Soehn resigns as United's coach

After missing the MLS playoffs two years in a row, D.C. United had begun assessing Coach Tom Soehn's work and weighing whether to offer him a new contract. The process was probably going to take another week, and given the club's shortcomings, there was a good chance that he would not be asked back.

Soehn, however, didn't want to wait for an answer. He arranged a meeting with team officials Monday morning, and in a conversation in the old visiting baseball dugout at RFK Stadium, told them that he was removing himself from consideration to remain coach. United made the official announcement Tuesday, ending his three-year stint that began with much promise but fell short of expectations in league and international play.

"My family and I have spent a lot of time in reaching this very difficult decision," Soehn said in a written statement.

A source close to the situation said that "the stress on his family [a wife and four children] was hard. He decided to leave on his own terms." Soehn, 43, plans to pursue one of several openings in MLS, another source said, or could end up with the U.S. national team under Bob Bradley, who has lost two assistants this year. Soehn played for, and assisted, Bradley with the Chicago Fire.

"Over the past three seasons, Tommy has faced greater challenges than any other MLS coach," United President Kevin Payne said, referring to a schedule that included annual international tournaments. "His record in all competitions this season [17-11-16] was outstanding and he should not be judged on the basis of missing the playoffs. Tommy is a fine young coach and I know we will face him in the future."

United plans to begin searching for a replacement in earnest late this week. The prime candidates appear to be Richie Williams, a longtime United midfielder who is in the running for the New York job after serving as the Red Bulls' interim coach late this season; and Curt Onalfo, a former United player and assistant who served on the U.S. national team coaching staff before guiding the Kansas City Wizards for 2 1/2 seasons.

However, MLS assistants Dave Sarachan (Los Angeles) and John Spencer (Houston), as well as Chivas USA Coach Preki, who is not expected to return after three seasons, might be considered. United could look overseas, but given the poor track record of foreign coaches in MLS, that seems unlikely.

Maryland's Sasho Cirovski, who has won two NCAA titles the past four years and taken the Terrapins to six final fours in 16-plus seasons, is probably the only college coach on United's radar. Without pro experience, though, he is a long shot.

United officials declined to discuss the search process. However, with the expansion draft in three weeks and a Dec. 1 deadline to exercise options on player contracts, the club seems intent to make a decision this month.

Soehn served as United's top assistant for three years before being promoted prior to the 2007 season. After guiding United to the Supporters' Shield (best regular season record at 16-7-7) his rookie campaign, he had a combined 20-23-17 league mark the past two years as United missed the postseason consecutively for the first time since 2001-02. United's 13 ties this year equalled an MLS record.

United did win the 2008 U.S. Open Cup, a domestic tournament involving clubs from all levels of American soccer, and finish second to expansion Seattle this year. But in the CONCACAF Champions League, which features the top clubs in North and Central America and the Caribbean, United fell just short of reaching the quarterfinals this year after going winless in group play in 2008.

Beyond the numbers, United played uninspired and disorganized soccer in several games late this year. Navigating a busy schedule, Soehn shuttled players in and out of the lineup, a decision that kept personnel fresh but seemed to disrupt rhythm and send mixed messages. Injuries to key players and controversial officiating -- incorrect decisions later cited by referee supervisors -- were also factors.

Three consecutive home losses jeopardized United's playoff hopes and a season-ending tie at Kansas City, in which the club conceded the equalizer in the final minutes, extinguished them.

"In the end, it wasn't Tommy that was playing," midfielder-forward Santino Quaranta said. "You could see how inconsistent we were. We had so many chances to get it right and couldn't do it. How much of that was Tommy? I'm not sure. Everyone on our team can put their hand up and say that they let him down."

In its 14-season history, United has never had the same head coach for more than three years: Bruce Arena (1996-98) left to guide the U.S. national team; Thomas Rongen (1999-2001) won an MLS title before missing the playoffs twice; Ray Hudson (2002-03) couldn't turn around the team; and Peter Nowak (2004-06) enjoyed three excellent seasons before becoming the U.S. Olympic coach.

"I've been fortunate to spend the last six seasons with this organization," Soehn said. "We accomplished a lot together and I thank [the players] for their dedication and wish them the best."