The Pope in D.C.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Washington today, so on this historic occasion, the Insider offers you a look at some of the Pope's greatest moments.

Please share your memories, as well.

Bless you, Insider loyalists.

By Steve Goff |  April 15, 2008; 1:02 PM ET D.C. United
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Comments

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WOA!!! We usually sing about how DCU GOES to Rome to see the Pope, not the other way around. What is it, opposite day?!

Posted by: michael | April 15, 2008 1:43 PM

steve:

thanks; it is a great piece about Eddie Pope.

Posted by: rob | April 15, 2008 1:52 PM


soccer is the opium of the people; didn't somebody say that?

(I'll keep our Pope, they can have theirs)

Posted by: Adam Spangler | April 15, 2008 2:07 PM

Definitely the sudden death goal off Etcheverry's service in the pouring rain at Foxboro.

Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 | April 15, 2008 2:17 PM

Uh, seems like they skipped over his MLS Cup winning header in the rain.

Posted by: delantero | April 15, 2008 2:20 PM

AAAHHH I 270 beats to it!!!!

Bridesmaid again . . . .

Posted by: delantero | April 15, 2008 2:21 PM

anyone know if there will be major parking/traffic problems coming from baltimore for the game thurs? looks like he'll be 5 miles away at the time.

Posted by: smitty | April 15, 2008 2:37 PM

One of the greats indeed. I get the feeling that he's going to more for MLS (CBA) than he did on the field. Class through and through. I for one am proud that he wore the black-and-red and the red-white-and-blue. (he lucked out that he's not around to wear that putrid mess that Nike just conjured).

To Eddie Pope!!

Posted by: Kosh | April 15, 2008 3:06 PM

The Pope shoudl be done with the mass by noon. I have seen one schedule taht puts it closer to 11:00 but I don't beleive it.

Reprots indicate 500,000 people may be in the Navy Yard/ballpark area. There is limited parkign availability so expect most people to use metro, walk, or use oen of the bus/shuttle services. We can hope that the area will be clsoe to normal by 3:00. I expect it to take 2+ hours to clear everyone out.

If you are comign from the north you shoudl be okay relative to normal trafic, but I coudl see possible delays from NOVA and SE DC/Maryland if things get FUBARED.

Note: they continue to plan to close more roads and bridges each day (which seems like very poor initial planning). I would check WTOP aroudn 1:00 to see how things are.

That said, your best bet is to leave work an extra two hours early round up everyone you know and get to lot 8 by 5:00 or earlier

Posted by: Anonymous | April 15, 2008 3:24 PM

Goff... Any word on whether the Pope will also be attending the DC United match Thursday evening? What would happen if the Pope and El Diablo were in the same place at the same time?

Posted by: DCUMD | April 15, 2008 4:11 PM

Goff... Any word on whether the Pope will also be attending the DC United match Thursday evening? What would happen if the Pope and El Diablo were in the same place at the same time?

Posted by: DCUMD | April 15, 2008 4:11 PM

****************************************

3 championships in 4 years!

Posted by: garbaggio | April 15, 2008 4:28 PM

Too bad he pulled a Donovan and never took on the challenges of Europe. He could have been a force over there.

His goal against Mexico in the world cup qualifier when Keller's clearance bounced off one of the Mexican's and into his own net. Most memorable for me....


Posted by: Hacksaw | April 15, 2008 4:52 PM

Goffinho, it's deadline day (for taxes and the MLS transfer window). So a) did you get your taxes done? and b) what's the word out there, any panicing teams (err-um, LAG) looking to make last minute deals? Can DC mindhead another sucker FO into giving us something...a DP? Allocation cash? Eat up some of our cap hit? Give us a winger?

Posted by: Kosh | April 15, 2008 4:53 PM

I was thinking the other day how much the new #23 reminds me of the old one...and not just based on the fact that both are tall dark-skinned men with shaved heads. Martinez knows when to go on the attack like Pope did and he's pretty smooth with the ball at his feet. Makes smart, well-timed tackles. Now, if he can manage to score a few timely headers that would make the comparison complete.

Posted by: Glenn | April 15, 2008 4:57 PM

Obviously, the same for me: the header in the pouring rain. I was only a young'n back then, but remember it like it was yesterday...

Posted by: Andy | April 15, 2008 4:58 PM

Steven, Your effort is worthy.

Imprimatur: Marco Antonio Etcheverry

Nihil Obstat: Ben Olsen

Posted by: Winoman | April 15, 2008 5:08 PM

Does anyone who's spanish is better than mine feel like listening to the teleconference today between reporters, Schelotto and Gallardo?

Posted by: Virginia Blue Blood | April 15, 2008 5:27 PM

Too bad he pulled a Donovan and never took on the challenges of Europe. He could have been a force over there.
Posted by: Hacksaw | April 15, 2008 4:52 PM

I think, to his credit, Pope always seemed clear that he intended to stay in the U.S. To "pull a Donovan" to me would be to follow the money to Europe and then, when faced with a tough challenge, come running home with tail firmly tucked between legs.

It seems to me that Pope is made of stronger stuff.

Anyway, great player and what a big game finisher! MLS Cup 1996, CONCACAF Champions Cup 1998, and Copa Interamericana 1998 - championship winning goal in all of them...

Posted by: Rob | April 15, 2008 6:17 PM

I remember the 98 Copa Interamericana win. What a day. Makes you wonder why we can't win against Mexican team...

Posted by: RRP | April 15, 2008 6:41 PM

"Too bad he pulled a Donovan and never took on the challenges of Europe. He could have been a force over there."


Eddie stayed here for two reasons. First, to help build the sport in this country. Second, to work with the Eddie Pope Foundation.

Until you see a Landon Donovan foundation that gives educational opportunities to kids and brings them to games, until you see Donovan do anything other than live the California beach life, please don't mention him with Eddie in the same sentence.

Posted by: Matt Mathai | April 15, 2008 6:54 PM

"I remember the 98 Copa Interamericana win. What a day. Makes you wonder why we can't win against Mexican team..."

'98 was a different story. We played all our matches in the US. We won them, just as we beat Pachuca here.

Posted by: Matt Mathai | April 15, 2008 6:55 PM

Posted by: tri-village | April 15, 2008 7:20 PM

There's no American player I admire more. A hell of a ball player and always a class act.

Posted by: Kire | April 15, 2008 7:59 PM

Near as I can figure the only good thing that other Pope ever did was bless Etcheverry's boots in that old Adidas commercial :)
Eddie was a good guy except his time in Jersey made him act a bit of an ass, but he seems to have maybe gotten over it.

I still remember a bunch of people in the SE Nest donning pope hats. Good times.

Right after the 1996 Cup game I asked Eddie who scored that marvelous winning header (we couldn't quite tell from the cold wet stands). He told me it was Tony Sanneh. I went over and congratulated Tony for the score and he looked at me like I was insane. Eddie watched and laughed. Good times.

Posted by: Lonnie | April 15, 2008 10:49 PM

Since when did the Soccer Insider become the "Medium for an Imaginary Friend Insider"?

Posted by: AlecW81 | April 15, 2008 10:57 PM

Pope is a wonderful guy. I hope he is continuing to be involved in the sport in some way. We need more class acts like him.

I hope he tries his hand at coaching some day. His analytical and problem solving mind would translate well to the dugout.

Posted by: bribri | April 15, 2008 11:55 PM

In light of the current conversation, I can't find any video of Pope's header against the Galaxy in the rain. Apparently its been moved off of YouTube, and I can't find it anywhere else. Anyone know where to find it?

Posted by: Andy | April 16, 2008 2:49 AM

DCU put together a tribute clip for the farewell gig at RFK last year. They should put that up on youtube.

Posted by: WNT fan | April 16, 2008 9:02 AM

"I remember the 98 Copa Interamericana win. What a day. Makes you wonder why we can't win against Mexican team..."

The Mexican teams have cared. As great a memory as the Interamericana Cup win is, Vasco de Gama was clearly indifferent as signalled by both their play and the decision to play their "home leg" in Miami.

Posted by: Anonymous | April 16, 2008 9:36 AM

Right after the 1996 Cup game I asked Eddie who scored that marvelous winning header (we couldn't quite tell from the cold wet stands). He told me it was Tony Sanneh. I went over and congratulated Tony for the score and he looked at me like I was insane. Eddie watched and laughed. Good times.
==========================================

While we're on this nostalgia kick, has anyone heard anything from/about Sanneh lately?

Posted by: tri-village | April 16, 2008 10:00 AM

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