Audio: Press conference >
Tom Soehn has been named the new head coach of D.C. United, replacing Peter Nowak, who will soon accept a new position as an assistant coach under U.S. national team interim boss Bob Bradley and an assistant coach for the U.S. under-23 national team.
Thursday's press conference announcement by club president and CEO Kevin Payne and technical director Dave Kasper sees the Black-and-Red appoint Soehn to his first head coaching job after six years as an assistant coach in MLS, the last three with United. He helped lead D.C. to a fourth MLS Cup championship in 2004, as well as the 2006 Supporters' Shield, awarded to the top team over the league's regular season.
Prior to joining United, Soehn was an assistant at the Chicago Fire, where he helped that side reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for three consecutive years and reached the 2003 MLS Cup Final, where they fell to the San Jose Earthquakes.
"Tom Soehn has been a huge contributor to the success of our club over the past three seasons," Payne said. "He and Peter, along with (goalkeeper coach) Mark Simpson, forged a unique partnership. Tommy is incredibly hard working, with a tremendous drive to succeed. His attention to detail, eye for talent, and open and frank manner with players will no doubt help us continue the great tradition D.C. United has established as America's most honored professional soccer team."
Nowak leaves D.C. United with an impressive 42-27-35 record over three seasons, helping return the club to the dominant position that it first acquired under Bruce Arena in the league's first seasons. The former Polish international was hired despite a lack of coaching experience, but he immediately turned things around for United after taking over for Ray Hudson.
"Some people thought we took a risk when we made Peter Nowak, a former player with no coaching experience, the head coach of D.C. United in 2004," said Payne. "I never doubted Peter's likelihood of success, and he certainly proved me right. Peter led D.C. United to many great moments, including the 2004 MLS Cup, and his accomplishments here speak for themselves. All of us at D.C. United respect his wishes and expect nothing but great things from him in as he joins the U.S. Soccer coaching staff. Peter has become a terrific coach, and he's an equally good person, and he will be missed."
Nowak became the first - and to this point only - man to captain and coach an MLS Cup championship side when D.C. topped the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in MLS Cup 2004 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The club failed to repeat the feat the following year and was eliminated from the postseason at the hands of the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
United burst out of the gate in 2006 and exploded to the top of the Eastern Conference, but they cooled after the All-Star break and fell 1-0 to the New England Revolution at RFK Stadium in the Eastern Conference Championship.
"I've been fortunate to spend three fantastic years with D.C. United," said Nowak. "I'd like to thank Kevin Payne for believing in me and allowing me the chance to become a head coach, Dave Kasper for teaching me so much about the intricacies of Major League Soccer, Tommy Soehn and Mark Simpson for their dedication to making United the best we could be, the team staff and those in the front office that help all of us every step of the way, the fans who stood behind us all through every challenge, and, most importantly, the former and current players for their commitment and heart. I'm thankful and grateful for all that we've shared since 2004. I will always be a part of D.C. United."
Soehn had an impressive playing career of his own before turning to coaching. He won three championships as a member of the Chicago Fire, helping the "Men in Red" to an MLS Cup win (1998) and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (1998, 2000). Prior to signing with MLS, Soehn spent several years playing professionally indoors, where he registered 121 goals and 73 assists.
"Tom Soehn is more than ready to be a head coach in MLS," said Kasper. "He has been a huge part of this club's success the past three years and he is well-respected in our locker room and in the community. It will be a pleasure to work with someone who has a strong work ethic, is passionate about the game and winning, and whose character is beyond reproach."
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
