new coach...

[matt14]

every other team that lost a coach has moved very quick on hiring a coach...i like the patience on the national team selection...any rumors out there? jurgen???

[southbaysoccer]

WTF does that mean? Gulati stated that the next coach has a leg up b/c they are in the MLS coaching in the US and have knowledge of the American game. Cut the American crap. We need a coach that will inspire and bring fresh ideas to get our players to win Tournaments. That's it. That’s the criteria.

Here's my understanding of the American game. Suburban kids play soccer. They are motivated to win at any cost during 'development stages'. Then from 14-18 they’re pushed to play for at least 3 teams. Club, High School and a select or ODP team. At this point most are broken by the system. The better athletes wind up playing sexier sports followed by Sorts Center. Than the best players go to college where they will play at best 25 solid games and soccer isn't the priority b/c they have classes and other college duties.

Then the top 1% go on to play and the others lose interest in the sport and begin to watch American football.

How is knowing this landscape beneficial?

Ideas and motivation should be the criteria. Playing experience is a must. Coaching overseas is a must. That’s where you gain ideas and experience. Motivation is a must as well. To be able to capture a players attention is a must. That’s why Arena was so great from the start and why he ended so bad. He couldn't motivate and capture the US players attention and drive.

[Popeye0210]

There has to be a real motivation behind dragging his feet on hiring a coach. This is just too weird...no one else in the world would have waited this long...and we aren't conceited enough to think that we are special and great enough to be doing this. I wonder whats really going on.

And the "American Knowledge", its just jargon to keep people busy with something to talk about. Its total bull. If there was a real "American Style", we would be winning a lot more games, and no working knowledge of the youth systems might actually be better, since then maybe someone would come in with innovative (and proven) systems for development.

At least Red Bulls is on the right track...