When Jurgen Klinsmann decided to no longer pursue the U.S. national team coaching position, he unknowingly changed the course of Chivas USA's history.
Klinsmann withdrew from consideration for the position on Thursday. U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati quickly turned to Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley. On Friday, Gulati introduced Bradley as the U.S. national team's interim coach and the full-time boss of the under-23 national squad.
And suddenly, Chivas USA was left without a coach.
"I will step away from Chivas USA at this time," Bradley said. "In an informal way, we have developed the kind of relationship that will continue for many years."
Chivas USA Co-Owner and President Antonio Cue said the club had nothing but warm wishes for Bradley.
"We are deeply proud of Bob and grateful for all he has given this organization: his time, his dedication, his hard work, and above all, his passion," Cue said in a statement. "We know he will succeed with the United States as he has succeeded in Major League Soccer, and we wish him the best of luck with the U.S. national team."
Bradley joined Chivas USA in November 2005. One month after he was fired as MetroStars coach, Bradley took over the reins of the Red-and-White. A beaten team in its first year, Bradley was the first cog in the club's overhaul of both players and philosophy. Bradley brought in players with whom he'd succeeded, including Ante Razov and Jesse Marsch. He drafted Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein. He welcomed veteran Mexican defender Claudio Suarez.
Chivas USA quickly turned into a playoff contender and, more importantly, a strong club. Chivas USA finished with a 10-9-13 mark and reached the playoffs for the first time.
In the end, though, Bradley was forced to make a quick decision about the future and chose the USA ahead of Chivas USA.
"Things happened quickly in the last few days," Bradley said. "It's difficult to step away from Chivas at this time because I feel very good about the work that we were all doing there. When certain moments come, you have to be ready."
Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez said he was delighted for his former coach.
"Personally, I'm happy for him," Suarez said. "He has worked very hard for many years and he deserves to be with the national team. For more than 10 years he's been one of the most successful coaches in the league."
Jesse Marsch, who played for Bradley in Chicago and became one of Chivas USA's key players last year, talked after the season about the possibility of losing Bradley to the national team.
"It's a tough pill to swallow. We'll hate to lose him," Marsch said then. "For him and for the future of American soccer, I think we all see the big picture and understand for (the U.S. national team) to really get on track, I think Bob's a necessary piece of that puzzle."
Marsch won an MLS Cup under Bradley in Chicago. A year ago, he contemplated retirement but instead wound up with Chivas USA after his former leader brought him into the fold. Marsch also played for Bradley at Princeton University and has grown to respect and admire his longtime boss.
"My initial reaction is one of pride and respect in terms of what the federation has done to recognize Bob as the great contemporary coach," Marsch said Friday. "I'm excited that Bob has a group of people who can really respect with what he's done in soccer and appreciate what he's done and entrust him with the future of our country's national team."
Already Bradley had begun molding Chivas USA's 2007 roster. Bradley dealt the club's designated player slot to New York in exchange for Amado Guevara. Still, the cupboard is far from barren and certainly not what it was like when Bradley arrived.
Suarez said he hoped the team would move forward in the right direction regardless of who takes over.
"He leaves us now but I hope we don't miss him. We hope the new coach can pick up where Bob left off. The new coach will have a great responsibility," Suarez said. "Bob was very important to the team this year. He worked very hard and it was different than I had been used to in Mexico. But I adapted well to his system and I think everybody carried the hard work over onto the field."
Suarez said he admires the way Bradley talked to his players.
"He had great communication with us, treated us like men and had the support of everyone," he said. "That's so important for a coach, to have great communication between his players."
The national team's gain is Chivas USA's loss but the club shouldn't sulk, Marsch said.
"Chivas USA (officials) did a great job in understanding what he brings a year ago and now they've been sort of a victim of his success," Marsch said. "But at the same I think they're very proud with how they've helped him along to become an important guy in American soccer."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
