Robin Fraser has established himself as a solid candidate for a head coaching position, that much can not be disputed. He's largely responsible for the team-first ethos at Real Salt Lake, is one of the most popular people in the organization and at 44 years old could very well develop into a world-class coach.
RSL Soapbox's Denz is worried, though, about Fraser heading to Chivas USA. Not just because his team will be losing an integral part of the organization, but because Chivas USA has turned into a bit of a blackhole for coaches.
Chivas USA is a brand of a much better organization, but they are not a club with owners who are passionate about the team, they are not a club where from the President on down everyone is on the same page for success, they are not a team with the quality and depth that it takes to do great things in MLS. Oh yes they present a challenge and opportunity, but you know without support of the entire organization a coach can only do so much.
To be fair, Chivas USA is nowhere near the least successful franchise in MLS. They have a record of drawing reasonably strong, despite being the obvious second tenant at Home Depot Center, and have been to the playoffs in half of their seasons in existence. They've also shown an ability to identify top talent, even if they haven't been able to hold onto it.
The situation Schellas Hyndman inherited at FC Dallas, for instance, was considerably worse than what's going on at Chivas USA and he led the Toros to the MLS Cup final by his third year. Fraser has never been a head coach before and it's hard to blame him for jumping at this opportunity, even if it could be reasonably argued that he'll have better opportunities a year from now.
Chivas USA is set to make Real Salt Lake assistant Robin Fraser their third head coach in as many seasons, according to a report in ESPN Deportes. Fraser has been with Real Salt Lake since 2007. During that time, Fraser has helped Jason Kreis engineer a turnaround that has taken RSL from the bottom of MLS to one of the model franchises.
The year before Fraser and Kreis were hired, RSL finished at the bottom of the Western Conference and posted the third worst goal-difference in the league. Within two seasons, RSL made their first ever playoff apperance. In Year 3, RSL won the MLS Cup. Last year, RSL finished second in the race for the Supporters' Shield and led the league in both goals scored and goals allowed.
Fraser also spent 10 seasons as a player in MLS and earned 27 caps for the United States Men's National Team, primarily earning time as a defender. He was named MLS Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and 2004. His primary role at RSL was coaching the defense, but he was also instrumental in bringing in players like Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers.
If previous reports are to be believed, Fraser is Chivas USA's backup plan. Various outlets had reported that Juan Carlos Osario was set to be hired before he accepted a job in Colombia. That came on the heels of Chivas USA firing Preki in 2009 after three straight playoff appearances and the firing of Martin Vazquez after the Goats missed the playoffs last year. In recent years, U.S. internationals Jonathan Bornstein, Sacha Klejstan and Brad Guzan have all left the team. To say Chivas USA lacks stability is probably a massive understatement.
This would be Fraser's first head coaching position and there's no question it would represent a significant challenge. Judging from his track record, there's no reason to think he's not up for it, but there is reason to wonder if he'll be given a fair chance to succeed.
Chivas USA Hires Robin Fraser, Makes Him Sixth Coach In Seven Years
Robin Fraser, one of the men credited with helping turn Real Salt Lake into a model MLS franchise, has been hired as Chivas USA's sixth coach in seven years. He succeeds Martin Vazquez, who was fired after one playoff-less season. Prior to Vazquez, Preki was fired after leading Chivas USA to the playoffs for three straight years.
Fraser joined the RSL coaching staff in 2007 along with head coach Jason Kreis. RSL were among the worst teams in the league that first season, but made their first playoff appearance in 2008 and won the MLS Cup in 2009. Although last year did not yield any silverware, RSL finished just three points shy of the Supporters' Shield and became the first MLS team to win their group in the modern incarnation of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Prior to joining the RSL staff, Fraser had made a name for himself by winning two MLS Defender of the Year awards and making 27 international appearances for the United States National Team. He leaves RSL as one of the hottest head coaching candidates.
"We are all extremely pleased for Robin to get this fantastic opportunity and know that he will certainly enjoy great success as a head coach in Major League Soccer," RSL head coach Jason Kreis said in a statement. "Robin was an extremely important member of our coaching staff, integral to all of our successes to date. He will be sorely missed, and I want to thank him deeply for what he meant to me, this team, and this club."
Joining Fraser at Chivas USA will be former teammate Greg Vanney, who most recently headed the RSL youth academy in Arizona.
Their first job will be identifying useful players in the upcoming MLS SuperDraft. The Rojiblancos have the No. 4 pick in the draft, but have just one other pick (No. 40 overall). Beyond that, they'll be overseeing a team that has already undergone significant change from last year.
Defender Jonathan Bornstein has left for Mexico (and his MLS rights transferred to the Portland Timbers) and the team has parted ways with Giancarlo Maldonado (loan expiration) Marcelo Saragosa (option declined), Alex Zotinca (option declined) and Eduardo Lillingston (option declined). They have also added veteran defender Jimmy Conrad, veteran forward Alejandro Moreno and rising start Tristan Bowen.
Jan 04 4:51p by Jeremiah Oshan - 0 comments