How to Motivate a Player: Write About Him
Ever since I wrote a column Sept. 29 about the poor form this season of Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan he's been on something of a mini-tear.
His goal in a man of the match performance in Chivas USA's 2-0 win over the Wizards Saturday is up for MLS Goal of the Week honors (he also had four of the club's six shots on goal); his five goals on the year now equals last season's tally.
See all the MLS Goal of the Week nominees here.
Although he officially has just two assists, he also created Maicon Santos' chance that resulted in a goal in the win against D.C. United the previous game (the goal was ruled an own goal) Oct. 3. And he also scored in the 1-1 draw with New York in the game before that (although that's right before my column ran to be fair).
Still, it throws up some interesting possibilities. What's next: criticism of the Galaxy's Alan Gordon and his scoring rate? (OK, so helping with that might be more of a stretch).
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Actually Gordon's scoring rate (based on minutes played) is higher than Sacha's. I would have expected a knowledgeable soccer reporter to note that or even better compared what Sacha is getting paid versus Gordon. But then making an honest observation might have interfered with your getting in a shot against the Galaxy.
Your premise for Sacha's improved performance is just as sound as mine for his lack of performance (i.e. the haircut). :)
But please don't hesitate to light a fire under Flash Gordon. Anything help is appreciated. Players performances are not evaluated enough in MLS by the media.
What a surprise; Gordon is a striker, Kljestan a midfielder.
Studs Up, that was your premise? Really? Nick, I would love for you to write about Gordon, any help you could give would be appreciated. While you're on it maybe you could write about how Alecko is injured all the time! Maybe he can man up and get back on the field.
Limey, I was about as serious about the hair cut, though it has historical backing, as you are about your name.
Re poor Alecko, I wanna see YOU man up and play after multiple concussions and other injuries like his that kept him out of the game for over a year once. His is a sad story of un-realized potential due to injuries and not lack of effort on his part. Wish him well to be healthy again and live a normal life. I am satisfied with the few moments of brilliance and the spark he gave us when we needed it. I wish he had kept on wearing that darn head gear. I know he'll come back if the doctors let him, but I hope he doesn't risk it.
Hey Nick: Okay - You could have pointed out that Gordon as bad as you say he is, has been more productive than any of the strikers on Chivas other than Eduardo Lillingston (who is often in Preki's dog house). That includes the new acquistions of Chukwudi Chijindu and Maicon Santos as well as the traded Atiba Harris.