10:51 AM: The press conference for new Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos (or CDLC as fans are already calling him) is about the begin live on Chicago-Fire.com from Toyota Park. I will be sharing my thoughts throughout the event live here on Bringing The Fire. Hopefully today will shine a light on the future of the franchise.
11:05 AM: Fire Confidential it is reported that El Salvador international Julio Martinez is on his way to the Fire. We'll see if the Fire brass has anything to say about those reports. Would be a great pickup for the Fire as Martinez shined in World Cup Qualifying.
11:07 AM: President Dave Greely speaks first. Calls De Los Cobos "World Class Coach". Applauds Technical Director Frank Kloppas for starting first player development pyramid. Points out Fire have made playoffs 11 out of 12 years. Introduces Frank Kloppas who will introduce the head coach.
11:15 AM: Kloppas says the coaching search spanned three continents, but CDLC was the ideal canidate because of his vast experience as a coach and a player. Kloppas goes on to highlight De Los Cobos's success as El Salvador's head coach and playing days in Mexico. Kloppas proudly introduces Carlos De Los Cobos.
11:20 AM: Carlos De Los Cobos begins by saying that he prefers to speak in Spanish and use a translator but does speak some English. CDLC talks about his love for Chicago and the city's great culture and goes on to thank Kloppas and Chicago Fire owners. One of the reasons I decided to take this job because of the shared leadership through the organization: love of football and winning.
11:25 AM: "Over the last year I've seen this league grow and become a much better which is a great opportunity for me as a coach." The large Latino population played a part in CDLC's decision to come to the Fire. CDLC is aware of Section 8 and their great support for the club. "I'm 51 years old and though he has experience but he feels his best coaching days are yet to come."
11:30 AM: "I know that this is a results based business and I have come here to get results". CDLC ends initial speech and takes pictures with Fire brass holding a jersey. Q and A session begins. First question is extremely long in Spanish about Blanco and what players the Fire will bring in during the offseason. CDLC says he's aware of the importance of Blanco and has been communicating with Kloppas on a daily basis. Today Kloppas and CDLC will be flying to Florida to attend the second day of the MLS Draft Combine.
11:35 AM: CDLC says the relationship between the front office and the improvement in play in MLS is what attracted him to the Chicago Fire job. He also thought that this was a job that he could succeed in. When asked about the style of soccer he prefers he responds by saying he prefers an attractive style of soccer with a lot of quick passing. CDLC has viewed tapes of Fire games...compliments former coach Dennis Hamlett on the team's defense and overall play. Rumored consultant Manuel Laponente spoke with Frank Kloppas about CDLC during the job search.
11:40 AM: CDLC responds to question about his contract stating that his deal with the Fire is only a two year deal. Without naming any names the coach says that he is interested in bringing some Salvadorian players to MLS. CDLC hopes to break down barriers where more Mexican coaches can break into the MLS coaching ranks. When asked about Blanco again he says that the door is open for his return after the World Cup. Ken McDill from MLSNET asks Frank Kloppas about bringing in coach with no MLS experience. Kloppas says that having people like himself with MLS knowledge and other MLS assistant coaches will be enough to help CDLC adjust.
11:50 AM: Javier Leon says that CDLC reminds him of Bob Bradley in terms of being a honorable, hard working coach. Points to CDLC's success in El Salvador as a great litmus test for the Chicago Fire job because no one expected El Salvador to do anything in World Cup Qualifying. However, with CDLC El Salvador beat Mexico and tied the US with a group of unknown players internationally. CDLC talks about the importance of players feeling commitment from their coach and front office.
That concludes the press conference with Carlos de los Cobos. Reporters flock the table to get a few more words with Fire officals. Photographers will go on tour of stadium with the coach to take pictures.
De Los Cobos came off as a professional in his responses to the media and there was a general spirit of optimisim from the front office. The Mexican coach's command of English is a bit troubling, but I expect that it will improve some as we get closer to the season. In terms of experience CDLC is very impressive. I certainly can see him galvanizing the Latino communities in Chicago, but the real test is how he will mesh with the English speaking Fire fans. After coming so close to the MLS Cup in years past expectations will be very high in the coach's first year at the helm. Many fans will consider anything short of an MLS Cup appearence a failure. The coach's first line of business will be to use the MLS SuperDraft to meet some of the team's needs.
What did you think of the press conference? Do you think Carlos de los Cobos will be a good match for the club? Share your thoughts below.
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