Ok, this is something I have been thinking about for a while, and I just think its time to test the waters. How much confidence do you have in the current US Coaching staff. That is all levels and positions, head and assistants, at all levels from U-15 to the Senior team. Do you feel that the current direction the national team program is going in terms of style of play is appropriate? Do you feel that the decisions being made in player selection are the best? Do you think these are the best coaches possible for their positions?
Ok, I think this thread needs to see the light of day again. I voted for some reservations, but... What the hell have we done since WC '02? - We have a friendly in Europe, and instead of using it to test our metal we go in trying not to lose. During that friendly we play numerous players on the wrong side of 30 instead of seeing what some guys can do on a bigger stage. What was the point of it? - Our U-23 coach makes many questionable personel decisions, and leads a disorganized and incoherent team on the field. We dont qualify for the olympics, the second biggest competition on our calender. Why do we have an average at best MLS coach handlig this team, while Mexico and Costa Rica had their full teams coach (iirc). - Our U-18 coach uses the team as a thinly veiled recruiting tool for UVA, and US Soccer looks the other way. - We finish 3rd in the Gold Cup, losing to Brazilian U-23s and struggling (iirc) to beat Costa Rica, all games at home. - We bombed out of the confed cup, having only the Kiwis to thank for not being the biggest dissappointment. - Our WC success was only due to a little help from the Korean team. Yes we did well after that, but lets not forget there was a good bit of luck involved. This is not a doom and gloom thread, because I think the quality of players on the field is improving, and in that sense the future is bright. But I am getting increasingly frustrated by the current coaches in charge at US Soccer.
I voted for having serious reservations. Primarily, my trust in Bruce Arena is close to nil. For so long I've been a supporter of Bruce and will always be grateful for what he has done for us. But he is seriously lacking motivation and creativity skills that usually falter this late in a career as his. Its time for some major changes. BTW, way too many choices in this poll. It should be at 2 or 3.
I also voted for some reservations: It seems that most posters here are way too "bullish" (using a market term here) on the coaches: Yes, we can defend when we go for that tactic (so can Italy and so does Canada-using both top and not so good teams as examples), no novel concept here, but we lack FLEXIBILITY....At the same time we DO need to have American coaches (or those who've been here a while) who understand the uniqueness of our college/youth teams system..... I am myself bullish on US soccer (the quality of the players improving day by day anyway) but not in the coaches keeping up... Since we need American coaches who understand the culture here, is it too much to ask how much extra preparation/courses they take abroad and how often? Rongen, Arena, and the U-17 coach (name escapes me) appear way too close in the way they approach things...Yes, there is a need for some structure, but also room for both flexibility and letting creativity have their places....
I do like BA and would like to see him finish out this WC cycle--but I think we need to move on after that. I wouldn't mind going to a foreign coach---no Bora please. Bruce Is great at experimenting with players--but needs to start experimenting with formations. Why the hell is your number 9 (Mathis) coming off of the bench?