We've been going over what went wrong with this team. How they don't have form or situational awareness. What's different from 2001 and 2002 when the Crew at least looked competitive? Could it be one Oscar Pisano? Andrulis and he had tiffs all last year about stratagies that eventually lead to his dismissal and Warzchya's elevation as top assistant and Lauder being hired. Andrulis basically had two none threatening ASs this year. A first time assistant with Warzchya and a no name college coach as his second. Pisano had tons of of professional experience both as a player and in coaching. It just kind of dawned on me that that's really the one big differnce between last year's team and this year's team. Perhaps Pisano was more important to the Crew's efferts then we ever thought.
In fairness, Launder did win a national title with Wisconsin. And, damnit, he coached UD! Do you not know that UD never hires no-names?!?
I couldn't agree more. Marcello Carrera before Oscar and Lauder last year were some significant influences. If you'll note the loss of effectiveness of the latino players (Garcia for one ) and the dramatic dropoff in midfield play you have to wonder who has an offensive clue. Kmart was WAY back with Mais on many occasions and we never could figure out how to beat a jammed midfield. We were outcoached all year long and played a style the COACHES knew,but that was unsuitable for our personnel. As Bradley said in '01 (from Bill's thread) " STYLE: The Crew have long played like the best college team in MLS, long on hustle and desire, but a little short on tactical awareness and overall responsibility .... Losing Oscar was a blunder Greg has to accept responsibility for this year.
I don't think he LOST Pisano, I think he was threatened by Pisano and fired him. According to the Dispatch a few days ago, the assistants serve at Andrulis' discretion. I understood by the end of last season they couldn't see eye to eye on anything. If you believe the rumors about he and Andrulis going at it verbally during practices that is. Personally I saw Andrulis get farther and farther away from Pisano during last years games. It got to the point if Andrulis talked to an assistant it was Warzchya at the end of the year and Pisano was always stationed were the subs would warm up. Now that's just my observation. Did anyone notice the simular thing last year?
And much as we all know that actual professional experience means nothing at all when coaching professionals (or at least you would think so judging by the guys we've had here) Carrera was an actual PLAYER. He was with Independiente when they won the World Club Championship, and had been around (Joe Public, some others). What's more, he could actually strap it on and scrimmage with the boys, and frequently did. Somebody wanna bet on how often Greggie or Laundry do that? But he was Fitz's man, and so he had to go.
I think that's how Launder tore his Achilles - involved in either a drill or a small-sided game at practice. I'm not trying to counter any points or anything.