Red Bulls, MLS a welcome change for Cahill

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- After eight years of being the most popular player on Everton FC in the English Premier League, Tim Cahill figured it was time for a change. So Cahill, perhaps the best soccer player to ever come out of Australia, has decided to try MLS.

And he'll do so with the New York Red Bulls.

''I knew in my heart that I could never play for another Premier club,'' Cahill said. ''I've always been loyal. It's a big move for me. A lot of people may think otherwise, but I'm 32, fit, and ready for a new challenge.''

Cahill just received his United States working visa Tuesday, enabling him to leave Montreal and come to New Jersey, where he was introduced at a press conference at Red Bull Arena. He becomes the team's third and last designated player, joining Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez.

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) was persistent in getting Cahill his working visa. Cahill was in Canada for four days, awaiting word on his status.

''It was nice to know that people here care that much,'' Cahill said. ''It's nice to know that people worked hard to get me here. In that respect, waiting for the visa wasn't that bad. It was crazy. I had about six flights here and there, not knowing where I was going. But I'm here now, ready to go.''

Cahill, a midfielder, will make his debut with his new club Tuesday in an international friendly against Tottenham Spotspur, a team he knew very well during his time in Everton.

''I spent 15 years in England, playing in the most powerful league and I did so with loyalty,'' Cahill said. ''It was really special to play there. I found it hard to field offers other offers, because it would have been hard to play against the club you love. I'm going to miss the lads and the fans.

''But I'm not going to miss the weather.''

Cahill, the only Australian player to score a goal in the World Cup, found the net 68 times in his eight years with Everton. He has earned a reputation of a hard worker, a relentless player to the ball who roams the pitch with abandon.

He said that it was a whirlwind courtship with the Red Bulls, first receiving the contract offer last Thursday.

''It all moved so quickly,'' Cahill said. ''They called me and it moved fast. I thought about the football, the professionalism of the club, the league and my family. It all seemed to fit. To work with a club like the Red Bulls - and play with a true superstar of the game in Thierry Henry - helped to make my decision quick. I had to make sure it happened. I have made a commitment to the MLS. I've watched a lot of MLS games over the years. It's a real physical league. I can't begin to tell you how many people think this league is underrated.

''But it's a great league with the new stadiums and the facilities.''

Cahill told no one of his decision to sign a multi-year deal - believed to be for three-and-a-half years, and worth $3.5 million per season - so his signing was a surprise in Everton.

''When I told the lads, they were shocked,'' Cahill said. ''Their jaws dropped. But I told them that this was a massive opportunity for me. I built my reputation on loyalty. I never wanted to leave. When an opportunity like this comes, you don't think twice. At 32, I'm coming here at a good age. I'm not leaving it to my older years.''

Cahill had only been to New York once before, but he's looking forward to calling the area home.

''It's a glamorous city and a great place to be,'' Cahill said. ''I am going to watch the NBA, go to Yankee games, see the NFL, things I can do with my kids.''

Red Bulls coach Hans Backe was certainly pleased to have a talented player like Cahill come to stabilize his team's midfield play.

''It's a great sign for us,'' Backe said. ''I've seen Tim play in Europe for many years with Everton. He's a great striker and midfielder who can go box-to-box. He's also guaranteed to give 100 percent. We will now have a central midfielder who will make us consistent. We now have the talent to win it (the MLS Cup). It's massive for us. He's an experienced player who can organize our team and make it solid.

''Tim can be the link to our strikers.''

The Red Bulls are plenty deep now. New York also recently acquired Sebastien Le Toux to go with scorers Henry and Kenny Cooper. And Backe said that talented midfielder Teemu Tainio has recovered from knee surgery and will return to the lineup. The additions of Cahill and Tainio even enabled the Red Bulls to trade Mehdi Ballouchy to San Jose for a conditional draft pick.

New York was already having a good season, and this only adds to their chances at a title. The Red Bulls are 11-6-5 with 38 points, good for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Backe said that he won't have to alter the team's strategy to fit in a player like Cahill.

''Tim Cahill changes things with the attack game, while Teemu is more defensive,'' he said. ''I think we're going to be more competitive.''

As for the fans, well, Cahill knows that's going to be a challenge. This is the New York metropolitan area, after all. So, he will do his best to get the tough New York soccer fans embrace his arrival.

''Fans are important to me,'' Cahill said. ''I'm going to try to win them over with the right motivation and passion for the game. Over the duration, they'll know what kind of character I have and what kind of person I am.''