Offseason Priorities Part One: We Need a Coach

Now that we have had some time to reflect on the second disappointing season in a row, it is time to take a look at what steps the club should take to right the ship going in to next season.

The first item on the agenda is finding the right head coach. Richie Williams, Curt Onalfo and Preki have been widely mentioned as candidates. Goff has also blogged that Caleb Porter from the University of Akron has been interviewed. Dennis Hamlett's name has also been mentioned. If this is the list to choose from, I say narrow the list to Preki and Richie Williams immediately. Besides the requisite experience in the way MLS really works, these two would bring the fire in the belly attitude that this team has been missing.

Richie Williams resume and reputation speak for themselves. He has made a lousy team respectable as the interim coach on two different occasions. I think Red Bull would be foolish not to offer him their head coaching position. But their history of foolishness is well documented. If they feel like they need a big name coach to put butts in the seats of their new stadium, then they could shoot themselves in the foot yet again.

The concern I have about Preki is the playing style of Chivas USA during his time there. One of the things I love about United is that they at least try to play elegant, attacking football. Kevin Payne alluded to this in the comments he made that cost him five grand. My personal opinion is that he was absolutely right. When you look at the bunker way some of the teams in this league play (New England comes to mind), it can be downright painful to watch. Chivas USA has been guilty at times of playing that same style. What I think we need to know is, was that style a result of his Preki's coaching philosophy or was it simply the case of matching tactics to the talent he had to work with. I personally think that it was the latter.

I have to believe that the coaching job at United is one of the more coveted positions in the league. A team with a passionate fan base, a history of success and a solid nucleus of good young players has to be very tempting to a coach looking to make his mark. Let's just hope we find the right man.