Metro by the Numbers: 12 - 22
January 5, 2009
Today, let's look at the best player in Metro history for each jersey number 12 through 22...
#12: Mike Petke, 1998-2002, 2009-
The only question is will Petke reclaim his old number from Danleigh Borman.
#13: Clint Mathis, 2000-03, 2007
Forever a Metro legend.
#14: Adolfo Valencia, 2000-01
It's hard to argue with his 16-goal regular season in 2000... Especially when the competition is Chris Unger, Braeden Cloutier, Joe Addo, Kenny Arena, and Joe Vide.
#15: John Wolyniec, 2003-05, 2007-
Probably the toughest choice of the whole process. It's between the original #15, Rhett Harty, and Woly (note: he wore #22 in 1999 and #9 in 2006). At the end, we have to go with the Staten Island Ronaldo. Harty will forever remain in our hearts, but Wolyniec has scored some of the biggest goals in team history.
#16: Michael Bradley, 2005
Hmmmm.... This one is pretty tough. The contenders are Richie Williams, Bradley, and Todd Dunivant. At the end, Williams was here at the downside of his career, Dunivant didn't last a full season, and Bradley not only scored one of the biggest goals in Metro history, but also showed the potential that recently made him one of the most expensive players in American soccer history.
#17: Giovanni Savarese, 1996-98
Speaking of most expensive Americans, sorry, Jozy Altidore. This spot is Gio's, and it's quite unlikely that anyone would ever dislodge him from it. (And yet, how could we fail to mention the five minutes of Marcelo Balboa...)
#18: Tim Howard, 1998-2003
Remember when Nick Sakiewicz promised to put #18 on hold for Howard's return? That lasted all of half a season. Good luck displacing him from this list, however.
#19: Dane Richards, 2007-
Another tough one. It comes down to Miles Joseph's four-plus average seasons, or Richards' two above-average ones. We're gonna go with Richards, at the strength of the recent playoff run.
#20: Amado Guevara, 2003-06
He might have been a headcase, but he was OUR headcase. Another no-brainer.
#21: Daniel Hernandez, 2000-02
It's Hernandez against Dema Kovalenko here. However, since Dema wore #15 during 2006, he only has a single season wearing #21 to put against Hernandez's two and a half.
#22: Rodrigo Faria, 2001-02
We really feel bad for Faria. Surely, there is a place in the league for someone of his skill? His closest (and it's not even close) contenders for this spot are Alexi Lalas (Ummmm... NO.) and Tim Regan.
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