<a href="http:\/\/www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/kreis.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="http:\/\/www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/kreis.jpg"></a></figure></div>
In his short but impressive coaching career, Jason Kreis may be approaching heights unseen by an MLS coach. &nbsp;This weekend he essentially fielded a backup squad that handled an undefeated Revolution squad. &nbsp;RSL is in the CONCACAF Champions League final and is the prohibitive favorite to win a second MLS Cup in three years. &nbsp;Also an impressive player, Kreis is compiling the sort of record and experience that, if he were coaching in England, would make bigger clubs take note. &nbsp;Now may be the time to ask – is Jason Kreis the right MLS manager to make the leap to the European coaching ranks?
MLS head coaches have in the past been rumored to be ready to take the next step to Europe. &nbsp;Octavio Zambrano was a head coach in Moldova and Hungary but has now returned to the U.S. &nbsp;Both Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley were rumored candidates for English jobs, with Bradley supposedly being considered by both Aston Villa and Fulham in 2010. &nbsp;But neither were actually hired despite high-profile victories at the international level and winning MLS Cups.
So before we address whether Kreis should be that coaching pioneer, we need to address what impact MLS coaches going to Europe would have on the league. We spend much time and energy debating whether MLS players should make the jump and how that affects the league, and the general consensus is that the best players benefit from European playing time while those who are good MLS players might benefit more from staying in the U.S. &nbsp;Where that line is drawn is where the debate is. &nbsp;This season we are beginning to see the benefits of the exporting of MLS players: the league is getting players back in return. &nbsp;Not only are the Beckhams of the world coming to America, but loanees like Simon Dawkins are coming over. &nbsp;Dawkins, on loan from Tottenham, has given the ‘Quakes a scoring option besides Chris Wondolowski.
Would exporting coaches be the same? &nbsp;Not quite, but there would be some similarities. &nbsp;MLS currently imports Europeans who have played in Europe and in American leagues (Steve Nicol) and now is beginning to bring in new coaches from specific systems (Aron Winter). &nbsp;If American head coaches began to be viewed as possible managerial candidates in Europe, then I think the best young coaches would begin to be poached by European clubs. &nbsp;But this experience would be good for these MLS head coaches and allow them to expand their strategy and tactics beyond the North American viewpoint. &nbsp;Having someone like Jason Kreis go to the Championship, for example, would allow him to immerse himself in different football philosophies and learn the latest trends overseas. &nbsp;When he returns to MLS or is named USMNT head coach, he has a more diverse viewpoint to construct a winning team and improve the quality of MLS or the national team.
So if we agree this is a good thing, than who would be the best coach to make the jump? &nbsp;The obvious answer is Bob Bradley, since he is the best known American coach/former MLS manager around. &nbsp;Ideally, though, he is unavailable until after the 2014 World Cup. &nbsp;Kreis right now is the hot name in MLS, possibly adding numerous trophies to the Real Salt Lake trophy case. &nbsp;But he has few roots to any league outside of MLS, having played his entire career in the states and having not coached elsewhere. &nbsp;I can imagine many teams would hesitate to hire someone with just MLS experience. &nbsp;So is there a successful MLS coach with international experience that would catch the eye of a European club looking for something different?
There are a few actually. &nbsp;The obvious answer is Bruce Arena, but at age 59 he may be too old for clubs to want to take a chance on. &nbsp;A younger choice is Dominic Kinnear at age 43. &nbsp;Kinnear played a bit in&nbsp;Scotland&nbsp;when he was younger as well as a year in Mexico, so he does have some international experience. &nbsp;He has been a success in MLS, winning two MLS Cups with the Dynamo. &nbsp;If I were a club in the Scottish or Irish Premier League, or lower levels of the English game, Kinnear is the type of head coach I would consider hiring if I wanted to garner a little attention and try something different.
If you expand the list to consider internationals who are currently coaching in MLS, then there are several viable candidates to leave MLS in the future. &nbsp;I can’t believe Steve Nicol won’t get an offer back in England at some point, especially if he is successful in rebuilding the Revolution this year. &nbsp;Aron Winter is being groomed for bigger things and he could return to the continent if he is able to successfully construct a Total Football Toronto. &nbsp;Colorado’s Gary Smith could be in line for another job as well, especially considering his Arsenal connections and the fact that his owner now is a major player in the EPL with his majority ownership in Arsenal.
So what does the future hold for MLS coaches? &nbsp;I think it will be a while before American/Canadian born head coaches are viewed as viable coaching candidates in Europe. &nbsp;Over the next few years we will see foreign-born MLS coaches return to Europe (or Central and South America), showing bigger leagues that MLS is a good league for coaches. &nbsp;And as bigger-named American stars retire from playing and enter coaching, it will be easier for European clubs to justify their hiring to fans as more than a publicity stunt. &nbsp;Within the next 10-15 years we will begin to see the export of American head coaches which will lead to an improvement in MLS and the national team. &nbsp;And it will give the best MLS coaches a chance to show that they are good managers anywhere, not just in North America.

Will Jason Kreis be the First American Coach to Make the European Jump? - World Soccer Talk

Will Jason Kreis be the First American Coach to Make the European Jump?

<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a title="Defend the fort by Lorianne DiSabato, on Flickr" href="http:\/\/www.flickr.com/photos/zenmama/4009761467/"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a>Photo by Lorianne DiSabato</div>
 
Team: New England Revolution 
Coach: Steve Nicol 
Last Year’s Finish: 9-5-16, 32 points. &nbsp;Eastern Conference: 6th
The big news this offseason was the recent arrest and suspension of Shalrie Joseph and Kevin Alston. &nbsp;While the situation is still under investigation, both players just returned to the team but face possible disciplinary action from the league. &nbsp;This unfortunate situation has taken attention off a team that has made some solid offseason moves and looks to vastly improve after a terrible season last year. &nbsp;The big keys for this team are resolving the situations of Joseph and Alston as well as finding that elusive striker the team needs so desperately.
The steady presence on this team is head coach Steve Nicol, who returns for his ninth season and is the longest tenured coach in MLS. &nbsp;Nicol’s team has gone through a rough patch; after making six conference finals and MLS Cups his fix six years they have gone three years without advancing to the final four, missing out on the playoffs last year for the first time since 2001, before he became the permanent head coach. &nbsp;To return to the playoffs and start a new streak, the team must find someone (or someones) to score goals consistently for the team.

Key Roster Additions: The Revs made two very recent acquisitions, picking up French international Ousmane Dabo and Argentine defender Franco Coria. &nbsp;Dabo, who previously played for Manchester City and Lazio, will provide some defensive help in the midfield and could be penciled in as a starter immediately. &nbsp;Another defensive signing is former PSG and Newcastle defender Didier Domi, who will likely be a starter at left back and make the New England back line even more “seasoned”. &nbsp;To offset some of their older signings, the team was active in the college draft, taking A.J. Soares with the sixth pick. &nbsp;Soares, another defender but one with a knack for scoring, played at Cal and was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy.
Key Roster Subtractions: The biggest subtraction last year was the retirement of American legend (<a href="http:\/\/www.twitter.com/TaylorTwellman" target="_blank">and prolific Tweeter</a>) Taylor Twellman, a forward who suffered from terrible concussion issues. &nbsp;Obviously the club has not found a way to replace his scoring up front. &nbsp;In recognition of the defensive shortcomings last season, the club also let go two of their starting defenders: Cory Gibbs to the re-entry draft and Emmanuel Osei.
Projected Starters: Even with all their turnover, Matt Reis will be the starter in goal. &nbsp;The 35 year old was decent last year and will look to provide some stability in defense. &nbsp;On the backline, I can see newcomers Domi and Corba eventually becoming starters once they work their way into the system. &nbsp;Darius Barnes will probably be the only returning starter at center back and may be pushed by A.J. Soares, who also could get a look in midfield. &nbsp;Once MLS is done with him, Kevin Alston looks to be a starter at left back. &nbsp;Re-entry draft pickup Ryan Cochrane is also a starting option here.
Assuming Nicol goes with a four-man midfield, we could see newcomer Dabo hold down the middle with Joseph once he returns or, if he feels like experimenting, Nicol could move Soares to midfield where he could score an occasional goal. &nbsp;On the wings Nicol could start Sainey Nyassi (who started 27 games last season) and Kenny Mansally (who scored four goals last season, good for third on the team).
The problem last year that looks to be a problem again is at forward. &nbsp;To be honest, the talent up front is lacking, so look for the Revs to try and make an international signing in the near future. &nbsp;Right now your starters are Marko Perovic and Ilija Stolica, who combined for nine goals last season. &nbsp;Also in the mix is Zach Schilawski.
 
Player to Watch: The player to watch is a player who might not even see the pitch this season. &nbsp;Diego Fagundez is the teen prodigy who is coming through the team’s academy and is tearing up nets left and right. &nbsp;He scored 28 goals in the past year and a half with the youth team, but at only 15 years old he is too young to regularly contribute to the senior club. &nbsp;However, if the Revs don’t find that high-scoring international player and struggle to score goals, look for the young man to get a few minutes for the senior team this summer and fall.
Predictions: The depths to which this&nbsp;proud&nbsp;franchise have fallen can be summed up in this sentence: of the players in the Revolution’s camp, only two (Joseph and Reis) have played in an MLS Cup with the Revolution. &nbsp;For a club with a great recent history of Cup runs, that’s astounding. &nbsp;It also speaks to how bad the team was last season, though injuries did play a part in that. &nbsp;This team has significantly upgraded its defense and I think it will not be letting in another 50 goals this season. &nbsp;But can it score more than 2010’s 32 goals? &nbsp;That’s the big question.
One thing is for certain: I expect New England to get off to a slow start. &nbsp;With so many late signings and new players getting integrated into the system, as well as Joseph’s possible suspension or&nbsp;disciplinary&nbsp;action, this team will probably have a rough start to the season. &nbsp;However, if they can find that goal scorer or have their current forwards improve, then this team could be a dark horse for the third Eastern Conference playoff spot. &nbsp;However, call me a skeptic.
Prediction: 6th place, Eastern Conference

MLS '11 Preview - Can New England Reclaim the Glory? - World Soccer Talk

MLS '11 Preview – Can New England Reclaim the Glory?

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Will Jason Kreis be the First American Coach to Make the European Jump?

Leagues: MLS

MLS '11 Preview – Can New England Reclaim the Glory?