New York Red Bulls star Tim Cahill celebrates after scoring for Australia against Chile in a FIFA World Cup match at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014, in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
HARRISON, New Jersey -- If anything, Tim Cahill is becoming an expert on playing in sweltering conditions.
Last week, the New York Red Bulls midfielder returned from the World Cup, where he starred for Australia in the Brazilian heat. The 34-year-old is eminently prepared to compete in Major League Soccer and CONCACAF Champions League matches scheduled throughout the U.S. summer.
After becoming the first Australian to score in three consecutive World Cups, Cahill said there was no difficulty going from the South American heat to the one he and his teammates encounter in North America.
"No, obviously, the heat’s beautiful," quipped the former Everton star.
Cahill returned to the Red Bulls to play in the final 12 minutes of their 2-2 home draw with Toronto FC on June 27, helping set up the equalizing goal three minutes into second-half stoppage time.
He said that facing world-class competition in Brazil "was tough. Coming back and playing 15 minutes was even tougher in its own right because with the travel and the six weeks prior. I feel good. For myself, just trying to find some rhythm straight away and continue the form from the World Cup and trying to contribute to the team.”
Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke is happy to have Cahill, as well as his experience and versatility, back in the squad.
"Tim...can play in a number of places," he said. "Right now we have Bradley Wright-Phillips, the leading scorer in the league, we have Thierry Henry right next to him. Tim can fill in in the midfield and be that hard worker, late runner from behind, or he could go up top like you saw him with Australia and the success he had.
"It’s good to have him back, it’s good that he’s feeling better from his travels and that he’s healthy."
