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MLS goes through some Coaching changes

© Corey Arnold

At least three different teams are looking for new coaches. The first was the Mutiny. They relived Tim Hankinson of his coaching duties back on October 17th, and have yet to find a new coach. Hankinson had led the Mutiny to a record of 39-38-3 in two and a half years. His big problem seemed to be that he could not lead the team through the playoffs.

On the 20th of October, the Dallas Burn decided to part ways with the only coach they have had. David Dir had built a record of 81-75-4 over five years. The team had built a playoff record of 6-11. Although the Burn were favored in the preseason to be a strong contender for the MLS Cup, the Burn finished third in the Central division and was swept out of the playoffs by the Metrostars.

In a third coaching move, the Colorado Rapids decided to go in a new direction with their coaching staff and relived Glenn Myernick of his responsibilities with the team. In 1997 Myernick led the Rapids to a surprise finish in the MLS Cup with a 2-1 loss to DC United. Following that the Rapids fortunes have slowly declined. "Mooch", as he is affectionately known, produced a record of 63-61-4 in the four years that he was at the helm, but since 97, the Rapids have struggled in the post season.

The point that I think is clear is that MLS is no longer looking at their teams for survival. The league has begun to build a strong fan base and they are looking for their own brand of soccer and for individual teams that means going to the MLS Cup. Winning in the regular season is not good enough.