As it stands now, three teams in MLS are without coaches. As it stands, none of them are close to hiring one. What’s most frightening about this situation is two of the three teams, Chicago and DC, are historically power teams in MLS. Are things that bad in MLS that no one wants to take a shot at coaching these teams?
While none of the teams appear close to naming a new leader, Chicago appears to have the best shot before the decade ends. It was reported Wednesday that the Chicago Fire have narrowed their search down to two candidates (Tom Soehn and Jesse Marsch), but that report was later refuted. My personal opinions on Soehn fitting in with the Fire aside (I’m not a fan), his possible offer from Vancouver to take over the Whitecaps in 2011 could be one reason for the hold-up. Marsch has yet to officially retire, so that decision could also be holding up negotiations.
Organization wise, Chicago is also the most stable. They have missed the playoffs only once in the franchise’s history (2005). A large group of the Fire’s core is also returning for the 2010 campaign, including key cogs Brian McBride, Marco Pappa, and CJ Brown. Still, the Fire are facing the possibility of losing Wilman Conde and Gonzalo Segares. 2010 could be a rebuilding year, and that scares off some candidates.
Speaking of rebuilding, Red Bull New York is hoping to complete a full reversal of the 2009 campaign that saw the team win just five times the entire season. RBNY also has a history of firing coaches. As the “MLS Original” club enters its fifteenth season, faces hiring its twelth head coach. Coaches that have not survived RBNY include current US National Team coach Bob Bradley, MLS Legend and current LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, and coach of the 1994 US World Cup team, Bora Milutinovic (also known as the Miracle Worker). As if the task of turning the laughing stock of MLS into a winner wasn’t enough, the new Red Bulls boss has to deal with opening a new stadium, Red Bull Arena. Did someone say pressure?
Going into the offseason, many initially expected Red Bull to remove the interim tag from Richie Williams and name him head coach. Williams led the Bulls to a 3-3-2 record during his time as head man. Williams’ 11 points in eight games were more than deposed coach Juan Carlos Osario earned in 22 games with the same team. More and more, it looks like Williams will be out of a job. New Sporting Director Erik Soler is said to be looking outside of the organization, possibly to Europe, to find his new coach.
Could New York’s loss be DC United’s gain? Based on recent chatter, probably not. DC United has requested permission from three clubs to speak to coaches about their vacancy. Despite gaining permission in two of the three cases, they were unsuccessful in finding a coach. Akron’s Caleb Porter was offered the job, but a day after meeting with DC United, he signed a five-year contract extension with the university.
Porter’s rejection of the team didn’t exactly inspire confidence in DC United’s search. DCU has since turned to San Jose of all places to find their new coach. The Earthquakes decided they were happy with Frank Yallop (side note: REALLY?!? Good luck with that.) and denied DC’s request to interview him. They also contacted Houston’s coveted assistant John Spencer. The Dynamo didn’t have to grant permission because Spencer said he was fine in Houston. DC is now rumored to be going after former Kansas City Wizards coach Curt Onalfo. Remember that Onalfo was fired last season before Juan Carlos Osario ”resigned” from RBNY. Yeah, it’s that bad.
These three teams’ coaching problems bring to mind a frightening issue for MLS. Are there really so few viable options left? Are potential candidates that disinterested in MLS jobs that teams are being forced to turn to candidates with little to no experience? DC United’s stadium situation could be part of their problem. That’s a fair excuse. Chicago could be held up by their candidates making up their minds, also a fair excuse. Still, where does that leave New York? Someone has to be willing to jump that grenade, right? Is it you?
