Reyna Speaks . . .

By: Dave Martinez | April 21st, 2008

GOAL.com has an interesting interview with Claudio Reyna. Here are some of the highlights:

On Stats

“I think people think goals and assists are the only thing,” he said. “It’s never been part of my game. That’s never how I played when I was in Europe. I think people look at stats a little bit too much. I really don’t care about that. The most important thing is how I help the team.”

On “Dropping Back” as a Central Attacking Midfielder

“That wasn’t really the plan, but I felt like I had to,” he said. “I like to stay a little bit closer to the forwards. In the first half, we had a bit of a wind issue. We couldn’t really get forward. It’s natural for me. Sometimes, in order to get the team going, I need to drop off.”

On the impact of key Injuries this season (Richards, Angel)

“Our coach has a good idea about that and where everyone fits in well,” Reyna said. “We have some guys filling in positions right now, but once we have our main team, you’ll see that guys are in the right positions and that the team will be able to shine.”

On critique aimed towards him as a Designated Player

“Everyone’s got different opinions and you have to live with it,” Reyna said. “My whole career has been about central midfield and about controlling the game. I will always continue to play the way that I feel is best for the team, not the way that is best for the stats.”

This is an excellent read for anyone who is a soccer fan. Click on that above link and read the rest of the entry.

MY TAKE

Reyna has a point – his entire career has been spent manning the center of the midfield in various degrees. He has developed a simple philosophy – keep the ball moving safely. Not moving forward. Not moving backwards. Just moving safely.

In the first half against New England, he created fluidity in the attack by doing “all the small things right” (yes I know some of you are sick of hearing it) such as sending lead passes, short passes, low risk back heals.

The second half was the polar opposite. And whether you want to blame Reyna for incurring yet another in game injury to his knee is your perogative. But my view remains that these things happen, whether its Claudio Reyna or Kenny Cooper. And on top of all of that – if the fans knew Reyna was injury prone, then the Red Bull organization knew – its part of the package (sad but true).

Reynas version of what a CAM should be doing, and what the fanbase is expecting are miles apart, and that is really the problem. To an extent, I think seeing Amado Guevara in the role set up an expectation level that Reyna can not fulfill. Ditto for Christian Gomez, who fans hated on DC, but admired, from a distance, his prowess in that very position.

Reyna is not Gomez or Guevara. For sure.

He does create space, drawing attention the minute he gets on the ball. He is a natural leader on the field whom others respond to (just watch him barking towards either end of the pitch). He does have his positives – but if what people expect from him is a sudden change in philosophy at the age of 35 to just run people over, sacrifice his body in the process, push the ball relentlessly upfield like “El Lobo,” you have to come back from Fantasy Island.

The Red Bulls bought him knowing what kind of player he is – which was never an assist piler or goal scorcher. So perhaps it is the expectations that should be modified.

Regardless, Reyna is under contract, and the team has to evaluate what he brings to the table when the entire roster is in game form.

The point is . . .

If you followed my writings last year, I defended Reyna till defending could not be had. The injuries (which was known to be part of the package when signing him), lack of enthusiasm, game play – all of it was lack luster. And the criticism well deserved. The offseason comes and we find out he wasnt happy with Bruce Arena, and a rift existed the entire season.

That explained alot. Though it still does not make it right.

My point? Its time to turn the page on last season, and focus on Claudio Reyna – 2008. And, in my humble opinion, that slate is still clean (how one could fault him for his giveaway in New England that resulted in a goal when there were still about 3-4 passes that needed to be made to score is beyond me).

Besides, once everyone is back and healthy again, who knows which side of the central midfield he will take.

Patience padawans. Patience.