December 22, 2006
Peter Nowak gave up the security of the head coaching job with DC United to reunite with his former coach with the Chicago Fire, Bob Bradley, when he accepted the position as the assistant coach of the US U-23 Men's National Team and the same position on an interim basis with the US Men's National Team.
Nowak himself was a candidate for the position that has temporarily gone to Bradley. But, the announcement that Nowak will join Bradley's staff could be a sign that Bradley will get the job on a permanent basis.
Nowak helps fill in some of the gaps on Bradley's resume having had a long career in international play with Poland, as well as loads of high level European club experience as a player.
Add in the fact that the personalities of Nowak and Bradley could make them the soccer version of "The Odd Couple", and this appears to be a match made in heaven.
Only time will tell, but I'm more than impressed with Bradley's first couple of moves after being given the interim job by Sunil Gulati and US Soccer.
Bradley has to tweak his camp roster
Guzan out, Pickens in - US Soccer.com
Twellman out, Califf, Dunivant, and Eddie Johnson in - US Soccer.com
Bob Bradley has already lost one of his Chivas USA players due to injury in goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Guzan suffered a back injury as a member of the MLS Select Squad that recently toured England. Chicago's Matt Pickens was selected to replace Guzan.
The bigger news is that New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman is out due to groin injuries picked up during the MLS season and that the roster has expanded from 29 players to 31 with the additions of forward Eddie Johnson of the Kansas City Wizards and defenders Todd Dunivant from the NY Red Bulls and Danny Califf who comes back from his team in Denmark.
Also of note is the fact that 2006 MLS Cup MVP Brian Ching is missing this camp to rest a knee injury.
DC United promote Soehn and send Eskandarian to Toronto FC
Soehn replaces Nowak - DC United.com
Esky to Toronto FC - MLSNet.com
Peter Nowak's top assistant, Tom Soehn, was tabbed to replace Nowak upon his stepping down to take his new job with US Soccer. Soehn was one of the hot names this offseason when it came to the job openings in Kansas City, Dallas, and Chivas USA. But, with Nowak leaving, DC United was able to keep Soehn in the organization.
Soehn has been an assistant coach in MLS for the past six seasons. The first three came in Chicago and the least three have been with DC United.
And the first move under the new leadership was the decision to part ways with the 2002 Hermann Trophy winner and the top pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft in forward Alecko Eskandarian. Eskandarian's finest moment as a pro came in 2004 when he was named the MVP of the MLS Cup finals as he led DC United to the title.
However, Eskandarian has struggled since suffering a major concussion in a collision with New England goalkeeper Matt Reis.
It will be interesting to see if Eskandarian can recapture his finishing touch north of the border.
Rochester shut out of the 2006 US Soccer "Best Of" Awards
The best Rochester could come up with were a few third place finishes in this year's "Best Of" voting at US Soccer.com.
The Soccer Shack finished third in the best soccer store category and Abby Wambach finished third in the best goal and best performance by a player categories.
DC United might not have stadium open by 2009
Apparently delays in getting a new soccer stadium built aren't limited to Western New York.............
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