Thursday, July 13, 2006

DC United crushes Celtic, 4-0......and the US Soccer soap opera staring Bruce and Jurgen continues

MLS' signature franchise easily disposed of Scottish Premier League Champion Celtic 4-0 in a friendly last night at RFK Stadium. Celtic who is only a week and a half away from opening their title defense in the SPL certainly have work to be done if they are to repeat as champions. Freddy Adu Scored a goal and had an assist on a Jamil Walker goal for United. While DC was thrashing a European powerhouse, lesser MLS sides (which for the ten year existence of the league has meant every franchise except DC United) were struggling to defeat minor league competition in the MLS Cup. Chivas USA was in fact upset by Roma FC of the USASA which is essentially the 5th division of American soccer. Roma FC had shocked 1994 World Cup Golden ball winner Romario and his Miami FC club in the previous round. While Miami FC is a second division team, it was thought the presence of three former world cup players (Romario, Zinha and Onadi Lowe) meant that Miami FC were among the favorites to capture the cup.

What is the latest with Bruce Arena and Jurgen Klinsmann?

Well a possibility exists they maybe working together very soon, but not with the United States Soccer Federation according to published reports. Bruce Arena confirmed to the Washington Post that he has been offered the Head Coaching job with MLS side Red Bull New York, whose star player, Youri Djorkaeff is unhappy about the firing of Mo Johnston (who was the first player in the history of Scotland to play for both bitter rivals, Celtic and Rangers......some SPL trivia for you on the day after Celtic were crushed at RFK). Djorkaeff as everybody now knows went to see France play in the World Cup after Johnson was fired because of his displeasure. Djorkaeff was a starter for France in 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

Arena's options are limited. Sunil Gulati has probably already reached a decision about replacing Arena but wants to give Arena the graceful exit he deserves. Either Arena can leave now and coach the Red Bulls or he can leave in December and be placed in a lesser position as an "advisor" to the USSF and its new coach, who may or may not be Jurgen Klinsmann. Such a role would probably be humiliating for the arrogant Arena.

Bruce Arena has the experience and the skill to finally be the coach to turn around the embarrassing New York MLS Franchise. When he does turn the team around he can correctly state that a former World Champion coach (Carlos Alberto Parriera), a former World Cup quarterfinalist coach (Bora) and a future Real Madrid boss (Carlos Queiroz) failed where he thrived. He should take the job and save the USSF and US Soccer fans the agony of having to fire or demote him.

Klinsmann for his part has been approached by the Red Bulls to be President of the club. Considering Klinsmann lives in the Los Angeles area and has had strong ties to the LA Galaxy through the years (though he never played for the Galaxy as many of us had hoped he would) his hiring would be a nice slap in the face to LA who just poached away New York GM Alexi Lalas. My hunch is that Klinsmann will not accept the job but will "advise" MLS in the next few months on how to attract one star international player per club, the much talked about "Beckham/Ronaldo rule."

If both Arena and Klinsmann head to New York, who does the USSF hire as national team coach? Post your thoughts as always here!

5 comments:

Hernandez said...

DC United did well for usa soccer with the winning.

chivas is garbage. both in mexico and in the usa. they have signed o'brien the greatest american player but he has not yet been fit for the club. in mexico sanchez was the only savior as the defenders were garbage.

fc miami is sporting a 40 year old romario and a close to 40 zinha. the brazilians will learn that the level of play in the usa far exceeds the expectation they have of our soccer.

red bulls or metrostars are the cemetary of coaches and players. arena needs to leave the national team but for his own good he should stay far away from that club.

Hernandez said...

Zidane is coming to america! if this happens it would the biggest for the mls which everyone seems to knock but which has proven to be an excellent development league and not an easy venue for european or latin superstars to dominate.

Kartik said...

If you search the web numerous articles exists on the topic. It seems like a fairly safe bet that Youri has spoken to Zizzou. But that was probably before Sunday and now Zizzou's mind for good reason is elsewhere.

I love Zinadine Zidane and will get on a plane to his first MLS game if he really does sign. He Djorkeaff and Amando Guevara together in the Red Bull midfield will be something most of us in the USA have never seen before. But considering how bad Red Bull NY's forwards are, what difference does it make? DC will always still beatup on them!

Anonymous said...

Yes we crushed Celtic. Nice crowd on hand at RFK and those of us that are regulars enjoyed the increased ambiance and excitement for a big foreign club coming to town.

Zidane to NY? WOW! Talk about MLS answering its critics, including ironically enough Bruce Arena who may coach him in NY.

Anonymous said...

Arena has been let go by US Soccer. He is now free to take the Metros job.