According to MLS Confidential which I have just received: "Assistant coach Curt Onalfo has been relieved of his duties. He may stay on with the team in another role." ps-Also: "Agent Patrick McCabe flew to Saudi Arabia this week to complete a transfer of Metros striker Mamadou Diallo to Al-Ahli of the Saudi Arabian League. McCabe would not disclose the transfer fee but said MLS had agreed to accept a payment "in the neighborhood" of $500,000."
As I said on another thread, while I'm sorry to see a United lifer like Curt get "relieved," I certainly understand Ray wanting to have "his" guys on his staff. The simple fact is that Onalfo was hired by Rongen/Payne and was fortunate to survive last winter's coaching change. Coaches, especially strong-willed ones like Ray, like to pick their own staff. I wonder what this means for Mark Simpson, another Payne hire, and if Ray plans of bringing in new assistant coaches (besides a sports and conditioning guy).
Onalfo's not a lifer. He was picked up, I think, on waivers before the 1998 season after having been with LA (he played against us in the 96 Final). Dave
His own people.....okay Every coach wants to select his own staff to more easily impliment his system. Ray needs to take full advantage of anything that he thinks will improve his dismal performance as coach. Next season will likely be his last and then we can hire a coach that will bring some real professionalism to the city/team instead of his ignorant one liners and quips from the gutter.
He actualy was the defender beaten on two goals in the 96 final. I allways wondered how some players respected him as a coach after they burnt him for those goals in such an important match.
What Sandon said. I also predicted this when Ray was hired, and mentioned it again a month or so ago. I like Onalfo, but coaches almost always clean house, and they always take all or almost all of their own guys for staffs. With staffs as small as MLS staffs are, you need to have 100% of your own choices. As for Simpson, our GK situation could not possibly be better. We have a great young keeper who is improving and happy. I cannot see any coach that would mess with that situation by changing his coach. -Tron
I could be wrong but didn't Mark Simpson join the coaching staff this Spring after he announced his retirement-after Hudson was hired? I will be majorly pissed if they let Simpson go. He's on my all time United team and will always be. You are right Tron, the goalkeeping situation is one of this teams stronger points and the ol' "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage applies here. Bill
Onalfo has a very successful camp/training program going in McLean and some other Fairfax location. He's the director of player development for my kids' club and the word from there is that the DCU gig was like his second job.
I had heard that he was involved in that, but the bit about DCU "being like his second job" makes me feel better for the guy. I was kinda thinking that the camp stuff was just a nice way of saying he was let go, but apparently it really is successful for him. -Tron
The Post reports this morning (in a squib on the second sports page) that Curt Onalfo is out as assistant coach. Does anyone know what this is all about?
Don't forget the successful Unity games effort in which Onalfo played a major role, earning public votes for coach from some players. The athletic side of the DCUnited organization at the end of September had a technical director, one head coach, two assistant coaches, a GK coach, trainer (physio) and equipment manager. That's one assistant coach and one technical director more than other MLS teams. Either we start winning major cups again, or this management structure will be 'thinned' since it adds considerable overhead. I suspect we'll enjoy Curt's continued involvement in DC's highly successful youth teams. He's been through worse trials -- he beat Hodgkins disease -- so I'm sure he's got a good perspective on this new change in his life. Good luck, Curt. GM ps: tell me again how that ball looked as it was powered into the net by Eddie Pope to win '96 MLS Cup!
Keeping at least one assistant coach during a transition is very common, from college basketball to NFL football. The new coaches often prefer to have someone who knows the personalities, cliques, etc., on a team. It can shorten the transition time into their new job. To have that person not stay too long is common enough too. In my experience, Curt was great with the fans, treating us with class and respect. I certainly wish him the best of luck. FYI, it's in today's Post too: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41200-2002Oct3.html Mark
They were basically at the same time; as I recall, Simpson's hiring was officially announced at the same press conference as Ray Hudson's.
I don't know what Curt brought to the team as a coach (I am not implying he didn't do a good job), but Simpson's efforts are remarkably evident. Nick's first few games while featuring his atheltic ability and courage, also were notable for his poor positioning and decision making. His fundamentals improvement tremendously and his decisionmaking got better as well. As his technical skills improved he got even more out of his great ability and he began making better decisions. He seemed to also become more of a leader out of the back and working with his line. Simpson got everything he could out of Nick, not something that can necessarily be said for the rest of the team.