Tom Soehn will not be back as head coach of D.C. United after removing his name from consideration to be retained upon the conclusion of his current contract at the end of the calendar year.
D.C. United failed to make the playoffs for a second straight season, but it did enjoy success under Soehn, who helped guide the team to a Supporters Shield in 2007 and U.S. Open Cup title in 2008.
No word on who will replace Soehn but two names expected to be at the top of the list for consideration are current Red Bulls interim head coach Richie Williams and former Kansas City Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo. Former U.S. national team captain and D.C. United standout John Harkes is also expected to be in the mix.
What do you think of this development? Think it was time for Soehn to go, or did you feel he deserved more time? Who do you want D.C. to hire as his replacement?
Share your thoughts below.
Kyle Martino quit playing?
It’s not that Preki wants out its that the ownership is not enamored with him. I think Preki would be a good choice for DCU. If not then I would go with John Spencer he’s a talented assistant and better than many of the retreads that will be mentioned.
lulz
It’s not him. It’s that Jorge Vergara suddenly realized that Preki isn’t a Mexican name.
Why does everyone think Preki wants out of Chivas? What am I missing?
All four of those “broadcasters” are terrible. I would add in Max Bretos to that list, too. “Yeeeeeaaassss!” Really? Is that the best you came up with? As to Harkes, I always wanted him out of the tv booth, but not not to coach my team. How about it NYRB? El Diablo is coaching in Bolivia, I think. Maybe he’d come back.
I miss Nowak.
Harkes was an assistant to Sigi Schmid for the US U-20 team a few years ago, and also was an assistant at New York while Bruce Arena was there.
I thought Soehn did a good job with United. Before Seattle they were the most consistently fun-to-watch side in MLS. One way we will really be able to gauge MLS’ progress is by the number of teams playing attractive football rather than bunker ball.
I hope Denis Hamlett would be the next coach unemployed joining Tom Soehn. I rather have Soehn than Hamlett. Hamlett gets outcoached and messes up the lineup.
Preki would be perfect for you guys.
Yes! DC, please take a chance on the tactical genius that is Juan Carlos Osorio. And as you know, players are lining up to play for him, so you guys have a shot! 🙂
i see harkes as a guy who loves to criticize/critique players from the broadcast booth, but probably won’t take that same criticism well as a coach.
that’s just my opinion
My first two choices would be Richie Williams and John Spencer in that order. Both times Williams has taken over at NY you have seen an immediate improvement in a not very talented team. Spencer is an assistant to the best head coach in MLS. Between that and his playing experience he his worth a shot before retreads like Preki who plays very defensive(really starting in a 4-5-1 in your “home” playoff leg) or Onalfo.
while i support this and thank tommy for his time, i still think DC United needs to clean house. too many 30+ players.
so when are you guys putting Jaime Moreno out to pasteur?
future coach of TFC or Chicago.
I personally like BB as the US coach, but after the WC he probably will take on a new task outside of the USMNT and wouldn’t it be great to have him back in MLS, coaching anywhere!
I think that’s a little unfair. For a young league MLS has got some good coaches. Sigi, Dom Kinnear, Steve Nichol, Preki, Bruce Arena, Bob Bradley a few years ago (say what you want about BB on the NT but you’re crazy if you don’t think he was a good MLS coach). It takes experience and time to build up good coaches. Especially since most of them need to be American as MLS teams don’t have the cash to bring in top foreign talent.
As everyone seems to think, Williams and Preki would be great candidates. A big fat NO to Harkes.
Ives, I don’t know the deal with MLS contracts or hiring, especially with regard to interim coaches, but could DC United offer the job to Williams before RBNY, allowing Williams to choose which job rather than waiting to see whether Red Bull decides to offer him the job full-time? Or is that the kind of thing that would require compensation, a la JCO leaving Chicago?
I like Kyle Martino. He makes more observations in a single game than Harkes has done in a season.
As a United fan, this is not a good decision. United has played too many matches in the past 2 years. I just hope this doesn’t come back and bite United. Our GM better get ready to look for a job as well if we don’t get a competitive roster.
How about someone that can actually coach. We keep recycling the same losers from team to team. MLS runs same as the government.
I think tommy is getting a raw deal. I think he did well especially given that he can’t just play bunker ball like a majority of the league does to get results.
Well, at least in the case of Bruce…
As for Harkes – good golly! All of the aforementioned experience didn’t make him capable of managing youth sides effectively.
I would take Soehn in a heartbeat before the overhyped Williams, Onalfo or Harkes. One hopes that we don’t waste this opportunity with a retread.
The same as Peter Novak’s were.
Harkes that is.
Richie Williams or Preki. I think Richie would be a great choice if he doesn’t take/isn’t offered the NYRBs job. I think hiring Harkes is a very questionable move based on his lack of coaching credentials. DC needs someone with experience to oversee the rebuilding process.
Suddenly TFC’s coach-hunt gets an early candidate. With MoJo The Cursed demanding MLS experience as criteria #1, I don’t think you can get much more experienced at coaching a solid club than Soehn. Sure the guy didn’t get much success beyond the Open Cup, but hell, neither did Cummins at TFC.
Agree about getting him out of the booth. But if it means Balboa ends up back in there or Kyle Martino gets promoted – then god no! Those two are terrible.
“Should have done better. Still, did well.” Hahaha
Agrred! Also applies to Rob Stone, Alexi Lalas and Julie Foudy.
Sad to see him go. He was on the coaching staff for 6 consecutive seasons and won 4 trophies.
I don’t think he is the main problem, that lies in the age and makeup of the team. But he was a source of many losses. We had no continuity in the starting XI from game to game. Time to find a XI that work together, and stick to it.
I’ll be glad to have a season without international competitions hampering fitness and health.
Gimme Williams or Preki, and keep Harkes as far away from broadcasting as possible.
John O’Brien!!!!
And his coaching credentials are….?
I agree. Red Bull do not screw this up.
Have to give Richie a chance.
NOT John Harkes…pleeeeeeeeeease. Anyone remember the job he did as DCU Youth Director…or NYRB asst coach?… The guy’s ego is five times the size of his coaching ability.
Juan Carlos Osorio is available for you guys
Anything that gets Harkes out of the broadcast booth.
“Should have done better. Still, did well.”
Repeat thirty times a game
Jim Zorn!
I am guessing Soehn won’t be interviewing for any MLS marketing jobs after his comments a couple of weeks ago.
This decision had to made by DC. Retaining him would have really alienated most of their fan base.
Agreed. He should be available & he’s got a good track record as an MLS coach.
DCU should look at in order,
Preki,
Harkes, and
Williams.
Outside of that group, If DCU brings someone in from Europe or elsewhere they need either Harkes or Williams as their top assistant.
YES!!!!!!!! I heart Richie Williams from when he was a player here, but I don’t think this is quite right for him. I think Preki might work out here too, Beckster….
About time. DCU needs a change in direction. I would pick up Preki if he became available. MLS needs this team to get back to winning ways.
Don’t screw this up Red Bull….
John Harkes. He’s the rare combination of American player, with MLS experience, who has played extensively the highest level in Europe and for his country. If he wants the job, it should be his (unless Bruce wants to come home).
Absolutely great news. Couldn’t be happier. Nice guy and wish him the best but he just wasn’t the right guy for the job. Would like to see Preki, Richie Williams, Curt Olfano (Sp?)
EL DIABLO!!!!!! where are ya Marco????
Hopefully RBNY doesnt screw this up and allow Williams to head south
Ives, do think John Harkes is cut out for being a head coach?