How soon is next year?
by: Tom Hill
October 24, 2002

Losing the MLS Cup final by a golden goal was a tough blow for the Revs, but there is a lot to look forward to for 2003. But will Diego Serna be part of the mix after missing nearly the entire season?

For those of us in the ranks of “Semi-pro” journalism, there is a fine line between being a fan and a journalist. I admit that the “fan” part of me has slagged off various visiting players and later, after the game, the “journalist” has gone to the very same players and posed questions like “So Ante, how ‘bout those fans, huh?”

I guess you can never be alone if you’re schizophrenic.

That aside, it can often be easy to lose sight of the fact that the players are human, and while they can do things with a soccer ball that are not only illegal, but physically impossible for us mere mortals, these guys are human, and have their own sets of problems that we all can relate to. And some even have problems that most of us can’t relate to.

Take Diego Serna, for example. Before his injury, he was criticized for missing practices, not settling in to the team after the trade. From a purely soccer standpoint, players should be focused on the task at hand, ready to train every day and work with their coaches and teammates toward common objectives. Sure, in theory at least.

However, there is more to the “Serna AWOL” story than what had been earlier reported. A source close to the Revs relayed a very disturbing explanation that would make anyone cringe. There were reports a few years ago of some Russian NHL players having to pay blackmail to various Mafia and other underworld figures, otherwise there would be serious trouble for their families. Reportedly, something similar is happening with Serna’s family in Colombia. The source was unsure if the threats were being made by guerillas, corrupt police or military, or just plain local thugs, but it really doesn’t matter. Serna allegedly would cash his paycheck, get on a plane to Colombia with a suitcase full of greenbacks, and make the payoff. This allegedly happened more than once this summer, and after Serna was injured, he returned to Colombia to deal with situation.

All we can say is that we hope this is the last of it, and wish the best for Serna and his family. No one should have to deal with this sort of thing, regardless of what is happening on the field.

Serna was spotted for the first time in quite a while at the MLS Cup final. He said all the “right” things, like he was very disappointed by the result, but at the end of the day, he was very proud of his teammates and what they accomplished this year, and that he was looking forward to coming back next year.

Interestingly enough, the conventional wisdom among many Rev fans was that Serna and the Revs would part ways. Serna had expressed desire to play in Europe, and many fans felt the team would be better off letting a guy go who didn’t really want to be here anyway and take our chances with an allocation from outside the league. But that might not be an issue. Serna seems eager to come back, and no-longer-Interim Coach Steve Nicol is adamant that he would like to see a lethal 1-2 punch of Twellman and Serna up top. If Serna can revert to the form he displayed during his Miami years, where he always appeared larger than life, a genuine Rev-killer, we fans will need extra napkins to sop up after all the salivating.

As the Revs gradually move from the post-playoff euphoria into the 2003 pre-season, there will be some changes. However, unlike previous years, when a major overhaul was the norm, the Revs will only need to do some fine-tuning of an already strong lineup. Guys like Twellman and Kante, who are on the books at minimum wage will certainly get deserved raises. Other players will be let go, and new players will be brought in for trials to “upgrade” certain positions. Regardless of the specific moves, Rev fans will find it refreshing to sit back and enjoy the off-season. Hell, when is our first game anyway? It already seems like an eternity.

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