"IT IS VERY STRANGE TO ME" Djorkaeff talks about changes, Red Bull sale
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
When it comes to American sports, Youri Djorkaeff is the first to admit he is no expert.
So, when he discovered that the MetroStars had new owners, a new names and new colors, the 1998 French World Cup champion said all that change was, well, foreign to him.
"To be honest, it is very strange for me because in Europe, we don't have something like that," he said by telephone from Carson, Calif. Wednesday.
Djorkaeff, the Metros captain last season, should know about how various soccer clubs operate across the Atlantic. He has played for eight clubs in Europe, including Grenoble, Strasbourg, Monaco, Paris St-Germain in France, Inter Milan in Italy, Kaiserslautern in Germany and Bolton and Blackburn in England.
"It never happened to me like this, where a new owner comes in. I think it is very rare. . . . But we are in America. Sometime like this happens at times."
Ever the optimist, Djorkaeff hopes the new ownership will raise the level of the team.
"I hope they bring some ideas of soccer," he said, "and try to move the team to a different step."
The old Metros jerseys were red and black at home and white on the road. The Red Bulls will have a red home shirt and a white one away.
"It doesn't matter the color," he said. "Just bring a new shirt, a winning shirt.
"It could be yellow, black or white, anything, but a winning shirt."
When the team discovered the ownership and other changes, Djorkaeff said the players wondered if Mo Johnston would return as coach.
"They wanted to know about what was happening with the coach and trainer," he said. "We have to know which way we want the team to go. It is very important."
Djorkaeff celebrated his 38th birthday away from his family Thursday.
He said he planned to go out with some friends for a drink in New York City after he returned home.
