Chat wrap: Jason Kreis
| |  | | Kreis chatted July 10. |
Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Wednesday, July 10, Dallas Burn forward Jason Kreis hit chat to talk about his season, the MLS and the World Cup.Kreis was a two-time All-America selection at Duke and currently a Major League Soccer
(MLS) star from the Dallas Burn. He left Duke ranked among the top 10 in career goals and the
top five in assists and points. The 1994 graduate was gifted in
academics as well, earning the ACC's postgraduate scholarship for his
accomplishments in the classroom. Among earning All-America accolades
in 1993 and 1994, Kreis led Duke to the NCAA Final Four in 1992. | |  | |
Kreis has become one of the top attacking players in MLS history and is
known for his blistering free kicks. He was selected the 1999 MLS Honda
MVP and is the Burn's all-time goals and assists leader. He became the
second member of MLS' 50 goals/ 50 assists club. Kreis was the first
American to win MVP honors and in the same year ('99) he became the
first to register at least 15 goals and 15 assists in one season. In three MLS All-Star game appearances ('96, '99, '00), Kreis has made
one start, scoring a goal at Giants Stadium in 1996, his rookie season. On Saturday (July 6), Kreis and the Burn played to a 1-1 tie with Kansas City. For the season, Dallas (6-3-5) is in second place in the Western Conference and Kreis is second in the league with 26 points (12 goals, 2 assists). If you missed Kreis' July 10 chat, the full transcript follows:
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 Jason Kreis: I am here and ready for your questions. Thanks for being here today. Let's get started.
Ron (Davis, CA): Jason,
Another great season for you. Is this the best Burn team ever?
Jason Kreis: I would have to say it is a little early to say but this is the best first-half team we have had. But we'll wait to see how the season plays out before ranking this team.
Patrick Kunc (Bartlesville/Oklahoma): Congrats on the great season your having Jason, I was wondering how soon tell the Burn get their own stadium?
Jason Kreis: I have no idea. It looked like we were dead set in Mckinney at the beginning of the season, but it looks dead now. But I know they are still working on it.
Scotty (Atlanta): Jason,
Do you feel that you were ever given your fair share of opportunities to show your abilities on the national team?
Jason Kreis: Honestly, in my opinion ... no.
The first go around I played out of position on the right flank. With Bruce, I don't feel I got enough opportunities. I got just two starts, one where I thought I played well but didn't score and the other was a downpour against Ireland in Boston. But such is life.
Dan (Lincoln, NE): Hi Jason:
As a player, do you consciously think about marketing and promoting the sport or do you just try to play your best on the field and hope that people appreciate that?
Jason Kreis: I have found over the years that it is best to worry about what happens on the field. It can take away from my effort in what is most important and that is my play on the field. If you let it effect your play, your career will be over quickly.
Maximum (Davie, FL): You are a great attacker. Where do you feel most productive: attacking from the midfield, playing wide, or more of a striker?
Jason Kreis: That has changed over the past couple of years. Before I would have said my best position was an attacking midfielder. Now I think a trailing forward is the best spot for me. It allows me chances to be more involved in the creation of the game and run of play. I don't have the size or speed to be the front or holding forward.
Eddie, Sierra Vista, AZ: How you doing Jason? Who do you feel is the best all around player in Major League Soccer and why?
Jason Kreis: I would have to say Landon Donovan because over the past month watching his game he is in the best form right now. He is a tremendous passer and finisher. When he is at the top of his game, there aren't many better despite his youth.
Charles (LA): What is your greatest strength and weakness? Who defends against you best in the MLS? -- Thanks in advance.
Jason Kreis: Strength is maybe my soccer intelligence. Where to make runs, where the ball is going.
Weakness is my physcial play. I could be bigger and faster.
As far as the best defender, I think this year Rusty Pierce with N.E. did a tremendous job against me.
Adam DeLisse (Singapore): Hey Jason, I'm originally from Dallas and I've been following the Burn for a couple years. Thanks for all your dedicated hard work. What was the attitude in the Burn clubhouse knowing they were the only MLS team without a World Cup representative? Was it an advantage to keep the entire team together while every other team in the league lost their best players? Thanks
Jason Kreis: I think it was an advantage, but small. The depth in the league is the best we have ever had. It was nice to keep the flow we started the season with and we didn't have to deal with players coming back from the WC mentally and physically drained.
Mark (Union City): Hey Jason,
Big fan of yours, you're absolutely amazing with that soccerball. Anyway, with the success of the Us showing in the World Cup. Do you think that MLS will benefit and if it will how much?
Jason Kreis: I hope the MLS benefits. We have yet to see. In Dallas, the media coverage we have gotten before and after the World Cup has been great and coverage we haven't seen in years. If that keeps up, that will be a major benefit.
Jamez (Dallas): Attended the game July 4th. Great goal, keep up the good work. My question is this - the defense seemed a bit porous at times, and you and Bobby didn't seem to be clicking until you served him that gift - what areas do you think need most improvement to get to the MLS final?
Jason Kreis: This team is going to have to work on being more consistent. We have shown moments where we have played great but followed it up with a mediocre performance. We have to find a level where we can be most consistent and when we do, we will see more success.
Dan (Lincoln, NE): Rumor has it that Earnie Stewart would like to come over to MLS eventually and Dallas would be his preference. Have you played with Earnie before? How do you think he would mix with the current Dallas team?
Jason Kreis: I haven't heard that rumor and wouldn't think Dallas would be his first choice. But if it comes true it would be great. Having played with him, he is a great player and would get instant respect from everyone on this team. He could be a difference maker.
Charlie (DC): Congrats on your year thus far. How do you rate the quality of play in MLS in comparison with previous years? Has contraction improved play generally? Brought parity?
Jason Kreis: I think the level of play has gotten better year after year. No question. I can't say contraction is the reason but I know we have gotten more quality, young players with more experience. I think as we continue to grow, the level of play with continue to rise.
Greg (Bethesda): Do you see your self starting to become a regular player for the national team and possibly on the 2006 cup team? And have any european clubs expressed interest in you?
Jason Kreis: I think I would be a long shot. I think Bruce has made it clear in his decision with me that he doesn't think I can add much to the team. But as a player, I won't give up that dream.
In 1999 I had some German teams interested but none since. As the years go by, it becomes more and more difficult to get a chance in Europe.
Scott, Oakland: Jason,
Who is the dirtiest defender in MLS?
Jason Kreis: All of them. Anyone that choses to mark me.
Paul, New York City: Hey Jason ... fellow Duke alum here. Do you feel that college soccer in the US adequately prepares US players for competition against Europeans & South Americans (amongst others) who have been playing professionally since their teenage years? Obviously, an education at a university like Duke (amongst many others) is also important. Just wondering your thoughts. Thanks so much. Go Devils!!
Jason Kreis: Actually, no. Over the past couple of years we have seen those players that have made the biggest impact on the national team have been those that chose to skip college and become professional. But that is what happens with great soccer players all over the world.
Derek (Dallas): Jason what do you think about the MLS all-star game format this year?
Jason Kreis: I think it will be great for the fans. It will obviously give everyone a chance to see this World Cup. I think a few MLS players are feeling a bit snubbed because those international players that will play are taking the spots of other MLS players that could be involved in the game. But overall I think it is a good decision.
Tom(Manhattan, KS): What has been the greatest influence in driving your soccer career?
Jason Kreis: My parents. They are hard-working people and people I look up to. They showed that I had to work hard and fight for everything I got.
Doug (Omaha): Who is the best coach that you have ever played for?
Jason Kreis: This is difficult to say because like I said earlier, I am dissappointed in my lack of time with the national team, but my best coach would be Bruce Arena. He is a great coach and a great tactician. That is what you need to be to coach the national team.,
But I have to say hi to Coach Trenerry.
Michael Bastian Reno,Nevada: Jason, Why did you atart playing soccer? Do you think soccer will ever be succesful and respected in America?
Jason Kreis: I started playing because my older brother played and I did everything he did like most younger brothers.
I think soccer's time will come and it will be in the near future. I think the World Cup success will help this sport because American's are driven by success. If that keeps up, the interest will continue from your average sports fans and that is important.
Jason Kreis: That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for tuning in to the chat and I hope everyone is following the MLS day in and day out.
Take care everyone.
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