I don't expect every player on the team to love me as a coach. There are personality differences, but I can get along with everybody. I want them to respect me. The vision is clear for Fitzgerald. He knows a repeat of last season will not be tolerated.
Precedent bears that out.
Dir took the Burn to the 1997 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. D.C. Rongen led Tampa Bay to the Eastern Conference regular-season crown in 1996 and D.C. to the '99 MLS championship. The closest the Crew came to a raising a banner was losing the championship of the 1998 Open Cup in overtime to Chicago. Also, Columbus lost the Eastern Conference final to D.C. from 1997-99. But Smith has faith in Fitzgerald.