Gazza's American Dream

[Chester FC]

Here's a quote today from Gazza that seals the deal for me:

"I just want to be myself, have a life," he said. "I am not here to cause any trouble, I don't want to cause any bother."

Paul is looking for redemption, to re-invent himself. This is a classic American tale. I got a little weepy reading the quote:

http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=sportnews&StoryID=1257959


It would be simply unAmerican not to sign him!

[Jose L. Couso]

BRING IT!

[brubbabriggs]

I think it's just more of a case of being anonymous. European soccer players like to vacation here because it provides them with privacy that they no longer have at home. And due to (non sports related ) cultural similarities, it's pretty much a no-brainer for an English soccer player to want to come here late in his career. He'll probably end up getting recognized here and there if he does play in DC, but generally he'll be able to go out in public and enjoy himself without the hassle he's probably very used to (must be pretty over the top in England). That's got to be a very attractive proposal...

[sinner78]

The tabloid press will follow him.
Papers like the Daily mirror follow people around the world.
Gazza has been hounded for over 10 years.

[Felix World soccer]

I like the man and I think he is going to have some fun damnit!

[Paul. A]

I'm no fan of Gazza. But I will be if he does good for our league!

[JMoney418]

Doesnt Gazza like the limelight?

[Casper1377]

I'm happy Gazza's coming to the league and hope he gets signed. I know some think it's suspect and that it flaunts the old criticism that MLS is a "retirement home" for old footballers, but we all know that's a bunch of crap anyway. With only 3 foreign players allowed per squad it's hardly as if teams or the league are inundated with non-US players. Not by a long shot.
I think it's cool that we get some internationals, even if some of them are past their primes. Alot of them are still great players, not to mention alot of them happen to be some of the most skilled and best players in the league.
Stoichkov and Nowak are two of my absolute fav. players on my club and similarly Gazza is going to be fun, good(I hope!) and entertaining to watch(and root against and dispise I'm sure). So cheers, Gazza and here's to ya! good luck. :)

[Paul. A]

I hope you are right!
We might all be pleasantly surprised.

[Sam the Butcher]

What else does DC have to lose at this point? Sign him!

[todda74]

Today's Washington Post had 2 articles on Gazza, one in the sports section dealing with the news conference and one in the Style section that was more of a feature on the person. The author, Desson Howe is a native of England and is one of the Posts movie critics. He also wrote an article about the England v Argentina game during the WC.
Here's the link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8085-2002Jul26.html

[ArtForceOne]

If Gazza was an American athlete, his life would have been made into an episode of " Beyond the Glory" on Fox.

That show is like the sports version of VH1's "Behind The Music".