I have have an opinion about my team’s performance as well as my own. Quite frankly I’m not happy with either one right now.
(Pat Onstad being the only exception). I feel that we all played below our individual potential and seldomely influenced the game with the aggressivness and passion we are known for. My passing was sub par and I got beat once in the middle of the park because I didn’t stay in a good athletic position (you can’t defend when your body is straight up and down). With that thought in mind I want to address a growing trend in the United States….having an opinion about your team and your player’s performances…Please do have an opinion….good or bad you are not wrong! To many people are worried that if they say one of their team’s players had a bad game that they are going to be considered a traitor. I encourage yo to care enough to be critical of everyone. Yes that means even your “favorite” player has a bad game once in awhile. I encourage you to be critical knowing that I am a love/hate type of player. You either love the way I play or you hate it…you either recognize my ability to read the game or you write it off and ignore it as one of my “shortcomings”. No matter how you see me it is your right as a fan of the game and I respect that. You are the reason we have jobs and therefore you should care about everyone’s performance. I strongly encourage you to voice it, BUT remember that at the end of the day the object is to win as a team. This team won last year and won on the weekend…….I/you don’t have to like the performances, but I/you have to respect the results. An ugly win is always better than a pretty loss…..and as a fan I love the way the table looks after week two.
Craig Waibel
Craig this is some great advice. It is how I wish my team would be at times. Most people are just to affraid to come out and say “hey you need to step it up in practice this week so you can perform better in the game.” I hope you have a great week of trainning and a good game next week.
Comment by Cody — April 15, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
Craig, four points is a good result. Having said that, if it wasn’t for Pat you’d be looking at the big squadoosh staring you in the face and people out for blood
You’re right. You guys are not playing well at all right now. From this person’s view it seems you’re too willing to just counter, whether it’s with a second half performance comeback or sitting back against a lesser team and waiting for the mistake, rather than creating the opportunity. Some team, or teams, will capitalize on that sluggish first half performance or passive aggressive play and will punish you.
For the sake of this teams performance on the field and growing reputation off, you and your teammates have got to figure out what the problem is and resolve it quickly. Best of luck, and thanks for all of your effort, both on the field and off.
Comment by Dan — April 16, 2007 @ 8:57 am
Dan and Cody,
Thank you for your insight, I agree with you about pat, and I assume the reference to \
Comment by craig — April 16, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Craig
This being Battle of San Jac week, I will send to you and the guys a saying from our unique Texian heritage…VICTORY OR DEATH!!!…now go out there and know ahead of time that as MLS Cup Champions, every team in MLS will be having a go at y\’all for the entire 90!
Tattoo into each of your team mates to take that personal. Get mad, angry and downright nasty with the Red Bulls this week. If everyone played like you, Daggers and Rico we would be a\’right. Get the tackles in amigo!
DALE DYNAMO!!!
Comment by Sam A. WHitehill — April 16, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
This is good to read Craig. The fact that you guys are not satisfied with the lackluster start of the season is the reason why the Dynamo are champs and why Houston is thrilled to have you. I did like what I saw from minute 60 on though. DeRo and Mullan had 2 outstanding chances each. When they start burying those, we will be very hard to beat.
btw - I sure was glad you were hugging the post on the one shot. Great positioning. See, you had Pats back when he needed it most. GO ORANGE!
Comment by Boris C — April 16, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
I assume you don’t think we are happy with our performances either. Giving up four good scoring chances and only scoring once in the first two games of the year is not what we consider to be up to par on either end of the field….I agree that we have come out slow and definetly agree that we must sort that out before teams start to jump on us early. You may be surprised to know that we are far more critical of ourselves than you think.
Often times, even after a win we are not pleased with our games. You should know that there a few people strutting around the locker room as of late. I applaud your passion and honesty and also appreciate you acknowledging the efforts and results being of the most importance….you are a good fan and one that many others can learn from.
Craig
Comment by glenndavis — April 17, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
The mark of a good professional is to understand that the job could always be done better or more efficiently, even after success in the past. With that attitude you are putting yourself to a much better position. I and the rest of the dynamo supporters applaud that.
And many thanks for being the last line of defense on the one Pat couldn’t get to. May Brad find you open in the box this weekend.
Comment by Dan — April 18, 2007 @ 6:23 am
I thank you Sir and the rest of the squad for making our Dynamo the best team to watch and support. The team will get the results in due time. but win or lose, you\’ll be our Champions forever. So thanks for hanging in there, and hope you write another entry for us soon.
Comment by Bandido — May 8, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Where o’ where has my Craig Waibel gone? O’ where o’ where could he be?
Seriously, I liked these blogs…we still want to hear from you.
Comment by Jason — May 22, 2007 @ 9:50 pm