Change isn’t an easy thing. With change comes adjustments and reevaluations that can be uncomfortable for any parties involved. For a change to be successful all of the pieces have to fit – or the pieces themselves have to be changed.
But despite its discomfort, change is sometimes necessary.
Orlando City SC has made a change. In the midst of its second season in Major League Soccer, Orlando City announced they were bringing in Jason Kreis to be their new coach and lead the team for the years to come. The club felt Kreis was the perfect fit for their players, fans, and future.
Kreis immediately went to work, evaluating the existing City roster and realizing all of the potential that lies within the club.
“[Club President] Phil [Rawlins] asked me to do an evaluation of the club, and in doing that we went back and looked at the last nine matches,” Kreis told reporters at his introductory press conference. “The evaluation was basically this: there are pieces here that are incredibly exciting to build around. There are some leaders in this group that should be the backbone of this club.”
A new coach in the locker room could provide its challenges, but Kreis made it clear that bringing together the locker room behind his essential philosophy will be the first goal of his tenure.
“The most immediate priority for me is to get with the team… to try to spell out for them, ‘this is our vision going forward and this is what it means to be an Orlando City Soccer Club member’ and ask the players if that’s what they want.” Kreis is confident that the players do want that, and will follow his lead, adding, “I believe that we will be able to turn this club into a consistently successful and consistently competing club.”
Jason Kreis Introductory Press Conference
He warned against expectations of immediate success, however.
“It want to be clear about this,” Kreis cautioned, “I do not think [consistent success] has to happen overnight.”
But Kreis is committed toward that goal, and his genuine enthusiasm about the road ahead for Orlando City can be felt. Kreis will be at the helm for the first time when the Lions return home to take on the New England Revolution on Sunday, July 31.
“It’s an exciting prospect… as we look forward to the future.”
It is very exciting, indeed.
