Juan Pablo Angel's relative lack of fame in this country says more about American soccer fans and media than it does about him.
The Colombian has done his part. The former River Plate and Aston Villa player is a consummate pro who conducts himself with grace both on (see video after the jump) and off the field, and he's done more than just score goals. He has made the New York Red Bulls relevant since signing in 2007, helping them reach an MLS Cup final for the first time while providing commitment, stability and some watchable soccer in the league's most important market. This is an almost superhuman accomplishment, considering the club's pathetic history.
Angel extended his commitment to the league through the 2010 season, but the Red Bulls have hit the skids. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio has struggled to find the right combination of players to complement Angel, and the club enters tonight's game at Toronto FC on a five-game losing streak in all competitions and with a 2-9-3 record that is the worst in MLS. Angel has four goals this season and already is the third-leading scorer in team history.
Upheaval could be coming to New York once again. But Angel has pledged to stick it out, and it is within that context that he recently spent a few minutes with FanHouse discussing his past and future with the Red Bulls.
On extending his contract:
I'm happy here. My family is really happy. We're enjoying our stay here so far. Last year was really important in terms of what we achieved after a very difficult start to the season. We had the opportunity for the frist time in the franchise history to win something. We won the conference championship and we were in the final for the first time. That, obviously, was very exciting and I was looking forward to stay here just a little bit longer.
On coming close to his first title since 2000 (with River Plate) and playing in an American-style playoff tournament:
The opportunity to make history, although we wanted to win the championship, we still managed to achieve something. Which, at the end of the day, will make the history of the football club which, for me, is a great achievement, and for everyone to be part of that history in the future. One of the reasons I came here was because it was a big challenge. This franchise had never won anything and New York City is a city that's used to having winners. But at the end of the day we're building something here and it's going to take time to make a successful team that will last for generations for come.
On trying to carry over from last fall's success:
Everyone in here, we still believe we have a better team than we're showing right now. Unfortunately you're judged by results and the results right now are telling different things, proving differenty, proving us wrong. I do believe, and I think everyone inside believes we have a better team than we had last year. Hopefully things will turn around sooner rather than later.
On the team's recent tour of Red Bull Arena:
We went around and we're very excited. It's going to be the best stadium in the MLS. It's something different. It's going to be important that we have our home field, so we can start to build something from there. We have to have that sense of belonging, family, home field, that this franchise never had before. I think that will change the perspective of the game from the regular fans, the Red Bull fans and everyone in the area. This is going to be by far the best stadium in the MLS, which will eventually set a very high standard for franchises that eventually want to come into the MLS.
We don't have that right now. We don't feel at home. We play in a stadium that's extremely big. Even if you bring a decent amount of people it still looks empty. So hopefully that will change the perspective of the game in the metro area. And we're really looking forward to it because it's going to be beautiful.
On his commitment to MLS and how it compares to that of other Designated Players:
I believe I have proven that I came here for the right reasons. I came here as a Designated Player and I still feel that there obviously is a lot of responsibility on our shoulders and every DP, but I hope that people by know they kind of respect me as a professional and as a player.
One of the things that happened in the last couple of years is that this league had more exposure around the world. You can probably say it was the Beckham stuff, because he's arguably the most popular guy in the game. What he did was expose this league in the media for the rest of the world. I believe the standard in this league is a lot better than what people think it is. I find it very unfair when people compare this league with some other leagues in the world because this is a league that is building up. It's getting stronger every year and I definitely think it's going from strength to strength. Right now people surprise themselves, players surprise themselves, when they come to play in this league because it's harder than they think.
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Here's that aforementioned video. So simple, yet evidence of such immense soccer intelligence. I love this goal. Here's hoping Angel gets the attention he's earned as a model DP and that he's successful in helping build a competitive club in New York, something MLS sorely needs.
