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Red Bulls striker Youri Djorkaeff won the World Cup with France in 1998
- Andy Mead/YCJ
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3/21/2006 11:26:22 AM
World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff features in Carolina Challenge Cup
Charleston, SC. Ahead of Wednesday nights fixture featuring the Charleston Battery and the New York Red Bulls, assistant editor at Charleston Magazine Andrew Mosier, caught up with former French international Youri Djorkaeff... Charleston reminds New York Red Bulls forward Youri Djorkaeff a little of home. "It's very charming, it feels like Europe," the Lyon, France, native said. "It's a great city for history."
Last Saturday night, Djorkaeff made a little history of his own when he became the first player to have won a World Cup to play at Blackbaud Stadium when his Red Bulls fall to D.C. United 1-0 the opening night of the Carolina Challenge Cup.
A member of France's 1998 World Cup championship team, Djorkaeff set up Zindine Zidane for one of his two goals in the 3-0 victory over Brazil in Paris.
It's not that Blackbaud hasn't hosted its fair share of world-class players. A good portion of the U.S. Men's National Team has passed through Charleston at one time or another, either to play the Battery in U.S. Open Cup games or friendlies. The U.S. Women's National Team that included several members of its 1999 Women's World Cup championship side has played frendlies at Blackbaud. And there have been a handful of international players from other countries, like Colombia's legendary midfielder Carlos Valderrama, who have represented their country in World Cup competition come to Charleston to play with various MLS sides. But never before have Lowcountry soccer fans been able to see the skill, grace, and on-field presence of someone who has hoisted the most coveted trophy in all of sports until now.
Though Djorkaeff is not the first Wold Cup Winner to play in MLS. Germany's Lothar Mattheaus played (if you can call it that) briefly for New York in 2000. However, the 40-year-old Mattheaus failed to make any impact whatsoever on the team, or the league. The opposite can be said for Djorkaeff, who tallied 10 goals and captained New York into the playoffs last season.
Djorkaeff decision to give the American game a try came after an injury plagued season with Blackburn Rovers, which happened to be backstopped by MLS product and U.S. National Team goalkeeper Brad Freidel. Unlike so many other foreign players who come to the U.S. expecting a vacation, Djorkaeff knew the competition on the field would be fierce.
"The level of play here is very high," said the veteran of the French, Italian, German and English top flights. "Watching the National Team, I knew there were good players. In another, maybe, 10 years, I think this will be one of the top leagues."
When he first signed with New York, some thought the then-37-year-old would struggle with the physicality and grueling travel that makes the American version of the world's game different from other countries. But his desire to compete and appreciation for the effort and skills of those around him‹not to mention his productivity on the field‹quickly won over any naysayers.
This being his first visit to Charleston, Djorkeaff said he was impressed not only with the quality of the Battery, but also with the facilities at Blackbaud Stadium.
"This is a sign that soccer is becoming important in America," he said. "When a second division team like Charleston is so professional it is a very good sign of things to come."
Djorkeaff won't be the only World Cup winner to play in Charleston this year. Miami FC, a new addition the the USL Division One, will feature Zinho, who helped Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, when they face the Battery May 7 and July 22.
Youri Djorkaeff
Born: March 9, 1968
Clubs:
New York Red Bulls 2005-Present
Blackburn (England) 2004-2005
Bolton (England) 2002-2004
Kaiserslautern (Germany) 1999-2002
Inter Milan (Italy) 1996-1999
Paris St. Germain (France) 1995-1999
Monaco (France) 1991-1995
Strasbourg (France) 1989-1990
Grenoble (France) 1984-1989
Andrew Mosier is an assistant editor at Charleston magazine. He also covers the USL Division One for 90 Minutes magazine. He can be reached at andrew@charlestonmag.com.
Carolina Challenge Cup continues Wednesday Night
The 2006 Carolina Challenge Cup continues Wednesday at Blackbaud Stadium as the Charleston Battery take on the New York Red Bulls at 6 PM followed by DC United vs Houston Dynamo at 8:15 PM. DC and Houston lead the tournament with one win apiece; the Battery and the Red Bulls will both be looking for their first win of the four-team tournament.
In the opening games played last Saturday, Houston downed the Battery 1-0 on a Ronald Cerritos free kick; DC defeated New York in the second game courtesy of a Jaime Moreno second half strike.
Wednesday's game between the Battery and the Red Bulls is the first meeting between the two club’s since New York changed names. The Charleston Battery knocked the MetroStars out of the 2004 US Open Cup with a 1-0 win in a game played at Blackbaud Stadium.
Tickets for the Wednesday doubleheader are just $15 - $25; passes to the Three Lions Club are also available for $10. The Three Lions Club will open at 2 PM Wednesday to allow fans to watch the USA vs Germany international match. To purchase tickets or for more information call, (843) 971-GOAl or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.
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