So....What Now? Looking ahead to next year. [R]

[dcuni_ted]

here some things i would like to see next year.

1. etch please retire!!!!
2. new coach
3. new tranier to keep our starting eleven healthy ;)
4. a better midfield
5. anger mangement clases for stoich, etch if he is here, q2, dema and the rest ;)

finally a MLS CUP

[ignatz]

Marco and Hirsto -- GONE GONE GONE!!! They are an embarrassment to the team, to the league, to the game.

[JoeW]

Well, with the 4-0 aggregate loss, we're now officially planning for next season. There are a couple of other league factors that have some influence on us for 2004:

1. Totally off the radar screen, it now looks extremely possible that Rochester will move into MLS for 2004. If that's the case, look for Chivas-USA (San Diego) to come in as well (with Cleveland and maybe someone else in 2005 or 2006). I have no guess at how expansion would be handled with a team that is already stocked (Rochester) coming in. But if there is expansion (and another team added to the East--and Rochester ain't so shabby, especially if you give them an allocation and a top draft pick) than we've clearly got to do much better than 4th out of 5. The added teams won't affect us much draft-wise. But it would mean the possible loss of players via expansion.

2. Goff says all veterans but Etcheverry are under contract. So that would mean:
(a) Thiago was acquired from Pittsburgh;
(b) The only other vets we loose are if we choose to loose them;
(c) don't know if Clint Baumstark falls into this category--he may have been signed for just the rest of the year--I don't know.

3. I think Hudson's earlier comments (about wanting to be with DCU) mean nothing. They're they kind of thing you HAVE to say when your team is in the middle of a playoff series. I suspect Hudson isn't wild at returning at best and will make some demands. It sounds like Payne isn't wild on him returning at best and may not be interested in acceeding to any demands even if he did thing well of Hudson.

4. I think there could be a bunch of MLS coaching vacancies. I'm going to be shocked, absolutely shocked if Columbus doesn't can Andrulis. You've got Dallas open. I think Yallop will take the Canadian job (which means he could be in the market again in 1 year if Canada is eliminated quickly). Add a possible opening in DC and that's a lot of turnover in a 10 team league. I suspect Rochester (if they enter in 2004) and Chivas-USA aren't factors in this.

5. If Etcheverry gets excited about his callup for Bolivia, I suspect he won't retire next year, will likely try to go to Qatar or whatever which would probably mean we won't get an allocation from his departure.

6. I believe all of our current P-40 players (with the possible exception of Barclay) will still be classified as P-40 in 2004. None earned enough PT and can be classified as starters or likely starters to lose their P-40 status.

7. WCQ starts soon but I don't know if that will have much impact on DCU (right now, I don't know if Convey would get called up). But the Olympics would have an impact on this side as a number of players are either on the side or could be (like Baumstark for instance if he were called up from Rongen's U20 Roster).

8. Last of all is the speed with which Payne and Co. resolve some of these decisions (is Hudson coming back? Is Etcheverry coming back? Is Stoichkov coming back?). If it drags on, other teams will make their coaching decisions.

[greenbill]

Originally posted by JoeW
... (right now, I don't know if Convey would get called up). ...
I would hope not!


is Hudson coming back? Is Etcheverry coming back? Is Stoichkov coming back?)...
They'd better not!

[Barbara]

People who must go, in the order in which they must go:

Hristo (tomorrow isn't soon enough for me)
Hudson
Marco


I believe the rest of the players are salvagable. I'd like to see a shakeup in the rest of the coaching staff, though.

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by JoeW


3. I think Hudson's earlier comments (about wanting to be with DCU) mean nothing. They're they kind of thing you HAVE to say when your team is in the middle of a playoff series. I suspect Hudson isn't wild at returning at best and will make some demands. It sounds like Payne isn't wild on him returning at best and may not be interested in acceeding to any demands even if he did thing well of Hudson.

Pretty much what I've been thinking the last couple of weeks Joe. As much as I like Ray after having met him a few times, I do believe he is a master in the art of smoke blowing. He's been doing it pretty much since day one and especially this year. Remember all the "mystery" players and signings we were supposed to pull off early in the season? And I especially like how he stripped Marco of the armband and said he was going to be a 40 minute second half player. Then before todays game he puts it all on Marco's shoulders. Say one thing and do another. That's Rays MO.


What was it he said about putting lipstick on a pig?

[Lowecifer]

Whatever happens, time is of the essence. Decisions must be made on the makeup of:

1. Management - and I include Dave Kasper in this group

2. The Current Roster

3. New blood - discoveries, draft, trade, etc.


If the decision is to go in a new direction at the top, then AEG must move swiftly so that an organizational strategy can be in place well before the Winter transfer window opens, the college soccer season ends, and teams start talking trade. Throw in the possibility of an expansion draft and you're talking about a significant amount of planning that must occur.

My personal opinion is that we have to make a change and get a serious organizational mind in place to manage the team on the field but who has a keen understanding of the rest of the duties peculiar to a MLS manager. I love Ray Hudson and John Trask as people and their passion for the game, I just don't think they are going to be able to get it done here.

[greatscott]

i just talked to my ticket rep about season tickets next year.

[roadkit]

Originally posted by greatscott
i just talked to my ticket rep about season tickets next year.

Mine are already bought and paid for. When's the home opener?

I can't wait. Go DC United!!!

[DigitalTron]

Hudson and Trask had their chance. They remade the team, and it didn't work. In Miami they had offensive turbos in Preki (won KC an MLS Cup, made the Fusion tick, and then re-made a bad KC team again) and Serna (coveted by every coach in the league but only handled by Ray) to do the business on the offensive end.

Trask is a good defensive coach, but his negative and protect-at-all-costs mentality drained the attacking instincts out of the players. The lack of offensive structure created an impotent attack. The lack of consistency on corner kicks made it difficult for the kicker to know who was going where and deliver to the mis-matched teammate. The lack of tactical instruction didn't allow the players to be put in the right position to succeed offensively. The lack of a plan allowed every player to play to his own hidden agenda rather than playing towards a team concept. The fear of failure caused players to avoid taking shots. And finally, the tolerance of belligerant attitudes (i.e. Hristo) fractured the team and caused every ref in MLS to hate us. This coaching staff needs to go.

Next step is find a head coach. As for Yallop, well Club America looks to be buying half of the SJ Earthquakes, so there may be a new breeze blowing through that club's management. It may lead to a Spanish-first coaching regime. If so, Yallop may likely have his pick of either the Canada job (still too early IMHO) or DC United. So, he now does seem to be a legitimate candidate. Yallop understands the league and would fare quite well, but would likely bring considerable roster turnover.

Otherwise, I'd say Ellinger is the best selection. He would bring in target forwards and look to create an attack from all parts of the field approach.

In my mind, the coach is 75% of the success of a team. Therefore, the one real variable is in Payne's hands. If the right coach is brought in, we'll be competitive immediately and good by the end of 2004.

-Digital

[ursula]

Well now that Stephen Goff has mentioned Mo Johnston as the possible early front runner it appears that Payne will be making big decisions soon, which is totally a good thing. Since Mo is a league veteran and is an assistant to Bradley, he has cachet. We all talk about Arena having weight with Payne's decisions, but I think an endorsement by Bradley will go far too.

I strongly suspect Yallop is Canada-bound.

As for Ellinger, I too would be interested in him, but again, with Goff mentioning Johnston so quickly I think Ellinger has already been very informally talked too about his interesting in an MLS head coaching job and he's still not interested.

I'm sure, Joe, that Convey will get WCQ callups as well as Olympic qualification callups and the U-20 tournament. What I'll be most interested in will be to see if Quaranta can get his head together in the U-20. My guess for both Convey and Quaranta, being with Rongen right now is a very good thing. Get the agony of this past year out of their systems.

[lkeniston]

Originally posted by greatscott
i just talked to my ticket rep about season tickets next year.

Gawd, great spunk, my man - what a fan!

[Mountainia]

I'm gonna renew my two, but I'm crazy anyway.

Next year:
1. Let's get a striker already.
2. I'd like a coach that gets involved tactically and technically, not just emotionally.
3. Welcome back Benny and Milton!
4. Please let's have a great testimonial for Marco, and get his name up on the Ring of Stars at RFK. He's been the best for DC.

[Sundevil9]

Let's look at what we've got (I'm going to be positive today):

Guys you can start on opening day 2004:

Keeper: Warren
Defense: Reyes Petke Nellie Prideaux

Midfield: Olsen Convey/Stewart Dema Stewart/Convey

Forward: Tino Cerritos

Leaving a bench of: Chino, Eski, Martins, Namoff

Rimando probably won't be back until mid-season, it takes 6-12 months to come back from ACL surgury. The beginning of the season is coincidental with his availability window.

Overall, I'd say that's a good core of an MLS team. Upgrading the striker position is the only real concern. But who's to say that Tino and Martins don't find some magic in training camp?

This season did end with a wimper, but the team is several orders of magnitude more dangerous, and exciting with Olsen AND Reyes on the field.

[JoeW]

Originally posted by ursula
Well now that Stephen Goff has mentioned Mo Johnston as the possible early front runner it appears that Payne will be making big decisions soon, which is totally a good thing. Since Mo is a league veteran and is an assistant to Bradley, he has cachet. We all talk about Arena having weight with Payne's decisions, but I think an endorsement by Bradley will go far too.

I strongly suspect Yallop is Canada-bound.

As for Ellinger, I too would be interested in him, but again, with Goff mentioning Johnston so quickly I think Ellinger has already been very informally talked too about his interesting in an MLS head coaching job and he's still not interested.

I'm sure, Joe, that Convey will get WCQ callups as well as Olympic qualification callups and the U-20 tournament. What I'll be most interested in will be to see if Quaranta can get his head together in the U-20. My guess for both Convey and Quaranta, being with Rongen right now is a very good thing. Get the agony of this past year out of their systems.

1. MoJo has already been called in to interview for the Dallas job. If he (MoJo) truly is a serious candidate than this means Payne will need to act quickly. I don't know much about him as a coach except that Bradley is crazy about him. He seems to feel about MoJo like Arena felt about Bradley.

2. I thought Convey's comments in SG's post-game article were good (about getting shoved by Stoichkov). It seems to me that Convey was being more assertive as a player/leader by saying "enough already--stop the nonsense on the field and let's concentrate on playing the game!". I too agree he'll get callups. But the way he's playing right now, I think it would be a stretch to say that he's one of the USMNT's MLS contingent's best: (a) 3 outside mids; or (b) 3 outside defenders; or (c) 2 best A-mids. And I too agree that Olympic side callups and U20 callups will be good for him.

[IntheNet]

I was proven right by my earlier assessment that the Bulgarian Hristo would destroy this team - such an embarrassing performance by this man - against fellow player Coney no less and against the team as a whole - exemplifies the utter lack of professionalism by both Hristo and the coach who brought him in, Hudson. Both need the boot, immediately. A punch in the face for both would actually be more appropriate; although unprofessional! On a direct level, Hudson should be forced to apologize to every D.C. United ticket holder for being incompetent, among other things. Not changing the lineup at half time in last game symbolizes incompetence... which DCU portrayed all season. DCU has other weaknesses which can be immediately addressed by a new coach... Digital is exactly right by saying a coach counts for at least 75% of success... however, big ticket players such as the forward Stewart, who cannot even amass as many goals as the defender Petke, should also be shown the door.

There is some real quality within D.C. United... unfortunately a cast of idiots to include Hudson and Stoichkov, and lesser incompetents, such as Stewart, reduced DCU's chances to "0" in playoffs! There are some that might say the injury list cost DCU a winning season - I say that DCU's coach and many of its players become its greatest liability! Such a shame!

IntheNet

[ignatz]

Originally posted by IntheNet
big ticket players such as the forward Stewart, who cannot even amass as many goals as the defender Petke, should also be shown the door.

There is some real quality within D.C. United... unfortunately a cast of idiots to include Hudson and Stoichkov, and lesser incompetents, such as Stewart, reduced DCU's chances to "0" in playoffs! IntheNet

I couldn't disagree with you more about Stewart. I think his failure here was Ray's failure. As has been noted on another thread, we have (a) lousy midfield play and (b) two US national team midfielders. The fact that our coach has those two national team midfielders (Stewart and Convey) and a possible third (Olsen, if he can overcome the injuries) and can't do anything with them, speaks more of the coach than the midfielders.

[JoeW]

D-tron, I missed your message or I would have replied earlier. I completely agree with you about coaching being a high percentage of this league. Yes, it's important in any pro soccer league but in MLS, with the "unknown talent" (college and A-league and youth) that most European and S. American coaches won't know, the weird culture, the bizarro rules, how Americans develop in this game, the small rosters--all of that means that having a really good coach who develops players and works well with an ever-changing roster are critical. Hudson has had 2 years. This team should have been better--we got some real cap favors this season and I've maintained since day 1 that we had one of the 3 most talented rosters in MLS. That Hudson (going into pre-season) indicated that the roster was set (barring a possible acquisition of John Harkes) and then later is talking about the roster having gaps and key holes--he assembled that talent. He chose not to pursue Dante Washington (or another target man) so we ended up relying on a game but limited Ali Curtis. He assumed that between Stoichkov and Etcheverry we'd get performance from central midfield. I was willing to accept Hudson before (viewing him as a limited coach--one dimensional). But he loses it, doesn't maintain composure and that goads the team on to do the same--and we lose focus (or are never focused). Combine that with the lack of offensive organization, the inability to approach each youngster differently makes him too much of a liability in my book.

I'd go for Yallop in a heartbeat if he's available. But I suspect he'd go to Canada first. If he did come here, I"m not sure how much turnover we'd have. Barclay probably. Stoichkov and Etcheverry are probably gone anyway. But Yallop would love Nelsen to death--exactly his kind of player. I think most of our backline would be guys he'd embrace--and he'd do with Stokes what he did with Robinson. As for the rest of the roster--I don't know now Cerritos, Quintanilla or Quaranta would fit in. They might work very well (look at DeRo). Remember, when Yallop originally went to SJ, he made do with a lot of existing pieces while bringing in Agoos and some key creative talent. Then this past season he showed a willingness to say goodbye to Cannon and Barrett. But I think Yallop will go to Canada.

My first choice is still Mooch.

[owendylan]

Originally posted by ursula
Well now that Stephen Goff has mentioned Mo Johnston as the possible early front runner it appears that Payne will be making big decisions soon, which is totally a good thing. Since Mo is a league veteran and is an assistant to Bradley, he has cachet. We all talk about Arena having weight with Payne's decisions, but I think an endorsement by Bradley will go far too.


Gotta get the MoJo rising. I am firmly on the MoJo bandwagon for a lot of reasons. He's played on big clubs in his career (both Celtics and Rangers.) He knows the game. I've talked to him before when he was still playing and he's sharp. He knows the league. Having been with Bradley I can only think that 1. Bradley thinks he has some coaching skill and 2. Johnston accepted Bradley's offer so they probably think alike and want to play in the same manner and MoJo wanted to learn something from one of the best in the league.

I think Johnston would be a bold move by this organization and right now we need bold.

[ursula]

Originally posted by JoeW
1. MoJo has already been called in to interview for the Dallas job. If he (MoJo) truly is a serious candidate than this means Payne will need to act quickly. I don't know much about him as a coach except that Bradley is crazy about him. He seems to feel about MoJo like Arena felt about Bradley.

2. I thought Convey's comments in SG's post-game article were good (about getting shoved by Stoichkov). It seems to me that Convey was being more assertive as a player/leader by saying "enough already--stop the nonsense on the field and let's concentrate on playing the game!". I too agree he'll get callups. But the way he's playing right now, I think it would be a stretch to say that he's one of the USMNT's MLS contingent's best: (a) 3 outside mids; or (b) 3 outside defenders; or (c) 2 best A-mids. And I too agree that Olympic side callups and U20 callups will be good for him.


1. Yeah, Dallas is interested in MoJo. That does seem to be a factor in Payne acting quickly here. Good.

2. About Convey: I think Bruce Arena feels about as good about the kid as he did in 2000 with calling up Goos, Pope, Llamosa, and Williams from a horrific MLS defense. Same with Stewart too- which means that probably if Hudson is going (and even if he stays) Earnie will be with the team next year or else command a high price tag in terms of a trade.

3. About Myernick: The only way I see him at DCU is if Hudson stays another year and stinks up the joint again cause I don't see Mooch leaving the Olympic job now. Mooch can wait till the 2005 season to get a head coaching job in MLS and it's not as if DCU's job is by definition more prestigious. So I don't see him as a candidate.