When he was announced as the new head coach of D.C. United, Curt Onalfo joined the absurdly large fraternity of 15 different coaches that will have run more than one Major League Soccer team when the league’s 15th year gets underway. Only one has won a title with more than one team.
The Great
Sigi Schmid » A fixture in Southern California, Schmid was sent packing by the Los Angeles Galaxy after five and a half seasons and two MLS Cup titles for not playing “attractive” soccer. Four years later he won his third championship in Columbus before being lured back to the West Coast, where he’s turned Seattle into an immediate contender.
Bruce Arena » He set the standard with D.C. United during MLS’ first three years, winning two MLS Cups. After guiding the U.S. national team for eight years, his return to MLS wasn’t stellar: an ugly season and a half in New York. But his reputation and resume have both been polished anew after making Landon Donovan and David Beckham kiss and make up before taking the Galaxy to the 2009 MLS Cup title game.
The Awful
Juan Carlos Osorio » Couldn’t wait to bolt for New York in 2008 despite inheriting a decent Chicago team in 2007 after Dave Sarachan‘s questionable firing. Worked magic in leading Red Bulls to the 2008 MLS Cup final, but his endless tinkering got old quick in the Big Apple, and he was canned in 2009.
Mo Johnston » After a combined 4-3-8 record over two interim stints with New York, Johnston took the helm for Toronto FC’s inaugural season in 2007. So impressed was the ownership by his 6-17-7 record that they promoted him to the front office, where in the last two years he hasn’t pieced together a group able to make the playoffs.
The Good Bets
Preki » He had three winning seasons at Chivas USA, including being named coach of the year in 2007. What did it get him? An expired contract at the end of 2009, leaving him free to jump ship for Toronto FC.
Peter Nowak » He guided D.C. United to the 2004 MLS Cup as a rookie head coach and left after a 2006 season in which they finished with the best record in the league. High expectations come with his return to MLS as the first head coach of expansion Philadelphia in 2010.
