Orlando City SC announced Tuesday that it had hired Jason Kreis as its new head coach. The move had been rumored over the last few days after a report from Paul Tenorio indicated him and the club were in advanced discussions. It was first reported by Ives Galarcep today before it became official. He replaces Adrian Heath who was fired on July 6th.
Sources have confirmed to me that Orlando City has hired Jason Kreis as its new head coach. #OCSC #MLS https://t.co/Gjqh1Vfdgz
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) July 19, 2016
Orlando City SC Names Jason Kreis Head Coach
Kreis brings a wealth of MLS coaching experience to Orlando. The 43-year-old managed Real Salt Lake from 2007-13. During his time in Utah, the club made the playoffs six out of seven years and made two MLS Cup appearances, winning a title in 2009.
That success attracted the attention of New York City FC, who was coming into the league as an expansion team in 2015. The team named him the first head coach in club history just days after his contract with RSL ended on December 13,2013.
But his lone year with NYCFC was fraught with adversity. The club finished their inaugural season eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 10-17-7 record and missed the playoffs. That was considered an unacceptable result for City Football Group considering a high-priced roster that included David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard. Kreis was subsequently let go on November 2nd.
Two assistant coaches who’ve been with Kreis during his RSL and NYCFC days, Miles Joseph and CJ Brown, will be joining him in Orlando. They will begin working in an official capacity on July 25th. The club has said that the remainder of OCSC’s coaching staff will stay in their existing roles.
Last Word on Sports has learned that Kreis will be foregoing a $1 million severance package from NYCFC as a condition for accepting the Orlando City job. This according to a source which has requested anonymity.
Orlando City SC’s next match takes place Saturday when the Lions face Columbus Crew SC on the road. It marks the first meeting of the year between the two clubs and just fifth all-time in all competitions.
