Three Thoughts from Eric Quill's Introductory Press Conference
Can we read anything between the lines from a rather straightforward introductory press conference with Eric Quill?
FC Dallas went live yesterday morning, officially unveiling Eric Quill, their new head coach, in a press conference featuring Clark Hunt, CEO, Dan Hunt, President, Andre Zanotta, Chief Soccer Officer, and Quill. You can watch the full presentation above, including questions from media and a surprise presentation of Quill’s classic Dallas Burn jersey. Regardless of your thoughts, it is fun seeing former players and coaches with deep connections to the organization return.
What did we learn if anything about what the new skipper brings to Frisco?
Mentality
If there was any repeated element, Quill promised a change of mentality. He acknowledged his love for the team, his desire and dream to return as head coach when he left a few years ago, but in that, the former New Mexico United manager suggested that he recognized the mentality has not always been consistent for this squad of players. He will seek to bring accountability and a mindset that lets no one take plays off in their efforts to bring championships to Frisco.
“It's one that I want players to understand, when I walk through the door, this is why we're playing: for a championship,” Quill told media. “Consistency has been lacking. We need to have the belief that we are the aggressors in the game, no passengers.”
While bringing a fresh mentality can sound like a coachy thing to do and we can acknowledge to that there have been moments where the current roster has brought oodles of intensity to the pitch, fans don’t have to look farther than the very disappointing loss at San Jose when a result could have kept FC Dallas in the playoff picture longer. Instead, the team didn’t appear to be locked in, mentally or physically. It was one of the most disappointing results of a disappointing season.
Can Quill bring the necessary change to restore that mentality?
Don’t discredit how even this small thing can serve as a wakeup call for a group of players who may have gotten a bit too comfortable. Of course, talk is easy. We’ll see how Quill can make progress on this as the team prepares for 2025.
Home Field Advantage
Likewise, I found it fascinating and refreshing that there was an acknowledgement that FC Dallas’ home field advantage is in peril. Simply put, teams came in and bossed FC Dallas in Frisco too many times. While there was improvement under interim head coach Peter Luccin’s leadership, you can’t lose or draw home games and expect to be in the playoffs in this league.
“Teams that come here, especially playing in Toyota Stadium, fear playing us,” said Zanotta. “I think we lost that this year.”
As much as Luccin did improve the team, maybe those home losses and failures to get the squad to show up ultimately put him out of contention as the top candidate.
Eric Quill talked in the press conference about being a defensivily cohesive team, the first challenge to restore home field advantage and improve in 2025.
No Tactics… Yet
I asked what a lot of fans have grumbled about, trying to get Quill to share a sense of his tactical vision for the team. Sure, he made clear earlier in the presser that they want to be defensively sound and attacking (who doesn’t), but fans have been hoping for hints as to whether the three center back line continues. Or will there be change?
Unfortunately, Quill wasn’t ready to tip his hand.
“We’re still building our game model. The roster build is on its way,” Quill replied. “Nothing guaranteed right now.”
Likewise, it sounds like while the roster is in a fairly strong shape, there will be additions through the various MLS mechanisms to come as well as the international market. Maybe some of those potential moves will help answer the questions as the front office works to get the roster in a stronger position.
I know fans would love more specifics, and while it seems unlikely the team keeps three center backs in the starting lineup, it’s probably best for Quill and Zanotta to keep those cards closer to their chest so they can work deals they need or be flexible in the ability to move players on who don’t fit the future tactics.
Remember: Fan Call on Monday at 8 PM CST
On Monday evening, I am opening up some slots in our live show to fans who want to stream with us and share your thoughts on the season, the state of the roster, and the introduction of Eric Quill. Leave a comment below or hit me up on X (@afterburnsoccer) or Blue Sky (@nathanjhill) if you want to join.