Things I Learned at Meet The Team Day

By: jon | July 19th, 2009

   

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1) Game worn jersey cards do not, in fact, contain pieces of actually game worn jerseys. I always suspected this, but I suspended this doubt, for the reason of basking in the pleasant glow of finding insert cards. This brings me to number 2.
2) DC United players, and one can deduce the entirety of MLS, do not respect grown men who collect their cards. The look of confusion, disdain, and utter contempt that I got from some of the players whose John Hancock I requested could peel the paint of walls. Or, the joy out of a 24 year old autograph seeker.
3) These guys hate this. I mean, a lot. Jaime and Christian specifically, although they got the best spot in the house as far as shade and seclusion, looked as if they wanted to kill themselves with their Sharpies.
4) Marc Burch and Devon McTavish were the nicest to me, and actually attempted to interact a little. That’s nice.
5) As previously mentioned, 24 year old men without children do not belong at these things. The oddness and awkwardness of the interaction between you and the player is weird enough. What do you say? “Hey, um, you’re great!”. “Hey, uh, great goal last night!”. “You’re my favorite!”
None of these are organic conversation pieces. Its almost best that you don’t meet your soccer heroes, because they’re just dudes, like you, who happen to play soccer. Their personalities may not match their playing persona. And that kinda stinks. This will definitely be my last MTTD, except for next year, because I have a game worn Tino jersey I want signed.
6) Guys, it is weird to ask to have your pictures taken with these guys. Kids, ladies; its cool. But you, fat sweaty dude? No dice.
7) I just bought an Ange N’Silu practice jersey. So you can count on him being cut sooner than later.

Category: DC United Team News

   

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Comments  

• Laurie |  July 19th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

  
  
  

  I’ve decided I want to be 70. That’s the age it becomes cute again to request autographs.

  

• Aquismaia |  July 19th, 2009 at 11:58 pm

  
  
  

  hey john does matteo bertoli play for dc united?

  

• jon |  July 20th, 2009 at 3:24 am

  
  
  

  Aquismaia, No he does not.

  

• mighty! |  July 20th, 2009 at 9:57 am

  
  
  

  did you confirm with Benny your previous “story” about him retiring, while you were there?

  

• jon |  July 20th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

  
  
  

  I actually was too chicken shit to say anything, but I talked to DCU’s main media honcho, who said he hadn’t heard anything. I talked to my source again, and he says that its more likely that he’ll play sparingly during the year, and he’ll retire in the offseason, which makes more sense, and is substantially less shocking.

  

• jon |  July 20th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

  
  
  

  Sarcasm quoting is heavily appreciated on this blog.

  

• Melissa |  July 20th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

  
  
  

  My favorite part is when I’m awkwardly talking to some MLS dude and it hits me – I make more money than this guy.

  

• Melissa |  July 20th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

  
  
  

  and when I write “favorite,” I’m being sarcastic.

  

• Dr. Pluhm's House of Derision |  July 21st, 2009 at 8:52 am

  
  
  

  Yes, I used to follow miinor league hockey and when I finally met my “heroes” it was really dissapointing. Add all you said to the fact that this is their job, they have been playing soccer intensely all their lives and know it really, really well and some yahoo who thinks he is a genuios (me) because he watches hours and hours of FSC and Goltv tries to make conversation. Jeeez.