Soph has spoken very very highly of him on multiple occasions, and I do think it would at least delay her leaving. I imagine she would wanna help him be successful- she considers him a father figure (her words.) Also, she credits his coaching to what got young Soph to the next level and I don't think would turn down the opportunity to play for him professionally. He's also got a ton of Colorado connections- Mal Swanson also is very close with him. I honestly don't know enough about his coaching to know anything about his style. He did get Jamaica the furthest they'd ever gotten...which, it's baffling they didn't renew his contract. I'd bet if Denver gets a team (and he's available at that time), they'd pick him up in a heartbeat...
I’d bet *a lot* of money they couldn’t afford to pay him and would’ve kept him if they could. The Jamaican fed is, unsurprisingly, a tremendous disaster.
Yeah, that’s exactly the thought I had also. I’m guessing he say PAY ME, and they said “we don’t have that…” Sad for the Jamaican Nat’l team yo lose him because it sets them further back, but I think he could be a contender for the USWNT, and there are several NWSL teams that would love to have him. Still wondering if Portland will miss the window on an experienced coach, either because the sale dragging or because Thorns do well enough to make getting rid of Mike a bit more difficult. I would just like a coach with a bit more connections…both on the player, and technical side.
Donaldson coached for Real Colorado when Smith was a kid- She credits him with much of her development and speaks incredibly highly of him whenever she gets the chance.
If the USWNT was smart they’d hire him....but man it would be cool to have him here.
Might even pull Swanson in that direction. He is highly regarded by both Soph and Mal. Really don't know if it would keep Soph here or not though. Suspect it could.
Wanna keep Soph in Portland?
https://twitter.com/AttackingThird/status/1707833750883570078
Soph has spoken very very highly of him on multiple occasions, and I do think it would at least delay her leaving. I imagine she would wanna help him be successful- she considers him a father figure (her words.) Also, she credits his coaching to what got young Soph to the next level and I don't think would turn down the opportunity to play for him professionally. He's also got a ton of Colorado connections- Mal Swanson also is very close with him. I honestly don't know enough about his coaching to know anything about his style. He did get Jamaica the furthest they'd ever gotten...which, it's baffling they didn't renew his contract. I'd bet if Denver gets a team (and he's available at that time), they'd pick him up in a heartbeat...
I’d bet *a lot* of money they couldn’t afford to pay him and would’ve kept him if they could. The Jamaican fed is, unsurprisingly, a tremendous disaster.
Yeah, that’s exactly the thought I had also. I’m guessing he say PAY ME, and they said “we don’t have that…” Sad for the Jamaican Nat’l team yo lose him because it sets them further back, but I think he could be a contender for the USWNT, and there are several NWSL teams that would love to have him. Still wondering if Portland will miss the window on an experienced coach, either because the sale dragging or because Thorns do well enough to make getting rid of Mike a bit more difficult. I would just like a coach with a bit more connections…both on the player, and technical side.
Why would Lorne Donaldson help us keep Soph here? Is it the playing style he prefers? Is it the chance that we could attract Bunny Shaw to come here?
Donaldson coached for Real Colorado when Smith was a kid- She credits him with much of her development and speaks incredibly highly of him whenever she gets the chance.
If the USWNT was smart they’d hire him....but man it would be cool to have him here.
Might even pull Swanson in that direction. He is highly regarded by both Soph and Mal. Really don't know if it would keep Soph here or not though. Suspect it could.
I'd like to dedicate the increased cost of my season tickets directly to the "Retain Sophia Smith Fund."