If, by this point, you've not seen Rafa Marquez's quotes regarding his teammates, I'd implore you to do so: http://www.empireofsoccer.com/?p=3618. Marquez quite effectively illustrates a few things about the state of the MLS and about the state of Real Salt Lake that I think are worth note.
Marquez, in calling out his teammates as not at his level, ignores the fact that he had a relatively miserable performance against Real Salt Lake, and he could well take some of the blame for the conceding of three goals — if just because he failed to organize the defense around him. But by blaming his teammates, he attempts to remove himself from the equation, to portray himself as a great defender who happens to be surrounded by donkeys. Now, I really don't rate Tim Ream, particularly for the U.S., but as he's a young defender, he needs guidance and support from the senior figures around him. He may have made a few vital errors, and I won't complain about that, but to say that it's somehow Tim Ream's fault that Real Salt Lake won — well, there's something quite wrong with that.
But as much as Marquez displays the importance of good communication among the defense, he also illustrates clearly the importance of a good team spirit that is hard to maintain when certain players hold an air of superiority over those around them. It's a problem we've often seen with older designated players in the U.S.: They've "been there, done that," and as far as they're concerned, can do little wrong. Look at Thierry Henry, once undoubtedly of the best players in the world, who is now doing well in terms of goalscoring in the MLS. But as captain of New York, he's not done anything particularly well, and he's even starting to display himself as a petulant — dare I say it — old, past-it player. And that's none too encouraging.
But if you turn your eye toward our camp, you'll find yourself looking at a squad without any 'big players' — it amuses me to no end that people find this as a point of criticism — but one with understanding, communication, and togetherness. We have in Borchers and Olave (the Great Borlave!) a pair who can stop anybody in the MLS and, dare I say it, could do quite well in more cosmopolitan league. We have as backup a promising young center back who far outclasses Tim Ream in defending, on the ball, and in distribution, and who's come along quite well in communication after a rocky start to his season.
If you look at our league position (and our brilliant form), you'll see the signs of a squad who knows how to win as a team. We have fewer players who deliver individual magic (though Fabian Espindola sure does try) than perhaps anyone in the league, especially with Javier Morales out. We don't often score those "goal of the week" goals — you know the ones, where the goalkeeper has "NO CHANCE!" as the shot rockets in from distance, or as a player dribbles around five players to smash the ball into the net, or an audacious bicycle kick hits the back of the net (and not, somehow, somebody's head). But that's more than just an acceptable mode of play. We beat teams through our awareness, our communication, and our superior play all around, from the back to the front.
For every Eric Hassli, we have a Tony Beltran; for every Thierry Henry, an Alvaro Saborio; for every Rafa Marquez, a Jamison Olave. We have no David Beckham, but we have Javier Morales; we have no Landon Donovan, but we have a Kyle Beckerman. We may not be a glamour side, and we may not have celebrities clamouring for season tickets in expensive suites — but we don't need any of that. We're the Claret and Cobalt, and there's no substitute for that.
'Til tomorrow.
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