Does anyone know if Hong Myung-bo will stay with the Galaxy for the 2004 season? I checked the L.A. Galaxy website, but the only article referring to 2004 was a bit about their new stadium. I'll probably be attending college in L.A. during the 2004 season, so therein lies my interest...
well, one of the reasons why Hong went to the US was that he wanted to start learning about coaching. I don't as to where and how, but it'll be in the US. So he'll definately "stay" in the US.
Well its my understanding that he has relatives that live in LA. If he really did want to learn about coaching, he would be much better off in Europe. Preferrably the Netherlands. Although their player attitude is crap, their Clockwork Orange system is superb. South Korea saw how good it was in 2002 and right now some Mexican club teams are starting to see it too.
Probably will still be in L.A. Galaxy let go of Big Red their other aging main defending back. I think The Galaxy will need Bo on defense. I played pretty well near the end of the season but overall he made little impact in my opinion -- not for a guy who got the Golden boot in the 2002 WC. Also, The Galaxy were relying on Bo to bring in a flood of Koreans to the Home Depot Center (Galaxy home) but this was a total failure. It's hard to come to see a really bad team just for one guy.
Bo did not bring a flood of Koreans to the Home Depot Center. And most of the ones that came only cheered for Bo, not the Galaxy. Hong had a pretty bad first MLS season, and certainly did not live up to expectations. Part of that was that he and Lalas basically fit the same position on the team. At least one of them has to go.
He has another year, he had a 2 year contract so 2004 is most likely his last season unless he gets a renewal i bet 2004 will be his last season of playing soccer i bet hell retire after... Before the 2004 season i really hope to see him at least score a goal...
I think he came closest to scoring in his first couple of games for the Galaxy, hitting the crossbar in one game. Since he is taking most of the freekicks now, he'll have a better chance.
Hong's main difficulty was that his English wasn't as good as advertised. He showed plenty of skill on the ball on Day One, but it wasn't until late in the season that he was really on the same page as the rest of the defenders. One of the reasons he underachieved in MLS was that he played sweeper for most of his career, a position that calls more for communication and organization than athleticism. He's clearly lost a few steps in the last few years, but when playing for South Korea this was perhaps masked by the fact that he played sweeper, and by the athleticism of his teammates. After moving to the Galaxy, he was either playing sweeper while not fluent enough in English, or playing the relatively unfamiliar d-mid position and still not communicating perfectly with his teammates. I think we'll see better performances next season.
Sharp. You took the words right out of my mouth. I've said it time and time before the season that Hong's lack of communication is going to hurt him. And I don't think it's going to get any better next season either. Verbal communication is crucial especially for defenders and goalies, and Hong can't learn English that fast. Also, Hong's not an athletic type (which was the reason why Hiddink once thought of not taking him to the World Cup), and this was covered up by his teammates during the WC2002.
He says he will retire after 2004 season: (Korean article) http://www.stoo.com/html/stooview/2003/1230/107271115711131412.html