Post by fuzzy on May 22, 2019 21:59:42 GMT
Despite never playing with a three man back line, we only get to pick three defenders, which is kind of weird. Either way, I completely ignored position for my vote and just went with the three guys I thought were most deserving:
1) Chad Marshall
2) Leo Gonzalez
3) Jeff Parke
Marshall pick is thoroughly deserved imo, even without the sentimentality of his retirement. I'm struggling to think of how anyone could really leave him off.
Leo wasn't difficult for me to select either, particularly due to his longevity with the club. I believe he's 5th in all time Sounders MLS appearances right now. I actually think Joevin Jones is a better LB than Leo was, but he hasn't played enough for that to outweigh Leo's time, and it's not as though Leo sucked. (fwiw I think Smith might be a better LB than either, but only one season is not enough for me to vote for them).
Parke was the hard one. I ended up voting for him because in my mind, he was the first and only good CB we had until Marshall and he was generally a rock. The downside is only three seasons. For reference, here are the others I considered:
As an aside, I didn't need/get to pick a RB, but if I did I'd go Evans (were he an option), and if he weren't I'd go Yedlin, though I would buy an argument for Riley.
1) Chad Marshall
2) Leo Gonzalez
3) Jeff Parke
Marshall pick is thoroughly deserved imo, even without the sentimentality of his retirement. I'm struggling to think of how anyone could really leave him off.
Leo wasn't difficult for me to select either, particularly due to his longevity with the club. I believe he's 5th in all time Sounders MLS appearances right now. I actually think Joevin Jones is a better LB than Leo was, but he hasn't played enough for that to outweigh Leo's time, and it's not as though Leo sucked. (fwiw I think Smith might be a better LB than either, but only one season is not enough for me to vote for them).
Parke was the hard one. I ended up voting for him because in my mind, he was the first and only good CB we had until Marshall and he was generally a rock. The downside is only three seasons. For reference, here are the others I considered:
- Jones - If he had stayed instead of going to Darmstadt, I'd have surely voted for him. Best FB we've ever had imo, but as mentioned, just not enough appearances for me to justify him
- Torres - parts of five seasons and been a good player for most of it. At his best he was better than Parke, plus he scored the PK in what was likely the most iconic moment in Sounders history
- Evans - not on the list so not really considered, but I would have if he was an option. Say what you will about the guy but, at least by the #s, he's a worthy consideration
As an aside, I didn't need/get to pick a RB, but if I did I'd go Evans (were he an option), and if he weren't I'd go Yedlin, though I would buy an argument for Riley.
