July 26, 2010
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Hey, how about a John Wolyniec day?
John Wolyniec celebrates his spectacular game winning goal against the Columbus Crew in 2003.
Photo courtesy of the Red Bulls
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Regardless what he decides -- to remain with the Red Bulls in a coaching capacity or trying to continue his career with another MLS team, one thing is certain about John Wolyniec -- he deserves a day.
A day to be honored by the team and lauded by the fans -- one more time.
In nine seasons since 1999, Wolyniec has toiled on and off for the club, leaving the proverbial all on the field.
If you really, really want to get technical, that's what every player should do, but doesn't. It went beyond Woly's work ethic. He scored -- and he scored some important goals in the team's 15-year history. He also has been a class act off the field as well.
It seemed that every season began the same way: Wolyniec's playing time was uncertain because whoever was coaching the club (and Woly has gone through six coaches in his nine-year tenure) would bring in someone who was supposed to fill the net and push Woly down in the pecking order. Like clockwork, those forwards did not do their job and the Staten Island native found himself with more playing time and opportunities to score goals.
This year, however, might have caught up to him. With the addition of Salou Ibrahim and rookie Conor Chinn and of course, the much bally-oohed signing of Thierry Henry, Woly has been pushed to marginal status.
Now he has a choice of taking a coaching position with the club or continue trying to pursue being a player.
Everyone has a favorite Woly goal.
Mine was when he came off the bench against the Columbus Crew in 2003, when MLS still had extratime. Amado Guevara sent a free kick some 53 yards from the net. An onrushing Wolyniec caught up to the ball, which went over his left shoulder before he volleyed it into the net for a 1-0 MetroStars victory.
Try that in practice, let alone in a game (a link to that marvelous goal -- http://tinyurl.com/256v3cd).
Perhaps that is yours.
Maybe it was the goal he scored in the 2008 MLS Cup -- the Red Bulls' lone score in the league's championship game.
Or it might have been his playoff goal against Houston in 2008 after Dane Richards' incredible run.
Or perhaps it was something else.
Woly's goals total with the club stands at 36 (fifth best) in 167 games (second most). not bad for someone who originally was a MetroStars reject, someone who was cut on April Fools' Day by the MetroStars because of foolhardy move by then coach Bora Milutinovic.
This franchise has been around for 15 years, yet it has failed to honor any of its greats and best players. The Chicago Fire has its Ring of Fire. D.C. United has its Hall of Tradition.
It's funny, the MetroStars/Red Bulls have had better players, many with bigger names and reputations and others that earned a lot more money that Woly.
Yet, John Wolyniec is one of our own -- a true New Yorker -- someone who played for the Silver Lake Soccer Club on Staten Island and a Fordham University graduate. Someone who knows his limitations, but brings his lunch pail to work every day.
Call it want you want -- the Bull ring of honor, Red Bulls Hall of Fame -- whatever. It is time to honor some of the best players who have worn the uniform.
If the Red Bulls are smart, they can start with John Wolyniec.
Michael Lewis would like to hear from you. If you have a comment, drop him a line at email.
