It’s Time For A Change

By: Dave Martinez | June 8th, 2009

Earlier in the season, I sat around and had a few beers with some supporters talking about the teams string of weak performances. This lead to a rather premature discussion of Juan Carlos Osorio’s position as coach with the team, and whether or not he would make it a year at the helm.

I scoffed at it then; it was far too early, and Osorio had the success of the 2008 MLS Cup run to buoy his position in the organization.

But that was then, and this is now. Quite frankly, after weeks of failed expectations and hopes of a turnaround, I am throwing in the towel.

That’s right; I am finally joining the bandwagon.

Ladies and gentlemen, Juan Carlos Osorio has to go.

Yes, I know that is quite the 180 degree turn for me, but enough is enough. There comes a time when being too optimistic does no one any good, and I have been guilty of that. Why try to paint a beautiful landscape in the midst of a horror show? I wouldn’t want to insult your intelligence when the case against Coach just keeps piling higher and higher.

For starters, the team stands at a paltry and laughable 2-9-3. Though it may seem unbelievable to some, this weeks clash at Toronto marks the halfway point of the season. Think about that. The Bulls would need one of the biggest turnarounds in sports history just to take the eighth spot into the playoffs. Remember that last season, the Bulls barely squeeked their way into the playoffs with 11 losses. They are two losses away from that achievement of futility.

Speaking of achieving futility, Osorio’s Red Bulls have also set a record in that category this weekend, matching the all time MLS road winless record with their current streak of 19 games. And that isn’t all. Juan Carlos Osorio’s team has a laundry list of negatives to point to, based on this season alone:

- The ball started rolling with a sound defeat at the hands of the expansion Seattle franchise on opening day. The team was being put together till the very last day of camp, and never had the chance to gel. Injuries, suspensions and many losses later, the Bulls still can’t find the right formula.

- Osorios teams have been sterile on the road. No goals all season away from home tells you something.

- But it isn’t just the losses, it is the way the team loses. Before DC United came to the swamp and stole a win with two goals in extra time, people tend to forget that New England did the same thing. The second game of the season, the home opener, saw a 90th minute Revolution goal dash their hopes.

- And that isn’t the only way the team has learned to lose. At least twice this season, the Bulls have seen plenty of time to take advantage of a red card situation, and failed miserably in capitalizing. Most notably against the Chicago Fire, where they played a man up throughout the match, and still managed to find a way to lose.

- The lack of discipline is also damning to the Coach. How many red cards and fouls is this team going to accumulate before the finger starts pointing to the coaching staff?

- They have been outscored 22 to 12 overall. ‘Nuff said.

- One would also have to point to the teams intangibles as well. Without naming names, I know first hand that players are frustrated with the Coaches lineup tinkering. It never plays well with a player when they have to wait and guess as to whether or not they will be included in the starting lineup. It gets even worse when they have to guess where as well. Frankly, the playing environment isn’t helped at all when people do not recognize their role on the team.

- Another intangible is the teams lack of finish. Shep Messing put it best; “they’re really playing hard for 90 minutes – they just suck when it counts.” And truer words could not have been spoken. The team folds like a cheap beach chair under a 300 pound woman. That type of losing mentality is a damning condemnation of the players confidence under the coaches system.

- And of course, the bottom line is the teams record. 2-9-3 heading to the seasons half way point. No matter how good the intentions, the bottom line means everything. And with the lofty expectations this team carried into the season, a 2-9-3 record does not speak to that bottom line. This type of ineptitude can only fall on the shoulders of one man.

It is a sad situation really. Osorio came to the Red Bulls to fulfill a life long dream of coaching the New York franchise. MLS is not a league that receives much flattery, but this was a rare occassion where Bulls fans were treated to a heavy dose.

On the outside, it was a match made in heaven; the prodigal son returns to New York, and does so while spurning the hated Chicago Fire. Fans loved the move. Media loved the move. Most everyone who wasn’t a Fire fan found it to be one of the best moves of the 2008 season. And Osorio proved his worth, guiding the team towards the MLS Cup Championship.

Today, all of that seems like a distant, long forgotten memory.

So I’ve jumped on the “change” bandwagon. But where do you all stand? Am I jumping the gun, or is enough enough already? Share your thoughts.