McCarthy's Musings: Words of Change?

By Kyle McCarthy

Leave it to Chivas USA investor/operator Jorge Vergara to fill the news cycle after new Toronto FC midfielder Dwayne De Rosario and new Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid completed moves earlier this week.

Vergara held a press conference on Monday in Mexico and let slip that Chivas assistant Luis Manuel Diaz would join Chivas USA in a similar role. Chivas USA spent the rest of the week to figure out how Vergara's decision would impact its team in the 2009 campaign. The Friday Five tries to sort through the aftermath and wonders if bigger changes than Diaz's arrival are on the horizon.

1. Proclamations from the top

Some teams have investor/operators who couldn't be picked out of a lineup and wouldn't hold a press conference unless a significant tax deduction was involved. Vergara doesn't fall into that category. When he speaks, news gets made. The problem with that is that he doesn't necessarily let everyone know what is going to come out of his mouth before it actually does.

2. Confusion reigns on both sides of the border

Vergara said Diaz would join Chivas USA to make room for the appointment of Atletico Madrid assistant Omar Arellano as an assistant in Guadalajara. The announcement left everyone in both organizations bewildered. Chivas coach Efrain Flores said he didn't know about any possible changes, while Chivas USA hurriedly denied the charges.

3. A sudden departure ...

Soon after saying no changes would arrive in Carson, Mike Matkovich left the Goats after one season as Preki's top assistant to take the coaching reins of the U.S. U-18 national team. Operating inside of a bubble, the move makes sense. Matkovich made his name as a successful youth coach in the Chicago area and deserves the opportunity. But with all of the machinations that took place earlier in the week, questions have to be raised about who knew what and when they knew it.

4. ... brings warning signs for the head man

Even if Matkovich left willingly, it doesn't appear likely that Diaz would be first in line for the open assistant gig if Preki was calling the shots. Chivas USA has said that Preki will return in 2009, but it appears that his place isn't as secure as it should be given the regular-season success he has enjoyed with an injury-riddled team the past two seasons.

5. Paradoxical staffing

Maybe Diaz's appointment isn't a reflection on Preki's status within club, but rather an admission that a club supposed to cater to a Mexican-American audience doesn't have much Mexican influence in its playing or coaching staff. Diaz's mooted arrival may take care of that on the coaching side, but the playing side still needs work. Claudio Suarez's injury troubles left Francisco Mendoza as the only Mexican regular last season and Mendoza is even odds to end up reinforcing the parent club's midfield in 2009. Sacha Kljestan's possible departure might free up some funds to help obtain a bigger name from the Mexican top flight to fill those empty seats at the Home Depot Center.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and blogs frequently during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.