A few words with Joe Vide: A look back and forward

On November 21st 2007, MLS expansion side San Jose Earthquakes officially drafted ten players to form the core of their newly resurrected side. For coaches around MLS, this meant hard choices about who to protect on their roster. It is, perhaps, a testament to the league’s grow that the caliber of players available this season was significantly higher than that of previous drafts.

And while all players selected will be missed by their clubs, the loss of Joe Vide goes far beyond the field of play for New York Red Bulls fans.

As someone who has had the pleasure of meeting Joe, I can say this kid is a special talent who will go far on and of the pitch. Given the recent upheaval and departures surrounding the team, Joe said he only learned of his departure while playing golf in North Carolina. But despite the abruptness of this decision, he remains humble and optimistic about his time in New York and new challenges in San Jose.

He was good enough to answer a few questions about these subjects and a look back at a whirlwind 2007 season:

1. Talk about your position at the beginning of the season. What were your initial Expectations for playing time under Bruce Arena?

Coming off a year where I had played only a little, I was looking forward to improving personally and just wanted to be ready if I was ever called on to fill whatever role Bruce had in mind for me. Obviously after getting a chance to play some the year before I was looking to have more of an impact and as a result be able to contribute more on the field.

2. Early on, it seems the midfield was a lock as the team was firing on all cylinders. How did you deal with this situation to eventually get your shot?

Early one our team was playing great all over the field, and especially in the middle of the park which made it challenging to try to fit in there. I also struggled more than I would have liked to during pre season so that made the likelihood of playing all the more less. You just have to continue working hard and training well, if you cant do that then you are not putting yourself in a position to get on the field. The season is a long one and with all the injuries and suspensions that occur you always must be ready for your chance. And during the Colorado game when Carlos came out with an injury I finally got my first significant minutes of the year and played decent enough. At this level it is about being prepared all of the time, so that whenever your number is called on you are able to go and fill in your respective position.

3. What would you describe as your best attributes as a player and what did you improve upon this season?

My best attribute as a player I would say is my work ethic. I enjoy tough challenges and the chance to prove myself against bigger odds and better players. Those are the things I really enjoy about the game, that’s why I play the position I play because you are usually matched up against the teams number 10, their playmaker, and I enjoy attempting to step up to the challenge each and every game.

4. How did the mood in the locker room change during the season and how did you respond personally to the mid-season losing streak?

One thing about the team this year is that we were all close, every team goes through tough times, but this team never let it affect them in a negative way. The way we started off the year was brilliant and when things started to turn sour, we just put in more work and trained harder. We were all aware of what we could play like if things went our way and we just attempted to get back to the same form that we had in the beginning of the year. The demeanor of the team never changed, we knew we had the quality of players to be a good team it was just about getting back to that level.

5. After starting 13 of the team's last 16 games, you came on strong in the later part of the season. What changes allowed you to break in to the lineup and do you feel you grew as a player as time went on?

The only thing I can say is that I was given the opportunity to play by the coaching staff and I made the best of it. At the time we had multiple injuries so I was able to come in and try to fill in for Claudio and Dema when they were out. I just tried to add a spark or some energy on the field and try to help us get back to our winning form. Playing in those games definitely helped me develop confidence that I could compete at this level.

6. In terms of team morale, describe Bruce Arena's style in the lockerroom? What players rallied the troops after a loss?

Bruce would never get to down on us after a loss and would never praise us to much in a victory. He obviously would point out flaws and areas that we either needed to improve individually or as a team. And the next week we would address those things. As for the team the older players would definitely take it upon themselves to rally the troops so to speak to ensure that we were ready for the following match. There is not much you can do once the game is over, you just look forward to the next one and continue to improve.

7. Going in to the playoffs, what was the mood like in camp? Was the feeling that the team could win the title?

Heading into the playoffs we were still upset about how things ended last year. There was a feeling amongst the returnees that we deserved more and we were definitely confident heading into the postseason. We realized that we had enough talent and experience in the locker room to really make a run. While that may not have been the case of how things worked out we were definitely confident and thought we should have done better. After things were over it left a feeling of underachievement for this team.

8. Many have commented about the rift between Bruce Arena and certain players towards the end. Did you witness any disputes or grievances between players and staff?

Obviously there were certain problems between coaches and players, but that is just the nature of the game. It’s a long season things go up and down, but we did the best that we could in the moment and no rift or argument affected the team adversely when we stepped on the field.

9. What was it like playing alongside Claudio in the playoffs against New England and how did the team and you personally cope with his injury?

For me as a player I have always been a huge Claudio fan. One of my first memories of watching soccer was watching them win NCAA titles when he was at Virginia. When he played overseas I was lucky enough to live five minutes from the Olympia Stadium in Munich and whenever his team would come there I would be sure to make it out to the game. Playing with him this past year has been a great experience, you learn so much from just watching him on the field and how he sees and plays the game. Not only that but he was very willing to help you on the field, always willing to give advice or point something out that you could improve on. He treated the younger guys like anyone else, which was great and as captain of the team something I know all of us appreciated. This can be said though for all of the older guys, whether it be Juan, Ronald, Dave, whomever, they were great with us and always treated us like we were any other player willing to help out and instruct. As a younger player you cant beat learning from players of there caliber and having them treat you with total respect.

10. After such a loss, did you expect Bruce to return next season? Did you expect to return next season?

After the final loss of the year not a whole lot of thought was given to who would be returning. Personally I was hoping to return, great guys, great organization, I was happy. As for Bruce he had only really been around for a year and with this league with the parity and the rules they have its hard to make a huge impact right away, so I wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen.

11. What are your hopes for your new team and is there any message you would like to leave for NYRB fans?

When I found out I was selected to San Jose there were at first a lot of mixed emotions. I was sad to leave a place I had called home, all the friends I had made in the area, but that’s the nature of the game. Never being out to California, it will definitely be an experience. I have heard great things about Coach Yallop from players that played under him to his past staff, so I am excited about the opportunity to play under him. Being part of the resurrection of a past team should be fun as well, the fan base will be there and while it may be a struggle as tends to be the case with expansion teams, I am looking forward to the opportunity to ply my trade out there. All in all I am looking to getting out there and getting things started, especially the warm weather, its going to help out my golf game tremendously!

As for the Red Bull fans…Thank you for all the support I have received over the past two years I have been here. I just want to say thank you for making me feel at home in my time here. I have gotten close to many of you and you have all been great to me. It will be like leaving your family behind. I am anxiously awaiting my return to NJ for the game and look forward to seeing many of you there.