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Monday, 27 January 2014
Friday, 10 January 2014
Official: Oscar Pareja is the new head coach at FC Dallas
AP
After his sudden and shocking departure from Colorado, we now have confirmation on why.
FC Dallas have announced that Oscar Pareja is officially their new head coach.
After a successful midfield career at Dallas that saw him spend seven years and make 170 league appearances, Pareja will now take charge of the team on the touchline.
It seems like the job he’s wanted for some time now. Pareja asked but was refused permission to interview for this very position in November. He spent five years in the backroom staff at Dallas. And now he’s in charge.
(MORE: Colorado management has lots of questions to answer on the unfolding Oscar Pareja fiasco)
The club went 84 days since the removal of Schellas Hyndman marked the end of a stark downward trend at the end of the 2013 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Oscar back to FC Dallas as head coach,” FC Dallas Chairman Clark Hunt said. “In addition to his stellar career as a player in our league, Oscar has an outstanding track record of success as a coach at every level of MLS. After an extensive search process, we concluded that Oscar’s experience, teaching ability, personal integrity and passion for our club make him the ideal choice to lead FC Dallas in 2014 and beyond.”
Dallas confirmed in their release that they will send Colorado a 2015 first round MLS SuperDraft pick plus allocation money as compensation for Pareja, as he was still under contract at his former club.
The Rapids also confirmed in their release that the deal does include a contract buyout, allowing Pareja to join up with Dallas.
“The compensation we’ve received for Dallas will help us this season and beyond, and we are eager to find the right candidate to take our head coaching position,” said Colorado President Tim Hinchey. “With a youthful squad that is primed to succeed for several years down the line, this is an attractive coaching job with a solid structure already in place. We want to credit Oscar for his role in helping develop our team in the last two years, and we wish him and his family the best in Dallas.”
FC Dallas have announced that Oscar Pareja is officially their new head coach.
After a successful midfield career at Dallas that saw him spend seven years and make 170 league appearances, Pareja will now take charge of the team on the touchline.
It seems like the job he’s wanted for some time now. Pareja asked but was refused permission to interview for this very position in November. He spent five years in the backroom staff at Dallas. And now he’s in charge.
(MORE: Colorado management has lots of questions to answer on the unfolding Oscar Pareja fiasco)
The club went 84 days since the removal of Schellas Hyndman marked the end of a stark downward trend at the end of the 2013 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Oscar back to FC Dallas as head coach,” FC Dallas Chairman Clark Hunt said. “In addition to his stellar career as a player in our league, Oscar has an outstanding track record of success as a coach at every level of MLS. After an extensive search process, we concluded that Oscar’s experience, teaching ability, personal integrity and passion for our club make him the ideal choice to lead FC Dallas in 2014 and beyond.”
Dallas confirmed in their release that they will send Colorado a 2015 first round MLS SuperDraft pick plus allocation money as compensation for Pareja, as he was still under contract at his former club.
The Rapids also confirmed in their release that the deal does include a contract buyout, allowing Pareja to join up with Dallas.
“The compensation we’ve received for Dallas will help us this season and beyond, and we are eager to find the right candidate to take our head coaching position,” said Colorado President Tim Hinchey. “With a youthful squad that is primed to succeed for several years down the line, this is an attractive coaching job with a solid structure already in place. We want to credit Oscar for his role in helping develop our team in the last two years, and we wish him and his family the best in Dallas.”
Why Michael Bradley is worth the money … and other lingering thoughts on Toronto FC’s major signing
Getty Images
According to all reports, Michael Bradley is about to come Major League Soccer’s most well-paid man. So we may as well begin the initial probing of the inevitable question: whether he’s worth the money?
The very short answer: the guy will be worth every penny.
It’s not just that Bradley instantly becomes one of the top passers and one of the most intelligent of midfield leaders in MLS, he represents something else that is almost as important.
Good organizations build systems of accountability from the inside out. It’s a big part of the reason Houston has done so well over the years, even with smaller-budget talent: the locker room is always right, and the day-to-day accountability polices itself.
Teams like Toronto FC, a perennial MLS struggler, don’t have that – but a guy like Bradley is a great place to start. He’s the ultimate professional, which is why he’ll soon be Jurgen Klinsmann’s captain. (No offense to Clint Dempsey, but Bradley is already this national team group’s de facto captain.)
Bradley will demand excellence at the training ground and on game day, and that’s a sure bonus on the big bag of talent and midfield smart that he’ll be toting into BMO Field.
On other matters …
I asked this question on Twitter: “Remember when it was so cool to bash Landon Donovan because he wanted to play in MLS rather than Europe?”
Donovan took more than his share of flak for that. History may well reverse that sentiment, offering up Donovan as one of the pioneers, someone willing to stay in MLS to help build the league rather than jumping across the Atlantic for greater glory. Either way: Clint Dempsey took some of the same abuse, although much less of it. Bradley is likely to take even less, even though he’s just 26. This tide will continue to turn — and the soccer snobs who still like to hammer MLS because it isn’t the Premier League or Serie A or whatever will continue to fade into the background.
Donovan, by the way, is clearly on board. What Donovan told reporters gathered Thursday in Southern California, where the national team is holding its annual January camp:
(MORE: Michael Bradley’s Italian-based agent says deal to MLS now complete)
(MORE: Where Bradley’s signing falls in all-time MLS significance)
(MORE: What Toronto’s starting lineup might look like with Defoe, Bradley)
.
The very short answer: the guy will be worth every penny.
It’s not just that Bradley instantly becomes one of the top passers and one of the most intelligent of midfield leaders in MLS, he represents something else that is almost as important.
Good organizations build systems of accountability from the inside out. It’s a big part of the reason Houston has done so well over the years, even with smaller-budget talent: the locker room is always right, and the day-to-day accountability polices itself.
Teams like Toronto FC, a perennial MLS struggler, don’t have that – but a guy like Bradley is a great place to start. He’s the ultimate professional, which is why he’ll soon be Jurgen Klinsmann’s captain. (No offense to Clint Dempsey, but Bradley is already this national team group’s de facto captain.)
Bradley will demand excellence at the training ground and on game day, and that’s a sure bonus on the big bag of talent and midfield smart that he’ll be toting into BMO Field.
On other matters …
I asked this question on Twitter: “Remember when it was so cool to bash Landon Donovan because he wanted to play in MLS rather than Europe?”
Donovan took more than his share of flak for that. History may well reverse that sentiment, offering up Donovan as one of the pioneers, someone willing to stay in MLS to help build the league rather than jumping across the Atlantic for greater glory. Either way: Clint Dempsey took some of the same abuse, although much less of it. Bradley is likely to take even less, even though he’s just 26. This tide will continue to turn — and the soccer snobs who still like to hammer MLS because it isn’t the Premier League or Serie A or whatever will continue to fade into the background.
Donovan, by the way, is clearly on board. What Donovan told reporters gathered Thursday in Southern California, where the national team is holding its annual January camp:
I think that it’s a testament to our league that people want to come back and play here particularly six months before a World Cup. It makes a strong statement, obviously, [Tim Leiweke] made it clear to him that it was something that he wanted, and Mike is a smart guy, I’m sure that he’s thought about this a lot and it’s something that he wants to do so I think that it is great.”(MORE: Defoe to be unveiled Monday by Toronto FC)
(MORE: Michael Bradley’s Italian-based agent says deal to MLS now complete)
(MORE: Where Bradley’s signing falls in all-time MLS significance)
(MORE: What Toronto’s starting lineup might look like with Defoe, Bradley)
.
'Your job now is to stand by our new manager' Fergies last act of genius as Manchester United boss
As
Sir Alex Ferguson took to the Old Trafford turf last May to deliver his
farewell speech, not many would have guessed that he may have been
about to deliver his final act of genius as Manchester United manager.
After a few minutes of soaking up some rapturous applause, thanking players and staff and wishing all the best to the ill Darren Fletcher and fellow retiree Paul Scholes, Ferguson uttered his final request to his adoring faithful: ‘Your job now is to stand by our new manager’.
The new manager he was referring to was of course, David Moyes and by encouraging the Old Trafford crowd to back their new leader to the hilt Ferguson may just have bought him some valuable time.
For at this stage of the season, if Moyes had been employed by the ruthless owners of either Chelsea or Manchester City, one would have to conclude that he would almost certainly have received his P45 by now.
While most Manchester United supporters did not expect Moyes to slip into Fergie’s throne without any discomfort, most would not have expected to be languishing in 7th position in the Premier League table in January, five points adrift of the fourth Champion’s League spot.
Yet after last week’s last-gasp F.A. Cup defeat to Swansea and the midweek humbling by Sunderland in the Capital One Cup, fans were still showing their support for the manager. The question now is, exactly how far will the patience of the Manchester United faithful stretch?
How many more defeats will it take before they are calling for Moyes’ head? How many more weeks of mid-table obscurity will they be able to handle before pushing for his exit?
If Moyes can manage to lead a springtime charge up the table and clinch Champion’s League qualification then he should be able to breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to a second season at the Old Trafford.
Another saving grace would be a decent run in this season’s edition of Europe’s premier competition. With Olympiakos as opponents in February’s round of 16, United will fancy their chances of at least making the quarter-finals and, with a bit of luck, go even further.
All this would certainly have to be seen as a decent return for the manager’s first season in charge. However, with last week’s conquerors Swansea returning to Old Trafford in the league this Sunday and a trip to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea looming the following week, Moyes may find himself with his back firmly up against the wall, and with Sir Alex Ferguson to thank for ensuring he’s made it this far.
After a few minutes of soaking up some rapturous applause, thanking players and staff and wishing all the best to the ill Darren Fletcher and fellow retiree Paul Scholes, Ferguson uttered his final request to his adoring faithful: ‘Your job now is to stand by our new manager’.
The new manager he was referring to was of course, David Moyes and by encouraging the Old Trafford crowd to back their new leader to the hilt Ferguson may just have bought him some valuable time.
For at this stage of the season, if Moyes had been employed by the ruthless owners of either Chelsea or Manchester City, one would have to conclude that he would almost certainly have received his P45 by now.
While most Manchester United supporters did not expect Moyes to slip into Fergie’s throne without any discomfort, most would not have expected to be languishing in 7th position in the Premier League table in January, five points adrift of the fourth Champion’s League spot.
Yet after last week’s last-gasp F.A. Cup defeat to Swansea and the midweek humbling by Sunderland in the Capital One Cup, fans were still showing their support for the manager. The question now is, exactly how far will the patience of the Manchester United faithful stretch?
How many more defeats will it take before they are calling for Moyes’ head? How many more weeks of mid-table obscurity will they be able to handle before pushing for his exit?
If Moyes can manage to lead a springtime charge up the table and clinch Champion’s League qualification then he should be able to breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to a second season at the Old Trafford.
Another saving grace would be a decent run in this season’s edition of Europe’s premier competition. With Olympiakos as opponents in February’s round of 16, United will fancy their chances of at least making the quarter-finals and, with a bit of luck, go even further.
All this would certainly have to be seen as a decent return for the manager’s first season in charge. However, with last week’s conquerors Swansea returning to Old Trafford in the league this Sunday and a trip to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea looming the following week, Moyes may find himself with his back firmly up against the wall, and with Sir Alex Ferguson to thank for ensuring he’s made it this far.
Friday, 3 January 2014
Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith Proves He is a Great Quarterback
Earlier
this year in another article I wrote, I predicted the following stats
for Alex Smith this season. Smith will complete 398 of 553 attempts,
that’s a 71.97 percent completion rate. He’ll throw for 3,436 yards,
have 22 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions.Looking over his stats for the regular season, I’m not that far off.
Andy Reid got the most out of his quarterback, taking a 2-14 team and turning it into an 11-5 playoff contender.
Smith isn’t the most exciting quarterback to watch, but he is one of the most consistent and he’s one of the smartest. Smith couldn’t have done it alone, without the amazing rushing attack of Jamaal Charles.
Smith completed 308 passes out of 508 attempts, that’s only a 60.6 percent completion rate. He threw for 3,313 yards, had 23 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions. Smith also rushed for 431 yards, which is the most in his career.
He is more than a good quarterback, he’s a great one. He’s the true leader of this offense and his teammates rally behind him. Smith had a shocking season as many did not think he would take this team as far as he did, especially the eight-game win streak. I believe Smith should be in the talks for MVP this season.
Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs are now in the playoffs and could go all the way; you know the age old saying “It’s hard to beat a team three times in one season”. The Bronco’s should be shaking in their boots, as Smith is coming.
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Match of the Day analysis: Is Solskjær the right choice for Cardiff City?
From both sides of the equation, Ole Gunnar Solksjær’s hire at Cardiff City looks like a curious one. While the media caricature of Vincent Tan makes clear the obstacles facing the Bluebirds’ manager-to-be, there are also reasons to think the 40-year-old may not be the right man for Cardiff.
At least, that’s the case NBC Analyst Robbie Earle highlights when asked about the hire, above. As Earle notes, a man with more Premier League experience might stand a better chance at reversing the club’s current trend, one that has last season’s second division champions careening toward relegation. Given the unique challenges Tan’s sure to pose, perhaps a person who has navigated these waters before would be best for the job?
As Kyle Martino notes, Solskjær hasn’t put himself in a good position either, going against some of his famous former boss’s advise. Choose stability when picking a job, Alex Ferguson’s said to have told Solksjær. Go for the owner, not the club.
If the common conception of Tan is true, Solskjær has gone against that advice. Then again, the common competition of the Glazer family claims they’re terrible owners, yet Ferguson enjoyed some of his most dominant years under their employ. It’s almost as if, from this side of the equation, we only see a very limited view of what these owners are all about, views a couple select factors (Malkay Mackay’s media savvy, the English media’s coverage of United’s debt) can skew.
Like the Glazers, perhaps there’s something about Tan we don’t know. For now, though, the Match of the Day panel is taking a wait-and-see approach to Solskjær’s appointment.
At least, that’s the case NBC Analyst Robbie Earle highlights when asked about the hire, above. As Earle notes, a man with more Premier League experience might stand a better chance at reversing the club’s current trend, one that has last season’s second division champions careening toward relegation. Given the unique challenges Tan’s sure to pose, perhaps a person who has navigated these waters before would be best for the job?
As Kyle Martino notes, Solskjær hasn’t put himself in a good position either, going against some of his famous former boss’s advise. Choose stability when picking a job, Alex Ferguson’s said to have told Solksjær. Go for the owner, not the club.
If the common conception of Tan is true, Solskjær has gone against that advice. Then again, the common competition of the Glazer family claims they’re terrible owners, yet Ferguson enjoyed some of his most dominant years under their employ. It’s almost as if, from this side of the equation, we only see a very limited view of what these owners are all about, views a couple select factors (Malkay Mackay’s media savvy, the English media’s coverage of United’s debt) can skew.
Like the Glazers, perhaps there’s something about Tan we don’t know. For now, though, the Match of the Day panel is taking a wait-and-see approach to Solskjær’s appointment.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Edgar Davids says he is retiring (Wait! He’s still playing?)
Getty Images
Edgar Davids was some kind of force back in the day. The dreadlocked Dutch midfielder patrolled with a fairly rare blend of skill, vision and battering ram-style brute force.
Of course, his “day” was in the late 1990s and early part of the next decade. Which is quite a few days ago!
Davids’ best years were at Ajax (1991-96) and Juventus (1997-2004). Recognizable for his goggles (worn because he has glaucoma) Davids was one-man army in front of the back four for a terrific Dutch team, one that took Brazil to penalty kicks in a 1998 World Cup semifinal.
So what in the name of Sir Stanley Matthews – that dude played til he was 50 – is the guy doing still on the field? It’s true, though. Davids, now 40, is still hammering away professionally, now for Barnet in England’s Conference Premier league, the fifth tier of soccer in that country.
Well, he was playing for Barnet, where he was also manager.
Davids has been a red card waiting to happen for Barnet. He picked up yet another over the weekend, not much a surprise considering the way he operated all along. Either way, now he says he’s finally had enough.
Of course, his “day” was in the late 1990s and early part of the next decade. Which is quite a few days ago!
Davids’ best years were at Ajax (1991-96) and Juventus (1997-2004). Recognizable for his goggles (worn because he has glaucoma) Davids was one-man army in front of the back four for a terrific Dutch team, one that took Brazil to penalty kicks in a 1998 World Cup semifinal.
So what in the name of Sir Stanley Matthews – that dude played til he was 50 – is the guy doing still on the field? It’s true, though. Davids, now 40, is still hammering away professionally, now for Barnet in England’s Conference Premier league, the fifth tier of soccer in that country.
Well, he was playing for Barnet, where he was also manager.
Davids has been a red card waiting to happen for Barnet. He picked up yet another over the weekend, not much a surprise considering the way he operated all along. Either way, now he says he’s finally had enough.
Monday, 30 December 2013
Edgar Davids says he is retiring (Wait! He’s still playing?)
Getty Images
Edgar Davids was some kind of force back in the day. The dreadlocked Dutch midfielder patrolled with a fairly rare blend of skill, vision and battering ram-style brute force.
Of course, his “day” was in the late 1990s and early part of the next decade. Which is quite a few days ago!
Davids’ best years were at Ajax (1991-96) and Juventus (1997-2004). Recognizable for his goggles (worn because he has glaucoma) Davids was one-man army in front of the back four for a terrific Dutch team, one that took Brazil to penalty kicks in a 1998 World Cup semifinal.
So what in the name of Sir Stanley Matthews – that dude played til he was 50 – is the guy doing still on the field? It’s true, though. Davids, now 40, is still hammering away professionally, now for Barnet in England’s Conference Premier league, the fifth tier of soccer in that country.
Well, he was playing for Barnet, where he was also manager.
Davids has been a red card waiting to happen for Barnet. He picked up yet another over the weekend, not much a surprise considering the way he operated all along. Either way, now he says he’s finally had enough.
Of course, his “day” was in the late 1990s and early part of the next decade. Which is quite a few days ago!
Davids’ best years were at Ajax (1991-96) and Juventus (1997-2004). Recognizable for his goggles (worn because he has glaucoma) Davids was one-man army in front of the back four for a terrific Dutch team, one that took Brazil to penalty kicks in a 1998 World Cup semifinal.
So what in the name of Sir Stanley Matthews – that dude played til he was 50 – is the guy doing still on the field? It’s true, though. Davids, now 40, is still hammering away professionally, now for Barnet in England’s Conference Premier league, the fifth tier of soccer in that country.
Well, he was playing for Barnet, where he was also manager.
Davids has been a red card waiting to happen for Barnet. He picked up yet another over the weekend, not much a surprise considering the way he operated all along. Either way, now he says he’s finally had enough.
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