Last year a stretch of three games in eight days would’ve had D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn and his staff cringing behind closed doors.
Facing just that kind of schedule beginning Saturday against FC Dallas (1-4-1) — with a healthy and deep roster at his disposal — Soehn is looking forward to a chance to do what his job title says.
“Last year was difficult in the fact that we were just counter-coaching,” said Soehn. “We were assessing all the injuries and trying to come up with solutions with what we had, knowing that sometimes it wasn’t good enough. That was frustrating. This year, it’s quite the opposite, managing your guys and actually coaching … That part is why you get into this thing.”
Soehn has cited improved chemistry among the players as part of the reason for United’s early success. But because he hasn’t had to make as many reactionary tactical and strategic changes, Soehn has been able to bolster his own relationships too.
“I think he’s responding to the players a lot better now and getting a sense of where the team is at collectively, as far as if we’re tired or not or maybe if we need a day off,” said United defender Bryan Namoff. “ … The response of him listening to the players and also the players giving feedback has definitely greatly improved.”
A year ago, Soehn was on the coaching hot seat. But should he successfully navigate United (2-1-3) through the next three games — after Dallas, D.C. travels to Kansas City on May 6 before hosting Eastern Conference-leading Toronto next weekend — he could find himself a legitimate contender for MLS coach of the year.
“It’s going to be a time where we’re going to give guys opportunities,” said Soehn. “It’ll help everybody out in the long run.”
