A few moments for Ian

By: Melissa | November 29th, 2007

Whoever maintains the official San Jose Earthquakes website is a kindred spirit because they posted this amazing picture of Ian Russell alongside the official press release announcing his new position. While not as shocking as The Frank’s move back to the Bay, the old Quakes connection was enough to warrant some local press coverage. There’s a little blurb in today’s San Jose Mercury news containing a short interview with Russell.

“Frank likes to bring in guys who get along with each other,” said Russell, who lives in Campbell.

“That’s what you saw with the old San Jose team. That’s what we’re trying to build again.”

Russell, 32, helped the Yallop-coached Earthquakes win the MLS Cup in 2001 and ‘03. He was released after five years when the team moved to Houston in 2006.

The former University of Washington star also played two years with the Seattle Sounders of the A-League. Although he had planned to enter coaching, “I didn’t think it was going to happen quite this fast,” Russell said.

Was USL ever called the A-League? Did I miss something? Oh well. I really like Russell’s comment regarding what The Frank wants to see in his players and I think its important to remember this when looking at the guys he picks in the upcoming drafts. Speaking of drafts, the waiver draft is in I think an hour but so far my prediction record is one for a lot of completely off choices so I’m not even going to bother anymore. But the fine folks over at Soccer Silicon Valley compiled a list of their favorites (I see Nunez is one of their picks) so feel free to check it out.

Category: Management, Former Players

Tags: Ian Russell, Former Players, Management, Tag Index

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• Lucas |  November 29th, 2007 at 12:30 pm

  
  
  

  The A-League was the top division of the USL (nee USISL) until two or three years ago when they realigned and it became “USL First Division.”

  Posted from United States

  

• bluemeanies |  November 29th, 2007 at 12:40 pm

  
  
  

  I think they might also have sold off the title for the Australian league to join the alphbet soup leagues.

  Posted from United States

  

• Melissa |  November 29th, 2007 at 1:28 pm

  
  
  

  Aha. Thanks for the info. So now we’ve got USL 1 and USL 2. Then I guess there’s the PDL in there somewhere but I’m not exactly sure where it sits in comparison to the USL leagues. I need a chart or something.

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  November 29th, 2007 at 4:32 pm

  
  
  

  I’m glad to see Russell there. It hurt when the Galaxy cut him. Not that it was the wrong decision, but it’s good to see he’s in a better place.

  Posted from United States

  

• Melissa |  November 29th, 2007 at 6:00 pm

  
  
  

  Yeah, I can’t wait for his tell-all autobiography that explains why he went down to LA in the first place.

  Oh and I forgot to mention that I’d be worried if I heard he got invited to SJ training camp next year (as a player) so *whew*

  Pundits on the internets be damned, I think he’s going to make a fantastic MLS coach.

  Posted from United States

  

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