Well they lost to Philly 2-0 yesterday and were boo'd off the park. Who you gonna sack now Toronto FC!!
Ryan Nelsen (Unattached FC Coach)
Spoke to several groups of TFC supporters today after the game and they were a little were a little mystified why the sacking came when it did. While they weren't over the moon with Nelsen's tenure they didn't expect a sacking before seasons end.
Also crowd wise they don't seem to be struggling to get numbers there. Our street is absolutely packed on game days.
There's a former All White from Christchurch still managing a prominent team in North American football and he's been much more successful than Ryan:
Aaran Lines has just completed his sixth season coaching Western New York Flash (known until 2011 as Buffalo Flash). He has been hugely successful, winning the US national women's title with them twice and was regular season winner and runner-up in the final last year, W-League (second tier) winner in 2010.
Aaran won "the Women's Professional Soccer title in 2011 and the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite championship in 2012. The Flash reached the inaugural National Women's Soccer League Championship during the 2013 season, but fell to the Portland Thorns FC while searching for their fourth-straight title." They finished seventh in the nine team National Women's Soccer League this year (second season of the league in its latest incarnation - it's been through several different names and formats in recent years)
This would make him the most successful NZ professional club football manager overseas in history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaran_Lines#Coaching_...
"In 2009 Lines accepted a coaching position with the expansion W-League [second tier of US women's national league] franchise Buffalo Flash. Lines led the Buffalo Flash to an impressive 10–3–3 record in their inaugural season and a trip to the second round of the playoffs. In only his second year of coaching in 2010, he led the squad to an undefeated season and a W-League Championship defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 in Santa Clarita, CA. Lines was named the Fieldturf 2010 Coach of the Year after the club's outstanding season. The WNY Flash joined Women’s Professional Soccer as an expansion club in September 2010, directly following their decisive W-League Championship, and Lines led a squad featuring five time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, Christine Sinclair and young superstar Alex Morgan to the 2011 WPS title. In 2013 the WNY Flash were announced as one of eight franchises selected by US Soccer to compete in the NWSL. Lines lead the Flash with FIFA World Player of the Year Abby Wambach and two time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd to the silverware winning the regular season shield on the last day of the regular season with a record of 9-4-8. In the semi-final playoff game the Flash went on to beat Sky Blue 2-0 and again host a championship game at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester,NY. The Flash lost 2-0 to Alex Morgan's Portland Thorns in front of over 8,000 fans with former Flash star Christine Sinclair scoring the decisive second goal to secure the first NWSL Championship to the Portland Thorns."
It's the ultimate family affair in world football.
This is pretty unique:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_New_York_Flas...
"The franchise is owned by the Sahlen family, who run a meat packing company in Buffalo. Joe Sahlen is the owner. His daughter,Alex Sahlen, is the team President and a defender on the team.Former New Zealand international Aaran Lines, Alex Sahlen's husband, is the head coach and general manager."
Good on Aaran. He was a useful player back in the day.
There's a former All White from Christchurch still managing a prominent team in North American football and he's been much more successful than Ryan:
Aaran Lines has just completed his sixth season coaching Western New York Flash (known until 2011 as Buffalo Flash). He has been hugely successful, winning the US national women's title with them twice and was regular season winner and runner-up in the final last year, W-League (second tier) winner in 2010.
Aaran won "the Women's Professional Soccer title in 2011 and the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite championship in 2012. The Flash reached the inaugural National Women's Soccer League Championship during the 2013 season, but fell to the Portland Thorns FC while searching for their fourth-straight title." They finished seventh in the nine team National Women's Soccer League this year (second season of the league in its latest incarnation - it's been through several different names and formats in recent years)
This would make him the most successful NZ professional club football manager overseas in history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaran_Lines#Coaching_...
"In 2009 Lines accepted a coaching position with the expansion W-League [second tier of US women's national league] franchise Buffalo Flash. Lines led the Buffalo Flash to an impressive 10–3–3 record in their inaugural season and a trip to the second round of the playoffs. In only his second year of coaching in 2010, he led the squad to an undefeated season and a W-League Championship defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 in Santa Clarita, CA. Lines was named the Fieldturf 2010 Coach of the Year after the club's outstanding season. The WNY Flash joined Women’s Professional Soccer as an expansion club in September 2010, directly following their decisive W-League Championship, and Lines led a squad featuring five time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, Christine Sinclair and young superstar Alex Morgan to the 2011 WPS title. In 2013 the WNY Flash were announced as one of eight franchises selected by US Soccer to compete in the NWSL. Lines lead the Flash with FIFA World Player of the Year Abby Wambach and two time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd to the silverware winning the regular season shield on the last day of the regular season with a record of 9-4-8. In the semi-final playoff game the Flash went on to beat Sky Blue 2-0 and again host a championship game at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester,NY. The Flash lost 2-0 to Alex Morgan's Portland Thorns in front of over 8,000 fans with former Flash star Christine Sinclair scoring the decisive second goal to secure the first NWSL Championship to the Portland Thorns."
It's the ultimate family affair in world football.
This is pretty unique:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_New_York_Flas...
"The franchise is owned by the Sahlen family, who run a meat packing company in Buffalo. Joe Sahlen is the owner. His daughter,Alex Sahlen, is the team President and a defender on the team.Former New Zealand international Aaran Lines, Alex Sahlen's husband, is the head coach and general manager."
Be hard to drop her.
Right near the end (20min-ish mark) Nelsen gets fired in the latest TFC 'All For One' episode
Watching Toronto v Chicago on Bet365 at the moment.
Observation:
Toronto aren't making the playoffs. Fucking dreadful stuff. Rudderless, toothless, inept. The list goes on...
Must be why I've got money against them at the moment!
1-1 draw against Chicago Fire. Robbed of the 3 points buy some ridiculous reffing. Scrambled an 89th min equaliser and then scored a goal in added time but was called back for a non existent foul. But it was such a dire & horrible game to watch. TFC had no clue going forward and are a shambles at the back without Caldwell.
Still can't see the foul
1-1 draw against Chicago Fire. Robbed of the 3 points buy some ridiculous reffing. Scrambled an 89th min equaliser and then scored a goal in added time but was called back for a non existent foul. But it was such a dire & horrible game to watch. TFC had no clue going forward and are a shambles at the back without Caldwell.
Spot on. Caldwell is the biggest loss of the season.
This is a post I wrote on BigSoccer
***
Nelsen set up TFC to play on the counter using Bradley to spring pacey wingers. Plan B was using Osorio as wide midfielder pinching in and overlapping full backs to create an overload. It worked great till WC break.
Then everyone in MLS found out Nelsen's tactics and just sit deep to absorb the pressure, especially containing the wingers. The pulley system with Bradley and Warner did not work because both were caught too high on the counters when one of them was suppose to play DM in front of the back 4. Which became even worse when Caldwell went down, and now 2 rookies playing CB, or out of form and not really CB Bradley Orr got exposed badly.
I think Nelsen was unlucky in some parts. It's his and Bezbatchenko's fault for not getting a MLS proven CB to be Caldwell's partner (Henry is really a good 3rd CB). But I don't think anyone expected Bradley to play this poorly when he is the key to everything TFC does (perhaps too much). It's telling when TFC played better with Bradley out of the line up then in for a lot of the games. Or Defoe to have his hissy fits, though a smarter man would have realized this when Defoe didn't make WC squad.
Offence was not the major problem, though having Defoe creates a lot more room for other attacks to exploit. TFC was only shut out 2 league games, both earlier in season IIRC prior to NE game. But loss of Caldwell for long period of time was the problem as nobody could organize the backline properly and a lot of soft goals were given up. That, and stupid pulley system and Nelsen's refusal to stick either Bradley or Warner or whoever to play pure DM.
I still think Nelsen could be a decent coach in MLS, certainly he gets his players to play hard for him, which is a problem for a lot of coaches when things go shit. (the effort was there until NE game when it became apparent that Nelsen was getting the sack.) But there was way too much pressure to get to playoffs, and Bezbatchenko was not going to settle being Nelsen's accountant GM, and no time to let Nelsen gain more experience.
***
To add, Nelsen could not, or worse, would not adjust his tactics once every in MLS found out what he was about. Because TFC would only play on the counter, sit deep to negate the pace of the wingers and hit TFC on the counter (ironically). No real Plan B meant TFC was predictable, and predictable teams you can tailor your game plan easily to. And most of the time, his subs felt too late to make any real impact, and always seem predictable.
I still think Nelsen can be a good manager. But he really needs to learn to adjust his game. (And get his bloody coaching badges, where he might learn a thing or two about tactics)
Bradley has looked very disinterested since coming back from the World Cup imo. TFC have just had no engine in the midfield and Bekker is not the answer in that DM role.
Bradley has looked very disinterested since coming back from the World Cup imo. TFC have just had no engine in the midfield and Bekker is not the answer in that DM role.
I don't think he's disinterested. I do think he's tired. Dude hasn't had a break since summer of 2013 and doesn't help that Klinsmann plays him pretty much every match for USA, and Klinsmann adds friendlies outside FIFA dates on top. And it doesn't help that Bradley insists on burning himself out. (playing a league game 3 days after WC? he's nuts)
Bekker is not a DM. Looks like Creavalle is going to get the nod at DM for now.
I'm glad to be moving far, far away from this shambles of a team. We'll still be going to games to support the players, seeing as none of this is their fault. Will be glad to be away from this mess though.
Coach #9 will probably end up with the same amount of games as coach #5 (he was given ten games) before he gets fired. Expecting coach #10 next season for sure!
Ref was having visions, apparently. Nobody saw it!
No real Plan B meant TFC was predictable, and predictable teams you can tailor your game plan easily to. And most of the time, his subs felt too late to make any real impact, and always seem predictable.
I still think Nelsen can be a good manager. But he really needs to learn to adjust his game.
Interesting how much this sounds like the criticism that was always levelled at Herbert.
Sack Nelsen
A much-improved performance last weekend in the 3-0 home win vs. Chivas with Steven Caldwell back starting in defence.
Brazilians Jackson and Gilberto with the goals.
Tony Lochhead played the full 90 for struggling Chivas.
6 am NZT this morning:
Toronto are playing an in-form Portland (fifth in their Conference - in a play-off spot - and top of their CONCACAF Champions League group after a 6-0 rout mid-week).
Kiwi Jake Gleeson should feature for Portland in goal or on the bench after injuries to senior goalies and a clean sheet in the Champions League mid-week.
Detailed match preview:
TFC score 3 goals in the last 30 mins to beat Portland Timbers 3-2. Some woeful defending by Portland on all 3 goals but a win is a win!
http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2014/09/27/nick-hagg...
Who really cares about TFC now that there's no kiwi connection?
Exactly
Kiwi Jake Gleeson should feature for Portland in goal or on the bench after injuries to senior goalies and a clean sheet in the Champions League mid-week.
Nah I don't think that is the case Big Pete - As far as I know Gleeson is playing in the USL championship for Sacramento today (he has been on loan to SacFC for 20 odd games which is why he has not featured much in Portland), he was never going to be on the bench for the Portland/Toronto match.
The Sacramento game starts in 20 mins, you can stream it here:
http://www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday/
I know it's no longer relevant considering Nelsen is no longer at the helm, but thought I'd point out that TFC have again missed the playoffs after drawing 1-1 with Montreal which put them out of contention.
Poor fans, poor club - the closest they've ever been.
I know it's no longer relevant considering Nelsen is no longer at the helm, but thought I'd point out that TFC have again missed the playoffs after drawing 1-1 with Montreal knocked them out of contention.
Poor fans, poor club - the closest they've ever been.
They can thank there General Manager for what he die to Ryan and his coaching staff. Karma
I know it's no longer relevant considering Nelsen is no longer at the helm, but thought I'd point out that TFC have again missed the playoffs after drawing 1-1 with Montreal knocked them out of contention.
Poor fans, poor club - the closest they've ever been.
They can thank there General Manager for what he die to Ryan and his coaching staff. Karma
Yep, we're out of the playoffs. AGAIN!!! Definitely the karma bus coming round to kick us in the butts. Disgusted by the way they treated Ryan the coaching staff. This is on the GM. The crazy thing is that it sounds like TFC may actually be keeping the GM. Insane. We are glad to be moving far away from this shambolic team. This has been the most painful season to date. If we hadn't made the playoffs this year under Ryan, I could see the logic in not keeping him on. But firing him on Aug 31, when we were in a playoff spot?!?!? Beyond insane.
I hope that things are more sane with the Nix!! Two jilted TFC fans heading your way soon.
The GM is smoking all of Rob Ford's crack - with the cash they splashed this season this is beyond embarrassing
The GM is smoking all of Rob Ford's crack - with the cash they splashed this season this is beyond embarrassing
So is Jermain Defoe still there? or is he looking a transfer as I heard he was not pleased with Ryan's sacking
So is Jermain Defoe still there? or is he looking a transfer as I heard he was not pleased with Ryan's sacking
Yep, he's still here. Apparently, he's re-injured his previous injury so he hasn't been playing though. No idea if he's legitimately hurt or not. There was a rumour that Defoe sent a text to Ryan after Ryan got fired saying "If you're gone, I'm gone." Defoe has obviously denied doing this, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was true. The locker room was split between players who liked Ryan and those who didn't. Now hearing rumours that Gilberto wants to leave as well. Bradley, however is staying.
TFC = Toronto Football Circus. Could also stand for They Fire Coaches. Team really has become a joke. Yep, the GM must be getting into our mayor's drugs.
I'd put in a tenner to get Defoe to the Phoenix, anyone else? Like, defo
If he is still interested in coaching/managing he could look into getting his qualifications:
http://www.thefa.com/my-football/coach/coaching-courses/the-fa-uefa-pro-licence
Will need his 'A' then 'Pro' licence if he wants to coach anywhere in Europe and even in the HAL
Ryan busy with his various business ventures but open to involvement with NZF in the future:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c...
After Anthony Hudson said during the week he had sounded out Nelsen about rejoining the national set-up in some capacity, the former captain confirmed he had been in discussions with the new coach.
"We have spoken about it but I'm really busy," Nelsen said in a text message to Radio Sport. "At some time, I would love to help New Zealand Football out in any way I can. Just finding the time is the issue."
One day Ryan will be both CEO of NZ Football (using the business acumen he's currently acquiring), coach the national team and still turn out in defence...
With due respect, I would hope that he aspires to be CEO of something better than NZF.
With due respect, I would hope that he aspires to be CEO of something better than NZF.
Lol!
Has a bit on what Ryan's been up to.
Shows how out of touch he is, if anything.
Interesting - now a player agent and negotiated a deal for matt miazga to chelsea from NYRB in MLS.
http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/...
more details here - look who he's working for ...
My cousin just sent me this picture, he had a game for Ferrymead Bays Baby Blues in Ch-Ch Masters 35's Div 1 recently and apparently said his last club game was against Man City...classic...
Does this top Ben Sigmund turning out for Cashmere Technical? Maybe a run for the Bays MPL side in the offering?