At today's press conference to discuss details of the partnership to bring a second MLS team to the N.Y. market, Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano said, "We were enthusiastic about the development of soccer in the U.S. We've seen it in the last years and we think the best is yet to come. Second, because New York is a fantastic city and there are so many fans here. ... With our expertise, our knowledge, our people, combined with the knowledge of the Yankees we will be able to put together a team that soccer fans in New York are going to be proud of."
Also at today's press conference, Soriano named former Red Bulls MF Claudio Reyna New York City FC's Dir of Football and its first employee. Reyna will be responsible for building soccer elements of the organization, including recruitment of players, coaches, trainers and staff. Soriano said the role of Dir of Football is the "most important" position in the organization. Reyna remarked on the "large soccer fan base" in N.Y., adding, "It's been proven I think here with the large attendance and the media attention that we're getting today, it's very clear that New York City deserves a team, needs a team" (YES Network, 5/22).
