Five questions with John Murphy

The Rocky

Published June 26, 2008 at 10:01 p.m.

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FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

John Murphy

* Rapids assistant takes on new challenge

With his hulking frame and New England accent, Murphy does not immediately get pegged as the typical international soccer junkie. Yet his expertise in Europe and South America, in addition to his eye for targeting talent, has allowed him to shift positions with the Rapids, with whom he recently shed his duties as an assistant coach to focus solely on an expanded role as director of player development. Murphy sat down with Rocky contributor Pat Rooney to describe his new role and what doors it might open for the Rapids.

1.What kind of opportunities will the Rapids have for drawing international talent that maybe was lacking before?

It addresses a short-term need that hopefully will have a long-term impact for the club. It's difficult in Major League Soccer because there is no down time for coaches. . . . And it is very difficult to get away and see teams play because we don't operate on a FIFA calendar. We're operating at a different time of year. A lot of time when players are available, players that would fit in well in our league, we can't go see them because we are focused so much on the product on the field. To have somebody separate from that who can put together a year-round calendar and take that responsibility off the coaching staff's lap . . . you need people who are focused on player-personnel issues. I think it's going to be a benefit for the entire organization.

2.What was your focus during your recent trip overseas to take in the Euro 2008 tournament?

While you're there, you're not only seeing high-level games . . . but you get to meet with agents, you get the chance to meet with coaches outside of our program. That's how you develop a network. While you're over there, you're really in the heartbeat of football. I'd like to think I made contacts that will bear fruit for us in the future.

3.What are your most immediate goals in your new position?

We have a good team right now, so we don't need a lot. We have specific needs, or maybe a need when a player gets injured or there is a trade. There is a possibility some of our younger players attracting attention overseas. Then all of the sudden you lose players and have to fill that gap. Instead of us being reactive, I think me being in this position allows us to be proactive to be able to identify places where we could be vulnerable if we aren't paying attention.

4. For international players who may have only a passing knowledge of MLS and maybe know about Los Angeles or New York or Chicago, will this help elevate the Rapids' profile internationally?

I think the best way for us to up the profile of our club is to keep doing the things we're doing. It's like anything-D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo have gained a lot more credibility internationally because of how they played in the CONCACAF Champions League. We have Everton coming in in a couple of weeks. We have Tigres coming in in a couple of weeks. These are legitimate platforms as an organization to show people worldwide what we're capable of doing. Once people find out about MLS, they always tend to come away a little bit more impressed than they were before.

5.You are on the cusp of becoming the first American-born professional coach to earn a UEFA pro badge (a soccer coaching license from the governing body of European soccer). How big an honor is that for you?

The first thing I have to do is thank the (Rapids). They have supported me and allowed me to finish this requirement. It's an 18-month course, but I've been going to Scotland to do UEFA B and A badges since 1996. I've put a lot of time and my own resources into it. The only way I can thank them is to do what I've always done - which is work as hard as I can for the organization to bring success.

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