Myernick finally finds his playmaker in Swedish veteran who participated in two World Cups


Anders Limpar was sitting on the bench at the Rose Bowl July 16, 1994, a spectator as Sweden played in the third-place game against Bulgaria, pretty much resigned to the fact that he wouldnÆt see a minute of action in the World Cup. Then with about 15 minutes to go, and Sweden up 4-0, a chant rose from the blue and yellow contingent in the stands. ôWe want to see Anders Limpar… We want to see Anders Limpar.ö Heeding the call, Coach Tommy Svensson turned and motioned for Limpar to warm up. The midfielder, 28 at the time, would get to play in his second World Cup (he played 180 minutes at Italia æ90). ôIt felt great to get in there for 15 minutes, rather than not get in at all,ö said Limpar, who has 58 caps and six goals for Sweden. Limpar, now 33, is back in the United States playing in MLS with the Colorado Rapids, and although his national team days are presumably over, he still has plenty of the skill that made him a Swedish fan favorite. As far as Rapids head coach Glenn Myernick can tell, Limpar hasnÆt lost a step. ôHe possesses terrific quickness,ö Myernick said. ôHe is as quick a player as we have over seven-eight yards.ö Although Limpar may not have been at the top of MyernickÆs shopping list, his ears perked up when he heard the Swede may be available after his contract with 1998 Swedish champion AIK Stockholm expired last fall and negotiations for renewal stalled. Myernick had followed LimparÆs career, which led him from Switzerland (Young Boys), to Italy (Cremonese) and then England (where he had his most success, winning the First Division title with Arsenal in 1991 and then the FA Cup with Everton in 1995). In need of a player who could keep possession in midfield, Myernick thought perhaps he had found his man in Limpar. ôDuring his success in England, he played more of a wide midfielder,ö Myernick said, ôbut he demonstrated that while he could go past people on the flank, he was also a playmaker.ö But there was another thing that made Limpar even more intriguing to Myernick. ôThe fact that he was a free transfer made him appealing to us,ö Myernick said. ôHe fit into our financial structure.ö Myernick got on the horn and made some calls. AIK head coach Stuart Baxter assured Myernick that Limpar had plenty of good soccer left in him. Limpar accepted an invitation to come to Denver and see the Rapids operation and meet some of the players ù a tryout in other words. ôIt is unusual to be able to do that with a player of his stature,ö Myernick said. ôYou could see his quality right from the beginning.ö So far, the fit has been good. The Rapids are in first place in the Western Conference and Limpar has one goal and five assists, all on corner kicks. ôHeÆs unlucky not to have more assists from the run of play,ö Myernick said. ôEven though heÆs getting good passes off, the players have not been finishing them. by Soccer America Associate Editor Poul Swain