What Arena's departure means for Reyna

One popular notion stemming from Arena's resignation is that it will mean the definite departure of Red Bulls captain Claudio Reyna.

Don't be so sure.

Reyna may not be back in 2008, but his decision will have nothing to do with Arena. In fact, the two had a falling out earlier in the season and were barely on speaking terms by the end of the year. Their falling out had not been made public until now but the two clashed on several occasions on everything from the club's handling of Reyna's injuries to team training methods.

Reyna has another guaranteed season left on his contract and it remains unclear what the former U.S. national team captain will do next but he stated repeatedly during the season that he intended on playing in 2008. Whether it will be as one of the team's designated players remains to be seen.

Could Reyna return as a non-DP in 2008? According to MLS, Reyna can switch to a non-DP if he and the team were to agree on changing his contract, but if you were Reyna would you give back a million dollars? I didn't think so.

What else could Red Bull do? They could pay him his full salary in the form of a buyout and he could retire, which would free up a DP slot and . What Red Bull can't do is pay him to drop to non-DP status. That would be circumventing the league rules.

What do I see happening? I could see Reyna renegotiating with Red Bull and becoming a non-DP under the condition that the Red Bulls trade him to Chicago. With Chris Armas set to retire the Fire could use a player like Reyna and Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio is a big Reyna fan. The two are very close from their days at Manchester City. Landing Reyna as a non-DP would be a tremendous score for the Fire. Reyna could also agree to the buyout and 'retire' and then return with the Fire during the season after Chicago and the Red Bulls agreed on a trade for Reyna's rights.

Ideally, Reyna would return in 2008 for a non-DP salary in the 250-350K range but Reyna's contract will prevent that.

Comments

[Russ]

Does Reyna want to be a player/coach?

Just curious...

[Dannyc58]

Was Bruce talking to Juan Pablo at all?

That seemed strained too.

[lakaix15]

its either RBNY buys him out or goes to chicago or plays for less money here

[Dannyc58]

I'd trade Reyna for their 2nd DP spot.

[Matt]

How would landing Reyna (in a playing role) be a coup for anyone at this point in his career?

[Ives]

Matt, Reyna can still play and play well. Playing in Chicago, on grass, for a non-DP salary would be a great move for the Fire.

[sidenetting]

please, no. we (very respectfully with a nod to your importance in U.S. Soccer, Mr Reyna) don't want you in Chicago. Same for you Mr. Arena or anyone else who rhymes with your name.

Reyna's giveaway in the Ghana game began a very long but very assured slide for both Reyna and Arena. Perhaps The Bruce can reinvent himself, but that seems unlikely as he's not known for changes. I'm afraid his style is not well-suited for MLS now. Think I'm wrong? Then wait to see how many teams come calling for his services now. I know he's got a sweet buyout but if his stock were high, folks would want him. I don't think of one team that would make a play for him.

[Go Metro]

So I guess this is going to be, what, the 6th straight offseason complete makeover? Sigh..

[sidenetting]

nice scoop Ives on the Reyna/Arena fued.

Is there anyone that gets along with Bruce? Maybe Kenny?

[RichBullNY]

I am not questioning the man's skill, or lack thereof, or his will to play the game. All I'm pointing out is, out of the final 8 games of the season, including the playoffs...
How many did Claudio play in?

[Matt]

Why didn't we hear about this "feud" before now? Ives, if they had a falling out and were barely on speaking terms, how were they able to hide it from someone who follows the club as closely as you do?

[Felix]

From everything I've heard about how Reyna played this year, I hope the Fire don't pick him up. We already have one over-the-hill high profile player in Paulo Wanchope, we don't need two. Plus even if he was still effective, he's still injury prone.
We also have good back-ups in the CDM department with Bakary Soumare, Logan Pause, and Diego Gutierrez (who's a good liason between the Latino and non-Spanish speaking players).
Finally, don't be too surprised if Chris Armas doesn't retire. With how revitalized the team has looked with 'Temoc Blanco and with Justin Mapp and Ivan Guerrero returning next season, we will only look that much better. He might agree return in a reduced roll.

[marksman]

So, curious if RB can leave Reyna unprotected? Not that SJ would take him, but does it change anything else as far as contracts or guarantees or DP status? I get the feeling not, but feel compelled to ask.

[Monday Morning 10 Shirt]

WOW.

No way in Hades do I want Reyna anywhere near Chicago. Even with his bad knees, Armas played better than Reyna.

Does Reyna have some soft of belief that he could've/should've won an MLS Cup this season, since we're a small fottballing nation and such?

Chicago already has one JCO mancrush in Paulo Wanchope that has been relegated to the bench because he couldn't chase down a ball. we don't need a holding mid pretending to be an attacking player like Reyna keeping a developing player or one that is coming into a starting role like Pause, out of the First XI.

No thanks on Captain Backpass

[Steve]

Those of us in Chicago will worry about '08 later, we're still focused on '07 and beating those cheaters from Boston.

In the meantime....see ya Bruce!

Ives - What are the details / date for the expansion draft? I think that happens pretty quickly after MLS Cup and will obviosuly have a big impact on any of this speculation.

[Huey]

Arena to LA, brings in Reyna to line up w/Beckham? Ok seems unlikely in light of their falling out, but that has potential. Maybe not as much as Reyna to Chicago. Either way he'd be playing on grass. Where do Harkes and Richie Williams go to now?

[Toothless]

reyna looks like a little troll out there on the pitch. please. he can't play or play very well. he's always injured and not a good investment for any team except on the coaching bench.

[Amit]

I could forgive Claudio if he actually seemed to be trying hard. Most of the other players bring a certain level of intensity and hard work to the games. JPA is a great example of a really hard worker. Claudio doesn't even look like he breaks a sweat.

[Matt]

Amit, that's no surprise. He usually limps off injured around half time.

[Coach]

Based on this season, Reyna is worth no more than 100K. At 250-350 he'd still be grossly overpaid.

[VictorM]

I agree with Coach, Reyna is done! Any spot he takes on a roster could be a spot he takes away from a player like Toja or a Galindo.

Can anyone really argue that he can still contribute the way players like Schalotto, Emilio, Fred, Marinelli, Dichio,Gomez, and others of this ilk, have contributed to their teams?

Only coaches (and journalists) too attached to the past think so.

[kebzach]

No way Reyna comes to Chicago. NO WAY.

[nathan3e]

I agree that it is hard not to be bored by another complete makeover, but it was hard to see how things were going to be terribly different if Arena and Agoos were given another year to work their magic. Kevin Goldthwaite? Chris Leitch? Ronald Waterreus? Clint Mathis? Some of the line-ups put out this year hurt my feelings. This team needs an attacking midfielder and some defenders that are actually defenders rather than converted midfielders.

[Paul Lorinczi]

Interesting to hear that they have a break up over training and injuries. Please tell...

Was Reyna frustrated by the lack of training, or did he think Arena was too hard?

Talking to Fire players, they love Osorio too. His attitude and approach are light years ahead of the Sarachan era.

So was Reyna challenging the level of intensity and professionalism on this side of the world to what he experienced on the other side?

[Derek (Brooklyn)]

Remember January 23, 2007 when Ives posted "anyone who thinks Reyna isn't deserving of DP money doesn't have much of a clue."

What a difference a season makes!