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First impression Matthaeus upbeat after first MetroStars practice
Posted: Tuesday March 14, 2000 11:45 AM
UNION, New Jersey (AP) -- Lothar Matthaeus got his first taste of professional soccer in the United States on Monday, meeting his New York/New Jersey MetroStars teammates and then practicing for about 90 minutes. "My impression was very good, very positive," the German defender said after his first workout with the MLS's worst team last season. "I see a lot of good players, and the right answer I can give you in a couple of weeks after the second or third game. At this moment, we are training, and games are very different." About 25 spectators and 75 reporters came to Kean University to watch Matthaeus, the captain of Germany's 1990 World Cup champions and FIFA's world player of the year in 1991. Most of the workout consisted of conditioning, skill drills and running a couple of set plays. Matthaeus impressed those watching with how hard he worked. "I have no problems with my age -- I'm 38 and in 10 days I am 39," he said. "I am happy I can play soccer and the fire is in me. I hope I have the same time in New York as in Munich. I think we have a very good team." Matthaeus, who arrived from Germany on Friday, relaxed over the weekend, jogging in Central Park, going to Little Italy and Chinatown, and having dinner with friends. New coach Octavio Zambrano said Matthaeus is going to experience a variety of styles with the MetroStars, who open their season at Miami on March 26. "Without a doubt this is not the Bundesliga, where you know what to expect from all the players," Zambrano said. "I think right now in our league the way it growing, there is a lot of diversity, young players, older players and players from different backgrounds and nationalities." Zambrano said Matthaeus probably will be appointed the MetroStars captain even though he will miss a chunk of the season playing for Germany in the European Championship. Matthaeus has made a record 144 international appearances. Matthaeus said he knew five or six of his current teammates, including Colombian forward Adolfo Valencia and former U.S. national team players Thomas Dooley and Tab Ramos. "Everybody is willing to do whatever we have to do to make the team win and second of all to make him feel comfortable so this is not something he is going to regret," Ramos said. "American soccer is so lucky to have him here. We need to do whatever we can so this is a good experience for him." Defender Mike Petke, a 24-year-old American, thinks everyone on the team will play at a higher level with Matthaeus on the field. "I'm sure a lot of people are saying, `Why is he coming over here?' It speaks a lot for MLS and American soccer that a player of Matthaeus' stature sees a future here and wants to help out," Petke said.
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