Two Atlanta United players say that Steve Ralston, named interim coach of San Jose on Monday after the team announced the firing of Mikael Stahre, is a good guy who should have a team of motivated players when the Earthquakes host the Five Stripes on Wednesday.
Stahre was the third MLS manager fired this season, joining Sigi Schmid at L.A. and Jason Kreis at Orlando City. Stahre led the Quakes to a league-low 20 points.
“Typically, when you see a change in coaches you might see a different, motivated team,” said Michael Parkhurst, who was Ralston’s teammate from 2005-08 at New England. “So, you’d expect with a change in coaches these guys are going to be playing for their jobs next year. If it was me, that’s what I’d be thinking. Perhaps a more motivated team.”
Parkhurst and Jeff Larentowicz, who played with Ralston for New England from 2005-09, had nothing but praise for Ralston’s leadership ability. Larentowicz noted Ralston was the Revs captain all five seasons he played there.
“He was a leader on the field always,” Larentowicz said. “An extremely good person with soccer knowledge.”
Ralston’s coaching experience includes four years as an assistant at Houston before joining San Jose before the 2015 season.
“I’m happy for him,” Parkhurst said. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s unfortunate that it’s come under these circumstances and unfortunately he has to play us in his first game. But I hope he does well and hope he gets the job full time.
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