Yallop's worth not measured in points (original) (raw)

Published Aug. 9, 1997|Updated Oct. 1, 2005

Every so often, some of Frank Yallop's Mutiny teammates gently rib him about his points.

He doesn't have any. Not a goal, not an assist in 50 career regular-season MLS games, a dubious record in the fledgling league. He has mustered just eight shots.

"It is a thrill when you do score, and I actually do miss it a little bit," Yallop said. "But I don't worry about it. I don't go home and say, "I need to get a point.' "

That thinking wouldn't add up. If anyone measured Yallop's worth by such numbers alone, he'd miss the point.

As the Mutiny's central defender, Yallop's first and last priority is to help organize the defense, which incorporates the other three defenders as well as the midfielders and even forwards, who must pitch in to quash attacks.

It is not glamorous work, to be sure.

Nor is it likely to land him on SportsCenter or in Nike commercials.

But it does count.

"Frank Yallop doesn't do anything fancy, he's just steady," Mutiny coach John Kowalski said. "It's difficult to recognize a player who just goes out there, does his job and doesn't show those flashes of brilliance."

"I think Frank is the ultimate pro," added Kansas City coach Ron Newman, whose Western Conference-leading Wizards meet the Mutiny tonight at Houlihan's Stadium. "He does his job, and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time."

Just consider what has happened when Yallop wasn't present:

During last season's Eastern Conference final against D.C. United, Yallop was with the Canadian national team. The Mutiny allowed six goals and was eliminated in two games. It had conceded just seven goals in its previous nine games.

"I'm not saying we lost because he wasn't there, but there was a big drop," defender Cle Kooiman said.

This season Yallop has missed two games, and although the Mutiny split them, the defense was somewhat porous. Both Kansas City and Colorado scored two goals, the Wizards in a shootout loss and the Rapids in a shutout win.

"He never gets himself in a bad position," goalkeeper Mark Dougherty said of Yallop.

It's all about experience, and Yallop has plenty of it.

Yallop, 33, spent 16 years with Ipswich Town of the English First Division and also has been a mainstay for Canada's national team, serving numerous times as its captain.

In 1993 he helped lead Canada to the brink of World Cup qualification for only the second time in its history. Canada led Mexico 1-0 before losing 2-1 in the final game of the second round. A win would have sealed a trip to the United States in 1994. As it was, Canada was forced into a playoff against Australia.

It lost.

Now, midway through the final round of qualifying for the 1998 World Cup, Yallop and his Canadian teammates are more precariously positioned. Canada trails Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States and Jamaica. It is, however, just three points _ the total for a win _ out of second. The top three teams advance to France.

"I want to play against the best in the world," Yallop said. "I know I played the best in England. To go against the best in the world would be a dream."

Not that he would retire after that.

He jokes that he lacks a young man's legs and, with an eye toward the future, he is preparing for a coaching career. He earned his B-level coaching certification from the U.S. Soccer Federation in January and plans to go for his A-level certification this winter.

But Yallop has a lot of run left in him. He was selected for last month's All-Star Game, and two more league games guarantee him another contract. If that's not enough to convince you he still can do the business on the field, take heed of his recent shooting skills.

No joke.

He was designated as the fourth Mutiny player in a shootout against Columbus a couple of weeks ago, and although it was his first shootout attempt, he calmly smoked one by goalkeeper Brad Friedel. Forward Roy Lassiter then sealed the Mutiny win by converting his shot.

Guess which player made the evening highlights and the next day's paper?

"I've never been a headline grabber," Yallop said. "I enjoy the role of not being in the limelight, just being in the background and doing my job. Maybe that's why I played so long in England. Not doing anything too spectacular, but not making any mistakes. For a coach or a manager, that's what you want from your defender."

Point taken.

NOTE: Yallop, Carlos Valderrama, Steve Ralston and Giuseppe Galderisi will be available to sign autographs and meet fans from noon-1 today at the Mutiny Pro Shop, atrium mall, 1408 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa.