Let me first start by saying, I have enjoyed my time interviewing Fernando Clavijo more than any other coach in Colorado sports today.
The man is honest, refreshing, rather upbeat, seems to laugh off criticism, and has a genuine passion for the game of soccer.
The background on Clavijo makes it difficult to not root for him. He came to the United States from Uruguay. He is a very proud American citizen and has a very strong affection for this country and the basic rights that many of us take for granted. His ties to his home country are strong, as evidenced by his leaving the team to return there last week. That being said, his ties to the United States are just as strong. On two occasions, he has told me it would be the realization of a dream if he could one day coach the United States National Team. He has the energy and the skill, not to mention the background.
Clavijo played every minute for National Team in their historic 2-1 win over Colombia in the 1994 World Cup, an event he recalls fondly. He told me recently he gets "goose bumps" to this day----- 14 years after the epic contest-------just thinking about that game.
The past is full of great memories that he can hold onto. That said, his present with the Rapids apparently is no more. Clavijo resigned on Wednesday, not citing a specific reason, leaving many to speculate about what just happened in Commerce City.
It is clear that the team, this season, has been rather underwhelming. On Saturday night, they defeated Kansas City 2-1 in Commerce City, for their first win in three contests. It snapped a two-game shut out streak, it was a much needed win, and maybe, more telling, it happened without Clavijo on the bench.
Prior to the victory at home against the Wizards, the Rapids, under Clavijo, had won only one of their previous nine games. The season's low point came in a loss at home to Toronto about two weeks ago. The opposition was missing five starters and had struggled on the road, though somehow manhandled the Rapids. The feeling after the game was frustration and it was evoked in a more fervent tone than at any point this season.
The real issue in this has been Clavijo's desire to build a team with players he wants and feel fit his style of coaching. That is fair enough, though, with that power comes accountability. He received Christian Gomez this offseason, he got a healthy Conor Casey, he had some pieces. He had a good amount of control and authority. Once you are granted that, everyone has a right to ask for results.
Though, for whatever starnge reason, the pieces did not fit. This is a talented team, Herculez Gomez and Pablo Mastreoni are two of the better players in MLS, yet despite a roster full of skilled soccer stars brought in to try and add to Stan Kroenke's Colorado title contenders, it went south and in a hurry.
He took the team to the Western Conference Finals twice but still was never really able to shake off those who predicted a coaching change was always in the works. He was rumored to be possibly on the outs weeks ago, then received a vote of confidence. The nature of this resignation-----immediately after practice yesterday-----really only makes this situation that much more murky and unsettled to those on the outside.
If Mastreoni leaves, that will be a major hole to fill. Right now, though, it appears, there is a larger vacancy than that at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
-"z"
