Donovan wants made in America coach for USMNT

I would prefer it as well, but no, we do not have any qualified Americans.

What we need is a legit modern tactician, with a couple of good American Coaches working as assistants and being groomed for later imo.

 

The USMNT is not going to get better until the players push their way into the top clubs in the world and are regularly starting in these knockout round UCL games. We have zero Americans playing this year; first time in two years, maybe longer.

What we hold our players to, we need to demand of our coaches. Succeed in MLS fine, but then go to Europe. Then you are in consideration for the USMNT job. Bradley, Wagner are the only two Americans with some European experience. So, this coach probably is not an American; it is ok. Cherundolo and Marsch could be head coaches in Europe by this time next year.

A big problem this cycle was Euro vs MLS. We need someone that can squash that problem. An MLS guy is not going to do it. We need a coach with a resume that instantly commands respect from everyone on the team. MLS experience is fine, but probably less of an issue with a GM involved.

 

He was one of the more significant contributors to the divisiveness that marred this cycle.

W/re to an American MLS-based coach, Berhalter ticks a lot of boxes. He has drawn praise for this tactical nous. He has created highly competitive teams on modest budgets. He has his UEFA badges. He has 12 years of playing experience in Europe. He speaks German.

 

I think it's imperative that the USMNT coach frequently and fervidly push his players to play in as good a league as possible. I'm now on the fence whether it should be said publicly as that may be better suited for the USSF President, GM or Technical Director but the coach should be clear with all his players that the expectation is that they play at speeds equal to WC levels, if possible.

The challenge with an American coach is that it's hard for them to say that as their next job will probably be in MLS given the overseas biases against US coaches.

 

Euro v MLS isn't a problem if it is handled correctly. Handling correctly means starting right now - not manana.

MLS and Euro leagues have different calendars. This means it makes sense to play Euro heavy squads at some times and MLS heavy squads other times. The problem is we follow your thinking and fly Euro guys from Europe - guys who never travel like that for games - for games against u23's in Cary NC and aggravate the managers and players while MLS guys we will need in a pinch later get zero minutes, then are suddenly asked to perform on the last day of the Hex at positions they haven't played (Arriola) or we call in vets with no legs left because now we suddenly need the experience (Beasley, Zusi) .

Then there is the issue of a Technical Director. Berti Vogts would not have played Fabian at lmid against Costa Rica, He always get beat to the inside at mid. Vogts said Fabian was a right back. Amen. He would not have played Arriola at cmid against Trinidad and Zusi at right back against Honduras who have beat us down that touch line over and over and over and over.....

If we hire an American USMNT, I want an independent TD to keep score who doesn't report to Manager nor GM. A pedigreed European who has played in MLS in its current iteration would be ideal. I like Schweinsteiger. Vazquez (Toronto)could be good. For one thing our youth teams look washed out and ill groomed all the time in comparison with England, Germany and Spain at tournaments, as if they had slept in a dumpster the night before the game.

 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your meaning, but if not, I really hope the TD can think of something better to do with his time than worry about the grooming habits of our youth teams.

 

“Personally, I would like to see an American. I think Americans as a general comment understand the American player better. They understand the league better. They understand the culture better. And it’s better for the development of our coaches in this country to have that experience. So there are a few coaches that I think would fit that bill as Americans …”

Our team in the near future will likely be built around players like Pulisic, Wood, McKennie, Brooks, Miazga, Yedlin, etc. I don’t see how an American is going to understand them better. The idea of needing to understand the “American player” is silly and as outdated as Arena. There is no need for a coach to understand the league better. He needs to understand the talent of players eligible to represent the US.

We need the guy who is going to do the best job, no matter where they are from. He needs to identify talent, motivate players, command all of their respect, and be a good coach (implementing a system, tactically, in game adjustments, etc) plus many other characteristics. This discussion of needing to be “American” continues to be harmful to the team.

 

That's a hard pass from me. Thanks for your service Landon, I hope Cordiero isn't listening. Vermes? Berhalter? Christ, just god-awful.

 

What does "understanding the American player" even mean?

Sounds like Landon wants someone to pamper our snowflakes and reward mediocrity.

 

Nativist and parochialist nonsense.

 

In his interview with Wahl, Donovan's thoughts on his move to Club Leon and current events seem relevant based on the twist this thread is taking:

Here's the actual interview:

https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/02/22/landon-donovan-club-leon-mexico-us-soccer-election-usmnt

On what he wanted to communicate when he joined Club León and said, “I don’t believe in walls”:

“Unfortunately, as you know when you travel a lot, people perceive us as being the same as our politicians and in particular our president, right? So unfortunately everywhere I go these days it’s, ‘You guys are all racist. You all hate Mexicans. You hate Africans. You hate everybody else in the world.’ And everybody assumes we are like our president. And I just wanted to make sure that I was very clear with how I feel. I grew up in Southern California, so I have an affinity for not only Mexicans but all Latin-Americans. And my family is Canadian, and my dad came to America many years ago. So while I can understand some people’s political points of view in not wanting open borders, I’ve benefited greatly from it in many different ways. And I know many, many, many hundreds if not thousands of people who have become Americans or just contribute greatly to the American society. So I wanted the people here to know where I stood on that and make it very clear.”

Donovan also mentioned the USSF Presidential election. I didn't quote his comments because ultimately they're pretty neutral. He liked the four candidates that talked with him during the race - Cordeiro, Gans, Martino, and Carter; he "briefly" talked with Wynalda and Caligiuri; and he never had an opportunity to talk with Solo or Winograd.

Donovan also discusses the one prior occasion on which he considered transferring south of the border - he considered going on loan to Club America instead of Everton in 2012.

 

Who the heck cares if the coach is American or not? What difference does it make? i want an innovative coach who is a good motivator and tactician, who can get the best out of the players, and who can mentor the younger players. I want someone who will find the best 23 American players and get them to play well together. It's that simple.

 

His comments over the past five years tell the tale of his character on the matter.

 

I'd have no problem if an MLS coach (like say Berhalter or Pareja) was given a contract thru the summer of 2019. In other words thru the 2019 Gold Cup and potentially Copa America. To me those options are fairly limited.

At that time if the coach has done an excellent job, they can be retained. If not, then the USSF can go out and hire the right international coach as we start preparing for 2022 WC qualification.

 

Seems to make sense, but then we might not get someone who UNDERSTANDS the American player! Bruce understood. Backpass Beaz starting multiple games, Howard, Guzan, MB90 sitting between the CBs, Altidore scoring once in 10 games. We NEED to have someone who understands the American player, understands that, as Kramer sorta put it, EXPERIENCE (poise) COUNTS!

 

The top talent is based outside MLS. That's where the coach should come from.

 

"Understands the American player" is synonymous with "safe spaces". I don't have time for that crap. You perform on the field or you don't. You play with passion for your country or you don't.

 

Bruce failed miserably.

 

I think it means a coach that understands he has to diagram every movement of a player like an NFL coach does. As JJ says (and Sweinsteiger, Pirlo and Henry), you can't expect MLS guys to even run in the correct direction.

 

I actually think if Cherundolo had more experience he'd be ideal. An American who went to Germany at a young age, played there for years and who transitioned into coaching there. Since Germany is becoming the destination of most of the best US young up and coming players it would make sense to have a coach who has experience with that league. I had thought it was time for a South American coach and while I'm not against it with so many guys in Germany and more going there it makes more sense to build a team around that style.