Whether you agree or not with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ decision to let Teitur Thordarson go, you have to appreciate how forthcoming the club is with its rationale.
“Ambition … a judgement call … a feeling.” Club CEO Paul Barber wasn’t hiding behind executive speak on Monday. And he says winning the Nutrilite Canadian Championship — had the match been played last week — would not have mattered.
In an open letter to fans, Barber and club president Bob Lenarduzzi also confessed that the team’s playing style under Thordarson was not what they wanted for fans and the home record did not make Empire Field “a fortress.”
For his part, Thordarson says that he thought he’d be given more time. “This game isn’t fair, this game is never fair,” he said. He also told one Canadian reporter that he never saw it coming.
The common sentiment is that Thordarson’s replacement, director of soccer operations Tom Soehn, may change tactics to get more out of Davide Chiumiento and that he could make a switch in goal.
Along with Soehn, another ex-Chicago Fire player will be taking over the reins of an MLS team. Like Soehn, Frank Klopas moved from his technical director role to that of manager, replacing Carlos de los Cobos, who had 10 wins in 41 MLS matches. The Fire and Klopas will address media for the first time today.
When a Mexican coach is canned in MLS, it’s probably not the best day for former Chivas USA defender Claudio Suárez to say that Mexico is 100 years ahead of the United States when it comes to soccer. Mexico play New Zealand in Denver on Wednesday in a Gold Cup tune-up match.
While Vancouver and Chicago said goodbye to their head coaches, the Houston Dynamo will be dispatching their transfer-deadline day signing Koke. Club management is already looking at the bright side and the fact that it will free up salary for some other targets they have in mind.
Red Bull has a target of its own. After establishing clubs in Brazil, Austria, Germany and the United States, Belgium is reportedly next on the list. (SPANISH)
First, the New York club will want to figure out exactly what went wrong for its reserve team to have lost 6-1 to the Columbus Crew on Memorial Day.
The drama surrounding FIFA continues today with the English FA publicly requesting a postponement of the June 1 FIFA presidential election to give a new candidate the opportunity to run against Sepp Blatter.
There’s also a new story concerning suspended CONCACAF president Jack Warner and his travel agency, which adds fuel to the fire of the recent controversy.
Meanwhile, some FIFA sponsors are not standing pat. One company issued a statement of its “disappointment” while another talks about the allegations being “distressing.”
In case you did not catch the tail end of the Sepp Blatter press conference from Monday, here’s the video that has done little to help clear the dark cloud hovering over FIFA.
While FIFA wrangles over internal issues, national teams get ready to play in international friendlies and tournaments throughout the world.
The USA are in Cary, N.C., in preparation for the 2011 Gold Cup. One member of the squad, Michael Bradley, has two clubs currently haggling over the value of his services.
Another player in camp, Steve Cherundolo, is just another David Beckham. He says he’ll be available to play for the USA until the national team needs him. He also talks about his future in MLS.
Mateja Kezman apparently has a decision of his own to make and it apparently involves an MLS club, according to reports.
Lastly, in case you haven’t seen it, here’s the video of the Minnesota newsman who tells off soccer fans calling the Fox station to complain about the in-game weather updates during the UEFA Champions League match. (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
Sean Johnson is back as Chicago’s No. 1 goalkeeper
New MLS Player of the Week last won the award in 2005
Vote for the Week 11 Goal of the Week award
Get the The Kick-Off delivered to you!
Enter your email address below to sign up for The Kick-Off mailing list and get it delivered to your inbox every morning.
E-mail:
