Maybe instead of griping about how MLS needs to loosen the purse strings to get my quality players we should instead go all in on improving the depth of the coaching pool. Seriously, it should not be a surprise that given the threadbare history of the game in the States the volume of decent coaches is extremely limited, which means as we look abroad for help we're ofyen either paying a premium or dealing with folks are available for a reason. And when some teams that can spend they'll likely do so on the players since those are more marketable. In short, we're still developing as a soccer nation and that means at the coaching level, too. Time to talk about developmental measures for improving calibre of coaches available, at all levels.
How do we measure an improvement to the depth of the MLS coaching pool? It's zero sum. When one team wins, another loses. When two teams draw, they share the points. The results won't change at a macro level, even if Atlanta's coach this season is arguably less adept than his predecessor.
If you go back and take a look, improving the coaching was a part of the much-maligned and mocked Project 2010.
True. What I'm thinking might be an area of inprovement, however, would be a) the ability to see more teams and players develop over time, which right now seems to be a source of consistent frustration around the league, and b) when some coaches do struggle we'd have more and more capable persons to fill in. Right now we still have names being recycled or that seem high risk. But I'm just thinking out loud here.
Stejskal: Seattle's five-year plan for academy shows signs of bearing fruit The ExtraTime interview with Lagerwey is worth listening to... Starts at 35:15 1107477587511525376 is not a valid tweet id 1107478042903896064 is not a valid tweet id
At the other end of the spectrum... Almeyda: “At first, I trusted a group of players. As the time goes by, we will continue searching for the [ideal] starting team, which I have yet to find.” #Quakes74— Joel Soria (@soriajoelfutbol) March 20, 2019 Matias Almeyda sobre la racha negativa de los #Quakes74: “No se va solucionar en un mes; es mas profundo.”— Joel Soria (@soriajoelfutbol) March 20, 2019 Matias Almeyda on the negative streak of the #Quakes74: "Will not solve in a month; It's deeper. "
ESPN's Moreno calls Atlanta United "not even a shadow" of MLS Cup winners Moreno, speaking on ESPNFC of his top and bottom teams in MLS so far this year, had his strongest words for Atlanta. "You cannot talk about disappointment in MLS so far and not address Atlanta United," Moreno said to Alexis Nunes. "A team that, in my opinion, are playing with a parking brake on. It's like they're stuck in second gear and can't quite get out. The way they're playing doesn't match the personnel." While Atlanta are the defending champs, two big offseason moves — the departures of head coach Tata Martino and playmaker Miguel Almiron — seem to have impacted the team in the opening weeks of the season. "Their insistence on just passing the ball sideways and back just drives me crazy and I'm not even a fan of this team, but I have to imagine that people who go to this stadium and have seen this team play over the last couple seasons, they see this now and they cannot recognize what this team is. This is not even a shadow of the group we saw win an MLS Cup," Moreno said. You can see that and more observations from Moreno on ESPN's website. In related news... #HalconesyPalomas | @DistasioNicolas cuenta que el Pity Martínez no está contento en Estados Unidos y que le está costando la adaptación 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NRrBBkHz5T— TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) March 20, 2019 "Pity Martinez is not happy in America and he is having a hard time adapting."
Questions Abound About Whitecaps’ Relationship to Super Agent After Lenarduzzi Radio Appearance. Who is David Baldwin and how much influence does he really have over the Whitecaps’ transfer policy? It’s difficult to say but there are a number of interesting connections. 1108847818389676032 is not a valid tweet id 1108849050311286785 is not a valid tweet id 1108855747356483584 is not a valid tweet id 1108919157280563200 is not a valid tweet id
Fun stat, @Akoch is 1 win behind James O Connor in MLS wins. https://t.co/otbWr3xszy— Cincy Soccer Talk (@cincysoccertalk) March 24, 2019 They both got wins this weekend... it was JOC and Orlando's first win in 153 days (9/21/18). Meanwhile the Earthquakes haven't won since two coaches ago... it's been 7 months (last win was 8/29/18).
Friedel has his roster now, right? No more excuses? Brad Friedel is my pick as the first coach to be let go this season.— Tutul Rahman (@tutulismyname) March 24, 2019
Apparently Koch and O'Connor had their own handshake incident back in their USL days... Fireworks 💥 tonight from start to….finish #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/whrlvHui6L— BlurangeNGold (@BlurangeNGold) June 1, 2017
Theory: What if - and hear me out here, I’m just spitballing - Brad Friedel isn’t a good soccer coach.— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) March 24, 2019 Make yourself essential 1109970335510618112 is not a valid tweet id
This Saturday's visit of Minnesota to New England should go a long way into determining who gets fired first...
Interesting that you'd say that. I figure he's got this season for sure, but if we don't get some wins soon you could be right.
Yeah, some improvement is all he needs to get through the season but right now the improvement on the field isn't translating to any improved results, which could move him onto the hot seat quickly.
Some interesting observations from the Revs Reddit... Brad Friedel's in game coaching style is counter productive and borderline insane.
Friedel will have at least another year after this one. The Krafts aren't going to fire a coach, because look at all the effort it would take to try and hire a new one. And money too, although you might be able to get a guy cheap who has coached as many pro games as their last 2 coaches did before taking the job.
“closed-door” meeting... Brad Friedel and staff had a closed-door meeting w/ players this morning regarding work rate vs. FCC: "We had to address it. It's never nice meetings ... Now that we've said our piece as a staff, we have to look forward in a positive way to Minnesota." #NERevs— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) March 26, 2019