MOTHERWELL MIDFIELDER ROSE WAS ANYTHING BUT SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE
Fir Park star Rose recalls glamour of life in MLS
David Beckham was my hero as a kid, so it was great to play against him
HIS lifestyle in Seattle was such that you wonder if his eventual departure from it may have necessitated the kind of professional services offered by the city’s most famous fictional resident, Dr Frasier Crane.
For four years on the Pacific North West, Andy Rose really did live out the American dream.
Domiciled in one of the country’s most appealing locales when he signed with the Sounders in 2012, the Australian had the privilege of playing for a support that’s reputedly second to none in the MLS.
Despite being over 1,000 miles away from Los Angeles in those times, there’s no question that a little bit of Hollywood’s stardust blew in his direction.
At the time, Seattle just happened to be under the ownership of Joe Roth, the movie mogul, and Drew Carey, the comedian and actor. It served to add a somewhat surreal quality to everyday proceedings.
‘I’ve met them both a few times, whenever we played at home in some of the bigger games,’ explained Rose, who last night signed a one-year contract extension to stay at Motherwell along with fellow midfielder Liam Grimshaw.
‘Any time LA Galaxy came to play us with David Beckham, Landon Donovan, those sort of superstars, they were always there. I remember a few times after winning games, they would come down to the changing rooms.
‘I suppose there is a little bit of Hollywood up in Seattle. They have done a tremendous job with the crowds. In my biased opinion, they have the best atmosphere in MLS. It was fantastic.’
And on the days that he literally went toe-to-toe with footballing aristocracy like Beckham? As an adjective, fantastic just wouldn’t cover it.
‘Growing up, he was always my idol,’ said Rose. ‘I was part of the generation that watched him and Manchester United dominate for years. To get to play against him a few times was a dream come true for me.’
Despite being stationed on this side of the pond for the past three years, Rose’s links with the glitz and glamour of the MLS remain strong. His father-in-law just happens to be Bob Bradley, the former USA manager who is now in employment with Los Angeles FC — the MLS’s newest franchise.
Their A-list celebrity fans? Well, how about Will Ferrell and Magic Johnson for starters?
‘I have spent a big chunk of my career there and paid close attention,’ added Rose.
‘With the family ties and whatnot, it’s really exciting to see how much it has grown. What LA have been able to do this season has been fantastic.
‘Through ten games, they are right up there at the top of the table. There is a massive buzz when you bring names like Will Ferrell in. He has always been a massive football fan.
‘As MLS continues to grow, more and more people understand that it is the world’s game. They are enjoying it more. There is so much attacking talent out there and a lot of money being spent. So the games are a lot of fun and people are really starting to enjoy it.’
Rose does, though, have one bone of contention about the set-up. A thing that brings the conversation back to the issue of the day, the Scottish Cup final with Celtic.
Twice on his watch the Sounders made it through to the American equivalent, but the concept of a neutral venue such as Hampden has apparently yet to take root.
‘It is a little bit different,’ he recalled. ‘The venue for the US Open Cup final, which is the equivalent of the Scottish Cup, is drawn out of a hat.
‘I played away in 2012 to Kansas City and we lost on penalties. I then played again in 2014 when we played away in Philadelphia and we won 3-1 in extra-time.
‘It is a little bit different to be able to play at the national stadium. It gives you that bit of extra buzz.’
Given his experiences of playing cup finals on enemy soil, then, seeing Motherwell’s support outnumbered by three to one on Saturday holds no fears.
‘I wouldn’t have thought so,’ smiled Rose (right). ‘When you play against Celtic or Rangers, you are inevitably going be to be the underdog. It’s fine. We’re happy in that role.
‘They will have a bit more of the crowd than we will, but we have experienced that already this season. We’re really excited.’
He speaks for the entirety of the town they will represent. Motherwell has not had its troubles to seek since silverware was last paraded through its streets. Yet to see the lamp-posts and shop windows festooned in claret and amber this week offers a taste of the joy that will lie in store should Stephen Robinson’s side pull it off. ‘It’s great to see the town get behind us,’ continued Rose. ‘Craig Tanner and I went and made an appearance in the town centre the other day. The shops were dressed up for us. To feel that support and to really give the fans something like this has been a great feeling.’ Motherwell’s story offers a degree of hope for all who find themselves in the mire. Beset by insolvency in the early part of the century, the club clung on for dear life thanks, in no small part, to a support modest in number but big in heart.
‘One thing I’ve learned in Scottish football is that the passion of the crowds is just unbelievable,’ said Rose.
‘It gives you an extra sense of pressure that we’ve really enjoyed.’
As both Rangers and Aberdeen found to their cost in respective semi-finals this season, Motherwell have handled the expectation admirably.
Asked how he will sleep when the lights go out in their Ayrshire retreat tomorrow night, Rose foresees little problem.
‘It comes with experience,’ said the 28-year-old. ‘I don’t think you need to dive too deep into it and overthink things. You have to try to enjoy it.’
He is available for selection after recovering from a broken collar bone sustained last month.
‘I am getting there,’ insisted Rose. ‘It isn’t a game you want to miss. I definitely feel I can start.’