Josh Wicks Stomps Fredy Montero

by Dick Mac

Josh Wicks, goalkeeper for D.C. United, shows (again) that he is unfit for employment.

During the 2009 U.S. Open final between D.C. United and the Seattle Sounders the other night, Wicks stomped on Fredy Montero.

Montero had just scored a goal off a rebound, tumbled over onto the turf and before he could get to his feet, . . . well . . . you watch what happens and you decide for yourself if you think this is an issue.

This video is short, but it shows the incident:



Montero is one of the world's most exciting, up-and-coming stars. He has garnered a lot of well-deserved attention, and it is likely he will move to a European club in the coming two years.

For a player to endanger the future of any young player, with such utter disregard for sportsmanship, rules, and decency is unfathomable. Only a sociopath accepts this behavior.

Come now, D.C. United management. The team released this statement:

D.C. United team executives and technical staff met today with Josh Wicks. During the meeting, it was expressed that his behavior in last night's U.S. Open Cup final was unacceptable and that he will be subject to internal discipline.

I find it hard to believe that anyone can watch that video and allow this player to appear on the field ever again.

And this is not Wicks' first violent outburst in the last week! I am still searching for video of a match last weekend when Wicks attacked a teammate during their match against the Chicago Fire.

In that match, Wicks was displeased with the performance of his defenders and attacked Marc Burch. When an employee physically attacks another employee, in an industry where pugilism is not part of the employment agreement, management must take action. Instead, management excused it:

The last several minutes of the game were particularly intense. At the end of the day, you want your keeper to step up and take a leadership role. Can he learn to do it a little bit differently? Probably. But he's got the right stuff and that's what we want. We want someone to lead and organize in difficult times during the game. I'm not bothered by it. Everything is fine. We move on.

Management was not bothered with the behavior of an employee who attacks a co-worker.

Perhaps the problem is not with Wicks, perhaps the problem is with team management and ownership. What kind of people allow an employee to attack a co-worker, then endanger the future of one of the world's most promising players, and not express complete anger, disdain, and dissatisfaction?

If the club will not take action, MLS should step forward and issue a ban of at least 35 games. This way he will miss the rest of this season and all of next. Then perhaps he will vanish from the sport altogether.

Then, when MLS finishes with Wicks, they should fine and penalize D.C. United for their failure to control their employees.

Some disciplinary action must be taken by the team and league.

Here is another video of the Montero incident that is clearer and longer, but has music over the footage: