FCD held a press conference for the newest player today to introduce him to media and fans. Really professional event all the way around with about 300 media, fans, and FCD employees in attendance. I counted 5 news video cameras and about 10 to 15 still news photographers. Nice lunch for everyone from Rafain Brazilian Steakhouse. (see how that works, feed the press, get a mention.)
The majority of the press conference was in Spanish, which we are currently translating. When it’s done I will post the transcript here. In the mean time here are a few photos. There will also be a practice report later today.
Morrow did a small Q&A with the reporters afterward for one on one questions. I transcribed it first and did my usual (poor) comedic translations.
Catching Up with Steve Morrow
Is team chemistry important in this decision? (Steve Davis)
The was the foremost thing in my mind the whole way along, I got asked the DP question many, many, many times and the thing for me is adding quality to the team without taking too much away from it. We’ve worked very hard to get the roster that we’ve built up here. It was important for me all through this process and when talked about a designated player. When we were gonna make that decision on a designated player that we weren’t going to disrupt too much with what we already got within the team here.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: You bet your ass it does.
See enough of Denilson on video to evaluate him? (Steve Davis)
For sure, that was a consideration as we went through this. Obviously he was in a place he wasn’t happy being in. he was not happy, I guess, with the level of play over in Saudi Arabia and wanted to get out of that situation. I know him very, very well as a player. But like you say when someone has been off the radar that obviously comes into your mind. He’s been down with Palmeiras the last moth or so and we’ve spoken to the coaches down there as well and he’s been working very, very hard with them in terms of his fitness and playing good quality soccer with them as well. We don’t think he’s 100% match fit right now, but with the condition he’s in it won’t take us very long to get him there.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: Video, schmidio, this guy can play.
Where will you use him on the field positionally? (Buzz Carrick)
I was thinking of using him as an attacking center back. [laughter] I think he can fit into a couple different positions with the way we play. It was important for me to replace Ramón Núñez in many ways. He gives us another option in that spot as an attacking midfielder and I think he can do that position for us. With the way we play with the three forwards I think he can play in one of those wide areas as well in the front three. So I think he gives us a couple different options with the style that we play.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: attacking mid or wing.
Any chance a green card could pop up at the last minute or will a player have to be moved? (Tobias Lopez)
At this moment in time we can’t comment to much on that. When the time comes to add Denilson to the roster we’ll be ready to make the move. We’ve considered everything possible and for me as a coach that’s probably been my biggest headache personally all through this. We need an international spot and we want to make sure we do the right thing. The green card process with Carlos [Ruiz] is on going. In terms of the timing of the deal that was part of my consideration as well, making the senior intentional spot available. Unfortunately that’s about all we can say for now and when it comes time to make the move we’ll be ready to do it.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: I wouldn’t hold my breath for a green card.
Will Denilson be eligible to play this weekend? (Steve Davis)
Outside chance. We’ve been told the visa process is 5 to 10 business days and we are going to use any contacts we have to try and get it through as quickly as possible. There’s an outside chance we could have him on the roster by the weekend. But we also have to consider that to be fair to the player as well, that he’s in the right condition to play. We’ll asses his fitness as well and make sure we get the timing right.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: Tiny chance, but don’t old your breath for that one either.
The press conference was really great. I’d never met so many media personnel in my life… I couldn’t bear to watch Hitch drinking a large Starbucks coffee in the baking sun during practice whilst I was drowning in my own sweat with a warm Gatorade in my hands.
Thanks to Toja for the small conversation and autograph. His English is getting much better, IMO.
Welcome to the fold, Denilson! Glad to have you aboard…
I thought this was an intriguing press conference.
The press (especially the Latino press) did an excellent job of asking Denilson a series of subtle questions that, taken together, amounted to one big question: why has your career been such a failure after all the early hype from Nike, etc.?
Good job. Lets him know that people here know his history.
Also, the signage behind the makeshift dais where hitch, denilson and morrow sat was crooked, which was really distracting if you were watching it on the net. Can’t we hang the backdrop evenly?
Otherwise, I thought Denilson did a good job of charmng and disarming the skeptical soccer-savvy writers in the room.
Just curious, do you think Denilson did a good job of answering those “subtle questions”? Do we have a better idea of why he’s not had that much success lately (I thought his answer about Saudi Arabia made sense . . .) and do people feel better about this signing?
Hutch, I do. It was a positive for me that way. I found him sharp, intelligent, and savvy. I think he knows he has blown it in a way and is looking for a way to increase his legacy by bringing up the level of both FCD and MLS. The attitude was very positive and he said all the right things. I sense a bit of a hunger for redemption. Is it real? I hope so. Will he be able to do it? I can’t say. But I was impressed with him in this environment.
That was the impression I got, too, from watching and listening to the conference over the web stream. Glad to hear that it wasn’t just me. I feel excited about the possibilities here (Toja connecting with Denilson, for instance . . .)
Thanks Buzz. Looking forward to the practice report…which we’re hoping includes your prediction as to whom the odd man out will be.
The press conference was really great. I’d never met so many media personnel in my life… I couldn’t bear to watch Hitch drinking a large Starbucks coffee in the baking sun during practice whilst I was drowning in my own sweat with a warm Gatorade in my hands.
Thanks to Toja for the small conversation and autograph. His English is getting much better, IMO.
Welcome to the fold, Denilson! Glad to have you aboard…
did any players come?
I thought this was an intriguing press conference.
The press (especially the Latino press) did an excellent job of asking Denilson a series of subtle questions that, taken together, amounted to one big question: why has your career been such a failure after all the early hype from Nike, etc.?
Good job. Lets him know that people here know his history.
Also, the signage behind the makeshift dais where hitch, denilson and morrow sat was crooked, which was really distracting if you were watching it on the net. Can’t we hang the backdrop evenly?
Otherwise, I thought Denilson did a good job of charmng and disarming the skeptical soccer-savvy writers in the room.
Diz, I think that most all the players where there, although I didn’t do a head count. Free food brings out the whole team.
Yes, thanks, Buzz!
I’m looking forward to the practice report, too.
Just curious, do you think Denilson did a good job of answering those “subtle questions”? Do we have a better idea of why he’s not had that much success lately (I thought his answer about Saudi Arabia made sense . . .) and do people feel better about this signing?
Hutch, I do. It was a positive for me that way. I found him sharp, intelligent, and savvy. I think he knows he has blown it in a way and is looking for a way to increase his legacy by bringing up the level of both FCD and MLS. The attitude was very positive and he said all the right things. I sense a bit of a hunger for redemption. Is it real? I hope so. Will he be able to do it? I can’t say. But I was impressed with him in this environment.
Agree with you Buzz. He did answer the questions “the right way”. Gave me the warm fuzzies and got me a little excited for the future of FCD.
As Homer might say, “hhhmmmmmmm, juggling….”
If he can play half as well as he does in some of those videos watch out MLS.
Thanks, Buzz!
That was the impression I got, too, from watching and listening to the conference over the web stream. Glad to hear that it wasn’t just me.
I feel excited about the possibilities here (Toja connecting with Denilson, for instance . . .)
Go Hoops!