The struggling Red Bulls yesterday fired coach Mo Johnston just 15 regular-season games into his stint.
Johnston, who replaced Bob Bradley with three games left last year, gives way to assistant Richie Williams tonight vs. Columbus.
“We need some stability, some confidence. Today we don’t have [those],” midfielder Youri Djorkaeff said of a club that sits 2-7-3 and in the Eastern Conference cellar.
Managing director Marc de Grandpre said Williams is a candidate for the permanent job.
De Grandpre denied speaking to Bruce Arena, the U.S. World Cup coach who figures to be a popular candidate – but Arena has support among Red Bull players.
“For me, that’s the only name that makes any sense right now,” said goalkeeper Tony Meola, who played for Arena in the 2002 World Cup.
“I think everyone feels if we got Bruce Arena there’d be accountability for everybody.”
Meola exchanged e-mails with the Brooklyn-born coach last week and planned to call him last night. Either way, while the club is mulling a huge decision, the team is playing a huge game.
“The game against Columbus, for me, is our season,” Meola said, referring to the Bulls’ three road games next week.
“It’s a circus right now,” said midfielder Mark Lisi, the longest-tenured Red Bull, who’ll miss tonight and needs hernia surgery,
Williams’ biggest task might be trying to get through to 2004 MVP Amado Guevara, who feuded with Johnston and went into a funk.
“I was straight-out honest with him in terms of what we need from him to be successful,” said Williams. “He seemed positive and comfortable with what I was saying. I hope I can get through to him. He’s a better player than he’s showed.”
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The Bulls traded a partial allocation to L.A. for defender Todd Dunivant.
One of the league’s better left backs, the 25-year-old is a two-time MLS Cup champ and notched an assist in his first National Team cap in January.
Dunivant is known for getting forward in the attack, and for quality crosses from the wing. His arrival may signal the end of Johnston’s 3-5-2, and a return to the 4-4-2, and of No. 1 overall draft pick Marvell Wynne to the lineup.
