He has a solid resume, highlighted by assisting Bruce Arena at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. When he was announced as the head coach in Kansas City, Onalfo promised an attacking style for the Wizards. Did he deliver? Will he deliver in DC?
In 2007, Eddie Johnson scored 15 goals to pace the Wizards and help them finish 5th in the league in goals scored. Once he left, so did the offence. 37 goals in 2008 was good enough for 11th out of 14, and everyone but the woeful Red Bulls scored more than Kansas City in 2009. The decrease from 45 goals scored in '07 to 37 in '08 to 33 in '09 concerns me.
Kansas City had talent during Onalfo's run there. Hartman has been one of the better keepers in MLS history. Jimmy Conrad, Davy Arnaud, Josh Wolff and Jack Jewsbury are all players to build around. They've had Claudio Lopez for the last two seasons, an exceptionally skilled player. Yet, the Wizards always seemed to be very average. They had a decent record, never too good but never too bad.
At least he won't have to deal with the CONCACAF Champions League in his first year in DC, that should help him. The crowded schedule was ultimately Soehn's downfall, he never learned how to manage his roster over a whole season.
It isn't a very exciting hire. After the last 2 years of Soehn, I think DC fans were looking for some excitement. Onalfo seems no different than Soehn. Time will tell, I hope I'm wrong on this one, but I just can't get too enthused over this.
1 comment:
Brian Schmetzer would have been a good choice. He was great for the Sounders and he is a good coach.
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