Steven Goff | SoccerInsider
We’re waiting for D.C. United’s decision on Tom Soehn and for the New York Red Bulls to do the right thing by retaining Richie Williams instead of importing a European leader. We’re anticipating Peter Vermes (3-6-3 as the interim) to hire himself for the full-time gig in Kansas City and for Chicago to determine Denis Hamlett‘s future.
Meantime, Toronto has begun contacting candidates to replace Chris Cummins, who was let go this week after serving as the interim coach in place of John Carver. And the buzz in the soccer community is that, regardless of what unfolds this postseason, Preki and Chivas USA are likely going their separate ways after three years. The club holds the option on the final year (2010) of his contract.
Perhaps Chivas wants to forge a stronger Latin identity and hire a Mexican coach? Preki in Toronto, perhaps?
And has Gary Smith done enough in Colorado?
Portland and Vancouver, entering MLS in 2011, will also begin assessing their coaching options soon.
Among the names mentioned for current and possible openings are Los Angeles assistants Dave Sarachan and Trevor James, former Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo, Houston assistant John Spencer, Puerto Rico Coach Colin Clarke and Columbus technical director Brian Bliss. If Preki and Williams are liberated, they’ll undoubtedly join this group. And if Soehn is let go, Williams would become a prime candidate for DCU, where he spent six years as a player. Onalfo’s ties to DCU as a player and assistant, his fluency in Spanish and national team tutelage under maestro Bruce Arena are beneficial.
There’s also been speculation about the University of Maryland’s Sasho Cirovski, but he has no experience beyond the college game and, even if he were offered an MLS position, he would probably find it very difficult to walk away from what is essentially a well-compensated job for life at a premier program that has refined numerous pro prospects. There’s also the issue of control. Last winter, Cirovski told the Insider: «It would have to be the perfect opportunity. I am a hands-on person, and I would want to have a lot of control and power. A lot of people probably wouldn’t want to give me that.»
