11/23/24
October 23, 2007
Greg Ryan Fired as U.S. Women's Soccer Coach: Ryan, who was 45-1-9 since taking over in 2005, led the U.S. team to a third-place finish in the World Cup, a tournament it was favored to win. Hope Solo did not comment on the move.
Should bungling one tactical move cost him his job? Maybe so. It was an absolutely diabolical decision that made U.S. Soccer look ridiculous on the world stage-- and not because we lost 4-0 to an excellent Brazilian side--regardless of speculation as to whether it would have made the ultimate difference. (I think you could chalk up at least two of the goals to poor goalkeeping, by the way, and with that change of scoreline who knows). Momentum and form are too important in soccer. You simply don't pull a form goalkeeper for a "match up" keeper. It's not as much of a match up sport as, say, baseball. Yes, you may try to meet an opponent's formation with a formation meant to stifle or overpower it. You may even play a particular defensive midfielder to mark a wily talent like Riquelme or Ronaldo. But goalkeeping is all about form and confidence.
posted by lawn_wrangler at 08:33 AM on October 23, 2007
This is not just a tactical move. Grady Little leaving Pedro in too long is a tactical move. This was putting in someone who hadn't played in months in game 7 of the World Series. We don't know if Solo would've made a difference, but we would know that we had our best team on the field.
posted by drumdance at 10:47 AM on October 23, 2007
Here's something the AP article did not mention: Gulati said the incident would not affect Solo's future with the national team. "Hope is not suspended from the team," he said. "Any further discussion or decisions about Hope would be up to the new head coach, but there is not an issue with the federation in any way, shape or form about her ongoing participation." I'm glad the Federation is putting the blame where it belongs. Solo's remarks were ill-advised, but her passion and anger were understandable. I agree with DD about this not being a tactical move. This is more like benching Tom Brady right now for Drew Bledsoe (i.e. so incredibly stupid that you don't know where to begin). The impression I got at the time is that Ryan felt that he owed Scurry a start.
posted by cjets at 11:53 AM on October 23, 2007
Playing devil's advocate here. And not really knowing anything about Ryan's record as a decision maker, but doesn't this put the new coach in the position of always second guessing themselves? I thought it was a bad decision when it was reported that he was making the move in goal, but getting fired over this apparent switch and subsequent loss seems to me to put the women's futbol team on a slippery slope. Looks like a "Steinbrennerish" move. (Oh crap, I hope I don't get murderlized about that.)
posted by THX-1138 at 12:13 PM on October 23, 2007
The impression I got at the time is that Ryan felt that he owed Scurry a start. I believe he actually SAID this, weeks (or months?) before the incident (that he would give Scurry another start as more or less a parting gift.) but getting fired over this apparent switch and subsequent loss seems to me to put the women's futbol team on a slippery slope. Looks like a "Steinbrennerish" move. well like the others stated, this wasn't a minor mistake. This was a globally criticized decision that left the entire soccer world going "huh?". I would think it's OK to let the NEW coach know that "hey, if you make a truly ignorant decision that even those who don't follow the sport recognize as asinine, then yes, you're job will be in jeopardy too." This is more like benching Tom Brady right now for Drew Bledsoe I wouldn't say its THAT drastic. More like if Curt Shilling was retiring and to honor him they chose to start him in game 7 as opposed to a rested Josh Beckett.
posted by bdaddy at 12:32 PM on October 23, 2007
I thought it was a bad decision when it was reported that he was making the move in goal, but getting fired over this apparent switch and subsequent loss seems to me to put the women's futbol team on a slippery slope. Looks like a "Steinbrennerish" move. well, he technically wasn't fired, his contract was up and it wasn't renewed. you can point to other things he's done besides the goalie switch (like subbing defenders when they were down 2-0 to Brazil). his "kick the ball to Abbey" approach works fine against weaker sides (hence the bloated record) but not against the top flight teams anymore. hopefully the federation realizes this and hires someone who can take the team in a new direction.
posted by goddam at 12:48 PM on October 23, 2007
his "kick the ball to Abbey" approach works fine against weaker sides (hence the bloated record) but not against the top flight teams anymore. And this, in a nutshell, was more to blame than the 'keeper fuck-up. Previous US teams have been known for their skill and creativity, but this team was built on muscle and power to beat Germany. Once Brazil gained confidence from the own goal, the semi-final was an avalanche waiting to happen. Brazil's speed and desire completely overwhelmed this US team and the score could have easily been 8 nil. And for once, US Soccer makes the right decision and should be commended for seeing the truth.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 01:15 PM on October 23, 2007
Hope Solo did not comment on the move. "Now I can put that money I was saving to hire Jango Fett to better use." Hope Solo, AP Wire
posted by irunfromclones at 01:46 PM on October 23, 2007
goddam wrote: his "kick the ball to Abbey" approach works fine against weaker sides (hence the bloated record) but not against the top flight teams anymore. Tex wrote: And this, in a nutshell, was more to blame than the 'keeper fuck-up Word. So can Goddam, Tex and I apply for the vacancy?
posted by owlhouse at 06:42 PM on October 23, 2007
This is not just a tactical move. It was strategy, not tactics. Building a squad to beat Germany, and attempting to deal with Brazil by recourse to ancient history, was a dumb strategy. Ryan was trying to re-fight old battles, particularly those the team had lost in the past. doesn't this put the new coach in the position of always second guessing themselves? Not at all, at least not if the choice (and selection process) is done well. The new coach gets to draw a line under the team's history and plan for the future, competing based upon the strengths of the US squad against opposing teams as they stand now.
posted by etagloh at 07:38 PM on October 23, 2007
So can Goddam, Tex and I apply for the vacancy? You could but I already have so just wait and you can be my assistants.
posted by billsaysthis at 09:51 PM on October 23, 2007
It was strategy, not tactics. Building a squad to beat Germany, and attempting to deal with Brazil by recourse to ancient history, was a dumb strategy. this strategy wasn't started by Ryan, by the way. this started under Heinrichs at some point. and it caused one of their most talented and creative players to quit nearly four years ago.
posted by goddam at 10:53 PM on October 23, 2007
Thanks for the link goddam. The best players in the recent WC tournament were the smaller, faster ones. Interesting, and adds weight to my analogy with the 1953 Hungarians in a previous thread. (e.g. Long run of being 'undefeated' leading to arrogance, Marta = Puskas). Bill - add this to your application: Head coach: billsaysthis Technical coordinator: Texan_lost_in_NY (The Kickin' Chicks experience is all important) Head of R&D and team psychologist: goddam (Who else understands women?) Director of Football: owlhouse (i.e. The meaningless but important sounding role, and the one I currently occupy with my daughter's team)
posted by owlhouse at 11:58 PM on October 23, 2007
wtf, you forgot me? I want to be striker's coach. Or defensive coach - they need to learn how to clatter Marta the next time she does that flick-and-spin move. If you gonna get a red card, make it a good one.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:44 AM on October 24, 2007
Well then, if everyone's getting a chance to apply for positions with the staff, I formerly declare that I am the most logical choice for coach. Seeing as I obviously don't know sweet fuck-all about futbol.
posted by THX-1138 at 12:00 PM on October 24, 2007
Yeah, it would get kind of annoying with me as coach, considering the only advice I would have is to repeatedly yell at the players is "Kick it that way!" By the way, THX... the sweet fuck-all comment made me blow soda out my nose. Thanks...jerk.
posted by hawkguy at 01:58 PM on October 24, 2007
Technical coordinator: Texan_lost_in_NY (The Kickin' Chicks experience is all important) You should see what we're doing playing a U13 co-ed team (2/3 girls) in a U14 boys league. Okay, we've only one win and three losses, but the improvement week to week is near-baffling. And most important, the kids are having fun fun fun 'til your daddy takes the T-Bird away.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 09:36 PM on October 24, 2007
I'll pop for the next soda, hg. Just make sure that when you're yelling, you're also pointing in the correct direction.
posted by THX-1138 at 11:39 AM on October 25, 2007
WC: You take charge of the midfielders THX: Fitness coach/Head physio (get you up close with the, er, players)
posted by billsaysthis at 05:03 PM on October 26, 2007
Like no one saw this coming. As soon as the U.S. Women's Soccer team lost to Brazil after Hope Solo was replaced by veteran goal keeper Briana Scurry, the writing was on the wall. No matter that Ryan's record only had the one loss since '05 since that blemish may have been avoided. Notice how I said 'may have' since we really don't know if having Solo at the goal postion truly would've made a difference.