One of the most accomplished individuals ever to come into Major League Soccer, new Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit has a world of experience behind him.
As a player, Gullit's career ranks amongst the best of all time. Stints at PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, AC Milan, and Chelsea brought him UEFA Champions League titles, FA Cup victories and numerous domestic league championships. His career with the Dutch national team brought him a championship at Euro '88. He was even voted World Player of the Year on more than one occasion.
His coaching career brought him to Chelsea and Newcastle in the English Premier League, where he some of the biggest names in the game on arguably the biggest stage in the world.
His first foray into soccer outside of Europe has, of course, come with some different challenges thus far. But after a week of putting his new squad through its paces as they open preparations for the upcoming Pan-Pacific Championship on the road to the 2008 regular season opener, for the most part, Gullit says there isn't that much difference between soccer in the U.S. and football in Europe.
"It's the same as in Europe," said Gullit. "The players are passionate. They love the game and they take it very seriously. The standard of play is the same as it is in Holland. It's the same level. Practice is also the same."
It's the standard of play that has been criticized by outside pundits for some time now, but with endorsements from the likes of Gullit, perceptions might be changing.
The Galaxy alone have attracted players like David Beckham and Abel Xavier to their ranks, and this season, Celestine Babayaro will join them. The former Nigerian international and World Cup veteran is just waiting on his work visa to be approved before he officially joins the Galaxy.
Another area where MLS is quickly catching up with the rest of the world is facilities. More and more teams are opening their own soccer-specific stadiums, and with the Galaxy, Gullit stepped into one of the truly world-class facilities that MLS has to offer.
"(The Home Depot Center) is great. We have great facilities," said Gullit. "It's a very big center here. You have a lot of pitches. Everything you need is here. It's good."
The one aspect of the European game that is arguably missing is soccer's place in the sporting culture of the United States when compared to Europe. There is much more competition in the USA, in terms of professional and college sports.
It's a fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by Gullit, but his main concern is with playing an attractive style of soccer. If he can do that, the rest will take care of itself.
"You see it on the television. Everyone is more about the Super Bowl, American football, baseball, and all the other sports," said Gullit. "But I like what I'm doing. We take it very seriously. Our goal is to play good football and win games."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
