Lindpere Pledges to Play in Estonia's FIFA Meetings Whenever He's Able
One of Estonia's best known football players Joel Lindpere says he is committed to helping his New York Red Bulls toward a title and remaining on hand to help the national team.
Lindpere, who in January was signed to a contract in the US for the next two years, told MLSSoccer.com he wouldn't have re-signed if he didn't think the team had potential.
“I think from last year we can say we started good, in the middle we were not so good and in the end finished strong. We lost to the best team. I’ve said it many times, if we had beaten LA, we would have won,” he told the network.
“Now I think we can make it and we need to show we can make it,” Lindpere said. “I think it’s going to be an interesting two years for the fans, for me also. It’s definitely harder this year with new teams, more players, new stadiums and a lot of changes in the league and with the schedule.
Lindpere has been away from the Estonian national team for much of his career, and made news when he confirmed that he would play in last year's crucial playoff against Ireland. This year's first appearance with the blue team will be on February 28 in a friendly against El Salvador in Los Angeles.
“I don’t regret any of my choices, but that’s my homeland and my son plays soccer back home, so I have plans in the future with soccer in Estonia,” Lindpere said. “In every situation that’s possible, I’m going to play for them if I’m fit and it’s an official FIFA date. It’s more work, it’s more traveling but I need it and I want this.”
Kristopher Rikken