Versatility helps keep Maessner on the move

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 7, 2000

John Maessner thought things finally had settled down. After being snatched by Miami in the 1998 expansion draft, he returned to Washington this season.

He bought a house, got involved in the community, started some soccer camps. But life in Major League Soccer can change in a hurry. One day you're preparing for a game against Dallas, the next you're on a plane for Tampa.

That's what happened less than two weeks ago when Maessner was traded to the Mutiny for forward Raul Diaz Arce. Maessner missed the Mutiny's 2-1 loss to Kansas City, arrived in Tampa the day before Memorial Day, trained all week and then played 72 minutes in Saturday's 3-2 win over Dallas.

"I talked to (United coach Thomas) Rongen that Monday, and he told me I was starting (May 27) against Dallas," Maessner said. "Then Friday at noon we had a meeting to look at Dallas tape, and Thomas told me to meet him in (general manager) Kevin (Payne's) office. When that happens, you pretty much know what's going on. I didn't know where or what, but I knew something was up."

Maessner, who turned 31 Friday, is starting at right midfield in place of Steve Ralston, who will miss the game at New York/New Jersey on Saturday while playing for the U.S. national team. When Ralston returns, he will find a new midfield spot or be one of the first players off the bench.

"(Maessner has) come in and worked hard," Mutiny coach Tim Hankinson said. "He's very versatile. He can play left or right midfield, left or right back. He's a valuable player because you can put him in a number of spots."

Maessner said he hopes to stay in Tampa a long time. As he did in D.C., he will buy a house and move down his wife, Christine, and daughter, Daisy, who turns 1 on June 20.

He's taking the trade in stride. After all, as an MLS veteran, he knows how the system works.

"I've been through it, so I know what it's like, but it's not easy when you have a family," Maessner said. "In this league, it happens, but it even happens in the corporate world, too. Sometimes you get transferred. Life goes on."

ROWDIES REUNION: The Dallas game was switched from Aug. 6 to Aug. 5 in part so the Mutiny can hold a Tampa Bay Rowdies reunion. Members of the Rowdies, who started play in 1975, will be on hand for a halftime ceremony and post-game autograph session.

MAMADOU DOES: Forward Mamadou Diallo leads MLS with 12 goals in 11 games and has scored at least one goal in his past five games. In four of those matches, Diallo scored twice. With a goal this week against the MetroStars, Diallo would tie Roy Lassiter's 1996 team record of six straight games with a goal.

Ironically, it's the easy scoring chances Diallo has missed. He is 0-for-2 on penalty kicks. When he earned a penalty kick last week, Carlos Valderrama took the shot and made it.

"At the pregame meal I told Carlos that it would be up to him to decide who would take a penalty kick should we receive one," Hankinson said.

COMMERCIALS DEBUT: MLS' new ad campaign on ESPN begins this morning. Five commercials promote "Soccer Saturdays" on the network. The theme is "the takeover," where eight MLS players hold ESPN anchors hostage and demand to have soccer shown on the network. The first ad will run throughout the summer.

Valderrama is one of the players in the commercials. Actors Cliff Robertson, who plays ESPN's president, and Charles Durning also appear.

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Paper: Date: 6/07/00 +

Page: 3C Section: SPORTS+

Byline: JOHN COTEY

Notes:

The win was impressive but not enough to blind coach Tim Marcum to his team's needs

Despite a 77-26 win over Florida on Saturday that restored some hope to the season, changes are still in order, even if Marcum isn't nearly as ornery as he was after an embarrassingly bad defensive effort against Iowa on May 25.

Expect most changes to occur on the offensive and defensive lines and to the receiving corps. The lines need help, and as players return from injuries, there is depth at receiver. With the emergence of offensive specialist James Bowden, who has been outstanding in his three games, and the return of Harvey Middleton from a broken collarbone, Marcum has flexibility at that position for the first time. Lawrence Samuels and Jason Dulick are safe and helped by also playing linebacker.

That leaves offensive specialists Charles Wilson and Wayne Walker, one of whom may be expendable, especially considering that teams usually play two offensive specialists a game. Marcum won't sit Bowden, and he loved Middleton before Middleton got hurt.

"We've definitely got a crowd at receiver right now," Marcum said. "And with that in mind ... "

The trading deadline is 5 p.m. today, and Marcum is trying to swing a deal for a lineman, preferably a center. Veteran Terry Beauford likely will be cut today -- barring a great excuse -- after failing to show up for the Florida game. Marcum said he still hadn't heard a reason.

With a bye week, Marcum has worked the phones extensively the past two days. He said a deal for a center fell through Tuesday but others could be made today.

"I'm working on it," he said. "We'd really like to get some linemen in here, so we'll see what happens."

CALLING ALL PLAYERS: How serious is Marcum about finding new players? The Storm will conduct an open tryout at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Marcum receives letters, faxes and e-mails daily from former high school and college players. He is hoping one of them is a 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman who can pass rush and block.

For those interested: You must be 18 or older and pay a $50 registration fee. Dress appropriately. Enter the Ice Palace through Event Gate D. HELPING OUT: Middleton, Georgia Tech's all-time leading receiver and a cousin to Bucs draft pick Joe Hamilton, should be ready by the Nashville game June 17 at the Ice Palace. He has practiced without pads recently, and Marcum is considering using him as a receiver/defensive back, giving the coach more flexibility with his offensive specialist logjam.

BOWDEN BOYZ: James Bowden set a team record against Florida with 345 all-purpose yards, catching 12 passes for 175 yards with three touchdowns. But when the league announced its weekly awards, the Storm's other Bowden was honored.

Linebacker/fullback Andre Bowden was picked as Ironman of the Week after rushing for two touchdowns, making three tackles and blocking a field-goal attempt.

SAVING JOBS: Tommy Henry nearly doubled his season total with 11 passes defensed against Florida, and he has a league-high 25. It was a reversal for last year's All-Rookie pick, who was skewered by Iowa's Mike Horacek the week before.

Marcum said he also was pleased by the defensive efforts of Michael Feagan and Jami Oats, who may have saved their jobs.

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