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Sat in the Heathrow departure lounge, I turned on my laptop and took advantage of the free wireless service available.

I found the club's website quite easily, I thought it best to find out some history behind the club I would be taking charge of. I stumbled across something that caught my attention instantly...

: The club, its players, employees and fans, embody the true passion of soccer, the world's greatest sport.
Our fans, led by the team's largest fan club, are among the most passionate and colorful not only in Major League Soccer but in all the soccer-loving world."


With half an hour until boarding I ordered a large Whisky and popped the Valium tablets I had been given to overcome my fear of flying....

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I wake up to the sound of the pilot announcing that we are making "final descent", despite the drowsiness I still feel slightly worried by the use of the word "final".

Nevertheless a little over an hour later and I've collected my bags, I make my way through the relevant security checks which naturally are over the top and largely unnecessary. I am greeted by a large gentleman, who introduces himself as "Rusty".

After a brief introduction and handshake, Rusty takes a step back and lets out a wry smile.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"I may only work in marketing, but it doesn't take a weatherman to tell ya that you're going to need a jacket."

I laugh it off in a nonchalant manner, striding towards to automatic doors triumphantly in my polo shirt, it's July and I'm in the USA I thought to myself, I can handle a mild evening, I'm English !!

Then it hit me, the cold Boston air swept across the carpark, I tried my best to play it cool as Rusty showed me to our car, obviously amused at my failed attempts at bravado...

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Thanks to Apthered for the awesome sig :)

The "Create a Club" Challenge - Updates Here (on hold)

My Guides
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Pepe
Jonas Gutierrez

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Having found our way to our executive box, myself and Rusty sat down and I had my first chance to watch my new team in action. The Gilette Stadium was packed, as the game was already underway.

By half-time the team wearing blue we're ahead 2-1 and looking comfortable, I had been informed that I would be taking charge of a league leading club, with the season already in progress it felt strange taking over from what must have been a successful manager, too good to be true I thought.

As is the American way, the executive box was ridiculously positioned so high within the stadium that the players we're hard to identify, not that i'd have recognised any of them had they been stood next to me anyway.

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With ten minutes to go in the match, Rusty informed me that as part of his marketing job at the club, he had to leave so he could ready the post match press conferences and ensure that appropriate products we're placed in the hands of the clubs players should they be interviewed.

As the final whistle blew I found myself alone in the executive box, I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to do. I sat tight and as the fans made their way out of the stadium in their droves. Several minutes later the door to the executive box swung open and in wandered a distressed individual, he sat next to me in silence with his head in his hands.

"errrrr...hello?!?" I said tentatively, unsure as to the problem.

"My name is Martin....I am your assistant manager, although after that display I wouldn't blame you for firing me."

I became more confused as the conversation progressed, the team looked good out there and had secured a convincing 3-2 win, so why was this apologetic man so downhearted ?

After several more minutes of confusion, it finally hit home. Martin Vasquez had gone on to explain that the mightily impressive team in blue, were in fact the New England Revolution.

"Ahhh..." I exclaimed, shortly followed by a less than enthusiastic "Ooooohh..."

I had just watched my new team play for the first time, without realising that they in fact were being played off the park. If only I had researched the team kit.


New England Revolution 3 - 2 Chivas USA

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I decided to walk to the training ground, after a cross country early morning flight and a packed LAX airport I didn't quite feel up to weaving my way through traffic, with too much valium in my system it wouldn't have ended well.

The facility was huge, I knew Americans like to do things big but this place was ridiculous. I found my way to the training pitches......empty. The weights room.....empty. I had no idea what to do, I couldn't see any of the playing staff or coaches, Martin had informed me that a light training session was taking part today at 1pm.

The next thing I saw really shocked me, I wandered once more around the abandoned training pitches, that was when i saw them. Out of the tree's came a long line of very sweaty footballers, one by one they passed me without comment and headed towards the indoor weights facility, presumably none of them had a clue who I was.

Martin Vasquez was at the back of the pack and he infact did stop to talk to me, it did take several minutes for him to catch his breath.

"Mr....Brough.....how are.....you today?"

"Slightly confused" I replied, "You told me there was light training today"

"This is light training" said Martin, who had finally recovered.

Martin went on to explain that training in the USA is very different to anywhere else. It turns out that fitness takes a high priority here, and the players had returned from the three mile cross country course after completing THREE CIRCUITS !!!

I spent the rest of the day strolling around the weights room and getting to know the squad, mostly I was helping them get to know me, as it turns out that they knew as little about me as I knew about them.

As the session came to an end and with no skill training planned I was approached by a quiet young man who I had not yet spoken to. He was tall and thin with straggly hair.

"Hey coach....will you be in charge of the training schedules from now on?"

"Yes, I imagine I will, is there something wrong with them?"

"Well coach, its just....Mr te Klose....all we seem to do is run and lift weights."

Dennis te Klose, the clubs Director of Football, a dutchman who has immersed himself so far in MLS soccer that he seemingly ignores all skill elements of the game.

"I'll see what I can do" I replied.

The young man left and seemed a little happier, Martin later informed me that the disgruntled lad was 21 year old Sacha Kljestan, I would be keeping my eye on him, thats for sure. I think we share a similar footballing philosophy.

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Our fans, led by the team's largest fan club, are among the most passionate and colorful not only in Major League Soccer but in all the soccer-loving world."

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