The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread :: Part I

Lanky134 · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

"I speak English better than Jaime Moreno speaks Spanish." - Marco Etcheverry, 2002.

Diceson · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

This is PN's team. To bring back Etcheverry might create a subtle power struggle between head coach and his assistant. I'd love to see Etcheverry back with DCUnited, but in an admin position, or a supporting role not involved with the team on the field. I think there was the same problem with Harkes coming back to DCUnited at the beginning of the season. However, call it Payne's genius, he found him a coaching position with the youth. Also, Harkes is being looked at as a possible coach for Rochester. If Harkes accepts the role, then Etcheverry could step in. On the other hand, with the reserve side being create, Etcheverry as the Reserve Team Coach, might be another option.

Lanky134 · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

Diceson said:

If Harkes accepts the role, then Etcheverry could step in. On the other hand, with the reserve side being create, Etcheverry as the Reserve Team Coach, might be another position available.
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Pure speculation on your part or inside information?

Diceson · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

Lanky134 said:

Pure speculation on your part or inside information?
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A little of both.

Everyone knows that KP wants Etcheverry back. Etcheverry wants to come back. However, Etcheverry feels he can still play a couple more seasons. If the right set of circumstances were created for Etcheverry he might finally officially retire. Remember that Etcheverry attempted to establish a Youth Academy in the area. It's clear that he enjoys the training/teaching process for footballers. Also, he's said that he wants to coach someday. The learning curve would be much easier with the Reserve Team.

As for inside information, he was mentioned around mid-summer when the idea of roster expansion started up. I was talking with someone at a practice and we were speculating one the "hows' and whats'" with the Reserve Team. I mentioned I thought Etcheverry would be ideal and this person agreed. The person expanded on Etcheverry's strengths as a footballer, but admitted that he would need to learn how to be a coach.

sch2383 · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

If Soehn did get the job, I would rather it be Harkes that comes in as the number 2 and Etch takes over Harkes' spot as well as serving as a "soccer ambassador" sort of figure. But I think Nowak should be given a free hand whne picking his assistant and reserve staff.

Question: would the reserves be coached by the #2 or would there be a reserve team coach?

Diceson · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

sch2383 said:

Question: would the reserves be coached by the #2 or would there be a reserve team coach?
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That's a good question, but it can't be answered until we know exactly what the league decides to do with the reserve teams. You've got to remember that the reserve teams aren't really reserve teams, they are just the bench players for the first team. The will practice with the first team everyday. They will compete with first team players for spots on the starting eleven. Nowak will run those practices as he did all of 2004. Most likely Nowak will have a large imput into who plays where on the reserve side. However, there is the possibility, very slight, that the reserve games will be played on off-days, maybe Mondays. If that is the case, Nowak might not be able to attend all of the reserve games, which would lead to to some sort of arrangement with either a #2 or a true reserve coach. I would believe that with the increase in number of players to 28 total, there will be a need to another assistant coach with the responsibility of monitoring the reserve side.

Knave · Dec 2, 2004

... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

From the realm of pure speculation ...

So we're talking about Etcheverry and the possibility of him coaching somewhere. OK. Try this on for size.

We all know about Bruce Arena's comments a few years ago that Etcheverry would make a good coach and there was even some chatter about him becoming an assistant of some sort on the national team once his playing days were over. Sure, a lot of this was probably just idle talk, but nonetheless ...

Well, what if Onalfo gets the Colorado job? Then Arena needs a new national team assistant. I'd think that gig beats coaching an MLS reserve or youth team hands down.

gnat · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

Knave said:

From the realm of pure speculation ...

So we're talking about Etcheverry and the possibility of him coaching somewhere. OK. Try this on for size.

We all know about Bruce Arena's comments a few years ago that Etcheverry would make a good coach and there was even some chatter about him becoming an assistant of some sort on the national team once his playing days were over. Sure, a lot of this was probably just idle talk, but nonetheless ...
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Stephen was asked about a tribute match prior to the equip sale today. He said Etch isn't ready to hang up his cleats yet, which is what they are "waiting" for. Probably would be the same for the a coaching position.

-dave

elconejito · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

on a tangental note, this reserve-team system may be a real boon to coaching in the US. It has the potential to give guys like Nowak, who have a big question mark by his name (the knock on him b4 he came here was that he had not coached before), the opportunity to get their feet wet before taking on a full MLS side.

I would bet the reserve coach will be something like a #3, or maybe #2b. They would have to have similar ideals and systems to the main team. you couldn't, for example, have the full squad playing a 352 and the reserves playing a 442. If a day comes when a reserve needs to be called up he has to learn a whole new system.

tmas · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

elconejito said:

on a tangental note, this reserve-team system may be a real boon to coaching in the US. It has the potential to give guys like Nowak, who have a big question mark by his name (the knock on him b4 he came here was that he had not coached before), the opportunity to get their feet wet before taking on a full MLS side.

I would bet the reserve coach will be something like a #3, or maybe #2b. They would have to have similar ideals and systems to the main team. you couldn't, for example, have the full squad playing a 352 and the reserves playing a 442. If a day comes when a reserve needs to be called up he has to learn a whole new system.
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Don't know if this has been said yet but, Peter Wilt said the reserve team will consist of players who played 20 minutes or less in the last league game.

CHICO13 · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

Knave said:

From the realm of pure speculation ...

So we're talking about Etcheverry and the possibility of him coaching somewhere. OK. Try this on for size.

We all know about Bruce Arena's comments a few years ago that Etcheverry would make a good coach and there was even some chatter about him becoming an assistant of some sort on the national team once his playing days were over. Sure, a lot of this was probably just idle talk, but nonetheless ...

Well, what if Onalfo gets the Colorado job? Then Arena needs a new national team assistant. I'd think that gig beats coaching an MLS reserve or youth team hands down.
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Not that far fetched Knave. In some of the conversations I've had with Marco he has mentioned Bruce often. If offered I would bet the farm that Marco would jump at the chance. They have a really close relationship and this is definately in the realm of possibilities. Of course the people in Bolivia will crap themselves but the FBF has been shooting themselves in the foot for years now.

Sundevil9 · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

elconejito said:

on a tangental note, this reserve-team system may be a real boon to coaching in the US. It has the potential to give guys like Nowak, who have a big question mark by his name (the knock on him b4 he came here was that he had not coached before), the opportunity to get their feet wet before taking on a full MLS side.

I would bet the reserve coach will be something like a #3, or maybe #2b. They would have to have similar ideals and systems to the main team. you couldn't, for example, have the full squad playing a 352 and the reserves playing a 442. If a day comes when a reserve needs to be called up he has to learn a whole new system.
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Not only coaching, but this could also be used to bring officials along as well.

NattyBo · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

In other news, United technical director Dave Kasper is planning to travel to Argentina next week to begin searching for a central defender to replace all-star RyanNelsen, whose contract expires this month. Nelsen is being pursued by several European clubs and will likely sign with one of them in January.
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From Goff's latest article in the WP.

Th4119 · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

Hopefully Gomez is spreading the word that the "paychecks come on time" here.

Diceson · Dec 2, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

Diceson said:

A rumor from two totally different sources, neither with the league, is that Namoff will train with Blackburn in the next couple of weeks. Apparently there's more than just training interest, but if and how that would be accomplished needs to be fleshed out. . . . .
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Freakin' rumor mongers! Did you ever feel like such a dumb-ass for not seeing the obvious?

tmas · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

NattyBo said:

From Goff's latest article in the WP.
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Also says Gomez will earn 200,000 and Petke is close to resigning.

Cantankerous · Dec 2, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

tmas said:

Also says Gomez will earn 200,000 and Petke is close to resigning.
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Please make that "re-signing" next time.

elconejito · Dec 3, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

Sundevil9 said:

Not only coaching, but this could also be used to bring officials along as well.
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good point

chayes · Dec 3, 2004

Re: ... Etcheverry as Nats Assistant? ...

NattyBo said:

From Goff's latest article in the WP.
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Can ya post a link for those of us too lazy to visit the WP site on our own?

bigredfutbol · Dec 4, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

Just wanted to mention the following DC United story--

Yesterday, I was walking back from my son's bus stop talking to a guy from our neighborhood. We were talking about our kids, his health problems (bad car accident), the usual suburban stuff. Then--I guess prompted by my DCU cap--he just blurted out "Hey, how about DC United!" He went on to talk about how kickass they were at the final and how they dominated the game.

This guy isn't a big soccer fan, either--just a local who wanted to support a local team in a championship game. His father-in-law watched the game,too--the first soccer game he'd EVER watched, and apparantly he thought it was exciting.

Cool stuff!

Knave · Dec 7, 2004

Agoos Back to DC United?

From the Quakes board:

Revolt said:

FWIW, I've heard that Agoos is now Married to a lady back east and wants to go back to DCU. If so, thanks for the great memories, Jeff. A great class act and a pro's pro all the way.
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GoDC · Dec 7, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

Goose would have to low salary to come back here in my opinion.

tallguy · Dec 7, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

GoDC said:

Goose would have to low salary to come back here in my opinion.
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Wonder if he could adequately fill the substitute center back slot that the departure of EZ has left open?

jason1551 · Dec 7, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

tallguy said:

Wonder if he could adequately fill the substitute center back slot that the departure of EZ has left open?
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No, but put him in on the left and move Petke to the middle and we don't look half bad. Agoos still has the service and wheels to play on the left, and I certainly wouldn't mind his service on freekicks or corners.

sch2383 · Dec 7, 2004

Re: The Off-Season Near News and Rumors Thread

It would be nice to have Goose back, maybe make him a player-coach to hide some salary. I'm sure he could teach Freddy a thing or two on lefty services.