I am not a huge fan of ex-players stepping straight into coaching at the MLS level. Some will make good coaches, but I would prefer them to learn and come up the ranks rather than be gifted a MLS job based on name. Weed them out at the lower levels. So, it really becomes finding good coaches who have proven themselves. If they happen to be ex-MLSers, then great. But the main point is that they have proven themselves elsewhere. MLS is the top tier US league after all. rod.
I am wondering with the RFO getting overhauled this last 7 months, will it offer the opportunity to remove PM? Granted we all know KSE doesn't want to can anyone under contract, but I am a bit hopeful as I can be given long term Rapids follower.
Season-by-season; Asterisks indicate years we missed the playoffs: 1. 2016 - Mastroeni - 1.7059 2. 1999 - Mooch - 1.59375 3. 2010 - Smith - 1.5333 4. 2002 - Hankinson - 1.5 4. 2013 - Pareja - 1.5 6. 2011 - Smith - 1.4412 7. 1998 - Mooch - 1.4375 8. 2005 - Clavijo - 1.40625 9. 2004 - Hankinson - 1.367 10. 2009 - Smith - 1.3333* 11. 1997 - Mooch - 1.28125 11. 2006 - Clavijo - 1.28125 13. 2003 - Hankinson - 1.267 13. 2008 - Clavijo/Smith - 1.267* 15. 2000 - Mooch - 1.1875 16. 2007 - Clavijo - 1.167* 17. 2012 - Pareja - 1.08823* 17. 2015 - Mastroeni - 1.08823* 19. 2017 - Mastroeni - 1.0556 20. 1996 - Houghton/Wegerle - 1.03125* 21. 2014 - Mastroeni - 0.941* 22. 2001 - Hankinson - 0.923* All-Time Overall: 1. Smith - 104 Games - 1.43 2. Mooch - 128 Games - 1.41 3. Hankinson - 114 Games - 1.29 3. Pareja - 68 Games - 1.29 5. Mastroeni - 120 Games - 1.21 6. Clavijo - 114 Games - 1.18 7. Houghton - 31 Games - 1.06 8. Wegerle - 1 Game - 0.00 Playoff series records: 1. Smith 4-1 - .800 - Won MLS Cup 2. Clavijo - 2-2 - .500 3. Mastroeni - 1-1 - .500 4. Mooch 2-4 - .333 - MLS Cup appearance 5. Hankinson - 1-3 - .250 6. Pareja - 0-1 - .000 7. Houghton - Never qualified - N/A 7. Wegerle - Never qualified - N/A
I'm really hoping we get some management with more actual soccer knowledge than Hinchey. He talked a big game with his Derby County bullshit, but it's pretty obvious that he had no idea how to produce a decent product on the field. With one hand he'd cling to coaching/technical staff that failed with intensity, and with the other hand quickly shove people that found some success out the door. Without more competent management, we won't be able to fix the coaching issue. When we can't fix the coaching issue, we won't be able to fix the roster issues. The Rapids are bad because of a combination of both inadequate players and coaching. However, I'm a firm believer that our player talent can't be accurately judged when the coaching is so poor. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that a number of our players could perform better under more competent coaching.
It all seems so haphazard too. For example, after last year's success that was built on defense and a world class goaltender, you'd think the FO would say, "We're going to keep a strong defense and tinker with the offence." So they go trade Burch on the backline with no real replacement. Even with the signing window coming up, I always get the feeling like it's, "Hey, he looks pretty good; let's sign him and see what happens." I know a lot of us complained about Clavijo, but at least I felt like there was a plan.
We're more System D than plan A. And the "D" isn't for defense: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_D
Something has to change, because what is being done isn't working. The MLS has moved well down the road from where the Rapids are languishing, and the Rapids are gradually becoming the league's perpetual doormat.* Virtually all of the expansion franchises are ahead of the Rapids in attendance, atmosphere, quality, and in the table. This isn't lost on players from other countries eyeing the MLS. The MLS single entity rule gives international players substantial leverage in selecting where they will play. They see large crowds singing, chanting, cheering and watching entertaining soccer in Atlanta, increasingly in Minnesota, Orlando, NYCFC, Portland, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and (yes) Seattle, and in older league franchise cities like Kansas City, Columbus, and D.C. Then they watch MLS Live and see USL level talent going through the motions in another dreadful match in Dick's Tomb. They realize this franchise is owned by the worst owner in U.S. sports, and that he's all about real estate development and nothing about successful franchises. Why would any quality player want to come here? (For that matter, does anybody think Tim Howard is happy playing for this mess of a team? Or that he hasn't wondered what life would be like playing for a team that cares?) The next expansion teams will begin their existence ahead of the Rapids, too. LAFC will start with large crowds, quality players, strong ownership, a new stadium, much fanfare, and a much higher profile. Yes, it is L.A. and there's that. But the next expansion teams are very likely to be two other small-market cities, increasingly looking like Nashville and Sacramento. Any bets they also start well ahead of the Rapids? Coaching is a weak link. That is obvious from the bizarre players-out-of-position lineups, puzzling use of subs, lack of cohesive attack, poor fundamentals and aura of indifference. That said, the team does lack talent and no coach can make USL talent compete with the current MLS talent pool. The owner and RFO are incompetent, and the former won't change and the latter will reflect the former. Yes, that paints a hopeless picture, but it's what the Rapids are and where they will remain under Kroenke. There simply is no point in changing coaches until things upstream from the coach change. It's all deck chairs on the Titanic. Back to the beginning. Something has to change, because what is being done isn't working. Unfortunately, that something is the ownership, and it won't change. Neither will the results or the future of the franchise. Sorry, but it is that bleak. JMHO *Yes, I know how well the team performed in 2016. Given the consistently awful performances of 2014, 2015, and 2017, it is becoming apparent that 2016 was the aberration.
Yes, and no. You're right. This team is never going to compete for the Shield and in attendance if the ownership doesn't change. But we could be a playoff team even with KSE's lack of interest and funds if they would hire a competent person to replace Hinchey.
If they did relegation Liga MX style, though over 4 years instead of 3: Code: Team Pts/G FCD 1.71 NYR 1.60 ATL 1.58 LAG 1.55 SEA 1.55 TFC 1.50 SKC 1.47 DCU 1.44 NYC 1.43 POR 1.42 VAN 1.39 CLB 1.39 NER 1.38 RSL 1.34 ORL 1.33 MON 1.22 COL 1.22 PHL 1.20 HOU 1.18 SJE 1.17 CHI 1.12 MIN 0.95
Belongs in the "Former Rapids ..." thread? Karma would be for him to resign from Dallas based on a bigger League's offer (e.g. MX, South America, or somewhere in Europe) and then have them not sign him ... 'oh we decided to keep our manager after all'.
Part of what really frustrates me is that the Kroenke regime has lowered expectations to "can the Rapids make the playoffs?" As the MLS continues to expand, the Rapids are pushed down the table by the success of the expansion teams. Unless the MLS expands the participation trophy playoff slots every time the league expands, the Rapids' path to the playoffs becomes more difficult. The addition of LAFC in 2018 and likely Sacramento in 2019 could squeeze the Rapids out of playoff contention for some time unless something changes with the Rapids. That's the scenario I see as the Rapids' iceberg.
Agree that we've defintely had rebaselined expectations since 2010. However, the overall parity in MLS makes a long-term slump unlikely (look at us last season and Chicago this season). Just crap that we have to live in a KSE market.
I am amused at least http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the9...mls-coach-and-his-roman-emperor-doppelganger/ Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids): Claudius Legend has it that Claudius – stammering, incoherent Claudius – was cowering behind some blinds when the praetorian guard pulled him out and named him emperor when Caligula was murdered. Claudius was mostly considered an idiot by his peers, but he turned out to be a surprisingly competent organizer of government and a pretty good dude at the end of the day. In essence, he was everything his critics supposed he wasn’t (but he was still pretty slow). I see a fair amount of Claudius in Pablo: neither lit their professions on fire, neither are considered an all-time great or an all-time failure, and both managed to defy critics to some degree. So. There’s that I guess?
From today's Denver Post: “There’s got to be more bravery and a change of pace,” head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “I feel that too often our build-up pace is the same as it is in the final third (of the field). Going against teams that are set up pretty well defending the area, we’ve got to find ways, as a group, to really change the speed and mentality.” And everyone on this board slaps bottom of hand against foreheads, "Why we didn't we think of that?"
I've decided that I am now on the #PabloOut train. He's not getting better. I am against Coaches-For-Life, and am waaaaay against it in this case considering he will never win anything. RFO please move on. Find a difference maker and tie the job to success.
Season-by-season; Asterisks indicate years we missed the playoffs: 1. 2016 - Mastroeni - 1.7059 2. 1999 - Mooch - 1.59375 3. 2010 - Smith - 1.5333 4. 2002 - Hankinson - 1.5 4. 2013 - Pareja - 1.5 6. 2011 - Smith - 1.4412 7. 1998 - Mooch - 1.4375 8. 2005 - Clavijo - 1.40625 9. 2004 - Hankinson - 1.367 10. 2009 - Smith - 1.3333* 11. 1997 - Mooch - 1.28125 11. 2006 - Clavijo - 1.28125 13. 2003 - Hankinson - 1.267 13. 2008 - Clavijo/Smith - 1.267* 15. 2000 - Mooch - 1.1875 16. 2007 - Clavijo - 1.167* 17. 2012 - Pareja - 1.08823* 17. 2015 - Mastroeni - 1.08823* 19. 1996 - Houghton/Wegerle - 1.03125* 20. 2017 - Mastroeni - 1.0 21. 2014 - Mastroeni - 0.941* 22. 2001 - Hankinson - 0.923* All-Time Overall: 1. Smith - 104 Games - 1.43 2. Mooch - 128 Games - 1.41 3. Hankinson - 114 Games - 1.29 3. Pareja - 68 Games - 1.29 5. Mastroeni - 124 Games - 1.20 6. Clavijo - 114 Games - 1.18 7. Houghton - 31 Games - 1.06 8. Wegerle - 1 Game - 0.00 Playoff series records: 1. Smith 4-1 - .800 - Won MLS Cup 2. Clavijo - 2-2 - .500 3. Mastroeni - 1-1 - .500 4. Mooch 2-4 - .333 - MLS Cup appearance 5. Hankinson - 1-3 - .250 6. Pareja - 0-1 - .000 7. Houghton - Never qualified - N/A 7. Wegerle - Never qualified - N/A
4 of the last 6 seasons have been 4 of the 6 worst seasons in Rapids history (assuming nothing changes this season, which it likely won't).
So barring a miraculous string of luck where tight results break your way Pablo is a 1pt/game coach. That's about good for 9th or 10th place in the west every year.
In my mind, the Rapids need to clean sweep the entire Soccer Technical staff excepting the youth development team.