nine games ago. When Kreis takes over on the sidelines Saturday, he will become the youngest active head coach in MLS history.
And his opponent on the sidelines: none other than Bruce Arena.
"Is that the coach of the Red Bulls?" Kreis asked jokingly, as if he didn't already know.
"Bruce Arena is the best coach that U.S. Soccer has ever had," Kreis said on a serious note. "He's the most accomplished MLS coach in the history of the league, and I have the utmost respect for him. I'd love to get into his ear a little bit before the game nd learn a few things off of him."
Likely, if Arena does dispense any wisdom, it will be after the game. In any case, Real (0-2-2) are in for a tough challenge. New York is 3-0-1, and has not given up a goal yet this season. Real, by contrast, have not scored a goal in league play since opening day a month ago.
With Kreis moved to the sidelines, Real has an opening in the starting lineup. Kreis was playing as a holding midfielder next to Carey Talley in a 4-5-1 formation; with Kreis unavailable, Real could use a 4-4-2 formation on Saturday.
"I have been pretty clear over the past two weeks that I think we have a very good team here; my moving from a player to a coach doesn't change that opinion," Kreis said. "I am a firm believer that we have the right pieces in place here, but I do think it's going to take a little bit of tinkering."
If you subtract one midfielder from a 4-5-1, you need to add a forward to make a 4-4-2. That forward likely will be either Atiba Harris or Luis Tejada. Doubtless, Jeff Cunningham will be happy to have some company up top.
In any case, many players should be motivated to work a little harder to earn a starting spot.
"For the players, it's a clean slate right now; you've got to prove yourself to a coach that has been playing next to you, and is now watching you every day," Talley said. "That's the main difference, is he's going to be watching from above, instead of playing right next to you. That's the biggest difference for us players, that we have to come in and prove ourselves as players all over again."
Kreis appears to have the support of several veteran players, including Talley, Chris Klein and Eddie Pope, who Kreis asked to be the new captain.
"I told him that he has every bit of my support," Talley said. "I told him to look at me as another player, to hammer me if he needs to, and do what he needs to do because he is the coach now."
Peter Richins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
