If players are known for speaking in well-worn clichés, their coaches turn that practice into an art form. This is as true in the USL Championship — the United States’ second-division professional men’s league — as it is in any other competition, but with a major difference: few people in any organization are more involved in all areas of their operation than USL coaches. This group of 35 almost always have more on their plate than Xs and Os.



Most of the time, the figures on the touchline keep things largely buttoned up, wanting to motivate their team without publishing bulletin board material to fire up their rivals. But with no names attached maybe, just maybe, the gloves can come off a bit.



In early February, all 35 USL Championship head coaches were sent an identical survey of 18 questions. All but one of the coaches participated in the polling, with Tampa Bay Rowdies boss Neill Collins declining to partake. Which markets make for...