Nutmeg
05 Jun 2006, 04:15 PM
These responses are my attempt to paraphrase, unless put in quotes:
On advice to younger players:
It is just another game... There's a big label on it. After 10 minutes on the field, you realize it's the same game you've been playing.
On 2002 and its impact on him:
Disappointed on a personal level. But wanted to come back in the next Gold Cup, have a good experience, and take it from there.
On change in American game:
The change since when he started in 89 is "astronomical." We still have a long way to go, but we have a tremendous amount of competition, too. We should have a good, consistent measure of growth, and avoid "spikes." Should be nice and steady - spikes were like NASL. We want to develop "fans of the game."
On conversation with Arena after 2002:
"It was a private conversation. We cleared the air. We got to the point where we could both move on."
"Was there something that tipped the scale to make you come back?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell us what that was?"
"No."
On US preparation games:
Hasn't had a lot to do with the defense in front of him. Has been on teams where there's been an unbelievable week of training and then got their asses kicked, and vice versa. He feels like they're ready to give teams a good run.
On Hamburg:
Weather's sucked. Apologized for being a PITA every time the US had to travel to training.
On playing in Germany:
Part of it was the World Cup. But also wanted new challenges, new scenery, had been in England.
On getting to choose the music:
The other players don't let it happen often. But sometimes he and Marcus get to put on their headbanger music and watch the locker room empty. He says that's also what he does when he wants the weight room to himself at Gladbach.
On personal time (German media still doesn't seem to get the US having their families with them):
Bruce Arena gives the US players a lot of freedom and a lot of responsibility to prepare for any game. Each player has to prepare for the World Cup in their own personal way.
On advice to younger players:
It is just another game... There's a big label on it. After 10 minutes on the field, you realize it's the same game you've been playing.
On 2002 and its impact on him:
Disappointed on a personal level. But wanted to come back in the next Gold Cup, have a good experience, and take it from there.
On change in American game:
The change since when he started in 89 is "astronomical." We still have a long way to go, but we have a tremendous amount of competition, too. We should have a good, consistent measure of growth, and avoid "spikes." Should be nice and steady - spikes were like NASL. We want to develop "fans of the game."
On conversation with Arena after 2002:
"It was a private conversation. We cleared the air. We got to the point where we could both move on."
"Was there something that tipped the scale to make you come back?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell us what that was?"
"No."
On US preparation games:
Hasn't had a lot to do with the defense in front of him. Has been on teams where there's been an unbelievable week of training and then got their asses kicked, and vice versa. He feels like they're ready to give teams a good run.
On Hamburg:
Weather's sucked. Apologized for being a PITA every time the US had to travel to training.
On playing in Germany:
Part of it was the World Cup. But also wanted new challenges, new scenery, had been in England.
On getting to choose the music:
The other players don't let it happen often. But sometimes he and Marcus get to put on their headbanger music and watch the locker room empty. He says that's also what he does when he wants the weight room to himself at Gladbach.
On personal time (German media still doesn't seem to get the US having their families with them):
Bruce Arena gives the US players a lot of freedom and a lot of responsibility to prepare for any game. Each player has to prepare for the World Cup in their own personal way.