MetroStars head coach Bob Bradley was relieved of his duties Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation that he was on his way out at the Meadowlands. Assistant coach Mo Johnston will take over as interim head coach, starting with Wednesday's critical match at Soldier Field against the Chicago Fire.
"On behalf of the organization I want to thank Bob for the professional, dedicated and passionate manner with which he did his job," said MetroStars President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "He is a quality coach and a class individual; it's unfortunate that, at times, this team has failed to live up to the loyalty and faith that he has consistently shown them. We still have an opportunity to make the playoffs and our fans expect and deserve a team that will fight to the end. I felt this change was necessary to help with that endeavor."
For the MetroStars, the results have not been consistently positive this season. The MetroStars have not won more than two consecutive games this year, nor have they lost more than two in a row. The team has twice put together unbeaten runs of five games and currently holds a record above .500, but in the ultra-competitive Eastern Conference - which features both of last year's MLS Cup combatants and a juggernaut in the New England Revolution - that hasn't been enough to move the Metros out of the bottom two places in the division. The final straw appeared to come Saturday night, when the Metros allowed four goals in the second half in losing 4-1 to defending MLS Cup champion D.C. United.
With three games left in the regular season, the MetroStars sit three points behind the Kansas City Wizards, who currently hold the fourth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. The Metros have a game in hand over the Wizards, which they will play Wednesday night.
Bradley finishes his MetroStars career with a regular season record of 32-31-26, but no playoff wins. The Metros have lost three and drawn once in four postseason games with Bradley at the helm. Prior to coaching the Metros, Bradley served as the boss of the Chicago Fire from 1998-2002, winning MLS Cup in 1998 and the U.S. Open Cup in 1998 and 2000. He currently has 114 regular season wins as a head coach, 31 more than any other coach.
Johnston, who retired in 2001 after six seasons with the Kansas City Wizards, takes over in his first career head coaching job after serving as an assistant to Bradley for the past three seasons. Prior to coming to MLS, Johnston played 15 seasons in Europe, mostly in his native Scotland.
"First of all I want to wish Bob Bradley the best. He was a great teacher and a great friend," Johnston said. "I am extremely excited about the challenge that lies ahead. We have three games left, and my goal is to get this team into the playoffs."
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
