From Deseret News archives:

Kreis learns lessons in frustration

Published: Friday, July 4, 2008 12:09 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Halfway through the 2008 season, and 14 months into his coaching career, Real Salt Lake's Jason Kreis remains the proverbial student of the game.

That's him figuratively chewing his pencil to the nub and raising his hand to ask questions. Him, too, drawing diagrams at the chalkboard.

Oh, and that's him in real life, raging at the officials at the end of the latest match.

It's a tough place, the School of Hard Knocks.

And the thing is, there's no early graduation.

You just have to grind it out.

Thursday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the education of a young coach continued. With a chance to claim first place in the standings for the first time in its history, RSL struggled to a scoreless draw with Houston. For the third time this season, Real was within a win of first place. The first two were losses. Now this.

Just what he wanted — more character-building.

Somewhere along the line, you have to say to heck with character, how about a few more wins?

So here Kreis is again, just short of a breakthrough.

Story continues below
Which can't be easy. The frustration is there, just below the surface — and sometimes above. After games, in the interview room, the soft-spoken coach sometimes seems to slightly tremble. Not from fear, but from energy and anticipation and indignation.

Rumor has it he's already banned in three Utah counties during July.

You know, combustible material.

Why shouldn't he be frustrated? Thursday, his team outshot Houston 16-10 and recorded more shots on goal, yet still ended up tied.

Kreis agrees that patience is a virtue coaches need. Yet you get the sense he'd rather have his appendix removed with a garden tool than wait forever. Asked this week about what he's learned in 14 months as a coach, Kreis said, "Is that how long it's been? Feels like 44 months."

So the learning curve has been steep.

"It's not always easy for superstar players to transfer that drive to players who don't have the ability you had," said RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey.

Kreis, the third-leading scorer in MLS history, has always been a fierce competitor. When John Ellinger was fired five matches into the 2007 season, Kreis was an intriguing choice. What if he actually could pass his desire to others?

His record as a coach is 11-19-12, though he is a respectable 5-6-6 this year. So obviously RSL is progressing. Entering Thursday's game against two-time MLS champion Houston, his team was tied for second place. At the same juncture in previous years, Real was in fifth or sixth place.

Recent comments

Granted his report of the season opener being a loss was incorrect,...

Leo Rocks | July 7, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.

Brad you are the best sports writing in Utah. I read all your...

STEVE-O | July 5, 2008 at 12:23 p.m.

Good one UteFan. I hope one day I can be as witty as you!

Overall...

Real UteFan | July 5, 2008 at 12:31 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Reducing game time laughable

Are all bad for kids. Robs them of a normal childhood.

Utah man dies in Oregon crash

DEAR SCOTT, RHONDA & FAMILY: SCOTTIE, I KNOW YOU HAD A FATHER AND SON...

Now that I have a new car, new house, most of my food all paid for by other...

With all due respect to BSU, their marshmallow schedule precludes them from...

House passes health care bill

Hey liberals, if this health care bill, in it's present form, is sooooo...

Health-care bill could sink in Senate

Call your Senators today and insist they defeat this bill! Insist the...

Thanks for keeping the Lambert fiasco in print. She was basically out of...

Utah is 5 and 1 against TCU. The only team in the MWC with a winning record...

TCU moves into 4th place in BCS

Cougar fans aren't any good at predicting game results. Pay them no mind....

If Hunter's QB does have a broken leg, that might have been one of the...

Advertisements
Advertisement