Respect for two new managers in MLS

How many times have we all seen a soccer team utterly overwhelmed in a match but somehow sneak away with the points? Then, against all logic, a manager will stand before God, country and a room full of intrepid reporters and proclaim assuredly, “I thought we deserved the win.”

And cue a room full of reporters who tilt their heads like dogs, straining to figure out what the man on the other end of the leash just said.

So I’m raising a koozied cold one to Hans Backe. The Red Bulls manager has not only polished up the turd in New Jersey to the point of respectability, he’s not pretending that it’s something it isn’t. His side remains a work in progress, having just outlasted expansion Philly by a narrow margin.

“We have to improve for the future to be a team that can dictate the game,” Backe said. “I've been having a few nervous breakdowns.

 “Every game has been so difficult. I’m not totally pleased yet, because we need to improve in a lot of areas or I’m going to have a nervous breakdown if we keep playing close games like this. It’s very hard to get a win, but we managed to get one.”

I am also liking Carlos de los Cobos these days. The Chicago Fire manager has avoided the temptation to come into Toyota Park and hammer round pegs into square holes. Some managers have a style and formation in mind.  And that’s OK – so long as they don’t take it too far too fast. Over time they can change a team, gradually gathering players who best fit their ideas. But if they force the issue by assigning uncomfortable roles – and then acting surprised when players aren't successful – then they are probably barking up the wrong tree.

De los Cobos has toyed with some formations and now seems to have arrived at one that works. If he sticks with it, good on him. If not, well, we all remember tinkerer extraordinaire Juan Carlos Osorio, right?

For more on Chicago’s new style and who is reaping the benefits, see my weekly Five Things to Know piece, which should be up soon at SI.com.