Dave van den Bergh has heard all the rumors about what he’s doing right now.
“I’m retired, but still practicing with the (Austin) Aztex, still doing my TV show and my blog,” he said. “It’s a terrible lifestyle. I don’t recommend it.”
While the rumors are running rampant about the veteran Dutchman, the one thing he’s not doing is the only thing he wants to do – continue to play professional soccer.
Van den Bergh was invited by the Red Bulls to the MLS opener Saturday night because he was selected to the team’s all-time Best XI by the club’s fans.
“I’m not looking for anything,” Van den Bergh said. “I just came here because they asked me to be here for the unveiling for the Best XI. I was extremely honored and there was no way I could ever turn that offer down, especially with the promise of this new stadium being so nice.”
Van den Bergh certainly looked pretty comfortable in the Red Bulls new locker room, holding court with reporters and joking with former teammates like John Wolyniec and Andrew Boyens.
“I never made it a secret that I had a great time here,” van den Bergh said. “A lot of good things here for my family – my second son was born here, my first son’s life was saved by doctors here in Jersey. We hold a lot of very good memories here…I never wanted to leave here in the first place.”
Van den Bergh was a fan favorite during his time with the Red Bulls, scoring nine goals in 55 appearances with the club, none bigger than the winner against Real Salt Lake that sent the Red Bulls to their first MLS Cup appearance in 2008. He made an even bigger impact with his impeccable crossing from the left side, something the club has missed desperately missed since he was traded on Jan. 12, 2009.
His memories in Dallas though? Not so grand. While van den Bergh said he was “open to playing for certain teams,” FC Dallas was clearly not one of them. He was waived earlier this week by the club.
“I was disappointed that (some) people don’t have very high morals,” he said.
Van den Bergh said if he had any doubt he’s not ready to call it quits, that was confirmed as he sat at home and viewed Thursday night’s league opener between Seattle and Philadelphia.
“I was watching the game and I caught myself a lot of times being tense,” he said. “I think that showed me that I’m just not ready to say I’m done. It’s not up to me, I guess. It’s up to the people in charge at this point whether they want to offer me anything or not.”
Thus far, van den Bergh said he hasn’t had any conversation, much less an offer, from the Red Bulls or any other MLS squad.
“I’ve not talked with anyone. The only one I’ve talked to really is reporters who tell me that I’m free,” he said. “I haven’t had any conversation with anyone in charge of either MLS or an MLS team.”
