Tim Hanley’s apology

Dear readers,

I would like to apologize for comments I made in an article I wrote for Centerlinesoccer.com prior to the ESPN match last week.

The comments I made regarding DC United players, staff and owners was were inappropriate and unprofessional.

I deeply regret any references that could be construed as a personal attack or lack of respect directed at anyone in the DC United organization.

I have the utmost respect for the work they have done and would not knowingly do anything to undermine that effort despite my mistakes as referenced above.

In my current role as an MLS coach/employee, it is irresponsible to make public references about other clubs, their players, staff or owners.  Seems I was still wearing last year’s hat when writing that pre-match analysis and should have known better.

Sincerely,
Tim

MLS opener should be a fun game to watch

For Tim Hanley, Juan Pablo Angel of the New York Red Bulls is still the best striker in the league. Photo: John Todd, centerlinesoccer.com/isiphotos.com. 

I promised the editor at Centerlinesoccer.com that given an opportunity to do a few or more pre-match write ups,  I would limit my references to fishing, kids’ books, and put an end to my trying to be funny. So, with my new found dignified approach, like a solemn procession I march forth with my analysis of this season’s Major League Soccer matches on ESPN. First up: Seattle plays host to the New York Red Bulls (Thursday, 6:00 p.m. Pacific, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes).  Safe to say there is some guesswork here as the pre-season gives us a glimpse but rarely the true story. Read more…

Possession is the name of the game for 12-14 year olds

(Center Line Soccer’s Tim Hanley, a former assistant coach with the Earthquakes, Dynamo, and Galaxy, is preparing a series of columns on coaching youth teams. Today’s story, the third in a series, offers tips on coaching players aged 12 to 14. We’ve also published Tim’s tips on coaching four- to six-year-olds as well as players aged eight to 10. — Editor)

If you’ve done your work in the early stages of player development, this is an exciting age group — 12 to 14 — to work with.  One gets to stretch out a bit and work on aspects of the game that to this point were seemingly so far off in the distance that reaching across the gap was somewhat absurd. Now we have challenging but attainable targets. Read more…

Hanley: Unsung heroes could make the difference against RSL

RSL’s Chris Wingert will be paying a lot of attention to San Jose’s Ronnie O’Brien on Saturday at Buck Shaw. Photo: Julia Fizer, isiphotos.com. 

There is really no need to pontificate on the different statistical playoff mathematical equations here, why and what for, and who should make the playoffs.  The Earthquakes take three points from Real Salt Lake Saturday night and they will make the post season tournament.

In the MLS, the playoffs are a tournament.  The big guys get knocked out and the minnows sometimes go an awful long way.   The season is two seasons, regular and post, and one plays the regular to be rolling for the post season.  San Jose is rolling and now can  prove their mettle with a dramatic statement Saturday night. Read more…

Hanley: Quakes, Dynamo will be angling for a win

 
Kei Kamara’s goal against Houston may have been the high-water mark of his Earthquakes career, but he’ll be wearing orange on Saturday. Photo by John Todd, centerlinesoccer.com, isiphotos.com.

I went fishing with Quakes assistant coach Ian Russell yesterday. Ian is a fly fishing master and I tag along to learn and record his epic catches.  (Epic is his word, not mine.)  Over the years, we’ve fished together in Colorado, Montana, and Idaho as well as a number of spots in Northern California. For this epic outing we hit the Lower Stanislaus River, which is about two hours away, subject to the driver.  (I drive painfully slowly.) Inevitably, our conversation turned to soccer.  Ian has a keen eye and truly understands the game — he gets it, as I like to say.  When we spoke of the upcoming Houston matches all he could muster was a “man, this is gonna be a tough one.”  Ian gets it — this is going to be a tough one. Read more…

Hanley: DC United is a team that can be beaten

DC United midfield maestro Marcelo Gallardo is returning from injury but should see plenty of minutes against San Jose. Photo: Andrew Katsampes, isiphotos.com.

Additional Center Line Soccer pre-game coverage includes:
- Audio interviews with coach Frank Yallop and captain Nick Garcia

In evaluating MLS sides just prior to the playoffs, I tend to look at the loss column.  In other words, while wins are vital and draws can be frustrating, how many times have you lost? This allows us to get an idea of who we might see down the line deep in the post season. DC United has lost more games this year than the San Jose Earthquakes.  What does this mean?

Read more…

Hanley: Quakes, Wizards will be playing to win

Summer signing Josh Wolff will be looking to inject a spark into Kansas City’s attack. Photo: John Todd, centerlinesoccer.com, isiphotos.com. 

Dog days and crunch time.  Two teams looking for three points, both with playoff visions.  A must win?  Yes.  The season in MLS can be split into two separate categories:  Regular and Playoff. We’ve seen teams have less than stellar regular seasons and yet travel pretty far in the playoffs, even winning the whole darn thing.  We seen teams play as good a regular season as conceivably possible and yet get knocked out in the first round.  But the thing is, one has to get into the post season to find out!  San Jose and Kansas City each have a chance for post season playoff glory, but the deck is stacked against them.  A team has to be able to win, especially at home.  The stats show an MLS team win on the road is a rare thing.  The Earthquakes can help themselves out a great deal this weekend by proving three points at Buck Shaw is a given. Read more…

The perfect lesson for U-10’s is comfort on the ball

(Center Line Soccer’s Tim Hanley, a former assistant coach with the Earthquakes, Dynamo, and Galaxy, is preparing a series of columns on coaching youth teams. Today’s story, the second in a series, offers tips on coaching players aged eight to 10. The first, on four- to six-year-olds, is here. — Editor)

This is where it all starts: eight- to 10-year-olds. Where the wheels come spinning off, the volume gets turned up, and for one reason and one reason alone, results matter. Yep — parents. Read more…

Quakes can take advantage of decimated Chivas

With a number of starters absent due to injury, rising Chivas USA star Sacha Kljestan may find Saturday’s match against the Quakes a tough proposition. Photo: John Todd, centerlinesoccer.com, isiphotos.com.   

It’s a good day to be an Earthquake.  Some of the players used to say that a few years back and I’m wondering if Ramiro Corrales, affectionately called “Pibe” by Arturo Alvarez, is singing the phrase.  San Jose just thumped a good but tired team, and this weekend there is another tired team in sight.  Chivas is a mess right now — they have not won in five games. The Quakes couldn’t ask for much more from the proverbial soccer gods.   Remember, it’s all timing. Read more…

Possession will be the key as Earthquakes, Revolution face off Saturday

With Shalrie Joseph out due to a red card in his last MLS match, the task of running the Revolution midfield will fall to Steve Ralston, seen here in a 2005 appearance for the U.S. men’s national team. Photo: John Todd, centerlinesoccer.com/isiphotos.com.

The bye week is over so we’re back at it, and I am thinking Thursday is video day at the San Jose Earthquakes training ground.  Typically in the Yallop - Kinnear sides Thursday and sometimes Friday mornings are film days.  Usual clips include ten minutes of the opponent’s style and strengths — what to look for, really.  It is entirely possible that the coaching staff will skip this week’s review to allow the Earthquake defenders some sleep tonight.  If Eric Denton watches the New England/Houston Superliga final in whole or just parts, he will wake up this evening in a cold sweat,  visions of 31-31-31-31 flying by. Number 31 is the Revolution’s Sainey Nyassi. We’ll come back to him in a bit. Read more…

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