Hopefully it is a merit based role he has got. Smith only scored twice for the AWs (last time being 2014). But I do remember him scoring a few from corners for the Colorado Rapids when Hudson was their coach. Quick search says 7 goals in 60 MLS games.
And of course it is likely a job as much about defending from dead balls, as trying to score from then.
With Barba and likely Boxy soon gone from the All Whites, not many of the squad going forward will be of Wood's 'era'.
Thomas, Crocs & maybe Payne? He'll naturally gravitate to older guys in the setup like him who are also dads etc.
If the Woodsman is happier in the AWs environment having his long time mate Smith still around, have no real issue with that. Ideally we want Wood playing for the national team for a few more years yet, maybe all the way to 2030.
Really it's the sort of role Tommy should have had Stateside back in June, with Stanger on the plane for the experience.
