Perfect 10
By: Sean | June 2nd, 2008
“Look at my vision and creativity! Pura vida! Que golazo!”
One of the most glaring issues (in my eyes) form Saturday’s match was the lack of play through the center of the field. That missing piece has been defined by the “#10″ jersey generally worn by the playmaker or attacking midfielder. Such famous #10s in MLS history include:
Piotr Nowak
Cuauahtemoc Blanco
Marco Etcheverry
Christian Gomez
Mo Johnston
Mauricio Cienfuegos
Carlos Valderamma
Tab Ramos
Quite the group of players. San Jose’s all-time #10s, however … not so much (with one glaring exception). They are (with appearances, goals in parenthesis):
1996: None
1997: Christopher Sullivan (25, 2)
1998: Francisco Uribe (12, 2)
1999: Raul Diaz Arce (18, 4)
2000: Travis Mulraine (18, 0)
2001-2004: Landon Donovan (A lot, a lot) (114, 45)
2005: None
2008: Jean Philippe Peguero (4, 0)
Non-Judas Total: 77 appearances, 8 goals
Now as I said, goals aren’t the #10’s job. But they don’t hurt either.
Our current “#10″ is actually #11, Ned Grabavoy. Nedley is a nice enough player, but you would have to say he is much more of the Sully/Uribe/Mulraine grade than anything listed on the first list.
I think a true #10 should be priority #1 when the transfer window opens up. We need help plenty of places, but I would like to see someone with similar qualities of a Donovan or a Gomez come in to create a link with the forwards. One name that has been tossed around is Zinha, but I think 32 is a bit old for a team that will take a few years to build. However, I have full faith in Frank to find our man. In 2001, he brought Ronnie Ekelund (29 at the time) to play a similar role, with Richard Mulrooney assuming defensive responsibilities. Granted, Ekelund had a much better supporting cast than anyone would now, but hopefully we can find someone when the transfer window opens up July 15.
Big Ups to Persing’s Pieces for the jersey number info. That should be a bookmark for all Quakes fans.
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Comments
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Interesting stats for our former #10s.
What about their numbers of assists, though?
That’s what #10s are mostly supposed to do…Posted from
United States
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To be fair, I didn’t include them because an “assist” was created by the MLS and can include “secondary” assists, which sometimes have nothing to do with the play. But regardless, here are your totals:
Sullivan: 6
Uribe: 5
Diaz Arce: 2
Mulraine: 1
Donovan: 19 (does not include 2004, couldn’t find stats)
Peguero: 0Posted from
United States -
The assist is gaining importance worldwide, despite coming from us lousy Americans.
I’m guessing Doyle is moving on from the Great Busted Knee Fiasco of 2008 and should hopefully find #10 number two come the next transfer window. And despite being 32, there is a lovely video in the archives at the Sideline Views of Zinha calmly and clearly explaining why Landon Donovan is a douchebag (I’m paraphrasing). So on that fact alone, I say lets sign him!
Posted from
United States
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