August 17, 2007
Fernando Speaks (Unfortunately)
Clavijo chuckles with reporters
JasonMa goes cross-eyed analyzing the unprofessional remarks of the Rapids' soon-to-be ex-Coach.... Let's take a look at these quotes:
Quote:
"I question those fans. How really true fans are they?"
Ah yes, questioning if the most passionate fans are really "true fans." Nice, I guess he's taken the KSE line of getting rid of the troublemaking supporters' groups.
Quote:
"This team, with the lowest budget in the league, has made the finals of the Western Conference two seasons in a row. And you see other teams in the league who don't even make the playoffs, they don't fire their coach."
Hmmm... Here are the teams who haven't made the playoffs the last 2 years:
FSL - Promoted their coach this season after a 4 game winless streak, and after they had missed the playoffs the last 2 seasons. Fired him once his presence wasn't enough to keep Adu.
LA - Fired their coach last season after a 2-1-8 start and a 6 game losing streak when it became apparent that continuing in the same way wouldn't lead to the playoffs. This was a coach that wom MLS Cup the previous year. Still didn't make the playoffs and in bad shape this year to make the playoffs. Current coach on the hot seat.
Chivas - Fired 2 coaches after it was obvious they weren't making the '05 playoffs.
KC - Fired their coach after not making the playoffs the last 2 years.
CLB - Fired their coach when it was obvious they weren't going to make the playoffs in '05. Still has Sigi after missing the playoffs last year, but Sigi has a coaching resume of success so his leash is longer.
Chicago - Fired their coach this year after he put them in a position to not make the playoffs this year.
And for good measure:
Dal - Fired their coach after making the playoffs the last two years and getting beat by the Rapids.
Quote:
"I noticed. I was disappointed. But not for me, for my kids, my two sons. They worry."
I understand being worried about your family, but let's be honest, that's the life of a professional sports coach.
Quote:
"Buying a ticket doesn't give you the right to insult people."
Ahhh! We only want Up With People style supporter groups. To be fair, there are insults that are over the line, but once again, insults are a way of life for a pro sports coach, and asking him to be retired isn't insulting when it's true.
Quote:
"But this is nothing. The day that I'm not able to feed my kids, that's pressure. Soccer is not pressure."
He's right, but hauling out your kids twice in one interview begins to sound like you're using them to deflect the pressure.
Quote:
"Fans really don't know. You want to try to get a megaphone and go out and explain to them that this is the way it is. But you can't," Clavijo said.
You "explained" to us that you had a 3-year plan and at the beginning of the season you said that you finally had the team you wanted to win a championship. If that wasn't the right explanation, then what else do you need to say?
Quote:
"The only way you show them is a result like this (3-0 victory). That's the best way to shut them up."
True, and I wasn't going to say anything anti-FC until the next game (or next bad trade), but then you had to go and give this interview.
Quote:
"At the end of the year, after we make the playoffs," Clavijo vowed, taking a final shot at his angry detractors, "I'm going to send all those people their money back for their season tickets."
Sorry, but just making the playoffs isn't good enough. We've made the playoffs 9 of 11 years. If you win MLS Cup then you can slap us around. But it's time to win a championship. You put the pressure on yourself by stating you had a 3-year plan and that you had the team you wanted. Now deliver.
Jason