“This is a very difficult league to make changes. It’s kind of built on status quo. It’s very difficult to get increasingly better with the system. The system is, in theory, equitable, but it’s a little imbalanced, depending on decisions that are made in terms of how you can bring in different players. We’re hopeful that we get a few favorable decisions on our part so we can improve the roster.”
— Bruce Arena, who took over as the New York Red Bulls’ coach in midseason and fell in the first round of the playoffs to D.C. United, the club he turned into an MLS power during his 1996-98 tenure. (Star-Ledger)