The thing that intrigues me is why is all of this surfacing now - what's the point? While the odds are are not favorable for either team making the playoffs, what's the point of leaking that the Quakes coach is probably gone and the Dynamo coach is a contender. I honestly don't get it. While it might improve support for the 2015 Quakes, what does it do for the Dynamo? How does it affect each teams dynamics, how does it affect season ticket renewals - especially for the Dynamo? Under Dom this team has made the playoffs 7 of the last 8 years, won two MLS Cups, Four Conference Finals, and gone to the MLS Cup 4 times. Who in the world are they going to attract that has that kind of a pedigree? Is either of the teams owners willing to invest the amount of money necessary to bring in some real named DP's? How much will it cost to buy out Watsons contract and how much more will the Quakes have to spend to get Dom considering the fact that the cost of living and housing in San Jose is astronomical compared to Houston. Will they have to buy out his 2005 contract (his current one is until 2005). Why now? Why not at the end of the season? p.s Great equalizer in extra time
Archived trade article... http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/...olowski-to-Earthquakes-for-Weaver-1739568.php
Houston leaked it, not SJ. Houston seems to be mentally preparing their fanbase for Dom's offseason departure. Dropping it friday night so it gets buried in the weekend is a classic PR move.
I don't think there is anything strategic about the timing for the coach deals. I think they have been percolating for a while, and enough parties are involved so that it's no longer possible to keep it a secret.
Yes, we need a change, but, is Kinnear the answer? Has had fairly average teams the last 4 years, and I just don't see him taking the Quakes in a different direction.
The way I see it, if Doyle is still in charge, no one else wants to work for him. Therefore, its either Dom or bust.
If Dominic assembles a team that wins and creates chances... Very frigging well. Nothing dark about it. You seem to imagine professional sportspeople have morals!
If there is a small circle of coaches available in American soccer and they are all on the same page, ganging up on or not wanting to work for Doyle, the only guy out there who will take the job is Kinnear as he is JD's best friend. The college coaches most likely won't want to quit their secure jobs for the uncertainty of MLS so there aren't many choices left.
In San Jose's case, the captain is feeding his first mate to the sharks while hoping that his buddy, the replacement first mate, arriving by dinghy from shore, can slow the sinking of the ship long enough that the sharks look for other food after they finish their initial feast.
The owners are wrong if they think we'll all be thrilled just to see a coaching change, especially if it's Dom 2.0. Not that Wats is the most inspired coach in the world, but would be tough for anyone to pull a team together out of the assorted odds and ends JD has dredged up. Let's not forget that Dom had the prescience to trade away Wondo.
Talk about a complete lack of creativity and initiative by the front office. Quakes return to MLS, the front office brings back the first coach who brought them success, Yallop. Yallop leaves, Quakes hire his assistant. Assistant appears to be on the verge of not being retained for 2015 so the Quakes look to hire Yallop's assistant (and former Quakes head coach) from his first go around with Quakes. Just an incredible lack of ambition. Let's go with what's work in the past even though the league environment is different now. For those clamoring for Kinnear, read this article: http://orangeintheoven.com/2014/09/27/houston-dynamos-dominic-kinnear-head-to-san-jose-earthquakes/ Focus on this sentence: "While Kinnear has a stellar playoff record with the Dynamo, including four MLS Cup appearances and two wins, there can be no denying the fact that the Dynamo have generally been lethargic during the regular season since completion of the 2009 season."
But that happens with every coach in every team in every league in the world. Its been amazing that Dom has lasted that long in that job. Few coaches have the same job with one club for 3 years so for him to keep the job for 11 seasons in this or any league is an incredible accomplishment in my opinion. Obviously, he did something right because no one keeps a job that long for having failed.
They won the Cup in 2006 and 2007. That's ancient history. Those teams were more or less than San Jose Earthquakes in orange uniforms.
Why? Is this the voice of the Lew Wolff-John Fisher are Tightwads school of thought? Which has no basis for existence by the way.
He has to also get some credit for being a runners-up in both 2011 & 2012. Not too many teams go to two finals in a row.