A new coach for DC United
by denz on Dec 28, 2009 1:33 PM MST
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So after missing the MLS playoffs for the second straight year DC was looking for a change and their answer came in the form of KC's cast off coach Curt Onalfo? Really, I am not kidding the coach that was let go by KC has been hired by the league's most honored team. So proof that you can run a bottom dweller into the cellar and get rewarded by going to the real "glamor" team of MLS, sorry LA you are just posers.
I did find the statement by Kevin Payne, remember the guy who criticized teams for playing defensive on the road, then apologized for his statement but still got fined by "the Don", about Curt interesting: "Our first priority was to find someone who shares the club's long-standing philosophy of attacking soccer -- and Curt absolutely does”. To be the funniest thing I have heard in months, consider that KC scored 33 goals last year and only the New York Red Bulls scored fewer (27). Yup that sounds like a guy who is all about the attacking style of soccer.
I think this is a clear sign to soccer fans that DC United's owners don’t put much value on coaching. Was the talent pool so shallow that when a college coach from Akron, OH turned you down you had to find a coach that was let go from another team. Listen if this is a budget move, then fine I get it, if it is about having a former player in charge who knows the organization, then fine I get it. If this is an honest attempt by Kevin to tell us that in all the world, that the most prestigious team in MLS history, that Curt was the best coach available, well I find it very hard to believe.
I do think former players can make great coaches, heck I think Jason Kreis is living proof, but I know the work and dedication that Jason has put in over the last two years towards becoming a better coach, and while I don’t know Curt or his work habits, I have to question the decision by DC United with their very deep pockets to have their search be Curt or a guy from Ohio.
Anyhow I wish Curt the best, I know that being in the DC United organization is pressure packed and that the fans at RFK deserve better than they have gotten the last couple years.
OFF MY SOAPBOX
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I think we could have done much worse
Curt Onalfo has a very solid resume. From being a former DCU player, to a DCU assistant, to a national team assistant, to an MLS head coach. He took KC to the playoffs two out of three years, and considering that United has missed the playoffs the past two years with a much more talented roster, Onalfo should be an improvement.
Having said that, the DCU fanbase is not really thrilled with Onalfo either. But I don’t know that there was really anything better out there.
really
I like Curt, at least what I know of him. Heck he was the only coach to lead his team to victory at Rio Tinto in 2009, but DC United is the flagship of MLS (no matter what LA thinks), and I think it is kinda sad that their search ended up with really two people. Their first choice was a college coach from a small school in Ohio, granted Akron has become a powerhouse of talent over the last couple years but really that is the best DC United could do? They followed it when he turned them down with Curt, who is qualified, but again I just wonder if he is the best available coach in the world. DC United has always been a team with more of an international flair on and off the field, so I wonder if they just ran out of time and took a good but easy choice.
I wish him the best.
DC WAS the flagship
They aren’t anymore.
Probably Houston actually. Their past four years are only surpassed by United’s first four.
I also think that MLS with its needs for more technical and tactical training at the senior level than most leagues needs not “star” coaches, but educators. Probably why the best coaches in MLS history have come from the college ranks.
I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
MISTAKE
Huge mistake by the front office of DC. The United fans can look forward to another mediocre season.
When I lived in Pennsylvania, DC United was the closest team to where we were, so we drove 2 hours each way to catch about 10 games each season. I loved the DC fans and atmosphere, and I think they deserve better.
More importantly, I think DC really needs to secure a long term starting Keeper with credentials. Their problems in the net are a joke.
And by the way, DC United WILL continue to be the be the FLAGSHIP of the MLS until another team can surpass what they have accomplished. Which, in my opinion, wont be happening anytime soon. Not only have they won 4 MLS titles, 4 supporters sheilds, 2 US open cups, the CONCACAF champions cup and the InterAmarican cup, no other team in MLS has EVER advanced that far in International competitions, heck, they have had the best record in the eastern conference 7 times out of 14.
Houston had their run, they are going downhill from here, losing star players last off-season, and now again this off-season, all the while bringing in a DP who will only manage to put butts in the seats.
DC's Day
I do think they settled on Curt, but I don’t think you can blame the last two seasons purely on the the coach. I do think DC is still the flagship franchise in MLS, but I would say if you included the Houston days in San Jose, as a franchise they are a very close second.
I think the issues at DC are deep issues, that revolve around Payne to be honest, he makes these statements that are just well, stupid. If he is that careless with his words how is he running the organization? I get his point about offensive vs. defensive soccer, he isn’t wrong in theory but in MLS you play defense first and then attack. The more balanced you can do that, the better off you are. I use LA in 2008 as the example, they scored more goals than anyone (55) but they allowed more than anyone (62) and ended tied for the worst team in MLS, in 2009 they focused on improving their defense and allowed only 31 goals (only two teams allowed fewer) and they scored only 36 (only 4 scored fewer) and they got to the MLS Cup.
Perhaps Kevin should focus a little more on understanding what works in MLS instead of making excuses and blaming other teams and how they play for the fact that DCU has missed the playoffs for two straight years. He also better understand that without the heart of Ben Olsen, there is no leader on his team. Gomez, Fred, Moreno, and Emilio are all over 30 and on the downside of their career and none has the heart to lead this team. I don’t expect any overnight (or 1 season) miracle changes, but maybe Curt can find a way to get the most out of guys with talent?
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