Former MLS Deputy Commissioner Sunil Gulati was
recently named Kraft Soccer Properties Managing Dir, which
gives him personnel responsibilities over both the
Revolution and the Clash, and in CA, Fred Robledo calls the
position of overseeing two teams a "conflict of interest."
Robledo also writes that Gulati's "close ties to the league,
especially to [MLS VP/Player Personnel] Ivan Gazidis, ...
leaves coaches such as [Galaxy coach Sigi] Schmid wondering
how they can play on a level field." Gulati: "Everyone is
playing by the same rules" (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE,
10/20). In San Diego, Mark Zeigler writes that Gulati's
appointment "lacks" credibility, as the "man doling out the
players at MLS headquarters" is Gazidis, who "used to be
Gulati's top assistant." Gazidis: "I definitely understand
the concern. We have a great number of safeguards in place
between the two teams. Obviously, trades between them will
be looked at very closely. But I always believe that it is
better for us to have strong ownership and strong
leadership" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/20).
