Tuesday's Column: The Second Coming of Javier Aguirre
Read the column here.
There were a couple of Aguirre quotes left over that didn't get into the column for space reasons.
The first concerns the infamous incident against Panama in the Gold Cup where Aguirre actually enters the field of play in an effort to influence the game.
The incident is here if you haven't seen it:
And here's Aguirre's rationale for his actions:
"When I lifted up my foot it was just an impulse. I felt like the other team was taking control of the game and I didn't have any control over it. ... It was just an act of frustration. It was a stupid reaction - something I'm not very proud of."
Here's Aguirre on the doubts he had about his recall of Blanco to the national team, although the player's passion or talent was not the issue:
"His knee was the only thing that had me worried. When he told me he was ready to play, his knee was fine, there were no more doubts."
Finally, here's Aguirre on his relationship with the media:
"It's very difficult for me to always be in the limelight. I don't like giving interviews. It's very difficult for me to be in the public eye."
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Nick, great column on Javier Aguirre. I think he is the best coach Mexico has ever produced. Well, rephrase, greatest Mexican-born coach, because Mexico does not have a tradition of producing great coaches.
That said, I wish he was the coach of the US MNT. He brought know-how, strategy, passion and fire back to the Mexican team. Also loved how he was not afraid to go with a heavy dose of YOUNG players. The record speaks for itself. From fifth place to almost 1st place in WCQ. Plus he has coaching experience from La Liga and Champions League.
Bradley on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. He may be good for CONCACAF, but seems to always get out-coached when facing top-caliber talent. Add to that the fact that he always waits until after the other coach has made substitutions--then puts in Conner Casey for the final 10-15 minutes. Bradley is so conservative that he is too afraid to give the YOUNG players any meaningful playing time.
Time for Bradley to go, but the USSF is sooo cheap they will never pay $$$$ for a decent coach. I read that Bradley only makes about $400k a year. Aguirre earns in the millions I think. Shoot, Sven robbed them blind.
A novel,yet great idea Even Z. Aguirre as coach of the USMNT. I loved it. Knowing the peculiarities of MLS is not so crucial to coaching of the US national team. It's all about player selections and tactics. His English can't be any worse than Cappelo's. Best part of it is that he can tackle any player who won't listen to him personally. He had to be the hardest tackling Mexican player of all time. It was a pleasure to watch him play for the LA Aztecs as a youngster.