No one ever talks about it, but the facts are a bit alarming. MLS teams front offices are filled with caucasian Americans. The NFL has a rule that encourages or even requires that minority coaches are interviewed for open head coaching jobs. I don't know if MLS needs to go that far, but it needs to be talked about and something needs to be done. Why? Part of soccer's problem is that it's viewed as a suburban white kids sport. We have plenty of black and hispanic players in the league now, but what happens to them after their playing days? People like Alexi Lalas and Marcelo Balboa are finding work right away. To be clear, I am not saying anyone at MLS is racist or anything like that. But we need to work on diversity in all areas of this sport to grow the sport. FACTS: Chicago- white coach, white GM Crew- white coach, white GM United- white coach, white GM Metrostars- white coach, white GM New England- white coach, white GM (you noticing the pattern?) Rapids- white coach, white GM Dallas- white coach, white GM Kansas City- white coach, white GM Los Angeles- white coach, white GM San Jose- white coach, white GM To summarize, no one has done anything wrong, I just feel MLS needs to pay attention to this fact and the opportunities that blacks and hispanics are or aren't getting in higher positions.
"forced" diversity is not diversity at all. I like things better where coaches, players, and office staff get their jobs based on merit rather than race. being forced to interview a non-white coach before hiring a white one is just pointless. Besides, for the most part non-initiated americans think soccer is a latin/euro thing, not a surburban white thing.
I think you have a valid point worth discussing, but I just wanted to point out that Marcelo Balboa isn't a "caucasian american." I feel like the problem lies in the infrastructure of the sport in america, not just MLS. I'm not sure if it can be changed from the top of the pyramid. But I agree, more of an effort should be made, even if only for economic reasons--acknowledging the latin fanbase.
I bet that soon after his retirement as a player Eddie Pope will be a candidate for a management position in the league..if he wants one. I think he either already has or is working on a law degree. He reminds me a little of Joe Dumars, now the Detroit Pistons GM....a quiet leader type.
He's a player I have in mind, also. Damarcus Beasley (I know, he's only 20 now) has said his plans are to stay involved even after him playing days.
Yeah whatever. I don't think there is any problem at all. This topic is so outragous. There has been many Hispanic head coaches in the past and there are currently many hispanic and black assistant coaches. MLS has kissed enough Hispanic asses already. I am already sick of it.
You're kidding me, right? How much bloody pandering does the MLS have to do? How many Luis Hernandezs do we need before they feel acknowledged? I think its the other way around...
Thanks. To everyone else- I'm not saying to give away jobs that someone else deserves. I am saying we need to give more OPPORTUNITES to minorities to get jobs. For example- how about putting Carlos Valderamma (or someone else) in a sort of "watchdog" role as someone who is a player/coach agent to everyone. He would make sure everyone is given at least a shot at important positions. Not this little "Soccer Ambassador" position that has no power and IS just purely a PR move.
Yeah, and it's just a coincidence, Your Honor, that I pull over and beat more blacks and Latinos than whites. Your Honor, it's just a coincidence that US police kill one white per year but 20+ Asians (you know, the "model minority"), 200+ Latinos (IIRC) and 350+ Blacks (IIRC). Only a coincidence... I know that w/ Latinos, it IS a big issue. W/ #s like these, the ethnic pandering will continue to fail.
What credentials of El Pipe's warrant a front office position in MLS? A glorious international career? Would he be getting this job because he's the best man to be a player/coach, agent or whatever or simply because he happens to be Carlos Valderrama, a Colombian?
the problem is that only white coaches or gm's are interviewed because others are never given the chance, as they are not part of the prevailing white soccer establishment. given the vast number of latin fans in the stands and players on the field in MLS, it doesn't strike you as a little odd that there isn't an even remotely proportional number of latin gm's or coaches? It isn't because there aren't any qualified candidates. I can understand people's frustration with concepts like affirmative action, as a purely merit-based system just makes more sense. unfortunately, in this country it is still much easier for whites to accumulate "merit" and be in a position--well enough connected--to be considered for difficult-to-get positions. that seems extremely clear here in the lack of latin coaches in prominent positions. I'd guess that the same race and class issues that keep so many latin players out of "mainstream" (white) soccer circles also keep latin coaches out. this isn't about MLS HR directors being racist individuals. it's about acknowledging the shortcomings of our society and trying not to suffer as a result of them. There are qualified minority candidates out there, many of them undoubtedly more qualified than many of the white candidates for these positions. Finding them might require a concerted effort, but it is better for everyone if they're found. Their resumes might not be as impressive as the white candidate's, you might never had heard of them, but this does not necessarily mean the white candidate is more qualified. The merit accumulation playing field, if you will, isn't level in america. US soccer can wait around for greater society to change, in the meantime neglecting talented, knowledgable individuals who don't show up on the radar because they aren't part of the establishment, or they can make an effort to look outside of the standard soccer networks and find those individuals. everyone benefits, except the white guy who seemed to be more qualified. were the system fair, and the minority candidate had had the same opportunities, the white candidate never would've appeared more qualified. also, I think the white suburban nature of soccer in america is pretty well recognized, the prevalence of the "soccer mom" concept being good evidence of this.
It has to start somewhere. It's March 12, 2004. 2004. And ALL 20 positions of power in the league are filled by whites.
Not saying it makes it right, but Alexi Lalas also had no credentials for the San Jose GM job that he was given.
Who's defending Nowak? It remains to be seen whether he is the best man for his job, as it would with Valderrama in the same position - neither have managerial experience. However, does that mean Carlos should be United's coach because he's Latino?
Not true. Dennis Hamlett was interviewed for the DC United coaching job that Nowak got. I don't follow other teams' searches so there could be others. But Hamlett (Costa Rican by birth) was interviewed for the job so it's not accurate to say only white people are considered for these kinds of jobs in MLS.