Austria: Osorio Gets A Pass. For Now.

By: Dave Martinez | July 13th, 2009

SBI reports the jobs of Juan Carlos Osorio, Jeff Agoos and Erik Stover are safe. For now.

And by the way – this does prove, once again, that my readers are the smartest folks in the world. Though voting was tight, in the end, 32% of you felt nothing would result out of this summit, and you were right on point.

Congratulations?

Anyway, Ives states that the Champions League tournament and major backing from the teams veteran leadership were the contributing factors in Austria’s decision to ride the season out with Osorio at the helm. With very little left to hang their hats on, a good showing in the tournament and a solid closing out of the season may buy Osorio the equity he needs to continue managing the side through 2010.

My question is what will happen if he fails on both fronts? Though it has been repeated a thousand times, the Bulls can ill afford to once again have a turnover at the managerial spot. But applying past lessons and experience to a situation that is so unique in it’s failure is nonsense. You can not hamstring yourself just because the franchise has gone through coaches like tissue paper. Osorio’s plan just hasn’t been working here.

TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

Many will argue that Osorio was instrumental in getting the team to the MLS Final. And he was! Remember, this is a franchise that couldn’t even sniff the MLS Cup prior to his arrival. That is an accomplishment Coach can definitely be proud of and point to.

But let’s put this stuff into perspective, shall we?

#1 – The team “backed” into the playoffs. In the worst way ever too; a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of the Fire. It took DC UNITED losing to catapult the Bulls into the postseason.

#2 – Their record last season? An unimpressive (but enviable by this years standards!) 10-11-9.

#3 – He made it through the playoffs with a consistent lineup, which was the first time he had done so after an entire season featuring many different looks and pieces. This season, whether it be due to injuries, suspensions, or personal preference, he has reverted to his constant shifting of players within a constantly shifting strategy.

#4 – They got hot when it counted. Simple as that. Much like the NFL, NHL, MLB or whichever professional league featuring a playoff system, the hot team is always the most dangerous. Unfortunately, that heat only lasts so long.

I have been for a change in manager because it seems that nothing is working for the team on the field. Though Osorio can’t impact a game in a physical sense, mental errors, a lack of concentration, a lack of creativity, and a predictable strategy are where a manager can be judged. On that end, Osorio has already failed. Even if the veteran players support him, it doesn’t always mean that he is what is best for the team.

The truth is, there really isn’t a right or a wrong here; just a bunch of opinions. And quite frankly, other than the Champions League, there is nothing to lose leaving Osorio as the teams manager. The season is a lost cause at this point, and if/when RBNY begins it’s coaching search, the winter market shall produce more options for the spot then would a midseason firing.

It is all a matter of perspective. That being said, I am sticking to mine. If this is the course of direction, I may not agree, but I can live with it.

So what is your perspective on all of this? Feel free to share your thoughts.