ProSoccerTalk’s periodic Panic Quotient (®) takes the temperature of stress and distress in the streets of Major League Soccer and along the boulevards of the global game.
This one is an all-manager edition:
- New York Red Bulls manager Mike Petke:
So many people are cheering for the rookie head coach, mostly because he is so quintessentially “New York Red Bull.” But something will eventually have to give. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But the pressure is certainly mounting with just eight points from eight games for the league’s highest payroll, plus an amount of goals surrendered (11) that we will label “concerning.”
Speaking of “adding pressure,” Red Bull Soccer global sporting director Gerard Houllier was there last night to watch a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City, a loss that included Juninho’s late, mad moment. Presumably, Houllier heard the boos begin to careen around the ground. And speaking of the Harrison facility, the club has just four of a possible nine points at home, with just two goals scored.
Panic quotient = moderate, along the lines of …: In-laws renovating their place, announce they will be coming for a stay. A fairly long stay.
- Seattle Sounders manager Sigi Schmid:
The only mitigating factor as we consider Seattle’s listless start is this: Schmid’s team has played just five games so far, fewer than any other team. So there’s time to pull this winless, hapless cart out of the ditch. Question is, can they?
As this piece of panic-related content points out, no MLS playoff team in 2011 or 2012 began with five consecutive winless matches.
There is also some hope in getting the club’s top pair of strikers healthy, Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins. Because at present this team just cannot score. Either way, the slow start will build on mounting organizational frustration regarding the club’s lack of ability to make any progress in the MLS playoffs. And when organizational frustration mounts, we know where the blame goes initially.
Panic quotient = moderate high, along the line of …: Backyard BBQ catches on fire. In strong winds.
- Chicago Fire manager Frank Klopas:
Just when it looked like things might get a little better, this? Word is that defender Arne Friedrich (practically wearing a Superman’s cape these days, the way everyone seems to be waiting around for the German vet to come rescue this wandering lot) may be out even longer than first feared.
Klopas’ men, second from the bottom in the East, have three of a possible nine points at home this year, making the weekend’s contest at Toyota Park against Columbus fairly critical.
Panic quotient = high, along the lines of …: Test results are back. Doc wants you to come in as soon as possible to talk over things in person. “Don’t you worry … we’re going to beat this thing!”
