Fire hire a new coach

Well the Fire finally got around today to hiring a new coach.  Although I don't know a lot about him, I am glad that the club was willing to think out of the box.  For some reason it seems like the "safe" thing to do is to go and find someone with "American" soccer experience.  I realize that the past history has been poor for non-MLS experienced managers, but I believe that it is important for both the MLS and soccer in the US to bring in new coaching ideas and techniques from around the world.  For a good argument for this, see Simon Kuper new book Soccernomics (excellent read).

My take on this hire is simple.  Although "tradition" is an important pillar to the Fire, hireing baised on tradition alone can create a one dimentional team.  I apreatiate all that the other candidate have given to this team in the past, but it is time to shake things up.  The most important tradion that we need to follow is winning.  Over the past few years our tradition has been extreamly defensive - and that tradion has not won us any tropheys.  All of the "traditional" canidates would understand the Fire culture, but would probably have us locked into the same mediacorty that we have expreienced over the last few years.  Carlos de los Cobos may be an unknown to American soccer, but he should bring a fresh look to this team.  Only time will tell if that brings us any trophies, but I think its a risk worth taking.

I'm feeling much more optimistic this time around then I did when Denis got the job.  Denis seemed to be our last choice.  Carlos seems to be the first choice.  Assuming that Frank and Carlos can build a strong partnership, I think the future of this team looks bright.