I was invited to the first game (of the World Cup), I was invited by FIFA and I say no because we had a game against Los Angeles and we beat Los Angeles. This story of the game is ridiculous compared to what happened the rest of the 29 days."
Arena said he spoke to Djorkaeff, both by phone and in person before Monday's training session, and he is convinced the 38-year-old, who was the MetroStars MVP a year ago, is focused on the second half of the season.
"His mindset is to finish his last season of professional soccer the right way," he said.
As for Djorkaeff's fitness after a month away?
"Youri was about our best player in training today," Arena said. "He looks like he can still play to me so I'm not concerned about that. Obviously his fitness, with the time off he had, isn't where it needs to be but he'll play himself back into form."
Things have changed dramatically since Djorkaeff left. It was just a couple days after Mo Johnston was released and the Red Bulls had played to a listless scoreless draw against Columbus. The team would lose three consecutive games without Djorkaeff, but have rallied to go undefeated in five in a row and move into sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference.
"It was a big mess here," he said. "I didn't know what was happening with Mo and the club. It was a bit bizarre at the end."
But more importantly, Djorkaeff sees stability in terms of the head coach, something that hasn't been the case for much of his time here.
"I didn't leave the team because the atmosphere or the team was not good," Djorkaeff said. "If I'm back, it's not because the team wasn't good, it's because I had some things to do in France and now I'm back and I'm happy to be back. To be honest, I feel very, very, very happy to be here."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
