Is Colin Clarke about to get fired?

Story updated here.

It looks like FC Dallas's Colin Clarke will be the first MLS coach fired during the off season. The organization has said they will decide by next Wednesday if they will offer Clarke a new contract.

Clarke took over the team as interim coach in the middle of the 2003 season, also known as the worst season in Dallas history. In 2004, he was named as the official coach and saw his side improve, but still miss the playoffs. The last two seasons have seen FCD climb up the West and improve their talent on the pitch, however, they have both ended with early exits from the playoffs.

Clarke was given a one-year renewal of his contract before this season, but he was also given a goal by GM Michael Hitchcock: win the U.S. Open Cup and win the MLS Cup.

They did not only fail to win either title, they also failed to make it to the final game of both compititions.

Clarke has brought some great talent to Dallas, but he seems unable to put them together in such a way to as to make them into a force. With Lamar Hunt wanting Dallas to be his flagship team, this is not exceptable, so it is hard to see how Clarke could get a new deal.

If Clarke is fired, it will be interesting to see if he shows up in another MLS franchise or if he decideds to move overseas?