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Silly season extends into the coaching staff this year. On Thursday El Universo reported that assistant coach and former player Gonzalo Pineda is angling to leave the Seattle Sounders for U.N.A.M Pumas.
Pineda tweeted back a stiff denial.
Cuando gusten les contesto el teléfono para aclarar esta suposición falsa. Si la idea es mal informar a sus lectores, escriban lo que se les ocurra. Saludos @El_Universal_Mx https://t.co/bq9fJhmHIm
— Gonzalo Pineda (@GonzoPineda8) December 30, 2017
Machine translation made the denial clear, but Sounder at Heart translator Matlatzinca provides a clear layer of snark. “Anytime you like I can answer the phone to clear up this false report. If the idea is to misinform your readers, you should write whatever comes to your imagination. Cheers!”
Like many coaches, the offseason is a time to network, learn and scout. Pineda has plenty of reasons to be at Pumas’ facilities that have nothing to do with trying to leave the Sounders.
Gonzalo has his “A” license and was the interim head coach for Seattle’s friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt over the summer, a 1-1 draw. Gonzo’s focus as an assistant is on transitions from defense to attack and scoring.
Pineda has spoken of a desire to eventually become a head coach but he just finished his first season as an assistant and doesn’t appear to be looking to move on yet.