Will MLS fall into the recycle cycle?

Also file under: Who did Richie Williams piss off?

Never underestimate the human capacity to repeat mistakes. Sometimes, we just can’t seem to learn from our personal bloopers and blunders and our cultural miscalculations. That’s why American Idol is still around.

D.C. United has hired Curt Onalfo, who didn’t work out at Kansas City.

Red Bull New York seems dead set on hiring an accent, i.e., a foreign manager, never mind how well the team responded to interim manager Richie Williams. And never mind the stacks of evidence tipping the difficulty for immigrant gaffers to negotiate the tricky curves of U.S. soccer’s top tier. When it comes to managing in MLS, it’s a little like sex: the first time around isn’t likely to be a winner.

At the very least, Red Bull ownership seems to have made its feelings clear regarding Williams. They said something along the lines of “possibly finding a place for Williams within the organization.” Translation: he ain’t gonna be The Man.

By the way, Williams’ winning percentage in two stints as interim manager is right there with Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena. All three are right around .500. Williams is 6-6-4 in two stints as a caretaker. If that doesn’t sound particularly prodigious, consider the long, sad list of brand name managers who couldn’t reach the seemingly reachable .500 mark around Giants Stadium. That roster of the damned includes Eddie Firmani, Carlos Queiroz, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Alfonso Mondelo, Bora Milutinovic and Juan Carlos Osorio.

Chicago is considering at least two foreign managers that I know of.  One is former Salvadorian national team boss Carlos de los Cobos, who probably couldn’t point to Columbus on a map and wouldn’t know a salary cap from a gas cap.  But, well, heck bring him in and let’s see what happens, eh?  (To be fair, the Fire is also considering longtime MLS midfielder Jesse Marsch, well-respected RSL assistant Robin Fraser and perhaps even Williams. So, hope persists in Bridgeview.)

I talked to two people in MLS today, and they too are puzzled by Williams’ lack of ability to move past interview stage in these potential appointments. I don’t think he’s particularly personable, but I don’t think he comes across as a jerk either. Besides, if a charming personality were a prerequisite for MLS management, Tom Soehn, Preki, Bruce Arena, Bob Bradley and a few others would never have gotten a job.

As for Onalfo, I don’t have anything against the guy. His teams in Kansas City always liked to attack. Even when they were ahead late, they always looked to get the ball forward. That’s not a bad thing in my book.

On the other hand, I’d hate to seem MLS become a league where reaching into recycle bin becomes standard procedure the way it is in other leagues. I understand why management does it: hiring someone who has previously headed a program is the safer choice. That doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice, however.

Me? I’d prefer a bolder approach. RSL owner Dave Checketts was certainly taking a flier when he plucked Jason Kreis from the RSL roster and made him the league’s youngest head coach. That’s worked out pretty well around Rio Tinto, now hasn’t it?