Claudio Reyna has played in one of the world's greatest derbies at Rangers in Scotland and has competed in the English Premiership and the German Bundesliga. But even after 12 years of top flight soccer in Europe, the 33-year-old former U.S. national team captain still gets excited for a league opener.
And considering he'll make his Major League Soccer debut Saturday when the New York Red Bulls meet Eastern Conference rival Columbus, Reyna is even more excited.
"It's really nice, it's my first game in the league so I'm looking forward to it," Reyna said Thursday at the Red Bulls' new training facility at Montclair State University. "It's always a special day, you're just waiting for it after all the hard work of preseason, you're always looking forward to getting the season going on a good note. We'll do everything to try to get a good result."
While the start of every season brings about optimism for fans and players alike, Red Bulls boss Bruce Arena isn't ready to label his team as a title contender. Then again, he's not counting it out, either. Such is the case in a single-entity league, Arena said.
"That I'm not worried about. Right now I'm worried about getting the team going, getting some wins and introducing a good team," Arena said. "I don't think anyone's been able to say there's been a good team here yet. Does that mean a championship? Does that mean more wins? I don't know.
"Basically every team in the league in theory is supposed to be about the same," Arena added. "That's the design of the league, which I think we're beginning to get away from. The fans don't want that - they want Man U and Chelsea, not all the same."
So what is expected of the Red Bulls Saturday night? For one, the club is fitter, with Arena bringing in Pierre Barrieu, who was the U.S. national team fitness coach when Arena was the coach.
"We're light years ahead of that," Arena told reporters during the week. "We played and looked like a pub team. We're a much better prepared team."
While Arena doesn't know what to expect from his team -- or the rest of the league, for that matter -- he is preparing for less-than-ideal weather conditions at Crew Stadium. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 20s with snow, which will probably affect the game greatly.
"Factor in the weather conditions and it's going to be a bit of a slugfest," he said.
"Welcome to Ohio," added Columbus native Seth Stammler.
The Red Bulls don't have a clean bill of health heading into the opener. Mike Magee (right knee surgery recovery), Blake Camp (right ankle sprain) and Taylor Graham (right hamstring strain) are all out, while Markus Schopp is listed as probable with a strain to his left groin and hip. Jeff Parke also isn't fully recovered from a preseason hamstring strain and Stammler will likely start alongside Carlos Mendes at center back Saturday night.
"That's kind of been my role on the team, to be the utility man who can play anywhere. I pride myself on that," said Stammler, who was a central defender for his final two seasons at the University of Maryland. "I'm very comfortable back there."
One area where the Red Bulls significantly improved is on the left side of midfield, where Dave van den Bergh has enjoyed a solid training camp. The Dutch winger feels a lot better about his second year in MLS than he did when he arrived in Kansas City as a late-season acquisition.
"It was tough because the coach that brought me in [Bob Gansler] was fired before I even played a single minute for him," van den Bergh said. "A new coach gets in, our team gets sold, players are getting suspended from the team. There was just a whole lot of things going on that didn't help the situation in Kansas City."
Like Reyna, Ronald Waterreus will also make his MLS debut Saturday. The 36-year-old former Dutch national team goalkeeper, who played at PSV Eindhoven, Rangers and Manchester City, will start in goal. For the most part, Arena's starting XI is set, with Todd Dunivant, Mendes, Stammler and Marvell Wynne in the back, van den Bergh, Reyna and Dema Kovalenko in the midfield. With Schopp not likely available, Arena could use speedy rookie Dane Richards on the right and could start recently acquired Clint Mathis or John Wolyniec up front with 17-year-old Jozy Altidore.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
