October 02, 2007
CVI Q&A with Jeff Plush
Colorado Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush has responded to Class VI members questions. CVI would like to thank Jeff for taking time out for us.
Whose decision is it to bring in a player? I know the Designated Player has to be approved by you, but what is the decision structure for bringing in other players such as Kirovski, Ballouchy, Osorno, and Cancela?
We have a weekly soccer operations meeting where the coaches, GM (editor note: Charlie Wright) and myself talk about any/all issues including potential player transactions. Both Charlie Wright and I will ask questions to probe the rationale behind a potential acquisition. Charlie takes the lead on any issues relative to the salary cap or league guidelines. At the end of the day all player transactions other than a DP is the decision of the head coach.
From an outsider's point of view, it appears the Rapids organization and KSE are satisfied with the current state of affairs, which is a team that plays uninspired soccer and does just enough to squeeze into the playoffs. Is this the case? If not, what are your plans to change this perception by the start of the 2008 season?
I struggle with where this perception comes from. We have stated very clearly and very publicly that our goal is to win a championship. We have also said that our performance to date is extremely disappointing and we are far from satisfied.
That said I do not understand the criticism of making the playoffs each year that we have owned the team and making it to the conference finals the last two years in a row (only New England as done that). MLS crowns a champion through the playoff system. It stands to reason that all of us who say we want to win a championship should also want us to make the playoffs.
Clearly we have to do far better. Our form since June has been frankly embarrassing. We have not performed to our expectations, but worse we have not performed to our abilities. That is troubling.
The crazy thing about our league is that there is still everything to play for with three games left.
Looking around the league the stadium atmosphere that Toronto has is a different atmosphere than DC, which has a different atmosphere than the Galaxy. Which other MLS team has an atmosphere similar to what the Rapids organization is hoping for at DSG Park, and what can the fans do to help achieve that?
I have enjoyed the atmosphere in both Toronto and Houston. There are elements of the atmosphere in DC and Salt Lake that we have zero interest in.
We can develop our own atmosphere in Colorado, taking advantage of the close proximity to the field and the roof structure that contains noise. We should strive for an environment that we can be proud of.
The best way for an atmosphere to grow is for the fans to take an active role in its development in a positive way.
From my vantage point Class VI appears to be a great success. The Centennial Firm appears healthy, but I have no real knowledge about their doings. With the growth of these groups and influence of other supporters groups around the leagues is the team doing anything to further encourage other groups?
We have constant dialog with other potential groups and would certainly be supportive to the extent their platform was consistent with what we believe to be a positive environment.
Given some of the budget/player constraints that Rapids representative have mentioned versus other clubs, how does the organization intend to ensure the team remains an entertaining contender over the course of the whole season, rather than trying to continually sneak in come playoff time?
First, I would hope that we could all agree that no one is “trying” to sneak in to the playoffs. Fernando’s stated goal at the beginning of the season was to be the All-Star Coach (most points at the break) as well as to win a championship. Clearly we have underperformed against our stated goals but there is no lack of ambition.
Second, and to try and be very clear on this subject, there are no budget/player constraints on this team. We have spent virtually every dollar available to us to be at the salary cap. The only ways to spend outside of the cap is either through the designated player rule (spend outside the cap for a player) or through allocation money (buy down the cap number of a player.)
It is important to note that teams like DC, New England, Houston and Chivas are all on essentially the same money as we are, with no DP. And they are the 4 best teams in the league.
We are committed to being a model club. In order to achieve that we need to develop a consistency of play and an ideology of what we want to be.
This is a subject that we could spend a lot of time on. Some of it delves into long-term vs short-term strategies. Our long-term objective is to be the hunted not the hunter.
How do you respond to the commonly held belief that the Rapids are unwilling to spend money on quality players? Is it truth or fiction? What are the Rapids plans for pursuing talent in the future?
I would begin by saying that it is not a widely held belief. I would then say it is absolute fiction. We have spent money, in fact more than DC, New England and Houston. Any shortcomings we have experienced are not from a lack of spending.
I would also say that our sub-par performance is not from a lack of talent. We have built a talented roster both through the draft as well as trades/signings. We will continue to build through development and scouting.
The fair criticism of where we are today is that we have under-performed with the money we have spent.
Are there any funny or interesting pre-game food rituals? What do they drink on the sidelines during games? Does the club advocate any particular kinds of pre-game meals?
I don’t know of any pre-game rituals, mostly because I am not in the locker room. I imagine there is something interesting.
Our Head Athletic Trainer Theron Enns is involved with nutrition. We have recommendations for home games. On the road there are team meals with lots of chicken and vegetables, pasta, fruits, soups etc.
Does the organization see having guys like Mathis, Cancela, Niko, playing as regular reserves as acceptable?
We take the reserve league very seriously. We are proud that we won it last year and are excited to be top at this point this year. Coach Murphy plays the best 11 from both a development perspective and to win matches. Sometimes older players are in the side to work back from injury. And sometimes they are in the side because a reserve player has taken their first-team minutes. That is not a bad thing.
What were the top three goals for the Rapids entering the 2007 season?
The top 3 goals for the team were to win the MLS Cup, advance to the MLS Cup, and secure one of the top two spots in the Western Conference (which would also secure a SuperLiga spot).
Our organizational goals included the successful launch of the stadium and sportspark, the successful launch of the new corporate identity and the successful integration of a largely new business operations staff.
Often you hear that teams that stay together in MLS have more success. The Rapids have done a large amount of trading, not just in pre-season but during the season. Why do you feel we have needed such large roster turnover?
I agree that continuity is a major component of success. The teams that consistently vie for honors like DC, New England, Houston (San Jose) have cultivated a sense of purpose that comes from continuity.
When we look back on this year I would imagine we would conclude that a lack of continuity was a net negative.
Will the Rapids be changing their team name in the future?
There are no plans to change the club name.
If there were a radio show that was critical of the organization would it be viewed as a threat, an insult, or as an ally?
Probably none of the above. It would be viewed as the media and all that comes with it. They would be viewed the same as the other traditional and non-traditional media outlets.
How would you characterize the Rapids relationship with its retired players, such as Bravo, Vermes, Balboa, Spencer, Fraser?
It runs from cordial to good to very good.
How would you define success for the club?
This is a wide-ranging answer. The club entails many different facets. I am focused on our club being a great company that provides value to our ticket holders, is a good partner to our corporate sponsors, plays an active role in our business community, is committed to social responsibility, embraces our responsibility to the youth of our community and provides for a positive and nurturing work environment.
I am proud of what we have accomplished over the last couple of years. We have created platforms to be successful for many years to come with our stadium, field complex, the Dick’s Sporting Goods partnership, Arsenal and Pachuca. We have an emerging youth development plan and for the first time a fully dedicated staff to work on building a strong soccer business.
We have brought ancillary soccer to the market with Mexico v Colombia, Pachuca v Chivas and our game v China, as well as the All-Star Game v Celtic.
We are seen around the league as an organization on the rise and as a club that players and coaches want to be a part of.
The future of our club is very promising. We should be proud of what we have accomplished yet ever-mindful that there is more to do. And yes, ultimately we need to win silverware to be truly successful. I am 100% committed to that objective and remain absolutely convinced that we will achieve great things here. And I am confident we will achieve these things together.
Thank you for your past and future support. I appreciate the opportunity to do this and hope that we can do it again.
Once again, we appreciate your taking time for the members of Class VI.