When Jason Kreis elected to leave Real Salt Lake at the end of last season, there was some cause for concern over what his departure would do to RSL. Kreis was so ingrained into the culture of RSL that it seemed a real possibility the team could collapse in the wake of his leaving.
Fortunately, for fans and supporters of the Claret-and-Cobalt no such thing happened. The mantra and system Kreis helped establish allowed the Utah club to continue on successfully, ending this season with 56 points and a third place finish in the Western Conference. A strong endorsement of both the club and the departed head coach.
Kreis’ desire to pursue the opportunity at New York City Football Club was understandable and the fact that he left RSL in better shape than he inherited when he hung up his cleats and stepped into the coaching box back in 2007 is a testament to his ability to guide a young club into maturity.
It is no wonder that NYCFC sought out Kreis to be the first manager in club history. Kreis’ experience in MLS is nearly unparalleled and his soccer acumen leads some, myself at the top of list, to believe one day Kreis will be chosen to lead the US Men’s National Team. All would seem in order for Kreis to be poised for success when NYCFC debuts next season.
However, after the Expansion Draft finished this week, I found myself concerned that Kreis’ move to the “Big Apple” might not turn out so sweetly after all.
Bookending NYCFC’s expansion selections were 31-year-old midfielder Ned Grabavoy and 32-year-old defender, and New York native, Chris Wingert. Both players were highly successful under Kreis at RSL and on the surface, their selections to join him in NYC came as little surprise.
Grabavoy is well respected for his ability to maintain possession through the midfield and is well versed in the expectations that come with operating Kreis’ “diamond formation” offense. Wingert for his part has been an RSL stalwart on the backline and though he is often overlooked when it comes to accolades, is still a formidable defensive presence.
While both players are approaching the final stages of their career, Grabavoy and Wingert should still have a couple of quality seasons left in them. The concern that these two picks raised, for me, was not because of their ability but because of what it says about the approach NYCFC will be taking on the pitch.
One of the biggest incentives presented to Kreis when NYCFC was trying to lure him away from the Wasatch Front, was the chance to spend a season immersed in the culture and operations of Manchester City. It was an opportunity to experience first-hand the ins and outs of running a club at the highest levels of competition few of his MLS peers have been offered.
Now until NYCFC takes the pitch it is impossible to determine just what the impact of that experience will be on Kreis but the biggest benefit that Grabavoy and Wingert bring to their new club is a familiarity with Kreis’ “old” system. So, it appears by their selection that Kreis will not be varying much from his old form.
But will that system really be as effective for NYCFC as it was for RSL? Perhaps the better or more appropriate question is will ownership allow that system to be fully integrated? More than just a “diamond formation” on the pitch, Kreis’ philosophy encompasses all aspects of the approach to soccer. It emphasizes preparation and fitness while promoting the team over the star. Will that work for the same owners that run Manchester City?
I have to wonder, with all the time spent on gaining knowledge and experience in the Manchester City family, why come back with the same approach?
NYCFC has already signed players whose names are bigger than that of the club in Frank Lampard and David Villa. Will they be willing to accept the roles required of them in the system of Jason Kreis? What happens when Grabavoy is holding possession around the 2nd base area of Yankee Stadium instead of pushing the ball up to Villa in the offensive third? Depending on the game situation, possession might be the right tactic but will Villa see it that way? Will Lampard?
The truth is both Lampard and Villa want to prove they can still play at a high level and their reputations could take a slight hit if their MLS performances are not outstanding. While both players were secure enough with their place in history to come over to MLS, will they remain that way if their stat lines are underwhelming?
At Real Salt Lake the players knew the expectations going in or were brought up through a system with the “Team is the Star” mantra already in place. NYCFC has relied heavily on their star signings and their location in the City to generate buzz for their arrival in MLS but until they leave Yankee Stadium for a home of their own, that aspect remains underwhelming.
For now NYCFC will need to rely on their promise of delivering the big names to the club. Star power matters in New York City. It has been proven time and time again in every sport. The big name carries the coverage in the biggest media market in the US.
Perhaps the concerns for RSL last season should have been reversed? Maybe it was less that Kreis was ingrained in RSL and more that Salt Lake was ingrained in Kreis. Separated from that type of market will Kreis being able to duplicate the same success?
We know Kreis’ system works. In Salt Lake City. The question that remains now is: Will it work in New York City?
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