SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake Owner David W. Checketts announced today that team Captain Jason Kreis, the first player acquired in team history and Major League Soccer's all-time leading scorer, has terminated his playing career and will take over as RSL's head coach, effective immediately.
"This signals a new beginning for our franchise," said Checketts. "Jason fits the profile of every great leader I have worked with throughout my career. He is a hard-working, dedicated over-achiever who refuses to accept anything less than maximum effort from everyone around him."
Kreis' first duty as head coach will be running practice today at Rice-Eccles Stadium (10:00 a.m. MT) in preparation for Saturday's match against the New York Red Bulls (7:00 p.m. MT). RSL is still seeking its first MLS win of 2007, after capturing just two points from the team's first four matches. Saturday's game marks the final home match for RSL before the squad hits the road for four consecutive road games.
"While I know his leadership and ability on the field will be missed, we need his efforts to be completely focused on the many responsibilities that lie in front of him as our new head coach," continued Checketts. "I have total confidence in his ability to make the transition and look forward to working with him as we embark on this new chapter for our organization."
On Saturday, Kreis will become the youngest active head coach in Major League Soccer at 34 years and 127 days of age. In addition to becoming the youngest full-time coach in MLS history, eclipsing former New York Red Bulls interim coach Richie Williams' mark of 36 years and 25 days set during the latter half of the 2006 season, Kreis on Saturday will become the second-youngest to coach in a League match, as former Colorado Rapids player Roy Wegerle (32 years, 186 days) was the interim coach of record for their final game in 1996. The new role for Kreis makes the Duke University product the eleventh ex-MLS player (not including Wegerle) to take the reins of a League side, and the seventh current head coach to make the switch from the field to the sideline.
"Becoming a coach in this league has been a serious goal of mine for the past few years," said Kreis. "To be afforded this opportunity now is truly a blessing. What this does is allow me the opportunity to end one career and jump right into the next one without skipping a beat." Checketts also announced that former RSL head Coach John Ellinger would remain on board as the team's Technical Director / Director of Soccer Operations. Ellinger will work closely with Kreis regarding player acquisitions, scouting, the MLS Draft and all player personnel-related matters.
Additionally, Ellinger will continue with the development of the team's world-class youth soccer academy in conjunction with Real Madrid, as well as the newly formed RSL Youth Development program, which includes Under-16 and Under-17 age group teams in both Utah and Arizona, as well as a developing club program in Florida. Both RSL Utah and RSL Arizona are set to compete in the newly created Rocky Mountain Division of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Super Y-League.
"John Ellinger is the consummate gentleman; a first-class person in every possible way," said Checketts. "I feel he will be a great benefit for our club moving forward as he works with Jason to oversee all player personnel related matters. I am thrilled he has accepted my offer to remain with the club in this capacity."
Ellinger was hired as the first coach in RSL history on October 6, 2004. In just over two seasons at the helm, the club has compiled a record of 15-37-16, including a 0-2-2 mark thus far in 2007.
"His track record of identifying and developing young talent speaks for itself. I know that he will add tremendous value for our academy and youth development programs as we move forward with those initiatives," concluded Checketts.
"Although I have enjoyed my playing career immensely, there is no time for reminiscing," Kreis, owner of 108 career MLS goals, continued. "It is time for action and time to move on. I am viewing this as a complete and utter challenge, as well as a tremendous responsibility. I have a responsibility to the Checketts family, to the organization, and to the great people of Utah to produce a winning team, and I do not take that responsibility lightly."
MLS's all-time leading scorer, Kreis became the first player in RSL history on November 17, 2004, when the 12-year MLS veteran was acquired from FC Dallas in exchange for future considerations.
"I plan on approaching this next endeavor the same way I approached every day and every game of my last one - with complete passion and voracity," Kreis said. "I feel fully prepared for this move, and I look forward to the future with tremendous excitement and eager anticipation."
The native of Omaha, Neb., was the first American-born player in MLS history to earn MVP honors when he captured the award in 1999 after leading the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) in goals (18) and assists (15). His stellar 1999 campaign also marked the first time in MLS history any player ever scored 15 goals while dishing out 15 assists. In addition to scoring the most goals in MLS history (108), he also serves as the League's all-time leader in game-winning goals (31), and ranks among the top five MLS career leaders in games (305), starts (282), minutes (25,242), shots (818) and shots on goal (370).
Finally, Checketts also announced that he has accepted the resignation of General Manager Steve Pastorino.
"On behalf of my partners at SCP Worldwide and the entire RSL organization, I would like to thank Steve for the work he has put in over the last two and a half years," said Checketts. "We wish him nothing but the best moving forward."
RSL will conduct a thorough search for a replacement General Manager over the coming weeks.
