Remembering Myernick

It's pretty sad when it takes the death of someone to get you to write a column, or in this case, a new blog entry after a few weeks of silence. Still, I was shocked and saddened by the sudden heart attack and death by one of the great PEOPLE in the history of U.S. Soccer. Notice I didn't say coach, because most people are in unison on that.

Myernick was the "X's and O's" guy for Bruce Arena with the U.S. National team. He was a great scout, as witnessed by his scouting report to set up the U.S.' 2002 opening win over Portugal in South Korea. His players have always said he knew what he was talking about and didn't need to scream and holler to be understood or respected. Although he wouldn't know me from Adam, I had the privilege of being close to Myernick on 2 occasions.

I was on the sidelines for the 1999 U.S. Open Cup semifinals down in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as Colorado played the A-League's Charleston Battery. It was pouring down rain and absolutely miserable. What I've seen in that tournament more often than not is the MLS squad not wanting to be there in those conditions, playing poorly, and being sent home by a lesser opponent (proof of that happened later than night as Rochester eliminated Columbus). However, the Rapids came out motivated, calm, and smart, and dispatched the Battery 3-0 after a droll 0-0 first half. Speaking to Marcelo Balboa afterward, he put the praise on Myernick, saying "Mooch" could sense they weren't up for the game, and got them to focus on it during his halftime talk. I was about 30 feet from Myernick, and watched him instruct his players and give positive reinforcement when they did well, but also didn't rip into them when they made a mistake.

I can also say I probably learned more about the subtleties of the game listening to him during that game than at any other I've been to. Listening to him talk about strategic fouling, when to make runs, etc. It was fascinating, and I pretty much forgot about the fact that I was a reporter at the game.

My 2nd encounter with him was after a 2-1 U.S. win over New Zealand in Richmond. The 2nd game of the doubleheader featured the Kickers against Atlanta, and Myernick, coach of the U-23 team getting ready to attempt 2004 Olympic qualifying, was there to scout Richmond's David Testo. He sat next to me in the press box, and we exchanged pleasantries, which is always easier after the coach's team wins. I knew he was looking at David, so I didn't want to bother him. Again, it was just cool to watch him work, jotting down notes, making the occasional remark to me when he figured out I covered the team. It was nice to feel like I could "help." At halftime, we started talking about the Arturo Gatti/Mickey Ward slugfest from the night before on HBO Boxing. He remarked watching 2 guys beat each other up helped relieve some of his stress the night before a game. At the end of the game, I wished him luck, he thanked me, and that was the last time I spoke w/ him.

Yeah, it's a boring story, but it's MY story. You'll probably hear a lot of them over the next week or so, and Grant Wahl's got some good ones over at cnnsi.com. Take a moment to read them or listen to them. Myernick was one of the good guys. Unfortunately, there are far too few of them in this current sports climate. We'll miss you, Mooch!

Other news...

Depending on what you hear and/or read, the choice for the next U.S. Coach is between Jurgen Klinnsman and Jose Peckerman, with DC United's Peter Nowak a distant 3rd.

I have no idea why Peckerman is even on this list. First, he doesn't speak English, and I'm sorry, that's got to be a prerequisite of the job. And don't give me that politically correct crap, either. Our players have to learn the language when they play overseas, so our Coach should have a grasp of it in this job. Also, he supposedly is holding out hope for a European job. Well, if that's the case, then his heart wouldn't be in the job here, and what happens if an offer comes from Europe after he's been here 6 months? He's leave and the hunt would begin all over again. Not good. Plus, if you read this blog over the summer, you know how badly I thought he screwed up the quarterfinal game against Germany. I stand by my claim that it was one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the World Cup.

U.S. Soccer, make your move. Offer it to Klinsmann and let him start in December, or offer it to Nowak, whom I hear from reliably sources REALLY wants the job. Either way, the most important job in U.S. Soccer goes to someone who wants to take the U.S. to the next step, not merely use it as a stepping stone.

That's all for now. I'll try to do a better job of making entries in the future, I promise. :)