Another page in the history of D.C. United has been written. Tom Soehn, the fifth coach in franchise’s 14-season existence, called it quits this week after his club failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year.
After three seasons of mixed success, Soehn clearly saw that his future wasn’t with United. Like the gentleman he is, he made it easy on his bosses by walking early.
Soehn, who posted a 36-30-24 record during the MLS regular season, was a good coach, but change was needed at this proud club. Known over the years for its attractive soccer, United in recent months had lost its flair and luster.
This wasn’t a bad team; it just wasn’t special anymore. The spark was gone. The soccer at times was bland - and on occasion much worse.
A loss to Chivas USA at RFK Stadium in a crucial game Oct. 3 was downright awful, and it was clear at that point that an overhaul was necessary.
Too few players stood out this season, other than some rookies and a couple of veterans. Big-name players failed to rise to the occasion either because of injury or because they simply were no longer capable of doing so.
Soehn’s record is pretty good compared with those of many coaches in MLS. He won the Supporters’ Shield in 2007 and the U.S. Open Cup in 2008. United lost only 11 times in 44 matches in all competitions in 2009, finishing 17-11-16.
But no United coach has served a fourth term, and change is inevitable when a club with United’s rich tradition fails to make the playoffs for two straight years.
Three straight losses at RFK near the end of the season dealt Soehn the final blow. United was gifted with a five-game homestand but failed to take advantage. Still, beyond the wins and losses, United’s play lacked the cohesion and attractiveness of previous years.
Soehn was burdened with the most crowded schedule of any team in the league, a result of United’s previous success. At one point the club played 10 games in just 31 days.
“So much mental and physical energy goes into preparing for games,” Soehn told Comcast SportsNet.
At times it seemed there were just too many changes in the starting lineup. It never was clear what United’s strongest team was; because of that, the club never found its identity.
Soehn will be remembered as one of United’s better coaches. Like Thomas Rongen, he inherited a successful team and did well with it. In his last two seasons, he lacked a creative playmaker like former star Marco Etcheverry and needed a gritty holding midfielder like Houston’s Ricardo Clark.
But he can walk away proud. He was the club’s third-best coach after Bruce Arena and Peter Nowak. He should have no problem finding work with a resume that offers nine years of coaching experience in MLS, including six as an assistant with the Chicago Fire and United. He may even end up with his old mentor Nowak, now the coach of the expansion Philadelphia team.
“You remain proud of what you do and prepare for whatever comes next,” Soehn said at the team’s recent award dinner.
His successor will face a lighter schedule next season - and inherit a good foundation of young players.
Former United players with MLS coaching experience such as Richie Williams, John Harkes and Curt Onalfo all present good options to take Soehn’s place. But isn’t it time for Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski to move out of the comfort zone of the college scene and join the rough-and-tumble world of the professional game?
Arena did it. Look where it led him.
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