Crooks: NYCFC Head Coach Jason Kreis Is Accountable For The Quit In His Team

By Glenn Crooks
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During the postgame program on the YES Network following New York City FC's devastating 2-1 home loss to Columbus Crew FC last Saturday, play-by-play guy Joe Tolleson suggested to NYC head coach Jason Kreis that he could imagine his frustration.

"I'm not so sure you CAN imagine it," lamented Kreis. "I'm deeply, deeply disturbed that we didn't give more in that match."

Kreis kept the locker room closed for nearly 25 minutes following a match played before another capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium, and with the playoff prospect of three points on the line.

Midfielder Mix Diskerud, whose flavor of the month through this difficult stretch in August was vanilla, guaranteed a victory earlier in the week.

When Kreis emerged from the locker area, he offered a harsh evaluation following a second half which lacked urgency and interest.

"The players need to show if they want to be here and be a part of this, because I know the coaching staff does," said Kreis. "I know the coaching staff cares an awful lot about this club and the job we're attempting to do. I'm not so sure all the players do."

Those are damning statements, but they're without specific reference to those individuals he believes lack the incentive to elevate the expansion program over the final seven regular-season matches.

Five days removed from the crushing defeat -- which leaves NYCFC in eighth place but just a point out of the sixth and final playoff spot -- Kreis did not rescind nor regret his comments. They were questioned by his most publicized Designated Player, Frank Lampard.

"There's an all-around spirit in the camp," said Lampard, who played only the first hour of the match. "I don't see a problem at all."

"When you're down 2-1 with 10 minutes left in the game, is there some belief there?" remarked Kreis after Thursday's training session at SUNY Purchase. "Is there a real caring about, 'Can we score another goal?' What I saw was a bunch of guys who put their heads down and basically stopped. I feel that is two matches in a row there's been an element of quit in our group, which I haven't seen the entire season."

"This is a dangerous game to play," said Kyle McCarthy. the MLS editor for Fox Soccer, in a recent radio interview on SiriusXM FC. "I don't know if NYCFC is constructed to respond to comments like that."

"My frustration level is volcanic," remarked a caller to the same program, "Soccer Morning".  "I am a season-ticket holder and couldn't believe they came out so flat in the second half."

"It's something that, frankly, is unacceptable to me, this club and I think the fans," explained Kreis.

I was told earlier this season that Kreis has final approval on all player transactions. There is little doubt that he never wanted Xavi -- who ended up in Qatar -- which leads one to the conclusion that he did not favor adding Andrea Pirlo last month. The apparent needs for New York City, which have been evident since the early stages of the season, were a quality center back and a consistent striker to team up with David Villa.

Consequently, is Kreis totally responsible for the circumstances regarding his squad? Did he object to any other signings which further complicated his lineup choices?

Perhaps, but Kreis is accountable for the quit in his team. His side also lacks leadership on the field despite a group that includes World Cup and MLS veterans. These are not the suggested elements for a playoff thrust that even the mentor senses may be more fantasy than reality with road matches against FC Dallas, Vancouver and D.C. United ahead.

"I still think there has to be a glimmer of hope," Kreis told YES regarding a playoff berth. "But at the moment, it's tough to see it."

Throw-Ins

-Pirlo, whose performances have been erratic for New York City after a sizzling debut, played the full 90 minutes Thursday in Italy's 1-0 win over Malta in European Championship Qualifying. Diskerud is with the USA, which meets Peru in a friendly at RFK stadium on Friday night at 7 p.m.

-It's been a good week for Justin Meram. He scored the game-winner in the Columbus Crew FC's win over NYCFC, and Thursday recorded his first international goal for Iraq in their World Cup Qualifying victory against Chinese Taipei.

-Adam Nemec, scoreless in nine appearances for NYCFC while connecting twice for his country during that same time period, was released by New York City. His $300,000 salary can be used within next year's cap. I feel secure suggesting that the Slovakian target, who missed at least five clear opportunities in front of goal, was a monumental bust.

Josh Williams, who was a starting right back at the beginning of the year and Andres Mendoza, a projected starter at center back, were released by NYC earlier in the year.

-The FIFA Reform Committee, charged with suggesting positive changes within the world governing body of soccer, is proposing reforms that contain term limits for Executive Committee members. That includes U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. There is a provisor: Any proposal from the Reform Committee must be approved by the current Executive Committee, a group that has been under scrutiny during the FIFA investigations. Adding to the amusement, the Chair of the Reform Committee, Francois Carrard, recently described soccer in the U.S. as "just an ethnic sport for girls in schools."

-Ahead of playing the U.S. on September 8, Brazil will face Costa Rica in a friendly match at Red Bull Arena Saturday.  Kick-off is 4 p.m. Brazil will feature Neymar (Barcelona FC), Kaka (Orlando City FC) and David Luiz (PSG) while Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas highlights the Costa Rican side. Navas was prominent in transfer news when the deal to switch places with David De Gea at Manchester United was terminated due to paperwork issues. Neymar helped christen RBA when his former club, Santos FC, played a 2010 match against the Red Bulls.

The match will kick off a weekend of festivities for Brazilians living in the area. Celebrating Brazil Independence Day, 25 city blocks centered around Sixth Avenue and Little Brazil Street (46th) will be closed for food, music and Ginga. 1.5 million are expected to attend the annual event.

-In college athletics, the Rutgers/Princeton rivalry has no peer in longevity.  The two N.J. universities competed in the first college football game in 1869. It was a game that more resembled soccer than modern American football, as the team with more "goals" won the game. Also, the players used their feet and head as much as their hands to attain the result.

On Thursday night it was a futbol derby, as my former team at Rutgers -- guided now by my longtime associate, Michael O'Neill -- took the bus down Route 1 South to meet Princeton for a nationally televised match on ESPN. Rutgers, No. 22 in the country, defeated the Tigers 3-0, led by two goals from Cassie Inacio.

Glenn Crooks is the color commentator for New York City FC on WFAN and the former head soccer coach at Rutgers University. You can follow him on Twitter @GlennCrooks and glenncrooks.sportsblog.com.