As the Union kicks off its first week of preseason camp in Clearwater, Fla., manager Jim Curtin isn’t just looking at how he organizes this year’s depth chart. looking to his own future.
3 months later Awarded MLS Coach of the Year For the second time, Curtin the last year of his contract with the union. And neither he nor the team are waiting to do anything about it.
“We’ve already started talking,” sporting director Ernst Tanner said on Tuesday. increase.”
Coincidentally, the meeting took place at a time when Curtin was a strong candidate. Next U.S. Men’s National Team CoachBut it’s hard to say if he’s a front-runner.
From a pure football standpoint, US football sports director Ernie Stewart would like to keep Greg Verhalter in the position.But Reyna-Berhalter scandal Grabbing headlines this month will make it difficult for the general public to digest yet another Berhalter term.Reportedly, U.S. soccer is eyeing high-profile foreign candidates French legend Zinedine Zidane It makes predicting the future even more difficult.
” read more: Our football staff discuss who should be the next USMNT manager
Curtin’s name will continue to circulate until the national team understands what it wants to do. Not afraid to share typical candid views.
“You know, these concerns come up all the time, but I think US soccer needs to sort out what they want to do first and foremost,” he said. “It’s my job to be on the lookout just in case something happens, and this is an ongoing process anyway. So I’ll be prepared if something happens.”
Curtin said earlier this month He is “so happy to be here” with Union.
“Are you honored to have your name mentioned in those talks? Yes, of course,” he said. “I think every head coach should put their ego aside and be willing to be an assistant to that team. It’s such a big job, it’s such an important job.”
come and go
Tanner has already had to deal with one significant front office retirement this winter.Longtime high performance director Garrison Draper Joins Inter Miami, succeeding former US Women’s team fitness guru Dawn Scott.
Instead of hiring a replacement, Tanner split the job in two. The new Chief Medical Officer is Brad Papson, an internal promotion. New Performance His chief is Max Rankate, hired from the San Jose Earthquakes. His previous destinations include the Seattle Sounders, German he FC he Nuremberg and St. Pauli.
” read more: Ernst Tanner reveals details of Pakten Aaronsson’s move from Federation to Eintracht Frankfurt
Regarding on-field matters, Tanner confirmed that the Union will start the season with three picks for the first time in team history: Julian Carranza, Mikael Oule, and Newly Raised Daniel Gazdag.
“I’m glad [that] They made it possible and we earned a lot of trust,” Tanner said.
But there’s still roster work to do before the season starts on February 25th.
“We are in a pretty stable situation, but the professional business is always looking to improve,” Tanner said. “We definitely sign one or two players.
There may be promotions from junior and reserve ranks. Forward Nelson Pierre High on the candidate list. The 17-year-old, who hails from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, signed for his team as a reserve last year and experienced his senior team’s first game in a friendly against Mexican club Pachuca last September. Currently in Clearwater.
“We will definitely promote him,” Tanner said, but he doesn’t want to rush. [prospects] We’re training to see how far they’ve come and what’s best for their growth. ”
” read more: Daniel Gazdag signs new contract with Union, promoted to designated player status
Other prospective news
Another prospect, Jose Riasco, is leaving the Venezuela under-20 national team for the South American Championships in Colombia. Venezuela will start the group stage on Friday, facing Bolivia, Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile.
“We’ll definitely take him to training with the top team,” Tanner said once the Venezuelan run is over. His three teams in the group advance to the final six-team group stage, which runs until February 12th. The top four teams will qualify for the U-20 World Cup in May and his June.
Tanner said Quinn Sullivan will be the main backup to Daniel Gazdag when it comes to attacking in midfield.
“I absolutely have confidence in him as the second number 10,” he said.
Bajun Durboe, the 16-year-old attacking midfielder who joined the union from Minnesota United when the Loons closed their academy in October 2020, is one of those players who won’t jump.
Recently, there was some chatter among scouts on social media that Minnesota tried to stop the Union from signing Durboe. Tanner said it wasn’t true. However, he said that Durbo declined a contract offer from the Union, obtained a European passport, and likely crossed the Atlantic.
” read more: Kai Wagner and Olivier Mbaiso are now in the Union, but may not last long
