The Magpie
18 Aug 2006, 09:02 PM
It’s difficult to put a finger on just where the New England Revolution season got off track, but to that end, some might question whether the Revolution's season has ever actually gotten on track.
Concerns began to surface when the Revolution (again) gave away their home advantage in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this year, when Clint Dempsey departed for World Cup duty, while any number of key players rotated in and out of the body n’ fender shop. Factor in the impact of an ever-dwindling fan base, with the club’s average home attendance the worst in team history, and at present, also the worst in the League, the Revolution find themselves an average club left wanting for answers.
Let’s put a fine point on it, the New England Revolution are a little better than a .500 team that’s showing a bigger hand that it really has, and as the season goes on, opponents are finding it easier to call the Revolution’s bluff. The players are frustrated, the supporters are frustrated, and the coaching staff seems frustrated, yet the front office continues to operate with what might might be described as benign ambivalence, operating in a fashion that appears neither progressive nor committed, beholden to an operational philosophy that runs the club lean, chosing to "nickel and dime" from a busienss standpoint, rather than taking necessary steps (i.e., spending $$$) to finally turn the bridesmaid into a bride.
Pundits like ESPN the Magazine’s Jeff Bradley seem removed from such concerns, subscribing to the opinion that the Revs will turn it on late... that they'll make the playoffs, and perhaps go on from there, but seasoned supporters in new England would beg to differ, fidning themselves both angst-ridden and frustrated, undcerstanding that the team, in and of itself, isn't bad, but isn't performing up to their potential and/or ability.
This begs the question, just what the ******** is wrong in New England?
For one thing, the Revolution have failed to address a key personnel concern stretching back to last season: the lack of an effective flank midfielder on the left side of the field. While Steve Nicol auditioned both Cassio (Brazil) and Ricardo Phillips (Panama) for the position last season, neither player seemed capable of filling the need at that position, with Cassio only looking comfortable in reserve matches playing with countryman Marcos Romanerio, while Phillips just looked overmatched from a physical standpoint. Granted, perhaps Nicol felt that he had adequate cover at that position going into the off-season, with both Khano Smith and Marshall Leonard having performed adequately (or better) wide left in 2005, but with Leonard's blown achilles, and Smith's slow recovery from a serious knee injury, the Revolution have had to make due with placeholders on the wing, the situation exasperated by Pat Noonan's injury concern's.
In addition, the Revolution have yet to address the issue of an aging Steve Ralston wide right, who, while still an effective player, no longer has the wheels to beat defenders and gain separation.
In short, the Revolution are woefully weak on the wings, and when understanding this, it should come as no surprise that the Revolution offense has struggled this season. Taylor Twellman, as mercurial a forward as they come in MLS, has certainly suffered from the situation, carrying the burden of the attack in the absence of any number of attacking players, and while seemingly beholden to the frustration that stems from this, is also concerned with the immediate future post-2006 season, perhaps looking for a move abroad (MLS is rumored to have passed on a $1.2 million offer from VfB Stuttgart for Twellman) when considering the frustration he's experienced (at least as suggested in press reports) in working with the Revolution to secure a new, more lucrative contract with MLS.
Considering the above, one might ask "why don't the Revolution endeavour to make additions that would resolve this concern," especially considering that New England has both the cap and roster space to sign a player of some note. Well, Nicol has prove himself a good coach when it comes to molding a team, he is neither inclined, nor particularly adept at evaluating existing talent. While other MLS clubs can seemingly track and sign prospects at will, the Revolution take to the evaluation of foreign talent like a 3rd grader to homework, and one suspects that Nicol would sooner endure a series of Tetanus shots than beat the bushes to find an established player who might contribute a considerable, positive impact to the club.
Remember, this is a coach who championed Steve Howey, who at last check, was trying to catch on with any number of lower division clubs in the English League while also dealing with a DUI charge in the U.K.
So what do you do to improve a team when:
* The head coach seems incapable or uninterested in identifying existing talent...
* The front office operates with a modus operandi that puts the bottm line, rather than the finish line first...
* The players themselves aren't focused on the present, find themselves frustrated, or are otherwise distracted by issues not related to play on the pitch?
Here are my recommendations to shake things up relative to the current situation:
1. Trade Taylor Twellman: If the rumors are true, Twellman's begging for a better MLS contract is more an effor to protect the player than seeking additional $$$: Taylor plans to jump ship this off-season for Europe no matter the sound-bytes offered to the press, and the Revolution (considering their business model and their needs going into next season) would be wise to dangle him as trade-bait before the end of the season, but in such a way as to get fair-value for him. Trade Twellman to a club that could legitimately accommodate him from a cap standpoint with a significant raise from the League, but in the Western Conference, should he actually stay with the club. If not, trade him to a club like Kansas City: they're first in line for an allocation, need help in attack, and might be willing to part ways with a useful attacking player like Dave Van Den Bergh. If Twellman stays with KC, he'd have a good strike partner in Johnson, while the Revs get first dibs at an allocation, and a versatile player in the Dutch import.
Granted, this is about as likely as Paris Hilton agreeing to give up her American Express Black Card.
2. Send a number of promsing young players on loan for the off-season including Jeff Larentowicz, Andy Dorman, and Michael Parkhurst. Let them get some exposure to another professional environment, and let them get some matche play, especially considering how we're currently between World Cup cycles.
3. Be aggressive in the transfer market: look for good players who’d be up for a switch, could subscribe to Nicol’s philosophy, all while understanding that this is isn't a retirement league or a cake-walk. Also, don’t look to south or Central America (no matter the contacts the club might have there, or the pressure club officials may impart to explore these regions.) The club doesn’t need something interesting out of the bargain bin, they need to spend some money and get something off the regular rack.
4.. The club needs to define the role of Sunil Gulati, which might mean eliminating his involvement with the club in any official capacity. As President of U.S. Soccer, it presents a conflict of interest for him being involved with any particular MLS club anyway, and as it stands, the Revolution is need of some strong, progressive, and transparent leadership in the front office. Sunil might otherwise be able to provide this (if the Kraft's let him), but his priority has to be U.S. Soccer, and holding onto him as some ill-defined consultant or officer won't help the Revolution. Let him do his new job, hire someone who can assume his position within the Revolution organization, while providing a clear, transparent description of what his responsibilities are. Likewise, give him free reign to make changes; don't let the bottom-line dictate the club's operational philosophy, at least from a competitive standpoint.
5. Don’t interfere with Nicol and Mariner’s coaching philosophy, and if anything, encourage it. That being said, understand that a team’s success is only realized when the players believe in themselves, the system, and the club they play for. When any player begins to break from either of these, it’s a situation that need be addressed immediately. I.e., the club needs to address issues as they arise, and not simply put off acting until it suits the front office; breakdowns in internal communication can only affect the club and its players negatively.
6. Let the honor of team captain owe more to leadership than loyalty.
7. Dump Daniel Hernandez: he's one of the highest paid players on the team, is unlikely to beat out Andy Dorman for his old position, and has been more of a burden than a boon for the club considering his fitness/injury issues.
The fact of the matter is this: the Revolution aren't a bad club, but they're closer to that than being a great club, and much of the reason lies with the players' inability to overcome their frustration and inconsistency, as well as the club's lack of a progressive attitude when it comes to being competitive, both on and off the pitch.
The Revolution don’t need a dressing down… they don’t need to hang their heads in frustration at the end of the match, they don’t need to put the last match behind them… they need to find the answer within themselves, because help’s not coming, and the only way the club is going to break free of their slump is to free themselves… free themselves from self-doubt, self-centeredness, self-pity, and they need to offer up a giant middle finger to the status quo and every comfort it may provide...
... the Revolution should no longer be content with being the bridesmaid. They need to elbow the other single women in the ribs, grab that damn bouquet, drink champagne from the bottle, dance with the hottest man in the room, flirt with the groom, take over the turntable, and cut some killer moves on the dance floor, because if they don't, theyn they'll just be another miserqable party guest who's just happy to be there.
The Magpie
Concerns began to surface when the Revolution (again) gave away their home advantage in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this year, when Clint Dempsey departed for World Cup duty, while any number of key players rotated in and out of the body n’ fender shop. Factor in the impact of an ever-dwindling fan base, with the club’s average home attendance the worst in team history, and at present, also the worst in the League, the Revolution find themselves an average club left wanting for answers.
Let’s put a fine point on it, the New England Revolution are a little better than a .500 team that’s showing a bigger hand that it really has, and as the season goes on, opponents are finding it easier to call the Revolution’s bluff. The players are frustrated, the supporters are frustrated, and the coaching staff seems frustrated, yet the front office continues to operate with what might might be described as benign ambivalence, operating in a fashion that appears neither progressive nor committed, beholden to an operational philosophy that runs the club lean, chosing to "nickel and dime" from a busienss standpoint, rather than taking necessary steps (i.e., spending $$$) to finally turn the bridesmaid into a bride.
Pundits like ESPN the Magazine’s Jeff Bradley seem removed from such concerns, subscribing to the opinion that the Revs will turn it on late... that they'll make the playoffs, and perhaps go on from there, but seasoned supporters in new England would beg to differ, fidning themselves both angst-ridden and frustrated, undcerstanding that the team, in and of itself, isn't bad, but isn't performing up to their potential and/or ability.
This begs the question, just what the ******** is wrong in New England?
For one thing, the Revolution have failed to address a key personnel concern stretching back to last season: the lack of an effective flank midfielder on the left side of the field. While Steve Nicol auditioned both Cassio (Brazil) and Ricardo Phillips (Panama) for the position last season, neither player seemed capable of filling the need at that position, with Cassio only looking comfortable in reserve matches playing with countryman Marcos Romanerio, while Phillips just looked overmatched from a physical standpoint. Granted, perhaps Nicol felt that he had adequate cover at that position going into the off-season, with both Khano Smith and Marshall Leonard having performed adequately (or better) wide left in 2005, but with Leonard's blown achilles, and Smith's slow recovery from a serious knee injury, the Revolution have had to make due with placeholders on the wing, the situation exasperated by Pat Noonan's injury concern's.
In addition, the Revolution have yet to address the issue of an aging Steve Ralston wide right, who, while still an effective player, no longer has the wheels to beat defenders and gain separation.
In short, the Revolution are woefully weak on the wings, and when understanding this, it should come as no surprise that the Revolution offense has struggled this season. Taylor Twellman, as mercurial a forward as they come in MLS, has certainly suffered from the situation, carrying the burden of the attack in the absence of any number of attacking players, and while seemingly beholden to the frustration that stems from this, is also concerned with the immediate future post-2006 season, perhaps looking for a move abroad (MLS is rumored to have passed on a $1.2 million offer from VfB Stuttgart for Twellman) when considering the frustration he's experienced (at least as suggested in press reports) in working with the Revolution to secure a new, more lucrative contract with MLS.
Considering the above, one might ask "why don't the Revolution endeavour to make additions that would resolve this concern," especially considering that New England has both the cap and roster space to sign a player of some note. Well, Nicol has prove himself a good coach when it comes to molding a team, he is neither inclined, nor particularly adept at evaluating existing talent. While other MLS clubs can seemingly track and sign prospects at will, the Revolution take to the evaluation of foreign talent like a 3rd grader to homework, and one suspects that Nicol would sooner endure a series of Tetanus shots than beat the bushes to find an established player who might contribute a considerable, positive impact to the club.
Remember, this is a coach who championed Steve Howey, who at last check, was trying to catch on with any number of lower division clubs in the English League while also dealing with a DUI charge in the U.K.
So what do you do to improve a team when:
* The head coach seems incapable or uninterested in identifying existing talent...
* The front office operates with a modus operandi that puts the bottm line, rather than the finish line first...
* The players themselves aren't focused on the present, find themselves frustrated, or are otherwise distracted by issues not related to play on the pitch?
Here are my recommendations to shake things up relative to the current situation:
1. Trade Taylor Twellman: If the rumors are true, Twellman's begging for a better MLS contract is more an effor to protect the player than seeking additional $$$: Taylor plans to jump ship this off-season for Europe no matter the sound-bytes offered to the press, and the Revolution (considering their business model and their needs going into next season) would be wise to dangle him as trade-bait before the end of the season, but in such a way as to get fair-value for him. Trade Twellman to a club that could legitimately accommodate him from a cap standpoint with a significant raise from the League, but in the Western Conference, should he actually stay with the club. If not, trade him to a club like Kansas City: they're first in line for an allocation, need help in attack, and might be willing to part ways with a useful attacking player like Dave Van Den Bergh. If Twellman stays with KC, he'd have a good strike partner in Johnson, while the Revs get first dibs at an allocation, and a versatile player in the Dutch import.
Granted, this is about as likely as Paris Hilton agreeing to give up her American Express Black Card.
2. Send a number of promsing young players on loan for the off-season including Jeff Larentowicz, Andy Dorman, and Michael Parkhurst. Let them get some exposure to another professional environment, and let them get some matche play, especially considering how we're currently between World Cup cycles.
3. Be aggressive in the transfer market: look for good players who’d be up for a switch, could subscribe to Nicol’s philosophy, all while understanding that this is isn't a retirement league or a cake-walk. Also, don’t look to south or Central America (no matter the contacts the club might have there, or the pressure club officials may impart to explore these regions.) The club doesn’t need something interesting out of the bargain bin, they need to spend some money and get something off the regular rack.
4.. The club needs to define the role of Sunil Gulati, which might mean eliminating his involvement with the club in any official capacity. As President of U.S. Soccer, it presents a conflict of interest for him being involved with any particular MLS club anyway, and as it stands, the Revolution is need of some strong, progressive, and transparent leadership in the front office. Sunil might otherwise be able to provide this (if the Kraft's let him), but his priority has to be U.S. Soccer, and holding onto him as some ill-defined consultant or officer won't help the Revolution. Let him do his new job, hire someone who can assume his position within the Revolution organization, while providing a clear, transparent description of what his responsibilities are. Likewise, give him free reign to make changes; don't let the bottom-line dictate the club's operational philosophy, at least from a competitive standpoint.
5. Don’t interfere with Nicol and Mariner’s coaching philosophy, and if anything, encourage it. That being said, understand that a team’s success is only realized when the players believe in themselves, the system, and the club they play for. When any player begins to break from either of these, it’s a situation that need be addressed immediately. I.e., the club needs to address issues as they arise, and not simply put off acting until it suits the front office; breakdowns in internal communication can only affect the club and its players negatively.
6. Let the honor of team captain owe more to leadership than loyalty.
7. Dump Daniel Hernandez: he's one of the highest paid players on the team, is unlikely to beat out Andy Dorman for his old position, and has been more of a burden than a boon for the club considering his fitness/injury issues.
The fact of the matter is this: the Revolution aren't a bad club, but they're closer to that than being a great club, and much of the reason lies with the players' inability to overcome their frustration and inconsistency, as well as the club's lack of a progressive attitude when it comes to being competitive, both on and off the pitch.
The Revolution don’t need a dressing down… they don’t need to hang their heads in frustration at the end of the match, they don’t need to put the last match behind them… they need to find the answer within themselves, because help’s not coming, and the only way the club is going to break free of their slump is to free themselves… free themselves from self-doubt, self-centeredness, self-pity, and they need to offer up a giant middle finger to the status quo and every comfort it may provide...
... the Revolution should no longer be content with being the bridesmaid. They need to elbow the other single women in the ribs, grab that damn bouquet, drink champagne from the bottle, dance with the hottest man in the room, flirt with the groom, take over the turntable, and cut some killer moves on the dance floor, because if they don't, theyn they'll just be another miserqable party guest who's just happy to be there.
The Magpie