Prost Amerika columnist Alan Hinton returned from a two-week break to share his thoughts on the soccer world.
In this week’s Hinton Unleashed video, the former First Division winger and NASL player/coach reviewed Sunday’s Major League Soccer matches to decide the final 16 playoff teams.
Hinton went on to analyze Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League games, Liverpool’s managerial change, the relationship between Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and manager Louis van Gaal, and this weekend’s Man U/Manchester City derby match.
Hinton questioned U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision making after the recent losses to Mexico and Costa Rica. To improve the team, he felt a Major League Soccer coach should replace Klinsmann.
Major League Soccer
“Celebrate if you win the division. Celebrate is you win the (MLS) Cup.”
With MLS concluding the regular season on Sunday, Hinton thought the accomplishments of division leaders New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps were not given enough recognition. He lauded head coaches Jesse Marsch (NYRB) and Oscar Pareja (FC Dallas) for winning their respective division with low-budget teams.
In Europe, a side winning its respective division/league would result in a massive celebration. In the U.S. domestic league, the “winner” get to play the same teams they’ve beaten over 34 regular season games in the playoffs.
UEFA Champions League
“He (Petr Cech) must be thrilled to be away from Chelsea.”
On Tuesday, Arsenal defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 with goalkeeper Petr Cech contributing a number of outstanding saves for the Gunners. Cech’s former team, Chelsea, played to a scoreless draw against Dynamo Kyiv, and continue to struggle in the early stage of the English Premier League season.
“He (Brendan Rodgers) didn’t have the presence. I don’t think he’s needed on a job so big.”
With Jurgen Klopp replacing Rodgers as Liverpool’s manager, Hinton saw this move as a positive move for the Reds. He felt Rodgers was not up for the job and Klopp had the better people skills to motivate the Liverpool players.
“I think if Louis van Gaal woke up in the morning and was told that Wayne Rooney had been traded…I don’t think Louis van Gaal would be sad about that.”
Hinton speculated about relationship between Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and Wayne Rooney. A move away from Manchester for the superstar may be in the best interest of both parties.
USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann
“He doesn’t know his goalkeeper. He doesn’t know his best back four. He doesn’t know his best midfield. He doesn’t know his best front players.”
The former Vancouver Whitecaps manager called for USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s dismissal. The German’s inability to settle on a winning lineup and develop younger players.
Hinton suggested that a Major League Soccer head coach should take over the national team. He recommended LA Galaxy’s Bruce Arena and the Seattle Sounders’ Sigi Schmid as two potential candidates.
