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Schmid Named Coach of the Year
After a season that saw Sigi Schmid lead the Columbus Crew to the Supporters' Shield the German head man has been given the MLS Coach of the Year award.
Nov 11, 2008 5:06:07 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg
Technically, the 2008 Coach of the Year Award is for the work Sigi Schmid has done in Columbus this year. Realistically, it’s due praise for the effort he’s given for the past three seasons now.
Few will argue the German native deserves this award. He hauled an un-fancied Columbus Crew to the Supporters’ Shield, having forged an exciting and consistent team.
But if Schmid’s recent success has told us anything, it’s that squad-building is essential. Columbus hadn’t made the playoffs for three years running, two under the management of Schmid. But the Crew hierarchy kept faith with the former LA Galaxy man, and he’s repaid them in kind. Pulling together a young, hardworking bunch, he casted solid support around star man Guillermo Barros Schelotto, most likely this years MLS MVP.
That cast includes several youngsters who had seemingly fallen off or were never given a chance in the first place: wingers Robbie Rogers, Emmanuel Ekpo, and Eddie Gaven, destroyer Brad Evans, striker Steven Lenhart, and defender Andy Iro. He also brought the best out of Chad Marshall, this year’s Defender of the Year, and ‘keeper William Hesmer.
Schmid has previously won this award in 1999 when he was with the Galaxy. LA have been a team too quick to pull the plug on experiments which aren’t paying off yet, and Sigi’s dismissal was one of those decisions. They finished tied for last this year despite high profile names. Schmid’s Crew success will serve as a touching point for clubs looking to rebuild, ready to take the patient approach.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com USA
Technically, the 2008 Coach of the Year Award is for the work Sigi Schmid has done in Columbus this year. Realistically, it’s due praise for the effort he’s given for the past three seasons now.
Few will argue the German native deserves this award. He hauled an un-fancied Columbus Crew to the Supporters’ Shield, having forged an exciting and consistent team.
But if Schmid’s recent success has told us anything, it’s that squad-building is essential. Columbus hadn’t made the playoffs for three years running, two under the management of Schmid. But the Crew hierarchy kept faith with the former LA Galaxy man, and he’s repaid them in kind. Pulling together a young, hardworking bunch, he casted solid support around star man Guillermo Barros Schelotto, most likely this years MLS MVP.
That cast includes several youngsters who had seemingly fallen off or were never given a chance in the first place: wingers Robbie Rogers, Emmanuel Ekpo, and Eddie Gaven, destroyer Brad Evans, striker Steven Lenhart, and defender Andy Iro. He also brought the best out of Chad Marshall, this year’s Defender of the Year, and ‘keeper William Hesmer.
Schmid has previously won this award in 1999 when he was with the Galaxy. LA have been a team too quick to pull the plug on experiments which aren’t paying off yet, and Sigi’s dismissal was one of those decisions. They finished tied for last this year despite high profile names. Schmid’s Crew success will serve as a touching point for clubs looking to rebuild, ready to take the patient approach.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com USA
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