Former New York City FC and Real Salt Lake manager Jason Kreis has made no secret of wanting to coach the United States national team one day and it appears as if he’ll get some valuable experience this month under Jurgen Klinsmann.
Klinsmann has invited Kreis to join his staff for the US’s January camp, which runs from Jan. 11 to Feb. 6. ESPN FC’s Taylor Twellman first broke the news and US Soccer confirmed the report to MLSsoccer.com.
With Kreis’ focus on player development and pass-focused style of offense, he has long been seen as one of MLS’s innovative coaches. With RSL in 2009, he became the youngest coach in league history to win the MLS Cup – accomplishing the feat at 36. He also led the club to another MLS Cup appearance in 2013, losing to Sporting KC.
Kreis wasn’t able to repeat the success that he had at RSL with NYCFC, where he led the team to an eighth-placed finish in the Eastern Conference during its inaugural year. He was dismissed by the club and replaced by Patrick Vieira. Kreis’ MLS coaching record is 112-95-67.
Kreis’ exact role on the US coaching staff has yet to be clarified but it could be a beneficial move for all parties involved.
