SSFC Going Forward into 2024

INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ
Senior Member

Posts: 3,717

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jun 28, 2024 19:41:17 GMT

Quote

Post by INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ on Jun 28, 2024 19:41:17 GMT

Jun 28, 2024 16:46:53 GMT airkeeper said:

Jun 28, 2024 15:58:49 GMT INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ said:

You can see where Ruidiaz would be pissed in that scenario. He's been unfairly maligned by the Hanauer Media, he gets dropped when he's not playing any worse than a half dozen other guys, and when he's thrown on he scores on a header he had no right to get to and sparks a comeback.

The Nouhou one is worse. He wasn't the worst player on the pitch, but we're down 2-0 and Nouhou can't attack. No shit he gets subbed in that situation. If he didn't want that to happen he should have learned to cross five years ago. That said, he too has been unfairly singled out by Hanauer's pageboys so I'm sure he's a little on edge.

We need to move on from both of them, and maybe they are trying to force the issue, but I have no faith in Waibel to sign replacements.

I agree with on all but the "Hanauer pageboy" stuff; I have no clue who you are referring to--if it's Oshan, that bootlicker crawled so far up Schmetzer's rear that he can diagnose his colon health. I do not recall seeing any reports or articles unjustly criticizing either player (perhaps you could point out one or two examples to enlighten me). Overall, I do not believe Hanauer has any sway over media; he doesn't have the clout for that (he probably thinks he does though).

Oshan was ripping Raul in a press conference like a month ago. Lobbing Scorchers did a passionate rant about him a few weeks ago, Maybe after SKC? Andrew Pearson got on the bandwagon about a month ago. Probably some other bootlickers I'm forgetting. Ruidiaz is pretty much the last player who wasn't scouted, signed, or extended by Waibel, so I'm sure Hanauer's propagandists either figured out or were told it was ok to turn their guns on him.

For the record, Oshan asks Schmetzer hard questions and then turns into Lord Haw-Haw whenever he interviews Hanauer. The interview Sounders Weekly did with Waibel was a disgrace. I don't know whether that's because they're so scared of losing access, or for the other reason that deep down everyone suspects, but they are perfectly happy to beclown themselves to get a few precious minutes with the owner and GM, then take their wrath out on Schmetzer.

airkeeper
Senior Member

Posts: 8,197

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jun 28, 2024 20:23:58 GMT

Quote

Post by airkeeper on Jun 28, 2024 20:23:58 GMT

The latest speeculation of why Schmetzer suspended Ruidiaz and Nouhou until Sunday is that they went straight to the locker room after the final whistle against DAL. Schmetzer himself says there was no argument/altercation. Hopefully this drama does not distract the team but helps them come together and play with tenacity.

www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-coach-schmetzer-confirms-raul-ruidiaz-nouhou-banned-from-team-this-week/

For anyone who cannot read the full article online, I pasted it below:

RENTON — Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz and defender Nouhou were banned from training with the team this week and will not play Saturday, coach Brian Schmetzer said Wednesday. He classified the action as a "coach’s decision."

"It was my decision," Schmetzer said after training at the team’s facility in Renton. "It didn’t stem from any conversation or argument from myself or the two players and it’s a done issue. We are moving forward. Both players understand I’m not upset. We had a good practice today [Wednesday]."

While Schmetzer denied there was an altercation that prompted the disciplinary action, midfielder Cristian Roldan openly discussed a tense moment between Schmetzer and the players in the Lumen Field locker room following last week’s comeback win against FC Dallas. Online publication Sounder at Heart first reported about the incident Tuesday, with Schmetzer and keeper Stefan Frei declining to elaborate.

Roldan said Ruidiaz was upset about his lack of playing time. The club’s all-time leading goal scorer (86 goals) has been utilized as a substitute the past two matches and didn’t play at all during a win against Minnesota earlier this month. Ruidiaz’s contract expires in December.

“He has every reason to be upset,” Roldan said. “He’s such a valuable player to our franchise and the history. He wants to win and of course he wants to be on the field. He was trying to send a message of ‘look, I’m here. I can still play.’ That’s the competitive nature we need out of him.”

When Ruidiaz entered the Dallas match in the 60th minute, the Sounders were level 0-0. His header in the 78th minute started the rally, while forward Jordan Morris’ brace sealed a 3-2 win.

On the road against Houston earlier this month, Ruidiaz subbed on in the 60th minute with the team down 2-1. Sounders defender Jackson Ragen had the equalizer in the 63rd minute.

Nouhou, who’s signed through 2025, was also upset about playing time, but he apparently took issue to being subbed off in the 73rd minute against Dallas. It’s the earliest the mainstay left back has been pulled without injury this season, but he was used as a substitute against Houston.

“I saw it as a positive in the sense that guys want to be on the field, they want to compete, want to score and want to win,” Roldan said Wednesday. “That’s the way a lot of our guys are perceiving it and we’re moving forward. Hopefully, after the suspension, we’re in a better place because we need to make an example out of situations like that.”

Roldan said he spoke with both teammates Wednesday. He described their mood as upbeat and said the camaraderie between the players is strong, adding this is the “healthiest” his relationship has been with Ruidiaz since the striker was initially signed as a designated player in 2018.

Ruidiaz’s minutes the previous two seasons have been managed due to injuries.

Frei and Morris have also insisted the team is close-knit. Any negative body language is explained as standard in a match where a team is trying to win. Similar expressions can be spotted at training, Ruidiaz telling The Seattle Times earlier this season that he’d accept playing his way back to a starting role.

The Peruvian striker has a team-leading eight goals this year. Morris is second with seven.

The Sounders (6-7-7) are in a precarious position as they prepare to host the Chicago Fire on Saturday. They’re below the playoff line in 10th position and haven’t won a trophy since 2022 — albeit the biggest a club can win regionally in the CONCACAF Champions League title.

Seattle missed the playoffs for the first time in its MLS history in 2022 and lost in the playoff semifinals to Los Angeles FC last year.

The Sounders going unbeaten in their past three matches seemed to signal a turnaround.

“It’s frustrating that it happened after a win,” Roldan said. “But we’re able to put it aside a little easier because we won and because we’re doing a little better … When you punish a player, it’s how they come back after that punishment. It’s important to understand that the team is first. Punishments are done to make an example out of certain situations. Really, it’s on the two guys to see how they react. We’re unified more than ever. We’re getting better results each and every week. How can we integrate those guys as soon as they get back from serving their suspension.”

Ruidiaz and Nouhou are still training, but at different times. They are expected to rejoin team activities Sunday.

For Nouhou, this is the second time a disciplinary action has been issued against him. He was benched for the D.C. United road loss because he missed a team meal and meeting due to his ride getting stuck in traffic.

“It’s been a pretty resilient group based on some of the adversity they’ve had to face,” Schmetzer said of the season. “[Nouhou] plays with his emotions on his sleeve. That can be a blessing because he’s played many good games when he’s fired up and does his run and tracks down attackers.

“Sometimes he can maybe make better decisions. I’m OK with this one. We had a nice conversation and we’re moving forward. There’s not going to be any future disciplinary stuff with Nouhou.”

Last Edit: Jun 28, 2024 20:24:29 GMT by airkeeper

#SchmetzerOut

airkeeper
Senior Member

Posts: 8,197

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jun 28, 2024 20:32:54 GMT

Quote

Post by airkeeper on Jun 28, 2024 20:32:54 GMT

Jun 28, 2024 19:41:17 GMT INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ said:

Jun 28, 2024 16:46:53 GMT airkeeper said:

I agree with on all but the "Hanauer pageboy" stuff; I have no clue who you are referring to--if it's Oshan, that bootlicker crawled so far up Schmetzer's rear that he can diagnose his colon health. I do not recall seeing any reports or articles unjustly criticizing either player (perhaps you could point out one or two examples to enlighten me). Overall, I do not believe Hanauer has any sway over media; he doesn't have the clout for that (he probably thinks he does though).

Oshan was ripping Raul in a press conference like a month ago. Lobbing Scorchers did a passionate rant about him a few weeks ago, Maybe after SKC? Andrew Pearson got on the bandwagon about a month ago. Probably some other bootlickers I'm forgetting. Ruidiaz is pretty much the last player who wasn't scouted, signed, or extended by Waibel, so I'm sure Hanauer's propagandists either figured out or were told it was ok to turn their guns on him.

For the record, Oshan asks Schmetzer hard questions and then turns into Lord Haw-Haw whenever he interviews Hanauer. The interview Sounders Weekly did with Waibel was a disgrace. I don't know whether that's because they're so scared of losing access, or for the other reason that deep down everyone suspects, but they are perfectly happy to beclown themselves to get a few precious minutes with the owner and GM, then take their wrath out on Schmetzer.

I am not familiar with any of the interviews/questions you mention, so, if I am bored later, I might look for them.

IMO Ruidiaz should be under the microscope--he has been playing like trash all season, does not seem as passionate as he once did. As a DP striker, expectations are high and with that comes criticism when he under performs. I have been vocal about my belief we should have sent him packing at least prior to this season if not the year before. People are critical of Rusnak, and I am not saying it's unjustified. But calling out another DP is "propaganda" now? Sorry, my friend, but I am not seeing it. Rui has been crap this season; he deserves to be benched and is fortunate Waibel is such a moron that he kept him (which may be on Lagerwey--cannot remember which dipshit was GM when they gave him an extension).

Last Edit: Jun 28, 2024 20:50:19 GMT by airkeeper

#SchmetzerOut

INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ
Senior Member

Posts: 3,717

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jun 28, 2024 21:38:59 GMT

Quote

Post by INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ on Jun 28, 2024 21:38:59 GMT

Jun 28, 2024 20:32:54 GMT airkeeper said:

Jun 28, 2024 19:41:17 GMT INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ said:

Oshan was ripping Raul in a press conference like a month ago. Lobbing Scorchers did a passionate rant about him a few weeks ago, Maybe after SKC? Andrew Pearson got on the bandwagon about a month ago. Probably some other bootlickers I'm forgetting. Ruidiaz is pretty much the last player who wasn't scouted, signed, or extended by Waibel, so I'm sure Hanauer's propagandists either figured out or were told it was ok to turn their guns on him.

For the record, Oshan asks Schmetzer hard questions and then turns into Lord Haw-Haw whenever he interviews Hanauer. The interview Sounders Weekly did with Waibel was a disgrace. I don't know whether that's because they're so scared of losing access, or for the other reason that deep down everyone suspects, but they are perfectly happy to beclown themselves to get a few precious minutes with the owner and GM, then take their wrath out on Schmetzer.

I am not familiar with any of the interviews/questions you mention, so, if I am bored later, I might look for them.

IMO Ruidiaz should be under the microscope--he has been playing like trash all season, does not seem as passionate as he once did. As a DP striker, expectations are high and with that comes criticism when he under performs. I have been vocal about my belief we should have sent him packing at least prior to this season if not the year before. People are critical of Rusnak, and I am not saying it's unjustified. But calling out another DP is "propaganda" now? Sorry, my friend, but I am not seeing it. Rui has been crap this season; he deserves to be benched and is fortunate Waibel is such a moron that he kept him (which may be on Lagerwey--cannot remember which dipshit was GM when they gave him an extension).

Ruidiaz wasn't playing any worse than a half dozen other guys. What annoyed me about it was that Ruidiaz's struggles were entirely predictable. This wasn't like Jackson Ragen who just inexplicably quit being able to play soccer. Ruidiaz was always going to struggle because there was no creativity in this team going into the season; you can blame that on PDLV's injury struggles, but . . . don't sign injured players.

So the dogpile on Ruidiaz was totally unfair IMO. It was predictable that Ruidiaz would struggle and predictable he'd get pissed if he got benched (since that's what happens last year). That is a Waibel/Hanauer problem, not a Raul problem, and the ire should have been directed at them, not out all time leading scorer who they hung out to dry. But of course, Hanauer's lackeys picked on the one guy whose contract predates Waibel. Because if you point out Rusnak was totally useless, that makes Craig look bad! And THAT makes HANAUER look bad!

Last Edit: Jun 28, 2024 21:39:40 GMT by INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ

airkeeper
Senior Member

Posts: 8,197

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jun 28, 2024 22:28:09 GMT

Quote

Post by airkeeper on Jun 28, 2024 22:28:09 GMT

Jun 28, 2024 21:38:59 GMT INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ said:

Jun 28, 2024 20:32:54 GMT airkeeper said:

I am not familiar with any of the interviews/questions you mention, so, if I am bored later, I might look for them.

IMO Ruidiaz should be under the microscope--he has been playing like trash all season, does not seem as passionate as he once did. As a DP striker, expectations are high and with that comes criticism when he under performs. I have been vocal about my belief we should have sent him packing at least prior to this season if not the year before. People are critical of Rusnak, and I am not saying it's unjustified. But calling out another DP is "propaganda" now? Sorry, my friend, but I am not seeing it. Rui has been crap this season; he deserves to be benched and is fortunate Waibel is such a moron that he kept him (which may be on Lagerwey--cannot remember which dipshit was GM when they gave him an extension).

Ruidiaz wasn't playing any worse than a half dozen other guys. What annoyed me about it was that Ruidiaz's struggles were entirely predictable. This wasn't like Jackson Ragen who just inexplicably quit being able to play soccer. Ruidiaz was always going to struggle because there was no creativity in this team going into the season; you can blame that on PDLV's injury struggles, but . . . don't sign injured players.

So the dogpile on Ruidiaz was totally unfair IMO. It was predictable that Ruidiaz would struggle and predictable he'd get pissed if he got benched (since that's what happens last year). That is a Waibel/Hanauer problem, not a Raul problem, and the ire should have been directed at them, not out all time leading scorer who they hung out to dry. But of course, Hanauer's lackeys picked on the one guy whose contract predates Waibel. Because if you point out Rusnak was totally useless, that makes Craig look bad! And THAT makes HANAUER look bad!

I'm just not seeing how it comes back to a being a 'media hatchet job' on Rui or how it falls on AH. I don't like Oshan and have no love lost for Hanauer, but when a Designated Player is failing to perform week in and week out, especially when that DP is a striker, then criticism and being benched should follow. Even if the striker is not a DP, they are in the spotlight either because they are scoring goals or because they are laying eggs; Rui has been doing the latter. Rusnak has been out-performing Ruidiaz this season--even though I do not think he is a good use of a DP tag and its salary, at least the guy has been is contributing with goals, assists, and key passes on a more regular basis during the run of play than Ruidiaz.

My contention is that a striker (with very few exceptions) is going to draw more attention--good or bad--from the press and fans alike than a midfielder will garner given the nature of the position (especially when that striker has been a big goals contributor in the past). Ruidiaz's decline as a DP and as a starter began long before this season. He found himself on the bench last season, not only due to injuries but also due to his failure to perform on the pitch. Rui is one of my favorite players to don the rave green, but IMO the writing is on the wall and has been for a while now. To my mind, the criticism is not only deserved but also is overdue.

As far as the assertion that AH is some kind of media-spinning mastermind, I simply do not believe AH has the influence over press that has been asserted in this thread; I just do not see any evidence to tip my suspicions that direction as it stands.

#SchmetzerOut

INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ
Senior Member

Posts: 3,717

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jun 28, 2024 23:15:03 GMT

Quote

Post by INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ on Jun 28, 2024 23:15:03 GMT

Jun 28, 2024 22:28:09 GMT airkeeper said:

My contention is that a striker (with very few exceptions) is going to draw more attention--good or bad--from the press and fans alike than a midfielder will garner given the nature of the position (especially when that striker has been a big goals contributor in the past). Ruidiaz's decline as a DP and as a starter began long before this season. He found himself on the bench last season, not only due to injuries but also due to his failure to perform on the pitch. Rui is one of my favorite players to don the rave green, but IMO the writing is on the wall and has been for a while now. To my mind, the criticism is not only deserved but also is overdue.

But that's kind of what I'm saying. Raul's decline was not a surprise. If you want to rip on Yeimar for getting much worse than he was in '20 and '21, or on Ragen for regressing massively in the offseason, or on Alex for never getting any better, or on Morris never evolving his finishing or left foot, I'm fine with that. Those are individual failures that should not be happening in that age profile. If you're pissed at Raul or JP or Frei for not being as good as they were when they were 28, that's a front office problem for giving them huge contracts when the decline was totally predictable.

As far as the assertion that AH is some kind of media-spinning mastermind, I simply do not believe AH has the influence over press that has been asserted in this thread; I just do not see any evidence to tip my suspicions that direction as it stands.

Best example I can think of is this. Go look at the politics of the S@H contributors on Twitter. Then compare that to the whitewash of the Providence deal they put up on their blog. If they weren't in hock to Hanauer this would have caused a boycott.

*EDIT* For comparison, look at how the SKC blog responded to the Gavin Wilkinson hiring: kcsoccerjournal.com/sporting-kansas-city-betrays-fans-with-hiring-of-gavin-wilkinson/01/12/2024/

Last Edit: Jun 28, 2024 23:20:45 GMT by INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ

TSchulz Administrator Victory, or death! Posts: 8,608	SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 9, 2024 15:16:03 GMT airkeeper and sounderfan1974 like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TSchulz on Jul 9, 2024 15:16:03 GMT

sounderfan1974
Senior Member

Posts: 4,037

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 9, 2024 19:11:16 GMT airkeeper likes this

Quote

Post by sounderfan1974 on Jul 9, 2024 19:11:16 GMT

Jul 9, 2024 15:16:03 GMT TSchulz said:

Interesting. After years on this forum of begging for a world-class winger (not saying this guy is), now we have PDLV (hopefully fit for a while) and this dude- if this rumor is true.

It might go far to explain Schmetzer's comments regarding Chu. I guess we'll find out in due time if this rumor has "legs".

INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ Senior Member Posts: 3,717	SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 9, 2024 19:36:21 GMT airkeeper and sounderfan1974 like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ on Jul 9, 2024 19:36:21 GMT I can't even get excited. Given Waibel's track record my first instinct was to check out Spikic's injury history.

fuzzy
Senior Member

Posts: 2,857

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 9, 2024 22:31:24 GMT sounderfan1974 likes this

Quote

Post by fuzzy on Jul 9, 2024 22:31:24 GMT

Jul 9, 2024 19:36:21 GMT INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ said:

I can't even get excited. Given Waibel's track record my first instinct was to check out Spikic's injury history.

Did you find anything?

As an aside, and for those interested and may not know:

Dinamo Zagreb is the dominant team in Croatian Football and have won 18 of the last 19 titles. The Croatian league is not particularly strong, being ranked 20th in UEFA Coefficient, but given Zagreb regularly competes in European competition, they are ranked 39th in club coefficient. While I don't explicitly watch Croatian league football, these numbers indicate league competition lis weaker than MLS, but European competition is certainly stronger.

Whoscored says Spikic himself started 16 matches and came off the bench in 17 across all competitions. Alarmingly, it only lists him as playing a full 90 once all season. Generally Spikic was the first player subbed off when he started, first player subbed on when he was on the bench.

Given the level of competition Spikic played against, he should be a good MLS player, but there's little evidence that he'd really be a game changer. Spikic has no senior team caps, though Croatia's NT is excellent so that's not necessarily a knock and honestly I'd see it as a benefit in he won't go to any International windows. All said, tough to conclude much off what's on paper. On one hand, he has the pedigree to be a consistently above average MLS starter. On the other hand, the lack of 90 minute performances leave you wondering if has fitness issues and I don't love the idea of a 60-70 minute player for TAM money.

airkeeper
Senior Member

Posts: 8,197

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 9, 2024 23:35:08 GMT via mobile sounderfan1974 likes this

Quote

Post by airkeeper on Jul 9, 2024 23:35:08 GMT

Jul 9, 2024 19:36:21 GMT INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ said:

I can't even get excited. Given Waibel's track record my first instinct was to check out Spikic's injury history.

I was about to say, unless this dude has an injury or history of injuries, I am less likely to give the rumor time of day "."

#SchmetzerOut

INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ
Senior Member

Posts: 3,717

SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 10, 2024 2:44:58 GMT

Quote

Post by INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ on Jul 10, 2024 2:44:58 GMT

Jul 9, 2024 22:31:24 GMT fuzzy said:

Jul 9, 2024 19:36:21 GMT INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ said:

I can't even get excited. Given Waibel's track record my first instinct was to check out Spikic's injury history.

Did you find anything?

No. Transfermarkt doesn't seem to track injuries in Croatia.

TSchulz Administrator Victory, or death! Posts: 8,608	SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 12, 2024 0:25:02 GMT via mobile airkeeper likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TSchulz on Jul 12, 2024 0:25:02 GMT All games free this weekend on Apple TV

airkeeper Senior Member Posts: 8,197	SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 12, 2024 18:23:28 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by airkeeper on Jul 12, 2024 18:23:28 GMT www.sounderatheart.com/2024/07/raul-ruidiaz-doing-his-part-universitario-return/amp/ Speculation that Ruidiaz may want out, or is it a misunderstanding/misinterpretation? IDK
	#SchmetzerOut

TSchulz Administrator Victory, or death! Posts: 8,608	SSFC Going Forward into 2024 Jul 12, 2024 19:42:51 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TSchulz on Jul 12, 2024 19:42:51 GMT