolando Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 nice stats Glenn, thanx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 quote:Originally posted by nolando nice stats Glenn, thanx Yes, and they certainly question why Pesch was starting ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Johnston should try watching more games for once. No doubt a lot of us on this board can do a better job of writing than he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Have Flag-will travel Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 Hold on people. Ryan Johnston is bang on. He is absolutely right. We should kick off Radzinski, DeVos, Paul Stalteri, Dwayne De Rosario and anyone else that shows that they can play at the highest levels. Come on people let's give our vast talent pool waiting in the wings a run out on the field. Or let's hold a contest so that an average Canadian can: Enter to win!! A chance to play for Canada's National Team. 4 lucky Canadians will be choosen to repesent Canada. These 4 spots will be yours for up to 6 years because we have no one else for the spots. (must be 16 years old to enter, and be willing to travel within CONCACAF zone. Travel to Germany or South Africa is not required) Here is another reason to turf Radz: © 2004 Mirror Group Ltd The man who has scored 4 goals in his last 4 games against Arsenal FULHAM boss Chris Coleman is praying Tomasz Radzinski"s run of goals against Arsenal continues today and inspires a shock win. The former Everton striker has never failed to hit the net against the defending Premiership champions, scoring in his last four games against them. Radzinski, 30, only returned from international duty with Canada in Costa Rica yesterday but Coleman is relying on his ?1.75million summer signing to shoot down the Gunners. He said: "He will be starting because, looking at the stats, he seems to do very well against Arsenal. "He"s just jumped off a plane so we don"t know what shape he will be in, so we"ll have to see what he"s like on Saturday.... ...He added: "My players will want to be revved up to play against the best club team in Europe as far as I"m concerned and the best Premiership team I"ve seen, probably the best domestic team I"ve seen in my era. Radzinski may be able to play in the best league in the World and have success against arguably the best team in Europe, but there is no way he could hold a place in Canada with all of our striking alternatives. Come on people. Let's admit it Johnston is bang on. He has just masterminded how we can qualify for Germany and South Africa. This is the blueprint of success. As a Canadian I thank you Ryan Johnston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 Can I have what you having? It seems to be some powerful stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 quote:Originally posted by DoyleG Can I have what you having? It seems to be some powerful stuff. Your sarcasm meter is obviously malfunctioning today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desigol Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 I agree with the sentiments of this forum. Maybe play Hume alongside DeRosario from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 quote:Originally posted by Rudi Your sarcasm meter is obviously malfunctioning today. That wasn't sarcasm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Georgio Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 One thing I am disappointed in is Radz did not create or score a goal in the TWO most important games he played. That is his job so there is a legit gripe there as far as I am concerned. F*ck the excuses, he had a good opportunity to score in the Costa Rica game and he had plenty of support in the second half of the Honduras game, this is without him actually creating his own space and opportunities in other parts of the games. The stats mean little to me if Radz does not produce in our crucial games of THIS qualifying campaign yet scores against Belize and a friendly against Finland (where may I add he had little support also). I didn't like the fact that he was constantly showing disgust towards any player who mis-passed the ball too. Sure, get mad at the player, but don't look as though you want to puke and make sure the player passing the ball knows he isn't up to par with your EPL standard, where may I add they get a lot of time to familiarize themselves with your runs and tendancies. The article is crap because the author doesn't understand why Radz was complaining about the flights, that it was for his fellow team mates. I didn't even waste my time reading the whole thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.