I wouldn't describe what's happening as a "salvage" operation in any respect. First, Strikers haven't been dominant, but as an ECNL program they have a good overall record of fielding quality teams. Consider the average SW Conference's rankings among each club's 5 teams this season:
1. Slammers 3
2. Heat 3.8
3. So Cal blues 4.2
4. Strikers 4.8
5. Surf 5
6. Arsenal 5.4
7. West Coast 5.4
8. Sereno 6
9. Del Mar 7.4
Take out the U14 teams and Strikers is second only to Slammers:
1. Slammers 3.25
2. Strikers 3.75
3. Heat 4.5
4. So Cal Blues 4.5
5. Arsenal 4.75
6. Surf 5.25
7. West Coast 5.4
8. Sereno 6
9. Del Mar 8
As
@Kicker4Life mentioned, the U14 team is winless. But I wouldn't take that as significantly worse of an omen than Surf's winless U17 team.
Second, AR moved to Blues so management had to change. As you mentioned, Strikers' ECNL management has changed before. And from what I've seen the Blues are accommodating the Strikers to minimize disruption (including allowing TP to coach for both clubs). I'd be shocked if they then turned around and raided the Strikers' rosters. That'd be a hell of a Machiavellian move.