|
|
Sounder Vagenas Talks Galaxy, His Former Club
Current Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Peter Vagenas says it will be awkward to face his old team on Sunday, but he looks forward to a competitive match.
May 9, 2009 12:44:02 PM
By John Zielonka
Seattle Sounders FC acquired midfielder Peter Vagenas in the 2008 Expansion Draft from the LA Galaxy, where he spent nine seasons. He appears ready to get back in the game after off-season knee surgery and may appear against his old team.
This Sunday’s match against LA gave Vagenas the opportunity to share his insights on the upcoming game, compare Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena to his Sounders counterpart, Sigi Schmid, and the emotions associated in seeing his former teammates on the other side of the pitch.
“I think it’s an important match,” Vagenas said of the Galaxy and Sounders clash. “At the same time, I think they are a team that’s still trying to figure out exactly what kind of team they are.”
After seven games, LA’s 1-1-5 record puts them in sixth place in the Western Conference. They are unbeaten in their last five games.
The Sounders are four spots higher in second place with 13 points after the same number of games.
“Their record can be deceptive,” Vagenas said of the Galaxy. “I think they’re better than their record shows.”
LA netted their first win of the season last week against a struggling New York Bulls team. Vagenas issued a warning about not taking this side too lightly.
“They’ve gone on the road and shown they are very resilient,” he said. “They know how to come out with results. We should take this very seriously.”
Vagenas’ connection to current Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid goes back to their days together at UCLA. Schmid was head coach at the school when Vagenas played three out of four years under him. They led UCLA to the NCAA Championship in 1997.
The LA Galaxy reunited Schmid and Vagenas at the professional level. The coach and player again achieved success when they won the MLS Cup in 2002.
The Galaxy’s mid-season coaching change last year gave Vagenas an opportunity to play for another coaching legend at the collegiate and international levels, Bruce Arena.
When asked to compare Schmid to Arena, Vagenas said, “They both have similar backgrounds in terms of coming through the college ranks and establishing great college programs.”
Vagenas also noted another similarity that’s not in the record books.
“As far as US soccer coaches go, they’re probably the two godfathers. They have a lot of coaches who were assistants underneath them that are now becoming head coaches.”
As far as his personal feelings in facing his old club, Vagenas admitted to a bit of conflict in facing the squad he once captained.
“Ten years is a long time to play in that shirt,” Vagenas said. “It’s going to be awkward. I don’t know what it’s going to be like playing for so long for one team and to have to play against them.
He did, however, note one solace. “At the same time, there are a lot of new faces over there. So, it’s not necessarily the same Galaxy team that I’m used to.”
Despite expressing respect for the organization, Vagenas didn’t hesitate in showing that his allegiance was now with the Sounders.
“I hope it’s a good match,” he said. “But, I hope they lose."
John Zielonka is the Goal.com Seattle correspondent
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com’s MLS page!
Seattle Sounders FC acquired midfielder Peter Vagenas in the 2008 Expansion Draft from the LA Galaxy, where he spent nine seasons. He appears ready to get back in the game after off-season knee surgery and may appear against his old team.
This Sunday’s match against LA gave Vagenas the opportunity to share his insights on the upcoming game, compare Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena to his Sounders counterpart, Sigi Schmid, and the emotions associated in seeing his former teammates on the other side of the pitch.
“I think it’s an important match,” Vagenas said of the Galaxy and Sounders clash. “At the same time, I think they are a team that’s still trying to figure out exactly what kind of team they are.”
After seven games, LA’s 1-1-5 record puts them in sixth place in the Western Conference. They are unbeaten in their last five games.
The Sounders are four spots higher in second place with 13 points after the same number of games.
“Their record can be deceptive,” Vagenas said of the Galaxy. “I think they’re better than their record shows.”
LA netted their first win of the season last week against a struggling New York Bulls team. Vagenas issued a warning about not taking this side too lightly.
“They’ve gone on the road and shown they are very resilient,” he said. “They know how to come out with results. We should take this very seriously.”
Vagenas’ connection to current Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid goes back to their days together at UCLA. Schmid was head coach at the school when Vagenas played three out of four years under him. They led UCLA to the NCAA Championship in 1997.
The LA Galaxy reunited Schmid and Vagenas at the professional level. The coach and player again achieved success when they won the MLS Cup in 2002.
The Galaxy’s mid-season coaching change last year gave Vagenas an opportunity to play for another coaching legend at the collegiate and international levels, Bruce Arena.
When asked to compare Schmid to Arena, Vagenas said, “They both have similar backgrounds in terms of coming through the college ranks and establishing great college programs.”
Vagenas also noted another similarity that’s not in the record books.
“As far as US soccer coaches go, they’re probably the two godfathers. They have a lot of coaches who were assistants underneath them that are now becoming head coaches.”
As far as his personal feelings in facing his old club, Vagenas admitted to a bit of conflict in facing the squad he once captained.
“Ten years is a long time to play in that shirt,” Vagenas said. “It’s going to be awkward. I don’t know what it’s going to be like playing for so long for one team and to have to play against them.
He did, however, note one solace. “At the same time, there are a lot of new faces over there. So, it’s not necessarily the same Galaxy team that I’m used to.”
Despite expressing respect for the organization, Vagenas didn’t hesitate in showing that his allegiance was now with the Sounders.
“I hope it’s a good match,” he said. “But, I hope they lose."
John Zielonka is the Goal.com Seattle correspondent
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com’s MLS page!
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.