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Subtle Quiet Iranian makes a big impact on MetroStars
Posted: Thursday October 14, 1999 08:03 PM
FORT LEE, New Jersey (AP) -- On a peaceful street, in a modest house, in a middle-class neighborhood of a New York City suburb, Mohammad Khakpour lives his life exactly as he plays on the field -- starkly quiet. No shaven head, no tattoos, no earrings, no rubber bands decorating his beard, and no histrionic celebrations after goals -- just a pat on the back to the goalscorer. Since joining the New York-New Jersey MetroStars in midseason, the 30-year-old defender has been by some accounts invisible. "He's a very quiet guy, so quiet I don't even have any stories to tell about him," fellow MetroStars defender Mark Semioli said. "He's taken his share of razzing about that in the locker room." His quiet leadership helped get Iran to the World Cup in France last year, the first time the nation had qualified since 1978. He also has slowed the bleeding in a MetroStars season that has seen countless deep lacerations. Games that were blowouts in the middle of the year turned merely into heartbreaking losses. Instead of a 6-0 loss to Kansas City on June 20, the MetroStars fell on 2-1 to the Wizards on Aug. 14. Instead of a 5-2 loss to Dallas on June 5, the Burn managed only a 2-0 victory on Aug. 4. And All of the MetroStars last six games ended in 2-1 scores, two victories and four defeats. Those two victories accounted for half of the MetroStars total in a 4-3-25 season, the worst in MLS' four years of existence. "Part of his personality, being quiet, is that he brought some stability [to the team]," MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Amman said. "He doesn't get too excited when things aren't going well. He's calmed everyone around him." It's probably not the image most Americans, or most Major League Soccer fans, have about him - or someone from his country. "Most Americans don't know anything about Iran. I say I'm from Iran. They say 'Iran?'" Khakpour said mimicking a quizzical look. "And those that do know something, don't know anything good." Despite many interpreting Iran's 2-1 victory over the United States at France '98 as a major clash of rivals, Khakpour shrugs. To him it certainly wasn't important as the 2-2 draw against Australia that put Iran into the World Cup. And he leaves politics to others. "I came to this country as a sportsman," he said. "I don't care about politics." After playing for Bahman, Pirouzi and Pas in Iran, Vanspor in Turkey and most recently Geylang United in Singapore, Khakpour arrived in the United States on a tourist visa following an invitation from the Los Angeles Galaxy. Unable to use him, he was highly recommended to the MetroStars, who had the league get his visa status changed. With the black Jeep Grand Cherokee in front, Khakpour's home is an interesting mix of Persia and America. Inside, Iranian television news broadcasts via satellite play quietly on the TV across the room. When welcomed into their home, his wife, Shahrzad, and mother, Kobra, greet their guest cordially, but will not shake the hand of a male visitor, owing to their Islamic faith. His son, Mehrzad, born Sept. 16, is an American citizen, although he undoubtedly will carry dual citizenship. "My baby was born here," Khakpour said. "But I will teach him to be Iranian. I will teach him my culture, my language." Although proud of his heritage and country, Khakpour has a seemingly understated worldliness about him. "Tehran is like here," he said. "This is like playing in my town. Tehran has 20 million people, big buildings, same as New York. I don't feel I'm a stranger." And yet for all the bright lights, New York, or more accurately Major League Soccer and the United States, fits his reserved personality in some ways better than his native Iran. After helping to qualify Iran for the World Cup, Khakpour became a celebrity in his country. He and Shahrzad could not go to a restaurant without being mobbed by fans; he could not walk the street without being stopped. In Fort Lee, where -- like the rest of America -- professional soccer gets less attention than sports such as golf, Khakpour can drive the 40 minutes to the MetroStars' training center with the anonymity of a plumber. "I like that about the United States," he says with a wry smile. He may have to like it in another city. Despite a form which has earned him the respect of his fellow MetroStars and club officials, he also has earned attention from other MLS clubs. With German libero Lothar Matthaeus due to arrive at the start of 2000, Khakpour may become expendable. The MetroStars will have to purge one of its foreigners to accommodate Matthaeus and stay under the four per-team limit. Matthaeus plays a similar defensive role as Khakpour and, since he has played so well, other clubs probably will be willing to give more up in trade for him than any of the MetroStars' other foreigners: Colombian forward Henry Zambrano, Ecuadoran forward Eduardo Hurtado and Yugoslav midfielder Sasha Curcic. Khakpour has three years remaining on his contract with MLS, all option years where the option is MLS'. League officials seem likely to renew his deal, and the MetroStars say they want to keep him if at all possible. Regardless, with the MetroStars season having ended Saturday night, Khakpour's immediate attention is Sunday's friendly between Iran and Denmark in Copenhagen, part of Iran's preparation for Asian Cup qualifying. He will return next week to continue the MetroStars' post-season training and get ready for next season, despite the uncertainty of his status. "This is the most unlucky team I've been on in my life," Khakpour said undaunted. "Next season we'll have to start again. I want to be here next year."
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