What's the blunder? Firing Sawyers, or not naming a head coach right away? Who's to say that Kelly Lindsey can't do it? Looks like she'll get a chance to right the ship against Boston, no easy task.
The Blunder is not doing their homework to begin with on Sawyers that they had to Fire him 1/3 into the season. If several people have made statements about him being a poor coach, this should have been easy to find out... I think Sky Blue was looking for the added bonus of having Foudy attached to the team... and to think they let their first W-League coach go rather than offer him the pro job Lindsey still is INTERIM Head Coach and basically, No, I do not think she can right the ship. I think a Head Coach will be in place in a matter of a few short weeks.... too late ----------------------------------------------------------------- From the announcement of her resignation Lindsey accepted a position as the top assistant coach for the Sky Blue FC team of the Professional Women’s Soccer League. Lindsey served as the head coach at Saint Mary’s for three seasons, after being announced as the fourth head coach of the program on December 16, 2005. During her three seasons at Saint Mary’s, she guided the Gaels to a 17-33-8 overall records
A take on how the players are handling things: Sawyers out at Sky Blue, Spirits remain high despite chaos Maybe he was not so well liked... Also, Lindsey is going to be given a fair shake. If she does well enough, it is her job to keep.
And several people probably said he was a terrific coach, or they wouldn't have hired him. It wouldn't be the first time a good coach/manager was a poor fit for an organization. See Terry Francona, Phillies vs Terry Francona, Red Sox. I certainly didn't read or hear of anyone questioning their choice of Sawyers when they announced it. I agree that the Foudy factor probably made him more desirable. At least they had the stones to do something about it and admit they made a mistake. I wouldn't count out Lindsey just yet. The team might respond to her better than they did to Sawyers. They certainly have the talent. Even though they're bottom of the table, they haven't lost by more than one goal since the season opener. The more they lost, the more pressure they were under, and the tighter they looked on the attacking end. Maybe under a different hand they'll relax and play the kind of soccer we were all expecting to see. I'm curious to see what Lindsey does with the lineup after having a week at the helm. There's still enough season left for them to regroup and sneak into the playoffs. I assume they've had to settle with Sawyers, so they may not have a lot to invest in a new head coach, too. And after making a mistake the first time around, I can't see them rushing into naming a replacement. The last thing they want to do is make the same mistake twice in one season.
Spot on. Lindsey isn't going anywhere for the time being. I am not saying it will happen, but a win against Boston could be a total turning point for the team. Even a draw might be encouraging at this point.
I hope Lindsey does well. Loved her as a player and from the few times I have spoken with her she seems level headed and has a good soccer brain. Her stint at St. Mary's was rough, but some people are better pro coaches than college coaches (and vice-versa). The Sawyers hiring is one of those pro coaching things that happens in all pro sports that just pisses me off. This guy is a jerk. He's been a jerk at every school/team he has coached and has been fired for basically the same thing every time.... yet he keeps getting hired. Happens all the time in sports. I think owners would rather go with a known entity with pro experience (even with all the baggage) than hire a rookie. It's always bugged me.
Living in Chicago I have been a regular at Notre Dame games for many, many years and I remember Lindsey Kelly as one of the toughest defenders I have ever seen. She was always poised and focused. She also played for two great coaches in Randy Waldrum and Chris Petrucelli. I do think she can take over this program and become a good coach. I am definately pulling for her to succeed. And if she has the respect of the players, then that's a GREAT start.
he won at stanford, and he won with the cyberrays. being a winner makes you a desired commodity. it trumps being a jerk most of the time. who is lindsey kelly?
The first season, thanks in considerable part to LaKeysia Beene having a career season similar to what Karina LeBlanc is doing now. But after winning the championship in 2001, they never even made the playoffs again - in a league where four teams out of eight got in.
I credit it more to Julie Murray and think she was the unsung MVP of WUSA 2001. She retired after that and the Rays never could replace her. Lindsey Kelly lol!
Go ahead and laugh at my expense. You know what meant. I was typing fast cause I had to go somewhere. My bad. ha ha.
Did make me wonder if he was trying to recreate the magic when he signed the Aussies for SkyBlue. The answer seems to be "not so much." eta: of course, Sissi had a wee bit to do w/ the victories, too.
Well, as long as "a fair shake" means they're committed to paying her for at least this season if not next, and they've already burned the salary they had committed to Sawyers, and milking Lindsey is a lot cheaper than going out and trying to sign someone else - especially when they'll likely want some sort of one or two season guarantee and the ability to bring in their own assistants. Many coaching changes, or lack of coaching changes in the WUSA (and early in MLS) were affected by financial demands - especially contract guarantees.