Robert Pires, in search of a 'belle ville'
- by Soccer America , May 20, 2010
[MLS] Former French World Cup champion Robert Pires has told lequipe.fr that he turned down an offer from MLS's
Philadelphia Union, saying he didn't want to be difficult but he'd prefer to play in a "beautiful city." And what is his idea of a "beautiful city"?
Pires, who has played his last season
at Spanish club Villarreal, said the Union offer wasn't very attractive enough.
He
hoped to get other offers. "If not," he added, "I'll retire."
Pires indicated he wanted to play again, though. He said he didn't want to finish on a false note.
"Even if I
can't play 60 games in a season," he said, "I can bring something, my experience."
And Pires' idea of a beautiful city?
He said he hoped his longtime French teammate Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls.
"That is a beautiful city," he said.
Yes, New York is a beautiful city. Red Bull Arena is the state of the art club facility, located in Harrison, NJ across the river from Newark. PPL Park is located in Chester, PA right next to the Commodore Barry Bridge. My wife sings opera at the Philadelphia Academy of Music, the oldest opera house in the United States and modeled on Teatro alla Scala, Milano. With all due respect, Monsieur Pires needs a little lesson in American History and Culture. While I am a New York chauvinist, Philadelphia is not the "sewer city" it was during the time of my youth, when Frank Rizzo was its dictator. It is a modern, vibrant city with top flight museums, nightlife and history. Oh, did I mention the bell with a crack in it that was forged at the same foundry as London's Big Ben? Inscribed on it are these words, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout The Land And Unto All The Inhabitants Thereof." It doesn't get any better than that.
Pires is washout, why does the MLS keeps bringing old farts to a league that should be promoting young foreign and American players? with the salary this dick head commands, more young Americans players already playing MLS could make a little more money...and that means a better living
Sorry our city isn't "beautiful" enough for you Pires, I'm glad you won't be coming to play for the Union since you would just be another overpaid player from europe who does nothing for the team.