Sampson wants to Coach Costa Rica

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by Various Styles, Sep 20, 2002.

  1. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    Gansler was treated horribly for years for not accomplishing something with a totally crap team in 1990. Fortunately, he finally got a chance and took the one team that MLS does nothing for and got them a MLS Cup. Sampson ought to get a shot in the MLS at some point. Part of me can't believe I'm saying this as I hated him for years, but ultimately, he is one of ours and probably is good enough for MLS.
     
  2. rymannryan

    rymannryan New Member

    Aug 27, 2002
    N.N., Virginia
    I think its absurd to bash The Bruce. Even if Sampson did a much better job in qualification, (which he didn't) you should take into account other things. How about the way Sampson screwed up the team in the months leading up to the world cup. How about the way he decided to impliment a ridiculous 3-6-1. No wonder the players were pissed. I would be too.

    Now that I'm done bashing Steve, I want to wish him good luck because if he does good, and Costa Rica qualify in 2006, then play pretty well in the World Cup and at least get to the round of 16, It'll be an AMERICAN coach who led them to it. And then if the USA does well again it will be an AMERICAN coach. Thus further gaining the respect from other countries.
     
  3. kwikstah

    kwikstah New Member

    Jul 2, 2002
    But again, as previously stated, all we should be concerned with regarding Steve Sampson coaching Costa Rica is how they do in qualifying.
     
  4. eric_appleby

    eric_appleby Member+

    Jun 11, 1999
    Down East
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I find it hard to believe the Ticos would actually hire Sampson. That would not fly well with Joe Soccer Fan in Costa Rica.
     
  5. USRufnex

    USRufnex Red Card

    Tulsa Athletic / Sheffield United
    United States
    Jul 15, 2000
    Tulsa, OK
    Club:
    --other--
    Thank you. Wuz waiting for somebody to bring that up. Please watch the Germany '02 game and compare it to Germany game in '98. Why did Sampson make all those changes right before the WC instead of during qualification?

    Part of coaching IS dealing wih personalities. Taking Harkes off that team at a critical time affected team chemstry, period. Geez, Bruce had to deal with Mathis...

    That '98 team was MUCH more talented than '94 and light years better than '90. It is the only team that I can accuse of underachieving. Imagine if Sampson had to deal with an injury to Reyna. Would he have had the guts to play attacking soccer against Portugal? No. He woulda gone into his "fraidy hole" and given us a Bora-ball lineup of 1 forward in name only and had the entire game played on our half of the field.

    Yes, I think Sampson can be a perfectly good "teacher" of the game... but a coach? No. Here's hoping the Ticos hire Sampson and Mexico hires Thomas Rongen...
     
  6. Martin Fischer

    Martin Fischer Member+

    Feb 23, 1999
    Kampala. Uganda
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Hex

    Taking it slow. Mexico was about the same both times. That leaves CR 2002 versus Jamaica 1998 -- that is no freaking contest. Then comes Honduras 2002 versus Costa Rica 1998. Once again, the 2002 was much, much more dangerous. Jamaica 2002 was also a better team than El Salvador 1998. And T&T 2002 certainly had more talent than Canada 1998, though the performance may have been similar. Overall, no contest, as was reflected in CONCACAFs improved performance at the Big Show in 2002. No, sorry Styles you have to find some other twisted way to belittle the US.


    Well it might be pathetic if I was doing that or if it was not true. First, I was compared the injuries the United States faced in 2002 to those in 1998. It has nothing to do with making excuses versus other teams.

    Secondly, for at least one game, the USMNT was missing something like 6 of its top 7 offensive players and it was missing something like 4 or 5 for some others. Show me another team that lost that much of its strike force and we can talk.
     
  7. Wahoo

    Wahoo New Member

    Aug 15, 2001
    Seattle, USA
    Actually I was talking the personel problems just prior to the world cup. Team morale was in the dumps. Sampson chose to drop Harkes and Agoos, and bring in David Regis.

    While these may have been the "correct" decisions based on talent and current form, they created a hostile environment among the players. Then in France they kept the team at a secluded hotel away from everything and everyone else. Again, if morale had been high then it would have been fine but when the players are at odds with each other and the staff, it was akin to putting a lid on a boiling pot of water and everything blew up.
    (Yes I know hotel selection was done well ahead of time but... it was the decision of his staff).
     
  8. usagoal

    usagoal Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Las Vegas
    So you think he is capable of keeping the US out of the world cup finals?
     
  9. Various Styles

    Various Styles Member+

    Mar 1, 2000
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    Martin Fischer

    Taking it slow. Mexico was about the same both times.

    It was not the same for Mexico. In HEX97 they only had one coach (Bora) who qualified the team two matches in advance, Undefeated. In HEX01 Mexico went through three coaches. Lapuente played the first round, he was then replaced by Meza and finally Aguirre took over. In this process each coach brought in their own players. It was more than the 6 or 7 you claim the U.S missed in some games.


    That leaves CR 2002 versus Jamaica 1998 --

    No need for this Comparison since both teams participated in the 97 and 01 Hex.


    Then comes Honduras 2002 versus Costa Rica 1998.

    Honduras in 97 was eliminated before the HEX in a group that had Jamaica.

    Jamaica 2002 was also a better team than El Salvador 1998.

    El Salvador should be compared to Trinida and Tobago not to Jamaica which was present in the recent Hex.


    T&T 2002 certainly had more talent than Canada 1998, though the performance may have been similar.

    Canada won the Gold Cup :D

    Overall, no contest, as was reflected in CONCACAFs improved performance at the Big Show in 2002.

    Jamaica pulled a Victory against Japan, Costa Rica beat China. The only diffrence would be that CR tied Turkey while Jamaica lost to Croatia, if im correct both third place finishers. Then they got their asses handed to them by South American power houses Brazil and Argentina. IMO Croatia 98 is better than Turkey 02.

    As for the U.S they had to play against two squads that had some very talented players. You cant compare Germany 98 to 02 and Yugoslavia was talented from top to bottom. Much harder than Poland and Suth Korea.


    No, sorry Styles you have to find some other twisted way to belittle the US.

    I am not belittling the U.S. I am only Comparing HEX 97 to Hex 02. If Mexico can go from beign one defeat away from elimination to ending up in 2nd place then i dont think HEX 01 was more difficult than HEX 97...


    TEAM P W D L GOALS PTS.
    x-Mexico 10 4 6 0 23:7 18
    x-United States 10 4 5 1 17:9 17
    x-Jamaica 10 3 5 2 7:12 14
    Costa Rica 10 3 3 4 13:12 12
    El Salvador 10 2 4 4 11:16 10
    Canada 10 1 3 6 5:20 6

    TEAM P W D L Gls Pts
    1.Costa Rica 10 7 2 1 17- 7 23
    2.Mexico 10 5 2 3 16- 9 17
    3.United States 10 5 2 3 11- 8 17
    4.Honduras 10 4 2 4 17-17 14
    5.Jamaica 10 2 2 6 7-14 8
    6.Trinidad/Tob. 10 1 2 7 5-18 5


    http://www.worldcuparchive.com/CUPS/2002/concacaf_final.html

    http://www.fifa.com/france98/wc98.concacaf.html
     
  10. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Steve Sampson at the helm of Cosa Rica? Then I would certainly have to fancy their chances.

    And if he has somehow managed to learn from his past mistakes, just imagine how dangerous they could be.
     
  11. Wahoo

    Wahoo New Member

    Aug 15, 2001
    Seattle, USA
    Does anyone here really think Costa Rica would hire him?

    Just looking at his coaching background,
    He coached 5 years at Santa Clara (86-90)
    Was an assistant coach for 3 years (93-95)
    He coached the USA for 4 years. (95-98)

    He hasn't coached since...

    Whether you like him or not, do you think Costa Rica would offer him the job?
     
  12. BrianJames

    BrianJames Member

    Jul 30, 2000
    Chicago
    As much as Gansler's bunker tactics drive me crazy, he is a good coach. I would think Sampson would be a good replacement for the Metros, as Zambrano is having a meltdown this year. One of Sampson's biggest problems from WQ98 was dealing with the player's egos, maybe he could use that experience to turn the Metro's around. Either way it would be sad to lose a competent American coach to another country, let alone a rival.
     
  13. andylovesoccer

    Sep 2, 2000
    Asheville, NC
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Like an earlier poster said, he is already doing work with the federation, so it's not like they don't already have a good idea of who he is and what he knows about football. I think he has a decent chance, but it isn't highly likely.
     
  14. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    I think Costa Rica will be no worse off for having Sampson. I don't think it will make a great deal of difference either way for us, but it isn't "good news"

    I do think someday we'll again not qualify for a WC if Concacaf doesn't get another spot.
     
  15. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    I don't know. The idea that we could have two Americans in the World Cup is rather appealing.
     
  16. TeamUSA

    TeamUSA Member

    Nov 24, 1999
    Tianjin, China
    Club:
    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good luck Stevie. Please take David Regis with you. I'm sure you can wing the paper process well enough in Costa Rica too.

    Now I really want Bruce to spank them in Costa Rica.

    As for Sampson taking the helm of the CR National Team, well last time I visited different parts of the world the people all had personnel conflicts. Nothing will change for him, except it will all be in espanol.

    They guy pooh poohs MLS and then wants to be a coach in the league. Better luck next time.

    And for Various Styles, any player in Mexico is better than David Regis.
     
  17. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    When have we ever spanked them in Costa Rica?

    Do you really think it will become easier if Sampson's in charge?
     
  18. andylovesoccer

    Sep 2, 2000
    Asheville, NC
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't understand the relevance of your first question to the post you quoted. We haven't, but that doesn't mean we won't.

    Nobody said it would be any easier, but the desire I have to spank Costa Rica with Steve Sampson as coach would definitely be greater. Not to say that I don't ever want to do anyhting but spank them, but it would be so much sweeter with Sampson as their head coach. Sort of like defeating Benedict Arnold...
     
  19. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Why not? They have hired foreigners in the past.
     
  20. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Spanking Costa Rica?

    Perhaps I singled out the wrong post. But some of the "this would play right into our hands" replies have me a bit puzzled.

    Then perhaps you overlooked some of the replies like this one:

    I am not too worried about this rivalry. What is he going to use against a 1-8-1?

    There is no CONCACAF team that has given us more problems in qualifying than Costa Rica. Playing them in their country has become a guaranteed US loss over the past several years. And they could soon have a coach that knows the US players far better than their last coach did.

    Well, I at least hope that Arena would take them a bit more seriously than some of the BigSoccer regulars would.
     
  21. beineke

    beineke New Member

    Sep 13, 2000
    I agree that Arena faced tougher competition and lots of injuries. He also did a great job of bringing along some young players. However, I don't think you acknowledge how close he came to disaster.

    In the semi-final round of qualifying, the US was dreadful. They collapsed in the closing minutes of road games against Guatemala and Costa Rica. Then, in the critical Guatemala re-match, Eddie Lewis got sent off with the score 0-0 and 30 minutes left to play. If we had failed to get a victory, we would have been in serious trouble. But the referee missed a clear US foul, and we scored the winning goal on the resulting counter-attack. Even so, we barely reached the next round, drawing Costa Rica in a 0-0 snoozer before escaping in Barbados thanks to a flurry of late goals.
     
  22. USRufnex

    USRufnex Red Card

    Tulsa Athletic / Sheffield United
    United States
    Jul 15, 2000
    Tulsa, OK
    Club:
    --other--
    I find that opinion "utterly and completely devoid of logic."

    Putting Sampson and superb in the same sentence is just plain silly. Both '98 and '02 teams qualified in similar fashion... yet in those last few friendlies before WC '98 Sampson's team got more and more predictable in the "attack" and less likely to score. He had no trust in talented MLS players to do the job (and you wonder why he's already working for CR and not coaching in MLS-- geez!) and we were duped into believing the US could only win when Reyna controls EVERYTHING.

    Remedy any problems by glutting the pitch with midfielders who felt obliged to make every other pass to a well marked Reyna and presto: recipe for disaster.

    Please tell me when the '98 team could ever put 2 or 3 passes together, let alone the teamwork of stringing 3 to 5 passes like Bruce's team did through the midfield. I'm not convinced that '98s team was that much worse talent-wise than '02. But I am convinced Sampson would never have trusted an MLS player like Mastroeni to even be on the roster let alone be put on the field to make up Reyna's absence.

    As for Agoos, I think he could have made a difference in '98, but 4 years later was a step too slow...
     
  23. Elninho

    Elninho Member+

    Sacramento Republic FC
    United States
    Oct 30, 2000
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Guatemala: ref reverses his decision to disallow a late goal, looking clearly intimidated by the Guatemalan fans.

    Costa Rica: we got Prendergasted.
     
  24. prk166

    prk166 BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 8, 2000
    Med City
    Thank you. This is exactly why I'd like to see someone at the helm for the next WQC & BA back in DC.
     
  25. beineke

    beineke New Member

    Sep 13, 2000
    But playing in Central America is never just a battle against the opposing 11. You'll always be up against the refs.

    Let's talk about the things that were under Arena's control. In Guatemala, our team was simply bad. If we could have strung two passes together, the game would have been out of reach long before El Pescadito's equalizer. In Costa Rica, Eddie Lewis was a living nightmare, and there was no reason to insert Frankie Hejduk as a late-game sub. Hejduk clearly earned the penalty that was called on Berhalter. Finally, the team's postgame meltdown and suspensions indicated that Arena did not have his group mentally prepared.
     

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