After the loss to Atlanta is it time for Wash. Freedom managament to make a change? http://www.vasoccernews.blogspot.com
I was hoping for a change before 2009 actually. OTH, Gabarra stuck with the Freedom (couldn't find another job?) during the WPSL years . . . There are so many folks who could probably have an impact - but it might be hard to recruit a great coach to the Freedom at this time. From a business perspective, unless you want to promote the assistant or hire the woman Chicago fired I think you're better off waiting until after the season - when you can recruit a coach out of the college ranks who is ambitious enough to take a chance on the WPS.
[sarcasm]Sure, the pro game is so far ahead of the college one on the women's side[/sarcasm] And you think that because: a. Bruce Arena was such a failure in MLS and the the nats b. Anson Dorrance was such a failure as a women's national team coach c. Sigi Schmid, Schellas Hyndman, etc. clearly have no clue and were lost when they moved from college to the pros d. you have no clue pick one . . .
You forgot to add: e. There is such a wide pool of professional coaches from which to choose. /sarcasm As to whether Gabarra needs to be fired or not, I'm not sure how much help that would really be. They have one game in hand over 4th place CRS and are 3 pts back. He shook up the back line, midfield, and forwards over the last 2 games and that didn't help in terms of getting a victory.
I wasn't thinking about Gabarra in terms of formations, etc, actually. The Freedom just don't look like they're going to equal (or be better than) the sum of their parts - which is a pretty big indictment of the coach. Being on the cusp of the playoffs might argue for a "damn the torpedoes" approach and try to get a more dynamic leader in that spot. From a practical standpoint, I don't know if it makes sense - but I think it could help in terms of short term results. Maybe they could trade for Rampone . . .
Side note: Final verdict is still to be decided on Ol' Ironballs*. His track record was to lead his team to great regular season results and then they'd putter out when it counted during the playoffs. *Don't believe me about the Ironballs bit? check out this video. 17 second mark is him. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45hWbIy5Fkk"]YouTube- combat ki master[/ame]
I don't think the guy is any MORE clueless or less effective in the pros. The ball thing is hilarious, btw.
I agree with tonight being a big night for Jim. I have noticed a couple of things in the games I have seen, including one in person against FCGP. 1. The offense has lost some of it's striking power with DeVanna gone for the season, and pulling Marshall off the back line has hurt the defense while bolstering the offense somewhat. 2. The defensive collapses have consistently happened in the second half. I think these players are pro's and it is not a question of conditioning, or even experience. I am convinced there is a problem with defensive coaching here, as they start out strong and then either panic or fade away. Regardless of which GK has played, the defense has let down and 3-4 goals get scored, regardless of whether it is McLeod, Harris, or McCray in goal. Maybe Jim should stay and Washo should bring in a defensive wizard as an assistant to shore things up and put some fire behind the defenders when they start to lag.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Even going back to the WUSA days, Gabarra's teams haven't been much on defense.
should Win Puffer (W-League nomination for Coach of the Year2010) take over the helm? Or maybe a woman, recently retired Brandi Chastain or a former Freedom Player.
I think it might be a step to far for win. Ive watched a lot of games this year and i think its time for new coach. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out. I dont think Brandi is the answer
You'd think in an area with a large number of high level coaches, you could find a better choice - my first call if I was Hendricks would be to Keith Tabatznik (former G-town men's coach). 2nd call would be Dave Nesbitt, 3rd call Tammy Pearman. I think any of them would be great local (and economical) hires. If you don't care about cost, Nikki Izzo-Brown (WVU) or Amanda Cromwell (UCF) would both be tremendous hires (actually Jill Ellis might also be in the mix but cost even more money - maybe it would be attractive for her to get back to the east coast?).
Yes i agree there's lots of good coaches in the area. One that comes to mind for me is Terry Foley he is the GM at the philly independence in there first year they have done really well he as put a very good team together there. As for Izzo-brown a step to far.
Washo twitter says there will be some sort of announcement "soon" -- whatever that means. With the financial stability of WPS dicey at best, I see no coaches with current NCAA gigs leaving their jobs for a WPS job unless they are already a half step to being fired from their NCAA gig. And while many have said b/f that Jim Gabarra isn't the best coach in his household, does anyone really think that Caren Jennings Gabarra would take a gig that her husband just left/was fired from? When she's already got a very solid NCAA gig?
right. but someone on this thread suggested her. I mean, maybe they bring her on board temporarily as his assistant (w/o her giving up her Navy gig) to stabilize the defense. The thing about WPS coaching right now, is that the pool of applicants will be thinner than thin. Especially right as the NCAA season is getting ready to start. Morris20 do you really think a coach as good as Cromwell is going to give up a job as good as UCF for WPS? Or any coach w/ an NCAA gig? During the WPS off season when colleges have fired some people, yeah, there might be jobless coaches willing to give WPS a shot. But it took Tom Stone a while to get a good NCAA gig after the Beat folded. It gives coaches pause. Look @ CRS. They fired Hayes in the middle of the season. Who'd they get? A guy that had been coaching indoor. Sure he had WUSA experience. But if there's a league in worse or similar financial straights as WPS it is a US indoor league. Not saying he's a terrible pick but I'm not sure he's a great pick either. So, if Gabarra does get canned mid-season, realistically, what is the candidate pool?
Stay in house and go with Win Puffer, he is nominated as COY by W-League, knows the players and won't cost much.
Big news! Mark Washo says "Gabarra to remain clyde Watson asst resigns Emma Hayes brought in as soccer consultant "
Link? Not sure about recycling Hayes as a "consultant" but I guess they had to make some sort of change.