MetroStars

Interview: Nick Sakiewicz

GM MetroStars

December 7, 2004

SoccerLoop: Nick, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for our wesbite. Let's start with this past season. The team looked so strong in the early part of the season, but fell off late. What do you think was the major reason for the drop?

Nick Sakiewicz: The team did very well for the largest part of the regular season dealing with some unusual injuries and the reality of as many as 8 players at one time being called to national teams throughout the season. We held first place for almost two thirds of the regular season, however I think some of our young players hit a wall late in the year and we didn't get any key performances that make a real difference at the end of the season.

SL: Fabian Taylor looks like a pretty good goal scorer. Why didn't Bob Bradley give him more playing time?

NS: John Wolyniec was really our only striker that distinguished himself throughout the year. John took his game to another level in his second year with us.

SL: Ricardo Clark seems to be bounced around quite a bit in the line-up. Do you think he will truly earn a steady spot or will he be the "utility" player?

NS: We have the youngest team in MLS by far with some very talented players like Ricardo. This is something we set out to do two years ago and I think we have a core group of young players that will be very important in this League. Ricardo was utilized in a lot of positions because he is a good player and we needed help with players being absent due to national team call-ups and injuries. Only good players can fill in that way and Ricardo did a good job without any complaints.

SL: The side let up a lot of goals in 2004 and we have read recently that you were critical of Johnny Walker. Do you think goalkeeping or team defense was more to blame?

NS: No, I think the entire team has to take responsibility for that dubious distinction. However, the goalkeeper always takes the biggest dose of the responsibility in that area. That is the way it is. I have discussed this issue with Johnny and I think he has a good handle on what has to be done next season. He and Zach Wells are both very good goalkeepers. Clearly this is an area we need to get better in next year.

SL: Eddie Gaven is a current and even more so, future star. Has there been any interest abroad for him?

NS: Eddie is one of those core young players we have that are very talented, but I'm not ready and I don't think anyone is ready at the age of 17 to be labeled a "star" player. There is still a lot Eddie has to experience and there is much for him to learn as a professional. But he has the right tools and desire to go to the next level and it is very exciting for us and our fans to watch him grow into that.

SL: It is the off-season and there are always those trade and international signing rumors. It seems the Metros always have more than other teams. Can you please give us some answers to the following?
Will there be a trade of Pope and Clark for Thornton and Armas?

NS: There are no talks about Eddie Pope and Ricardo Clark for Chris Armas and Zack Thornton.

SL: Will there be a possible trade for Tony Meola?

NS: It is obvious KC wants to move Tony Meola and he certainly is a tremendous goalkeeper. However, we have two very good goalkeepers in Johnny and Zach and it doesn't make sense for us to move those guys to make room for Tony.

SL: Is the team interested in Freddy Bobic?

NS: The Freddy Bobic stuff all came out of Germany.

SL: Will Johnny Walker be traded to Chivas USA?

NS: Johnny Walker is not someone we have had any trade conversations about.

SL: Thanks for clearing those rumors up. The stadium situation is a huge topic right now for the team. Governer Codey is insistant on building the stadium at the Meadowlands, so should we assume the Harrison Stadium is truly dead? What is the current status?

NS: The new Acting Governor has a clear vision of professional sports in New Jersey and we are delighted to be part of that vision. Right now we are exploring the possibility of both locations. Thanks to Acting Governor Codey, we have a couple of options now (Harrison and The Meadowlands). We are working very closely and in a positive fashion with the New Jersey Sports Authority to create a partnership agreement that will finally get the stadium financed and ultimately built. No one understands the importance and significance to getting this stadium done more than we do and that is why it is our top priority.

SL: Which location, Harrison or Meadowlands do you feel would better suit the MetroStars? And why?

NS: Both locations are very good and I think our fans would be happy in either location.

SL: The SuperDraft Player Combine is about a month away. Are there any players that stand out in your eyes? And how do you think next years rookie class will be as compared to past years?

NS: There are a lot of good players and our coaches are in high gear scouting and analyzing them right now. It is always hard to say or predict how players in the draft will ultimately perform in MLS. Sometimes it takes a season or two to acclimate to the level, speed of play and how to be a professional in general. Players that come from the SuperDraft right into an MLS team really have a challenge to adjust as full time professionals and it takes time.

SL: Should we assume that Sergio Galvan-Rey will not be returning in 2005?

NS: You can't assume anything in this business. Clearly Sergio had a tough year and in some ways was a rookie himself although he came with an incredible record and experience. Sergio struggled adjusting to the MLS style and he would be the first to admit that. We have him under contract for one more year and hopefully he learned a lot this past season that will make him better next year. Ironically he had the exact same experience his first year in Columbia when he came in from Argentina. He had a very poor start and then went on to be the team's biggest goal scorer.

SL: Where will Bob Bradley be scouting players this off-season?

NS: Bob, Mo and the rest of the coaching staff will be all over domestically and overseas. However, that does not mean we need a major overhaul of players. In fact, the opposite. We need 2-3 players to add to the current core of players. We have a very good group of talented, motivated players that all get along and support each other. We need to add and build on the good work that has been done to date.

SL: What moves will the Metros be looking to make in order to finally win a Cup in 2005?

NS: You need a lot of things to win MLS Cup and no one can guarantee that to their fans. However, I will guarantee our fans one thing and that is we have been hard at work from the day our season ended to improve our team. We have a young exciting group of players but we need to get better and we will. We will look at every option we have and work within the constraints of the League Rules to improve this team. Most importantly we are focused on making this team better so our results at the end of the year are as good as the results in the beginning of the year.

SL: Nick, thanks again for taking the time. It is greatly appreciated. Good luck this off-season and most importantly with the stadium.

Interview by: Steven Patton