HOUSTON – Last week, the Galaxy's Bruce Arena—who has earned the job as head coach for the 2010 MLS All-Star Game—selected Houston's Dominic Kinnear to be his assistant when the MLS All-Stars face Manchester United at Reliant Stadium on July 28.
Because the Galaxy are scheduled to play a CONCACACF Champions League match the day before the game, Kinnear will be tasked with running training sessions during the building up to the summer classic.
Kinnear sat down and talked about his previous experiences with the All-Star Game and what the MLS All-Stars will have to do to get a victory against Manchester United.
MLSsoccer.com: Talk about the honor of being selected to be an assistant coach at the MLS All-Star Game.
Kinnear: I think it helps that I'm local, but for Bruce to think of me that way, I was quite surprised by it. After speaking with Bruce, I came away from that conversation very content. We had a good conversation, and he is a nice guy, and his record speaks for itself. For him to have those feelings for me as a coach, I can’t help be anything but happy about that.
MLSsoccer.com: Does the US run at the World Cup put extra pressure at a big event like the All-Star Game to try to capitalize on that momentum?
Kinnear: Maybe so, but you can’t look at it like that because it’s MLS as opposed to America, and there will be other nationalities represented by the All-Star team. Every player has their own personal pressure. There is pressure from the coaches, media and fans that they picked these guys and that they live up to the adoration and the votes that have been given to them. I do think there is no bigger test than Manchester United, and these players know that they aren’t here for a good time, but a competitive game, and they will treat it that way.
MLSsoccer.com: What can you tell us about your previous All-Star game experiences?
Kinnear: I have only been involved once, which was last year. It was great and I loved it. Being around the guys and the buzz around the game and the atmosphere during and after the game was excellent. It’s an honor that when your team plays well. … I went once as a fan with family and friends and that was fun also, but closer to the action is better.
MLSsoccer.com: What does the All-Star team have to do to defeat Manchester United?
Kinnear: You have to see what’s going on with them. You have to see what their squad is going to be like. Obviously it’s preseason for them and they have a deep squad with many wonderful international players. It will be a tough match because these guys, whenever they step on the field, they're professionals for a reason and they take everything that they do seriously. It will be a difficult night for us.
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.
