BRADENTON, Fla. - It's almost been a week since the Red Bulls arrived in Florida for their first preseason camp and we decided to catch up with midfielder Claudio Reyna, who, despite being around American soccer for many years, is just now experiencing his first MLS training camp.
Claudio, what your impressions of camp so far?
CR: It's been good. Every preseason there's a lot of work, a lot of double days and getting to know each other as well. There's a lot of jelling to be done. I think it's the perfect situation to go away somewhere and everyone hangs out together and works hard on the field. It's been very good so far getting to know the players. There's a good group here and I think we'll do well this season.
From what you have seen, what do you think of the level of play so far?
CR: I think it's very good. There are a lot of guys with experience within the team, but there are also good young players here. I think in the beginning there are going to be guys who get nervous and that's normal and to be expected, but you can see that everyday guys are going to be more comfortable and understand each other and the team can only improve. I think we know we have a long way to go until our first game and to start where we are now is good. I think we have to raise the level of play every week and push each other.
Head coach Bruce Arena has asked his veterans to become leaders on this relatively young squad. This is obviously a role you've been tasked with in the past.
CR: It's something that I'm comfortable with; I'm used to it. I've been a captain with the national team for eight years. It's a cycle I think for players when you move on, get older and have been around and seen a lot of games. I think it's natural that you're going to lend advice or help. More than anything for me, it's just trying to be myself. I'm not the type of guy that's going to yell and be loud, but I like to speak with players on an individual basis and keep their confidence up. If things are going poorly, I think everybody has a different way of communicating.
I'm one of many guys that needs to lead the team. But I like what I see so far. It's easy to be a leader when the guys work hard and show up everyday and put their work in. In that situation, there's really nothing to be said and as far as giving advice, I'm always willing to do it and if they're willing to learn, then it's easy.
You've known Arena since your college days at the University of Virginia. Has he changed at all?
CR: I think he's changed. When I was 17, 18, it was different for him coaching kids than coaching professionals. With experience, he's changed. He's learned more about the game but he's calmed down a bit more as far as his day-to-day yelling and getting on players' backs. But he's always doing it in a positive way, trying to get the best out of players and that's always been a constant with Bruce.
He's learned more when to tone off a little bit on certain guys but I think the one thing that's always remained is that he likes to build a team and a winning group and that not only includes the players but everyone else around the club. He tries to get everyone playing together and as a team and he knows that it's the only way there's going to be success.
Other random musings:
