Greg Ryan Press Conference

hocho · 22 Oct 2007, 09:14 AM

From the Soccer Insider:

Posted at 9:34 PM ET, 10/21/2007
Greg Ryan Announcement Monday
USSF President Sunil Gulati and Secretary General Dan Flynn will address U.S. women's national team coach Greg Ryan's status during a media teleconference at 4 p.m. (Eastern) on Monday.

From all indications, Ryan is finished after nearly three years in charge. I would be shocked if they decided to retain him. We will know for sure Monday.

Failure to reach the World Cup final, lackluster play throughout the tournament, an embarrassing loss to Brazil in the semis and that infamous goalkeeping change appear to have doomed Ryan's chances of having his contract renewed after the current deal expires Dec. 31.

The timing of his expected dismissal makes sense. The women's team just completed a three-game friendly series with Mexico, winning twice and tying once, and is not expected to play again this year. A new coach would open training camp in early 2008 and begin preparing for the Olympics in China. Among the potential candidates are Jillian Ellis, head coach of UCLA and the U.S. under-20 national team; Tony DiCicco, who guided the United States to the 1999 World Cup title; Sweden's Pia Sundhage; Santa Clara University Coach Jerry Smith; and Washington Freedom Coach Jim Gabarra.