When Mo Johnston was promoted to interim head coach, there was also another man who moved up in the MetroStars chain of command. Des McAleenan, formerly the assistant coach and goalkeeping coach, has now been upgraded to the primary assistant coach. I was able to chat with McAleenan for a while and learned some interesting information from him.
Before I start my babblin', let me bring you back to last week's trivia question?
What MetroStars player celebrates his birthday on Oct. 25?
The answer to this one is Eddie Gaven, who turned 19 on Tuesday.
Congratulations to all 34 of the winners for this week:F abian Casteblanco from South Plainfield, N.J., Eamon Collins from Freehold, N.J., Victor Suchy, T.J. Jiries, Tara Gerke from Basking Ridge, N.J., Billy White, Eric Tabora from Norwalk, Conn., Serge Nudel from Old Bridge, N.J., Jessica Ding from Hamilton, N.J., Melinda Carly, Messia R. from N.Y., Mike Day from Denver, Colo., Nick from Clarks Summit, Penn., Cathy Pipcho from Clarks Summit, Penn., Marc P. Bernaducci from Wayne, N.J., Cristian from Romania, Anthony from Toms River, N.J., Vanessa A. Pizzi, Brian Donaghy, Mike Raniere from East Northport, N.Y., Lancelot Clark from Atlanta, Thomas Binkley from Summit, N.J., Michael from Ireland, Kelsi Schroeder from Stroudsburg, Penn., Sean Pace from Dry Ridge, Ken., Reynaldo Gomez, Oren Glickman from Teaneck, N.J., Chuck, Chris, Tyson Hoeflinger from Hightstown, N.J., Jonathan Snow, Dough Jowett from Guilford, Conn., Kelly from West Babylon, N.Y. and Tony from Newark, N.J.
Now, since my fingers are killing me, onto the babblin' ...
Born in Dublin, Ireland, McAleenan moved to the U.S. in 1987. During his first year in the United States, McAleenan played goalkeeper with Concordia College in Bronxville, N.Y. A few years later, after he had left, a former MetroStars player attended the same college, as Rodrigo Faria, the 13th overall pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft, played with Concordia.
A year after that, McAleenan moved to the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils. In the four years with the team, he played against soccer icons like Giovanni Savarese, Curt Onalfo and Chris Armas.
After graduating college, McAleenan went on to play professionally for five years in the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL). From 1992-1995, McAleenan was goalkeeper for the Connecticut Wolves and moved on to the Albany Alley Cats afterwards.
In 2001, McAleenan was offered the job as goalkeeping coach for the MetroStars.
"I was delighted and excited because it is very difficult to get an opportunity at a professional level," said McAleenan, now in his fifth year on the MetroStars staff.
However, once he accepted the job, he immediately ran into some conflict. Back in 2001, there was a big struggle at the starting goalkeeper position for the MetroStars. Youngster Tim Howard, who only started one game with the team in 2000, was trying to steal the starting position from veteran goalkeeper Mike Ammann, who started 22 games with the team the previous year.
"I did not know much about Tim Howard, but then discovered some tension between him and Mike [Ammann]," said McAleenan. "Tim was anxious to get a chance and he was still young. On my first day, both of them were there, but at the end of our first training session, Ammann was traded to D.C. United, making my job a lot less stressful. The earlier days, like for all young coaches, was a difficult challenge, but as a professional, you have to work with what you are given."
Luckily for the MetroStars, Howard was given the starting job. Howard minded the net for every minute of every game with the team in 2001, recording a 1.33 GAA and four shutouts.
Over his next two years, McAleenan and Howard worked together, improving every day. Then came that important day in 2003, when Howard moved from the Red and Black to the Red Devils of Manchester United. As the first American to play for Sir Alex Ferguson's first team, Howard's goalkeeping coach could not have been happier. Over the past five years of work with the Metros, McAleenan has had some great times with the team, but none greater than when Howard won goalkeeper of the year and signed with Manchester United.
"I was delighted and tremendously thrilled," said McAleenan. "It was something that he wanted for a very long time and he has something to be proud about. I knew that my effort was working because I had worked with him over that period of time. To work with a young goalkeeper, like Tim, and win goalkeeper of the year, I feel very fortunate that I was able to work so closely with Tim. He is truly a world-class player."
In his fifth season with the team, McAleenan is gaining knowledge and experience every day. Every week, he would work with the teams' netminders and work them to the best of their abilities.
"In a given week, I will have anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour with the 'keepers each day," said McAleenan. "I also do a lot of video analysis during the week, taking a look at our strongest aspects of the game along with what we could improve on."
One of the hardest parts for McAleenan was seeing Jonny Walker traded to Columbus.
"I have been there when players are traded and, being close to the players, I have an understanding of it," said McAleenan. "Jonny Walker is a very close friend of mine and I have experienced stuff like that first hand. I just accepted it, knew it was part of the game, and was fully prepared to go on."
Now under the leadership of Johnston, McAleenan said the connection between the two of them is still the same.
"The role with Mo has not changed, regarding my relationship and friendship with him," said McAleenan. "We have a strong friendship and a very good understanding of each other's personalities. We enjoy each other's company and really have a great laugh together and you can feel that in the locker room. Not only do we have that type of relationship with the coaching staff, but we also share that with the players, who like that as well, but at the same time, they know we are serious."
During his time in college, McAleenan was not only a goalkeeper. He holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University and is a United States Soccer Federation A-Licensed coach.
"I was always trying to look forward to where I wanted to be," said McAleenan. "In the mean time, I felt that if I slipped into (another) job, working in the '9-5' life, it would help. I went along with things that kept my options open, which helped me move along in the direction I needed to go. I also enjoy teaching kids as well as helping with their goalkeeping abilities."
One of the biggest influences in McAleenan's life has been world renowned goalkeeping coach Dan Gaspar. Gaspar, who worked with McAleeenan in the Star Goalkeeping Academy (SGA), was also a MetroStars coach, helping the Red and Black qualify for the 1996 MLS playoffs. Gaspar has also worked with the Portuguese and South African national teams.
"To me, he [Gaspar] is one of the most successful coaches in American history," said McAleenan. "He was a goalkeeping coach for some incredible teams and really knows me better than anyone, as a coach. He has helped me a lot, getting me where I needed to be."
The MetroStars organization is a place that McAleenan would like to be for a while.
"I have been here for the first five years in my professional life and this is a place I would like to remain because there are special things here," said McAleenan. "I can clearly say, with [president and general manager] Alexi [Lalas], this is the time and place to make things happen. With the building of a new stadium and the ambitions of overseas competition, this is the right time and right place to be around the team and I would like to be part of their future."
Though McAleenan is having great success as a coach with the MetroStars, he is staying realistic regarding his career.
"I have no interest to become a head coach because that is not a reasonable expectation," said McAleenan. "There are others in this league that should have that ambition. I believe when you do not have that type of career, there are certain limitations of where you can go. As a goalkeeper, I took that seriously. I enjoyed playing, but I know I had no real career ahead of me and I was nothing special. I have a passion for the game and I enjoy teaching. I do believe that I can work as a goalkeeping coach for a major club, possibly the U.S. national team or somewhere overseas."
In McAleenan's fifth year and the MetroStars 10th, this season has a chance to be one of the greatest for the MetroStars. After winning in the opening leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the team is looking like they will not let anything stand in their way. To McAleenan, the fans are to be thanked for that.
"Please show up and continue to give your support," said McAleenan. "I feel sorry that, in the five years that I have been here, we have not had many good memories and not given you too much to cheer about. However, we are on the right track, winning a playoff game for the first time in a while and, if we are able to get a result we are capable of getting, who knows where we can take this. I am very appreciative of your support and ask that you please continue."
As for last weekend, the Metros could not have asked for a much better result. They got the important lead on their home turf and definitely have the confidence going up to New England. I am going to do my best to get up to Gillette Stadium and I know that the MetroStars want to see as many supporters for the Red and Black as possible. In one of their most important games in the team's history, the MetroStars will not be able to do it without you, the fans.
After the game on Saturday, the locker room had an incredible atmosphere. You could not turn around without seeing a smile on another player's face. The MetroStars worked hard to be where they are right now and they are going to fight all the way until they get to Pizza Hut Park in November.
Now it is time for this week's trivia question. Since I gave an easy question last week, I am going to make this the hardest question I have ever given. If you can get this one, I will be extremely shocked and know that you have followed this team for a long time:
"Babblin' Brooks" is not the first column I have written for MetroStars.com. About two years ago, I wrote articles for the website. What was the name of my column?
If you have the answer as well as any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me at sbrooks@metrostars.com and I will be happy to respond.
I would like to thank Des McAleenan for giving up some valuable time after practice to answer my questions.
Thanks for reading and make sure to catch the MetroStars visit to New England on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and 1280 WADO.
That's all the babblin' I have time for this week. Go Metros!
