Photo: Sarah and Sean Baker
On the dreaded MLS coaching carousel?
Way back in June we were all chuckling after securing the Atlantic Cup yet again from the hapless denizens of the Swamp.
Who’s laughing now?!!
After all, it was clear even then that our putative rivals to the North had once again blown it with their managerial acumen.
Sure, they had stolen away Chicago’s treasure and he certainly had an impressive resume. After all, who could not be awed by the wide range of experience that he brought to the proverbial reality-based foosball table.
He had earned his assistant coaching chops in the veritable netherworld of international futbol, also known as lower division soccer in the States, with the Staten Island Vipers.
He used that as a springboard (?) to vault himself to the bench of the MetroStars and subsequently to Man City of all places!
Surely after his stint with Millionarios in Colombia, the Fire’s choice as the man in charge of righting a sinking ship seemed absolutely inspired. After dispatching our beloved boys, who after all were the holders of the Supporters’ Shield, in the playoffs – he slunk away to try his turnaround magic on the hated (or pitiable) RBNY.
Sure enough, he produced the impossible – a place in MLS CUP for the ultimate underachieving league franchise. Along the way of that improbable playoff run he crushed the favorites from Houston.
So what the heck happened?!! How is it that a manager with such a background and track record of achievement in the playoff crucible suddenly goes 2-16-4?!!
Worse, what does it tell us about the crapshoot that is the hunt for a successful manager of a cup-winning side in this league?
Now that we are stuck watching our front office join in with the other MLS riff-raff playing in the “throw-the-dart-and-pray” derby for a coach, is anyone actually confident in what the result might hold?
Tony Adams – really?!!
Caleb Porter – with zip for MLS coaching experience, no less!
And now word that we might even end up facing Tommy when we play the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2011.
So, grab some popcorn and enjoy the carousel in action. Because we have no earthly idea what criteria are being used, much less how successful it will be in the end.
We’re just along for the ride.
