With the start of the Gold Cup, Soccer Banter felt it would be fitting to catch up with some former United States National Team players. First up is Brian Bliss, whom we interviewed last month to discuss his role with the Columbus Crew, but now it’s all about him and playing for the United States.
Soccer Banter: You played in MLS and currently you’re the Technical Director for the Columbus Crew, how would you describe the transformation as it relates to on the field over the last 10 years?
Brian Bliss: It’s difficult to answer that because if you have watched MLS consistently over the past 10 years you might not notice a discernable difference, but if you haven’t watched a game in 5-8 years you definitely will. The product on the field is better because the average player today is better than 10 years ago. The good players are still going to be good, but the average player is much better. The general speed and athleticism of players is also better today. Overall there have been major improvements in facilities for youth players with training fields being better which has helped produce better players. Youth players are also getting into the professional game at a much younger age.
SB: Looking back today, what are your thoughts on the US team at the 90 World Cup?
BB: We were very green, the average age was 25 years old, we had limited or no professional experience. Some of us were part-time professionals in USL – John Harkes, Bruce Murray, Tab Ramos and myself playing for Albany Capitals. We were playing games up and down the East Coast. The quality of the fields and league would be considered amateurish at best. All that being said I think we gave a good account of ourselves despite the uphill battle that we were fighting.
SB: You took the road less traveled and went to Southern Connecticut a NCAA Division II school, explain the recruitment process and how that helped you become a professional player?
BB: A coach I had at the ODP level recommended schools that he thought the coaching would be good if not excellent, not necessarily house-hold names. I went on a visit to Southern and got a good feel for Coach Bob Dikranian and the school itself. I liked it and thought it was a good fit for me even though it might not have been on everyone’s radar. At the end of the day I think I was the benefactor from it as I learned a lot from Dikranian and it didn’t hold me back moving onto the next level.
Soccer Banter: You played in MLS and currently you’re the Technical Director for the Columbus Crew, how would you describe the transformation as it relates to on the field over the last 10 years?
Brian Bliss: It’s difficult to answer that because if you have watched MLS consistently over the past 10 years you might not notice a discernable difference, but if you haven’t watched a game in 5-8 years you definitely will. The product on the field is better because the average player today is better than 10 years ago. The good players are still going to be good, but the average player is much better. The general speed and athleticism of players is also better today. Overall there have been major improvements in facilities for youth players with training fields being better which has helped produce better players. Youth players are also getting into the professional game at a much younger age.
SB: Looking back today, what are your thoughts on the US team at the 90 World Cup?
BB: We were very green, the average age was 25 years old, we had limited or no professional experience. Some of us were part-time professionals in USL – John Harkes, Bruce Murray, Tab Ramos and myself playing for Albany Capitals. We were playing games up and down the East Coast. The quality of the fields and league would be considered amateurish at best. All that being said I think we gave a good account of ourselves despite the uphill battle that we were fighting.
SB: You took the road less traveled and went to Southern Connecticut a NCAA Division II school, explain the recruitment process and how that helped you become a professional player?
BB: A coach I had at the ODP level recommended schools that he thought the coaching would be good if not excellent, not necessarily house-hold names. I went on a visit to Southern and got a good feel for Coach Bob Dikranian and the school itself. I liked it and thought it was a good fit for me even though it might not have been on everyone’s radar. At the end of the day I think I was the benefactor from it as I learned a lot from Dikranian and it didn’t hold me back moving onto the next level.
SB: Who was the best player you ever played with?
BB: Tough question…Tab Ramos was the best American player. He had a wealth of talent on the ball and he could change the game on his own. He didn’t need anyone to help him, not always a good characteristic but he had that special ability when he wanted to. He was also my roommate so maybe a bit biased. He had so much talent, probably the best player I played with American wise.
SB: Who was the best player you played against?
BB: We played Columbia so much back then including Columbian club teams that I will have to say Freddy Rincon. He was tall, athletic and gave me my best challenge as he was very talented on the ball. Sometimes he played in the middle but mostly out wide and I matched up against him a lot.
SB: What was your most memorable moment in your career?
BB: It has to be Trinidad in 1989 when we qualified for the World Cup, for everything that was at stake and the result that was needed. The environment and the magnitude of the game, it was the biggest one I ever played in. I could say the World Cup but I didn’t get many minutes at the World Cup. My greatest memory of Italy 90 was probably warming up at the Olympic Stadium against Italy, the place was electrifying.
BB: Tough question…Tab Ramos was the best American player. He had a wealth of talent on the ball and he could change the game on his own. He didn’t need anyone to help him, not always a good characteristic but he had that special ability when he wanted to. He was also my roommate so maybe a bit biased. He had so much talent, probably the best player I played with American wise.
SB: Who was the best player you played against?
BB: We played Columbia so much back then including Columbian club teams that I will have to say Freddy Rincon. He was tall, athletic and gave me my best challenge as he was very talented on the ball. Sometimes he played in the middle but mostly out wide and I matched up against him a lot.
SB: What was your most memorable moment in your career?
BB: It has to be Trinidad in 1989 when we qualified for the World Cup, for everything that was at stake and the result that was needed. The environment and the magnitude of the game, it was the biggest one I ever played in. I could say the World Cup but I didn’t get many minutes at the World Cup. My greatest memory of Italy 90 was probably warming up at the Olympic Stadium against Italy, the place was electrifying.
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