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DEL.ICIO.USBullish on The Bruce
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Quelle surprise: New York Red Bulls have hired Bruce Arena. Not just coach, but “sporting director,” a term reflecting the European investors who recently purchased the former MetroStars. Basically, he’ll have a lot of authority in player acquisitions, etc. Like a GM.
His typical blunt self, he was today at his press conference: Don’t expect the U.S. to be seriously competitive at the World Cup until 2018 at the earliest. And a bit revealing: He thought in January he wouldn’t be retained after his contract ran out. Wasn’t interested in going back to MLS, but had a change of mind. Impending unemployment can do that, but he had a deal in place with Red Bulls before his U.S. fate was sealed.
The Bruce’s first game in charge: An Aug. 12 friendly with Barcelona. Yes, it’s that time of year, with Europe’s best are stretching their pre-season leagues against our in-season lads.
The word is that the Red Bulls would like to loosen up the tight MLS salary cap to allow some high-priced world-class players to come over (Beckham, Ronaldo, Zidane?) and add some pizzaz and formidable head-butting skills. It ain’t ever gonna be like it was with the Cosmos, but every little bit helps.
Perfect segue: Try your hand at the Zidane head-butting game, and see how many red cards you can collect. Off the Ball got progressively worse with every game she played. Too bad there wasn’t a Lance Armstrong figure to whack after his rank comments last week at the ESPYs.
On the home front, the Silverbacks can’t lose at home and can’t win on the road, which isn’t all that unusual. But that hot streak at their new digs has placed them firmly in the playoff hunt in the USL First Division. Puerto Rico makes a visit on Saturday.
Comments
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By TONTO
July 18, 2006 8:29 PM | Link to this
She means the Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull.
By chris
July 19, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
tonight on TV:
“the USL First Division All-Star Game set for July 19 in Cary, North Carolina versus English Coca Cola Championship League side Sheffield Wednesday. The game will be carried live on Fox Soccer Channel at 8:00 pm ET.”
Striker from the Silverbacks Jason McLaughlin is on the team along with World Cup MVP Romario among others.
By Chris
July 19, 2006 5:56 PM | Link to this
Excellent piece on the EPL and a potentially helpful piece for those looking for a team to support in EPL. The part about genuine fan passion echoes my thoughts exactly.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060719
By Henry
July 20, 2006 7:40 AM | Link to this
Well Pereira, Brasilian Coach, has resigned. I was surprised that it took so long. It is not easy to coach a bunch of premadonas.
By Chris
July 20, 2006 9:37 AM | Link to this
Henry, that isn’t exactly an easy fan base to please either.
By Chris
July 23, 2006 8:27 AM | Link to this
Wendy, are you out there somewhere? Are you out of World Cup rehab yet?
By dprice
July 23, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this
Wendy, Did you see that the Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa stunned Manchester United in a friendly match the other day? http://www.kaizerchiefs.com/
Oldtime Atlanta soccer fans will recall that Kaizer Motaung, the founder of the Kaizer Chiefs, played for the Atlanta Chiefs in 1968 when they pulled a similar upset against Manchester City. Motaung came off the bench to score two goals in that game. In fact Atlanta beat the then European champions not once but twice when they demanded a rematch.
That was the same year Atlanta won the NASL championship. Phil Woosnam was coach at the time.
By Wendy Parker
July 24, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
Yep, Chris, out of rehab, will have a fresh posting later today.
The withdrawal was hastened by the demotions in Serie A, the tantalizing travel possibilities for Euro ‘08 (Switz and Austria) and Jose Mourinho’s ridiculous new Great Santini haircut.
Lots to talk about. Lots.
More on all that very soon. Stay tuned.
By Chris
July 24, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
dprice, Thank you for the timely trivia. I will be amongst Kaizer Chiefs supporters this Sunday in Soweto. Interesting to know that their team was named after the Atlanta Chiefs.
Wendy, If I can get to a PC while in South Africa I will try to get you a field report on WC 2010 and general soccer news from South Africa.