Conversation With Clash President Peter Bridgewater


-August 18, 1998

Sent to Mr. Bridgewater:

Mr. Bridgewater-

First off all let me thank you for responding, that shows true class on your part and on The San Jose Clash's part. I am glad to hear that you will be stay on with Mr. Rothenberg because I feel Brian Quinn and yourself are good people for the job. I am still a Clash loyal, I maintain a huge level of enthusiasm towards your team and come to your games and follow every press article written. But still I feel the MLS has set themselves up for failur if they do not rectify there allocation system. The rich keep on getting richer and the poor get nothing. The Clash are very fortunate to hvae an onwer now, weather the owner is Mr. Rothenberg or not. The teams without owners seem to get the short end of th stick. Now I know your a busy man but I must ask you what is the situation with Klinsman? Will he come th the Clash let alone the MLS. I hear Mr. Rothenberg this weekend say that if Klinsman signs he will come to the Clash. That would be great if you get him, a move like that or similar would keep people excited and motivated about this team. You guys have the best fans. I mean the team, no offense, has never been a great team but you still draw very well. Imagine what would happen if you guys brought in a Klinsman and one decent ball possesion type midfielder? You guys are only one or two players away from being elite. I just hope you guys deal Uribe and Vasquez for cap room. And I beg of you please do not trade John Doyle. I know this is long but let me end on this is there any truth to the rumnor you guys had worked out a deal for Valderamma, but it fell through with the coaching change in Miami? And is there any truth to the rumor that you guys are interested in Campos? I know I have asked a lot I thank you for your time Sincerely,

Sajid


Mr. Bridgewater's Reply:

Sajid:

Good to hear that you remain loyal to the Clash, through our good and bad times. Mr. Rothenberg will be a great addition to the existing Clash team. He has exhibited a good deal of confidence in the organization and how it operates, a point he continuously cites when asked why he selected the Clash over other team possibilities (whether it be another league owned team or an expansion team.)

While few would argue that the MLS system is perfect, most would agree that it is an effective system as a young professional sports league endeavoring to establish itself as a major sport in an already saturated with sports entertainment market. The league was structured as it is and operates to protect itself to ensure future success. What is good for the league as a whole is not always good for individual teams. Everyone needs to understand that-- teams, fans, media, etc. The fact that Alan is now on board with us gives us a strong voice at owners' meetings, when we had to rely on the league to speak on our behalf as well as the other league owned teams.

No one knows exactly what will happen with Klinsman. He had a very good World Cup which may result in too high of a price tag for the MLS. There has been speculation as to which team he would go to. The leading candidates are L.A. and the Clash. It would be premature by anyone to state where he would go, stay tuned. As soon as we know, you'll read about it in the papers.

As you may be aware, the trade deadline came and went over the weekend. While we attempted to make several significant trades, nothing materialized. That means that our team roster will not change between now and the end of the season, unless we choose to call up any A-League or USISL players from our affiliate teams.

Keep up the enthusiasm and support for your Clash.

Peter G. Bridgwater