Alianza makes a change: Milton Melendez is new head coach

After a succession of drab results was capped by a 1-0 loss at home to Municipal Limeno, Alianza club president Lisandro Pohl decided enough was enough and head coach Daniel Fernandez was out.

Technically, Fernandez resigned - but Raul Serrano points out for El Grafico that Alianza has turned over 16 coaches in the eight years of Pohl's leadership.

The new man in charge of first-team affairs is Milton Melendez, who has a long association with the Salvadoran club as both player and coach.

Alianza had been struggling so far this season: two wins and fours losses in the league; two draws in CCL, both at home. Draw at home are costly in CONCACAF Champions League, and Alianza let a lead slip on both occasions.

Melendez has two league games to reorganize the squad before it travels to Harrison to play the New York Red Bulls on September 15.

Whether the coaching change energizes or demoralizes Alianza remains to be seen. But Jesse Marsch and RBNY will match wits with a new man on the sidelines in CCL in a couple of weeks.