On the field, Blas Perez is one of those players that opponents hate to play against. With his penchant for big goals, big challenges and big controversy, he has earned more than his fair share of enemies around the league.
Off the field, it’s a different story. The 34-year-old FC Dallas and Panama national team striker is a devoted family man, fiercely proud of his children, his club and his country.
The latest edition of MLS Insider takes a look at the softer side of Perez, offering a rare view of the hardnosed forward as a humble son who honors his father with every goal and a doting dad who supports his own child as he works his way through the FC Dallas Academy.
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WATCH the previous episodes from the 2015 MLS Insider season below:
American goalkeeper Brad Friedel announces his retirement, ending illustrious 23-year playing career
After 23 years, American goalkeeper Brad Friedel is finally calling it a career.
The Tottenham ‘keeper, who turns 44 on Sunday, announced on Wednesday that he’ll retire after the end of the English Premier League season on May 24.
“I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved in my career,” Friedel said in a statement on Tottenham’s website. “When I first started the journey I never imagined it would be this long, playing 23 season in total and representing some incredible clubs.”
Friedel won 82 career caps for the United States, appearing at three World Cups and starting for the US during their run to the quarterfinals of the 2002 tournament. He announced his retirement from international soccer in 2005.
Friedel, who holds the Premier League record for consecutive starts with 310, will become an analyst for Fox Sports and Tottenham’s club ambassador in the US. He’s also working on completing his coaching license, a process he began during his time at Tottenham.
An Ohio native, Friedel began his pro career in 1992. He joined Major League Soccer for its inaugural season in 1996, playing two years with his home state Columbus Crew SC and earning 1997 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors before moving to EPL giants Liverpool later that year.
He lasted three years at Anfield, eventually transferring to fellow EPL club Blackburn Rovers in 2000. He made nearly 300 appearances for Blackburn before moving to Aston Villa in 2008, starting for three seasons there before moving to Tottenham ahead of the 2011 season.
New York Red Bulls to maintain up-tempo style in heat at high-powered FC Dallas
HANOVER, N.J. – Although it’s a bit risky, the New York Red Bulls’ high-press, up-tempo style of first-year head coach Jesse Marsch has been highly effective this season.
The Red Bulls are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 4-1-4 record.
And while the system has reaped early rewards, concerns have been raised about its practicality over the course of a 34-game campaign. Those concerns will be put to the test on Friday, when the Red Bulls will attempt to maintain their physically-demanding style againstWest leaders FC Dallas in the heat of Frisco, Texas (9 pm ET; UDN).
Though the match will mark the first time that New York will use their up-tempo system in hot conditions, Marsch is assured that his side will hold up well at Toyota Stadium, where the forecast calls for a kickoff temperature of 78 degrees.
“We’re fairly confident that we’re fit and we’re strong,” Marsch said. “As much it’s a high-tempo [style], if we’re all clear together and moving together, the game shouldn’t get wide open.”
Captain Dax McCarty agreed with his head coach, though he did admit that New York may have to adjust their tactics mid-game depending on how things progress.
“I think we’re going to be able to do it,” he told MLSsoccer.com. “The game plan, as of now, is to start the game off high pressing and seeing how we can put the game on our terms and seeing how we can make Dallas uncomfortable. Obviously, as the game progresses and the game opens up a little bit more and we see how the pressure’s working, then you make a decision on whether you press even more or whether you take it back a little bit and go to lower pressure.”
The heat is hardly the only factor that the Red Bulls will have to contend with. Dallas, who stand alone in second in the league with a 2.0-points-per-game average, boast some truly game-changing talent in the attack.
Midfielders Mauro Diaz and Fabian Castillo have unlocked their fair share of defenses in 2015, and New York are more than wary of the threat they present.
“We’re very prepared for some fast, dynamic attacking players that Dallas has,” midfielderSacha Kljestan said. “We’ve watched some tape on them, we know what they’re about, and we’re going to still try to put our game plan to good use and put them under pressure.
“The best way to limit a good player is to not give him time and space to hurt you.”
For as much as they managed to take advantage of opportunities on the break in their 2-1 win against New York City FC on Sunday night, the Red Bulls could find themselves equally vulnerable to the counter on Friday.
One of the keys to making sure the high-powered Dallas offense doesn’t have any joy on the break? Finding the proper balance between pressing high and leaving as little space in behind as possible – a tall task, to say the least.
“It’ll be a good test for us because their guys are good in open space and potentially there could be room behind us for space, so we have to manage that well,” Marsch said. “We’ve got to limit their space even when we are pushed up the field. That just means that everyone behind the ball has to be aware of where they are at all moments, and now make sure that we close the field even when we have the ball so that when there are turnovers… they can’t just find those guys in space.
“Easier said than done.”
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