This will be short and sweet, really more of a collection of "quick hits" than an actual match reaction. That's because Jabloteh were so bad, and we were playing so many non-regulars, that it's hard to draw any large conclusions beyond (a) Jabloteh is athletic but not a great team and (b) there is some promise in our depth...
* Why did everything I read say that Habarugira was a left-central or left back? He's definitely right-footed based on all the evidence I've seen (not overly so, but he definitely favors it). That said, current evidence certainly doesn't suggest a long-term future in DC anyway...
* Pontius for forward, Tommy? Please? Dynamic movement that unsettles defenses! The vision (and willingness) to play in those around him! Aerial battles actually won! He can't have missed all that, could he?
* Didn't Jabloteh wear green at home? How is black and red with black shorts further away from all-black than green? I saw a few passes hit to players who were probably just glimpsed in peripheral vision and mistaken for teammates. Or maybe that's just Fred being Fred.
* Speaking of Fred. Hey, he finally took a chance in the box! Of course, he also managed to flub a handful...
* Shipalane is quick and has a big bag of tricks on the wing. Given his age, here's hoping we can teach him to defend, cause he looks pretty useful.
* Yes, Khumalo took his goals well (particularly the bender from distance for the second), but he also never looked like blowing by anybody with the ball on the wing (unlike Shipalane). Nor were his passing or touch anything to write home (or to this blog) about. Here's hoping it's just rust.
* Szetela got out of the doghouse for a trot-around. Got a yellow.
* Can somebody please write to FSC and let them know that goal differential does not freakin' matter! For the last time: we hold the tie-breaker against Marathon by virtue of our superior goal difference against Marathon in the head-to-head. If Toluca beat Marathon tomorrow, we're through. If not, we need a result in Mexico or to hope that Jabloteh somehow morph into world-beaters (or, at the very least semi-competent) in the last round.
* Wallace looked good overlapping on the left from a fullback position and got two assists. Attacking left back alert! Of course, MLS opposition would be another story entirely...
* Burch introduced in center defense as a late sub for James. Jabloteh's only goal comes less than five minutes later. Coincidence?
Well, that's about all from me for now. 5-1 is certainly nothing to sneeze at, considering some of our previous results and the team we had on the field. But it certainly doesn't prove that we're suddenly a dangerous side. Chivas will be a much sterner test. Considering the Revs exposed their vulnerable underbelly with a loss of their own tonight in league play, we've still got a reasonable shot at the post-season. The horrible supposition then becomes: if Tommy manages to get us out of the group stages of the Champions' League and through to the playoffs, are we cursed to suffer yet another year of his bumbling? Ah, screw it. I don't want to be miserable in the wake of a 5-1.
Vamos United!
Random Pings...
Just a couple of things on my mind today, so...
U-20's Bounce Back
The USA U20's recovered from dropping their opener in the U-20 World Cup, a 3-0 loss to Germany, by routing Cameroon 4-1. Of course, the final score was terribly flattering to Rongen's kids, as they were under heavy pressure from their opponents for much of the match, but it does mean they control their own destiny for the final group stage match against South Korea. Win, and they advance. Lose, they're out. Draw? Depends on the other result. Rather than a full recap, just a few notes...
* Dilly Duka looks pretty useful and scored an outrageous lob from the flank. I'm sure the inevitable pissers-on-parades will leap on the "but he meant to cross" podium, but to me, he had eyes only for goal, not for a runner in the box. So does MLS HQ slap its collective forehead when he "goes Euro" in the wake of this tourney after they had a chance to get him on the Red Bulls' roster?
* Ike Opara looked strong in central defense. He got called for the PK, but it looked a bit soft to me. Wonder if he bothers to stick around for the draft, and, if so, is he just itching for a chance to work with Piotr Nowak?
* I can see why the Dynamo grabbed Danny Cruz. He's like a mini-Mullan--quick, pesky, gets fouled a lot. Not a terribly technical player, but a good athlete with a big motor.
* Brek Shea still looks ridiculous.
Replacing Tommy
Assuming Soehn gets the boot in the off-season, who would your front runners be to take over the reins? Off the top of my head, I'd point out the usual suspects in and around the league...
Paul Mariner will pretty much be mentioned with every vacant job until he gets one.
John Spencer has had his name floated as well for a couple of vacancies.
Juan Carlos Osorio isn't busy, is he? Good God, I hope not, but our FO does have a penchant for signing South Americans...
Curt Onalfo had a reasonable start to his managerial career before seeing it all come apart this year. And it's not like he's unfamiliar with the organization.
Richie Williams is no stranger to United either, and probably doesn't have enough cachet to swing the Metrobulls job on a full-time basis.
Frank Yallop is yet another with a United history, and while he's not out of a job yet, he might be soon.
Who'd I miss?
Testing Milos
So with Wicks out 4-6 weeks, Milos Kocic now has five games to earn his spot on next year's team. You've got to figure that we're not going to bank our Champions' League future on an 18 year-old, nor will we throw Hamid into the Toluca shooting gallery for fear of scarring him before his professional career is truly launched. That means Kocic has two Champions' League and three regular season games to make his case. Judging by the previous evidence, these next few weeks may be long ones...
U-20's Bounce Back
The USA U20's recovered from dropping their opener in the U-20 World Cup, a 3-0 loss to Germany, by routing Cameroon 4-1. Of course, the final score was terribly flattering to Rongen's kids, as they were under heavy pressure from their opponents for much of the match, but it does mean they control their own destiny for the final group stage match against South Korea. Win, and they advance. Lose, they're out. Draw? Depends on the other result. Rather than a full recap, just a few notes...
* Dilly Duka looks pretty useful and scored an outrageous lob from the flank. I'm sure the inevitable pissers-on-parades will leap on the "but he meant to cross" podium, but to me, he had eyes only for goal, not for a runner in the box. So does MLS HQ slap its collective forehead when he "goes Euro" in the wake of this tourney after they had a chance to get him on the Red Bulls' roster?
* Ike Opara looked strong in central defense. He got called for the PK, but it looked a bit soft to me. Wonder if he bothers to stick around for the draft, and, if so, is he just itching for a chance to work with Piotr Nowak?
* I can see why the Dynamo grabbed Danny Cruz. He's like a mini-Mullan--quick, pesky, gets fouled a lot. Not a terribly technical player, but a good athlete with a big motor.
* Brek Shea still looks ridiculous.
Replacing Tommy
Assuming Soehn gets the boot in the off-season, who would your front runners be to take over the reins? Off the top of my head, I'd point out the usual suspects in and around the league...
Paul Mariner will pretty much be mentioned with every vacant job until he gets one.
John Spencer has had his name floated as well for a couple of vacancies.
Juan Carlos Osorio isn't busy, is he? Good God, I hope not, but our FO does have a penchant for signing South Americans...
Curt Onalfo had a reasonable start to his managerial career before seeing it all come apart this year. And it's not like he's unfamiliar with the organization.
Richie Williams is no stranger to United either, and probably doesn't have enough cachet to swing the Metrobulls job on a full-time basis.
Frank Yallop is yet another with a United history, and while he's not out of a job yet, he might be soon.
Who'd I miss?
Testing Milos
So with Wicks out 4-6 weeks, Milos Kocic now has five games to earn his spot on next year's team. You've got to figure that we're not going to bank our Champions' League future on an 18 year-old, nor will we throw Hamid into the Toluca shooting gallery for fear of scarring him before his professional career is truly launched. That means Kocic has two Champions' League and three regular season games to make his case. Judging by the previous evidence, these next few weeks may be long ones...
MLS Table Talk | The Clouded Scrying Glass
Is anyone going to bet against the Crew retaining the Supporters' Shield at this point? With a game in hand and a three point lead, it's looking like theirs to lose. Below them, the scrum is spacing out a bit, but still holds the potential for major change in these last three weeks. Just six points separate 2nd from 8th, with two of those sides, Chivas and the Revs, having two games in hand on the field. United and TFC have to hope that somebody stumbles to allow them in the back door, while RSL and KC need not only a stumble, but a trip and tumble down the stairs from multiple parties, and Dallas need a miracle. The Quakes and the Bulls may be out of the running, but they sure aren't making things easy on those still in the hunt.
Points per game is pretty cut and dried. The Crew's 1.8 ppg sees them well clear of the 1.4-1.6 ppg pack that hold the playoff spots. DC, TFC, and RSL hover at the margins on 1.3 ppg, while KC and Dallas are only a shade off at 1.2 ppg. Anybody want to take bets on whether the Quakes at 1.0 ppg can make a run to keep themselves out of the Western Conference cellar? No? Well then I'm sure I can't interest you in the Red Bulls, who now find it statistically impossible to finish the season averaging more than a point per game.
Looking for goals? Look no further than FC Dallas. Not only do the Hoops lead the league in scoring at 1.7 goals per game, but they're tied for the worst defensive record with the Quakes, shipping a matching 1.7 goals allowed per game.
If the playoffs were to take place today, you'd have...
Columbus (E1) v. Seattle (W5)...in the East, and...
Chicago (E2) v. New England (E3)
Houston (W1) v. Chivas (W4)...in the West. Sigi versus the Crew? The usual Fire-Revs bloodbath? A Dynamo-Goats defensive stalemate? A Galaxy-Rapids shoot out? Tasty. But still far from being resolved.
LA Galaxy (W2) v. Colorado (W3)
MLS Dogpile | Conspiracy of Losers
Does no one want to win this thing? No one? Oh, shut up and put your hands down, Columbus. Take a look, if you will, at who's hot as we plow through this critical stretch of the season. We'll use the last five results as a measure of en fuego-ness. So, on 10 points from the last 15 on offer, we have the league-leading Crew and...the 'Zards? The 12th place, we-haven't-a-post-season-prayer 'Zards? 8 points? How about the two worst teams in the league in bottom of the table San Jose and New York? 7 points? Well, the Galaxy will make the playoffs, but for United, RSL, and Dallas, the playoff chances are slim, slimmer, and Kate Moss.
So it's little surprise that the Crew remain atop the Pile this week. Houston get to stay at number two by virtue of having all of their close rivals lose or draw. Chicago remains stalled at three on the back of three consecutive draws, and the Galaxy's shocking run towards the top appears to have fizzled. And such is the woeful state of the playoff battle that Colorado rise on the back of two draws against non-playoff sides this week, while the Revs' win boosts them a hearty three spots. Seattle sink, but not past Chivas, who Kljestan-ed away a massively important three points at home to the Red Bulls.
DC United continued to shoot themselves in an foot that's hanging by mere tendons now, while KC saw whatever playoff hope remained sail off into the sunset over the left field wall in the little ballpark. Toronto nearly managed to grab a road victory against Chicago, but their defense continues to bite them in their collective Canuck-ian bum, eh? Dallas posted another multi-goal victory, but is there anything more pointless than Dallas multi-goal victories? RSL continue to implode when the big questions are asked, while the Quakes and Red Bulls each only have one loss in their last five, but can't seriously be considered for moves up the Pile by virtue of those woeful total point hauls and their positions at the foot of their respective conferences.
Thoughts?
Not With a Bang, But a Whimper | A DC United Match Reaction
So which excuse do we go to this time? Because, for the life of me, I can't figure one out. Sure, you could play the "fixture congestion" card, but San Jose played midweek as well, and they did it at altitude followed by a cross-country jaunt. Add in that they have little to play for but pride and the fact that they were missing Cannon in net, season with our first-half dominance, and the resulting head-scratching gets so intense it starts to bleed.
Some questions before I start to weep...
(1) What did Fearless Leader say at halftime that saw us come out so flat and lame in the second after controlling much of the first half? I'll take a stab. "Keep things tight, boys. Don't take risks. Play within yourselves. We've got this one in the bag. And for God's sake, DON'T MAKE MISTAKES, OUR PLAYOFF LIVES ARE ON THE LINE!!!" Curb the ambition, pile on the pressure. That sound about right? The silver lining here? Whatever small chance the Champions' League turnaround may have given Tommy to stay in a job this off-season surely just went up in smoke, right? RIGHT? Did you see how the chances started to flow when we got desperate? For christssakes, why were we not desperate to get the second goal in the first place?
(2) What is Burch good for besides launching bombs from distance? And if he can't get said bombs on target, is he, in fact, more a liability than a neutral force? The sad, sad punting of our playoff chances pretty much consigns him to the former. Yes, there is blame to be meted out elsewhere, and he was returning from injury, but that one moment, more than any other (and there were a few), killed any chance we had of winning this match. Hitting a ball really hard is not sufficient qualification to be a top-flight professional. USL beckons.
(3) Why do folks insist that Wicks could be our long-term solution in the net? The guy is a walking brain-fart. What the hell was he doing charging out to the top of the 18 to try and punch out a corner kick? We're lucky Toledo equalled Wicks' stupidity by blowing the play dead, because that sequence probably should have resulted in the Quakes' first. Whatever the case, it was probably should be up there with Burch's error as a humungous turning point. Wonder how much of an effect his leaving injured had on the patchwork back line slowly crumbling, and I wonder as well how much the Quakes started licking their chops when Kocic came on.
(4) I fail to see why Pontius does not start at forward for us. Yes, he did manage to blow the biggest chance that fell to him, but he was consistently getting into dangerous positions, forcing the defense to adapt to his movement, winning balls in the air. Contrast this with Moreno's assortment of balls to nowhere and ill-advised flicks. Contrast it with Emilio's stunning lack of movement (do you really want your striker's response to an incisive dribbling run to be "Screw running off the ball to open up space or present a passing option, I think I'll just stand here and wait for that guy to give me the ball because I get payed an obscene amount of money relative to my talent and deserve to have the ball delivered on a silver platter by a naked slave boy...oh, here comes the ball, let me boot it about 10 feet with my iron touch!").
Quick mentions before my head explodes...
* Benny, flinging himself prone to execute an outrageous backheel. Favorite. United. Player. Ever!
* Was it just me or did James go from winning virtually everything in the air in the first half to winning virtually nothing? Against the same player? How does that happen?
* Why did we swap Pontius and Quaranta on the flanks? Pontius can cross with his left, an ability that led to our goal. Quaranta consistently pulls it back onto his right to deliver the in-swinger. Effective at times, but only when we have guys in the box who can win headers. Also...predictable in the extreme.
I'm done. I hope this putrid abomination of a result serves as a fitting answer to all those who fell victim to having hope bloom optimistic in their hearts in the wake of the false dawn on Thursday. Wake up call! We've got a blind, inept helmsman steering a leaky, slow, overpriced boat, and half of the rowers consistently fumble their oars overboard. Are we completely sunk yet? Not yet. But that was a huge chance squandered. Now we depend upon others' results, and we saw how far that got us last year, didn't we?
Ugh (squared, cubed, raised to the nth power, god help us all).
Some questions before I start to weep...
(1) What did Fearless Leader say at halftime that saw us come out so flat and lame in the second after controlling much of the first half? I'll take a stab. "Keep things tight, boys. Don't take risks. Play within yourselves. We've got this one in the bag. And for God's sake, DON'T MAKE MISTAKES, OUR PLAYOFF LIVES ARE ON THE LINE!!!" Curb the ambition, pile on the pressure. That sound about right? The silver lining here? Whatever small chance the Champions' League turnaround may have given Tommy to stay in a job this off-season surely just went up in smoke, right? RIGHT? Did you see how the chances started to flow when we got desperate? For christssakes, why were we not desperate to get the second goal in the first place?
(2) What is Burch good for besides launching bombs from distance? And if he can't get said bombs on target, is he, in fact, more a liability than a neutral force? The sad, sad punting of our playoff chances pretty much consigns him to the former. Yes, there is blame to be meted out elsewhere, and he was returning from injury, but that one moment, more than any other (and there were a few), killed any chance we had of winning this match. Hitting a ball really hard is not sufficient qualification to be a top-flight professional. USL beckons.
(3) Why do folks insist that Wicks could be our long-term solution in the net? The guy is a walking brain-fart. What the hell was he doing charging out to the top of the 18 to try and punch out a corner kick? We're lucky Toledo equalled Wicks' stupidity by blowing the play dead, because that sequence probably should have resulted in the Quakes' first. Whatever the case, it was probably should be up there with Burch's error as a humungous turning point. Wonder how much of an effect his leaving injured had on the patchwork back line slowly crumbling, and I wonder as well how much the Quakes started licking their chops when Kocic came on.
(4) I fail to see why Pontius does not start at forward for us. Yes, he did manage to blow the biggest chance that fell to him, but he was consistently getting into dangerous positions, forcing the defense to adapt to his movement, winning balls in the air. Contrast this with Moreno's assortment of balls to nowhere and ill-advised flicks. Contrast it with Emilio's stunning lack of movement (do you really want your striker's response to an incisive dribbling run to be "Screw running off the ball to open up space or present a passing option, I think I'll just stand here and wait for that guy to give me the ball because I get payed an obscene amount of money relative to my talent and deserve to have the ball delivered on a silver platter by a naked slave boy...oh, here comes the ball, let me boot it about 10 feet with my iron touch!").
Quick mentions before my head explodes...
* Benny, flinging himself prone to execute an outrageous backheel. Favorite. United. Player. Ever!
* Was it just me or did James go from winning virtually everything in the air in the first half to winning virtually nothing? Against the same player? How does that happen?
* Why did we swap Pontius and Quaranta on the flanks? Pontius can cross with his left, an ability that led to our goal. Quaranta consistently pulls it back onto his right to deliver the in-swinger. Effective at times, but only when we have guys in the box who can win headers. Also...predictable in the extreme.
I'm done. I hope this putrid abomination of a result serves as a fitting answer to all those who fell victim to having hope bloom optimistic in their hearts in the wake of the false dawn on Thursday. Wake up call! We've got a blind, inept helmsman steering a leaky, slow, overpriced boat, and half of the rowers consistently fumble their oars overboard. Are we completely sunk yet? Not yet. But that was a huge chance squandered. Now we depend upon others' results, and we saw how far that got us last year, didn't we?
Ugh (squared, cubed, raised to the nth power, god help us all).
Book Review | Inverting the Pyramid
Let's get this straight. There is the game. The one that involves 22 players dribbling, passing, and shooting, trying to get past their opponents to stick the ball in the back of the net. It is a game of individual skill and vision or small bits of combination play that unlock defenses. We'll call this the television, or perhaps more accurately, the game console version.
And then there is the game.
This is what you see when you plop your butt in the plastic stadium seating with the whole field spread out before you. The interchanging parts. The flow of the players. The constant expansion, restriction, and exploitation of space. Sure, the moments of individual magic and skill and vision are still there to be enjoyed and wondered at--they are without a doubt the moments that leave your throat raw and nerves a-jangle. But they take place inside of a framework and flow that has its own inherent charm. A charm more rational and intellectual than emotional. This is the game that Jonathan Wilson dissects in Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics
.
And what a history it is! You may have read Wilson's work in the Guardian or elsewhere, admiring his attention to history and detail, the real nuts and bolts of formational and positional choices grounded in a broad and deep knowledge of how the world plays, or has traditionally played the game. But those are mere vignettes. Inverting the Pyramid takes those scattered strands and weaves them into a glorious whole, enlivened by memorable characters, iconic teams, political and cultural influences, and the spirit of the people and times in which tactical innovations flourished.
Necessarily, there are times when Wilson has to jump about the timeline or the map or paint with a broad brush, but always it is in pursuit of the theme so cleverly reduced to those three words in the title. What happened in the century of tactical development that took the first widespread standard tactic, the 2-3-5, and flipped it on its head, presenting us with modern four-back, single striker formations--the inverted pyramid? Where do all those exotic stops on the way: the W-M, catenaccio, la nuestra, totaalvoetbal, liberos, trequartistas, etcetera, etcetera, fit into the picture? And what comes next?
I suppose you'll just have to pick up a copy to find out. If you're as intrigued by the tactics and history of the game as I am, you won't regret it.
And then there is the game.
This is what you see when you plop your butt in the plastic stadium seating with the whole field spread out before you. The interchanging parts. The flow of the players. The constant expansion, restriction, and exploitation of space. Sure, the moments of individual magic and skill and vision are still there to be enjoyed and wondered at--they are without a doubt the moments that leave your throat raw and nerves a-jangle. But they take place inside of a framework and flow that has its own inherent charm. A charm more rational and intellectual than emotional. This is the game that Jonathan Wilson dissects in Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics
.And what a history it is! You may have read Wilson's work in the Guardian or elsewhere, admiring his attention to history and detail, the real nuts and bolts of formational and positional choices grounded in a broad and deep knowledge of how the world plays, or has traditionally played the game. But those are mere vignettes. Inverting the Pyramid takes those scattered strands and weaves them into a glorious whole, enlivened by memorable characters, iconic teams, political and cultural influences, and the spirit of the people and times in which tactical innovations flourished.
Necessarily, there are times when Wilson has to jump about the timeline or the map or paint with a broad brush, but always it is in pursuit of the theme so cleverly reduced to those three words in the title. What happened in the century of tactical development that took the first widespread standard tactic, the 2-3-5, and flipped it on its head, presenting us with modern four-back, single striker formations--the inverted pyramid? Where do all those exotic stops on the way: the W-M, catenaccio, la nuestra, totaalvoetbal, liberos, trequartistas, etcetera, etcetera, fit into the picture? And what comes next?
I suppose you'll just have to pick up a copy to find out. If you're as intrigued by the tactics and history of the game as I am, you won't regret it.
Quel Surprise! | a DC United Match Reaction
Well, color me a little surprised. Not only did Tommy run out a very strong team, but we actually got the result we needed, hanging three on a tired Marathon side to push us to second in the group (first tie-breaker in the group stage is head-to-head, which we shade by virtue of winning 3-0, while they beat us 3-1). So am I a believer? There's still the looming "if." If Toluca send a strong side to Honduras. If they can grab a win. If we can hold serve against Jabloteh at home. We shall see. The priority has to be picking up league wins at the moment, so we'll see if running out such a strong side three days earlier has any effect on our match with the Quakes at the weekend. Talking points?
- A tale of two Emilios. Yes, yes. Full credit to the DP for the two he finished, but how many did he miss, particularly in the first half, when an early goal would have been ideal? He's still a reasonable player, but the first step to accelerate into space or turn defenders is gone, leaving him with only his finishing ability to rely on. Based on said finishing tonight, it would be borderline criminal to allow him to continue on DP dollars next year.
- What to make of Tommy? I was ready to throw him off a cliff when he subbed in Jaime for Shipalane before the half. Shipalane was doing some nice work out wide and his running was creating chances that clearly unsettled the Marathon defense. Pair that with Jaime's first three attempts to take on defenders ending in him losing possession, and I was tearing my hair out. But the second half adjustment to start flooding numbers into the space vacated by Marathon's attacking left back was an excellent call, and Jaime's contributions in the second half justified his inclusion (for the most part).
- The strongest spine. Did anybody else notice how the gaps seemed to evaporate when Jakovic came on in defense and Simms was pushed into midfield? Maybe some of that had to do with Marathon running out of steam, but there was a two-fold positive effect from our end as well. Jakovic's anticipation allows him to always pop up in what seem to be holes, and Simms staying home eliminated the gap created by Wallace and Olsen (1) not having the communication completely worked out and (2) both being too eager to get forward, often at the same time. With Simms sitting in that area between our back line and midfield, their forwards were less able to drop into space to look for balls through.
- Jaime giveth and Jaime taketh away. True, his first few minutes at the end of the first half were less than promising, but in the second he was offering more, dropping into the hole behind Emilio and springing runners wide (I still say he and Gomez should be splitting time as withdrawn, playmaking forwards). His finish was a lovely piece of cool improvisation. But where his cool shone in front of goal, it didn't when he launched the elbow that got him sent off. I don't care what Max and Sulli were saying about him failing to connect, the intent was clearly there (he snuck a peek before the elbow came up), and that's crap your captain can't be pulling in stoppage time when you're desperate not to surrender the goal that would negate your tie-breaker advantage. Not to mention that he won't be available for the must-win at home to Jabloteh in the next round.
[UPDATE: It appears Moreno got one yellow for the elbow and walked for a second yellow incurred during the altercations subsequent to the foul. On the one hand, that's even worse than just launching the elbow in the first place, but from all that I could see (admittedly from television) that second yellow wouldn't have happened if the Marathon players didn't go nuts in the wake of the initial foul. Still, two minutes into stoppage time? Just walk away and let the cards be dished to protesting opponents.]
Quick hits?
- Loved Shipalane's running with the ball. That gives us an extra dimension.
- I was pleasantly surprised by Vaughn. His touch looked reasonable, he got forward a little, and didn't have any serious brainfarts. Usually that would be small praise, but for United defensive depth, it's (sadly) saying an awful lot.
- BRRRRRREEEETOOOOS! Woefully uninformed as usual, thinking that goal-difference is the tie-breaker. Is it too much to expect even a modicum of professionalism to do a little research? He also identified DC as being outside looking in for the playoffs. Moron.
- Pontius was doing some extremely interesting work out wide, showing the confidence to take on defenders, and the ability to cut inside and hit a shot. Too bad he's the only forward we have who can consistently win balls in the air cause he can't cross to himself.
- I love Benny. The outrageous full-body feint and the weaving dribbling run that followed in the second half was one of the highlights of the game for me. Too bad Pontius couldn't finish the sweeping move that followed.
- Anybody else catch Avery John catching a karmic body-slam from Wicks?
So that puts us a big step closer to advancing from the group. The next round sees us host Jabloteh, while Toluca travel to Marathon. Here's hoping Toluca take that one seriously and try to wrap up their qualification, because a Marathon loss, coupled with a United win, would make the final week academic (Marathon could catch us on points, but we hold the tie-breaker over them), meaning we could run out the reserves and maintain focus on qualifying for the playoffs.
Vamos United!
- A tale of two Emilios. Yes, yes. Full credit to the DP for the two he finished, but how many did he miss, particularly in the first half, when an early goal would have been ideal? He's still a reasonable player, but the first step to accelerate into space or turn defenders is gone, leaving him with only his finishing ability to rely on. Based on said finishing tonight, it would be borderline criminal to allow him to continue on DP dollars next year.
- What to make of Tommy? I was ready to throw him off a cliff when he subbed in Jaime for Shipalane before the half. Shipalane was doing some nice work out wide and his running was creating chances that clearly unsettled the Marathon defense. Pair that with Jaime's first three attempts to take on defenders ending in him losing possession, and I was tearing my hair out. But the second half adjustment to start flooding numbers into the space vacated by Marathon's attacking left back was an excellent call, and Jaime's contributions in the second half justified his inclusion (for the most part).
- The strongest spine. Did anybody else notice how the gaps seemed to evaporate when Jakovic came on in defense and Simms was pushed into midfield? Maybe some of that had to do with Marathon running out of steam, but there was a two-fold positive effect from our end as well. Jakovic's anticipation allows him to always pop up in what seem to be holes, and Simms staying home eliminated the gap created by Wallace and Olsen (1) not having the communication completely worked out and (2) both being too eager to get forward, often at the same time. With Simms sitting in that area between our back line and midfield, their forwards were less able to drop into space to look for balls through.
- Jaime giveth and Jaime taketh away. True, his first few minutes at the end of the first half were less than promising, but in the second he was offering more, dropping into the hole behind Emilio and springing runners wide (I still say he and Gomez should be splitting time as withdrawn, playmaking forwards). His finish was a lovely piece of cool improvisation. But where his cool shone in front of goal, it didn't when he launched the elbow that got him sent off. I don't care what Max and Sulli were saying about him failing to connect, the intent was clearly there (he snuck a peek before the elbow came up), and that's crap your captain can't be pulling in stoppage time when you're desperate not to surrender the goal that would negate your tie-breaker advantage. Not to mention that he won't be available for the must-win at home to Jabloteh in the next round.
[UPDATE: It appears Moreno got one yellow for the elbow and walked for a second yellow incurred during the altercations subsequent to the foul. On the one hand, that's even worse than just launching the elbow in the first place, but from all that I could see (admittedly from television) that second yellow wouldn't have happened if the Marathon players didn't go nuts in the wake of the initial foul. Still, two minutes into stoppage time? Just walk away and let the cards be dished to protesting opponents.]
Quick hits?
- Loved Shipalane's running with the ball. That gives us an extra dimension.
- I was pleasantly surprised by Vaughn. His touch looked reasonable, he got forward a little, and didn't have any serious brainfarts. Usually that would be small praise, but for United defensive depth, it's (sadly) saying an awful lot.
- BRRRRRREEEETOOOOS! Woefully uninformed as usual, thinking that goal-difference is the tie-breaker. Is it too much to expect even a modicum of professionalism to do a little research? He also identified DC as being outside looking in for the playoffs. Moron.
- Pontius was doing some extremely interesting work out wide, showing the confidence to take on defenders, and the ability to cut inside and hit a shot. Too bad he's the only forward we have who can consistently win balls in the air cause he can't cross to himself.
- I love Benny. The outrageous full-body feint and the weaving dribbling run that followed in the second half was one of the highlights of the game for me. Too bad Pontius couldn't finish the sweeping move that followed.
- Anybody else catch Avery John catching a karmic body-slam from Wicks?
So that puts us a big step closer to advancing from the group. The next round sees us host Jabloteh, while Toluca travel to Marathon. Here's hoping Toluca take that one seriously and try to wrap up their qualification, because a Marathon loss, coupled with a United win, would make the final week academic (Marathon could catch us on points, but we hold the tie-breaker over them), meaning we could run out the reserves and maintain focus on qualifying for the playoffs.
Vamos United!
MLS Table Talk | Stars and Tables Align
Well, will you look at that? The points-per-game table is almost perfectly aligned with the actual points table, the one exception being the Revs. Though head-to-head dumps them at the bottom of the three-member 34 points club, their two games in hand arguably should put them at the head of that trio. Sadly for Nicol, the games-in-hand advantage has eroded with their recent woeful rate of points return, putting them level with the final playoff club (DC United) rather than somewhere in the middle of the playoff positions, as had previously been the case.
Confused? How about a change of pace? I'll draw your attention to just one statistical point this week before moving on to the playoff picture and the table rundown. That point is this: goal difference continues to be the dividing line. Look at the evidence. Positions one through nine on the table boast positive figures, while ten through fifteen are in the red. Yes, statistics can be manipulated to get the results you want, but this pattern has been consistent of late. Does it guarantee that the Revs, 'Zards, and Reds are all going to be on vacation in a month? Food for thought.
So let's look at the state of the table. The top seven have between three and six games remaining on their schedules yet remain separated by six points or less. Smells like a photo finish to the season for my money. Realistically, you've got to peg the top four (Crew, Dynamo, Galaxy, and Fire) as the likely contenders for the Supporters' Shield (and the automatic qualification spots for the playoffs), though the Fire's dismal home record, the Galaxy's inconsistency, and the Dynamo having just three games remaining would tend to point to a Crew repeat. That said, they too have a congested end to the season, with the Champions' League drawing their attention as well.
The Sounders, Rapids, and Chivas appear relatively safe, though arguably that's only by virtue of RSL, TFC, and the Revs mounting sucktastic challenges to their sketchy redoubts. DC United? On the one hand, they've got injury problems at the back, issues with speed and scoring from open play, and an increasingly lame-duck looking coach. But on the other, they've posted the fourth-best record over the last five games, are tough to beat (only six losses from twenty-six league games played), are strong at home (only one league loss), and have three of their last four in the friendly confines of RFK.
Down on the bottom, the 'Zards are clinging to faint hopes, but I can't see all four of the teams sitting between them and a playoff spot screwing the pooch so royally that it lets them slip in the back door. Dallas? Dead and buried by last week's loss, they need complete melt-downs from a half-dozen sides and a much better return than the four points they've taken from the last five games. At the very bottom, the only question is: can the Quakes, with three games in hand and a four point cushion, manage to avoid the indignity of finishing bottom?
How about the playoff picture? I think it's relatively safe to mark down the Dynamo and Galaxy as your two auto-qualifiers from the West, and even more safe to tip the Crew and Fire from the East. After that, you've got to figure that the East will only be sending three this year, with one of United, TFC, or the Revs cracking the top eight. That leaves the West with the remaining five spots, meaning that the Sounders, Rapids, Chivas, and RSL (though mostly those first three) are duking it out for three spots, and none of them want to be the third. Why's that? Because #5 in the West becomes the fourth seed in the East, which means a likely opening round date with the defending champion Crew.
Thoughts?
Back to the Future in the Freezing Rain
Just a couple of completely unrelated bits to pass on...
Back to the Future?
The always excellent Jonathan Wilson (a review of his latest book is coming soon!) looks at the possibility of the return of the libero given the trend towards formations featuring a single central striker. Why does this strike a particular chord with me? Perhaps because I envisage Jakovic playing a role much like this for DC United. We've already been treated to several occasions where he gains possession on the back line and takes a couple of imperious strides into the midfield, movement that a more dynamic midfield and attack would surely be able to take advantage of. Sadly, not all of MLS has joined Sigi in the single-striker experiment sweepstakes, but we can always hope...
In the Freezing Rain
MLS Cup goes primetime. Great, I'm all for the drama and atmosphere of an evening match. Now for a couple of questions...
What's the weather like in Seattle in late November? Apparently the average high temperature is 52 and the rain...
Great. Now let's dial down the temperature for an evening game and stage the whole affair on turf with gridiron markings. Ugh. One can only hope that maybe the occasion will demand grass, but I'm not feeling optimistic.
Also, If I may be so bold...Why does the final have to be on a Sunday? Surely a Saturday final would have the dual benefit of (1) not going up against the NFL and prime-time Sunday programming and (2) allowing fans of the participating teams (assuming Seattle won't be there) to travel to the match without having to worry about missing work on Monday.
So here's to wet, frozen marching bands and the return of the libero...
Back to the Future?
The always excellent Jonathan Wilson (a review of his latest book is coming soon!) looks at the possibility of the return of the libero given the trend towards formations featuring a single central striker. Why does this strike a particular chord with me? Perhaps because I envisage Jakovic playing a role much like this for DC United. We've already been treated to several occasions where he gains possession on the back line and takes a couple of imperious strides into the midfield, movement that a more dynamic midfield and attack would surely be able to take advantage of. Sadly, not all of MLS has joined Sigi in the single-striker experiment sweepstakes, but we can always hope...
In the Freezing Rain
MLS Cup goes primetime. Great, I'm all for the drama and atmosphere of an evening match. Now for a couple of questions...
What's the weather like in Seattle in late November? Apparently the average high temperature is 52 and the rain...
...if you’re going to the city between November and March, don’t forget your raincoat and galoshes.
Great. Now let's dial down the temperature for an evening game and stage the whole affair on turf with gridiron markings. Ugh. One can only hope that maybe the occasion will demand grass, but I'm not feeling optimistic.
Also, If I may be so bold...Why does the final have to be on a Sunday? Surely a Saturday final would have the dual benefit of (1) not going up against the NFL and prime-time Sunday programming and (2) allowing fans of the participating teams (assuming Seattle won't be there) to travel to the match without having to worry about missing work on Monday.
So here's to wet, frozen marching bands and the return of the libero...
MLS Dogpile | Night of the Living 'Zards?
Quick, name the three hottest teams in MLS! Well, sure, there's the Crew, netting ten points from the last fifteen on offer. Predictable, right? Somewhat more unbelievably, but borne out by their current league standing, the Galaxy are matching the Hard Hats step for step. But what about those Kansas City Wizards? They've taken nine points from their last five games and have mounted an unlikely charge at the exposed derrière of the playoff scrum. So how do they fare on the Pile?So the Crew didn't win this weekend, while the Dynamo and Galaxy saw off a couple of playoff wanna-be's, but they're still the undisputed top team in the league. Why not the Dynamo? How about the fact that this win comes on the back of two draws and two losses while they're trying to claim the Supporters' Shield? And while the Fire did technically only draw at home to the Alpha Dogs, they were ably abetted by the officials. That performance, combined with the lingering taste of LA's home shellacking by the Hoops just one week ago, conspires to keep the Galaxy in fourth.
Seattle couldn't quite manage to send the faithful home happy, but at least they seem to have recovered from their wobble to shore up their post-season credentials. Colorado looked in jeopardy of having their own chances dealt a major blow, but a last-gasp PK let them out of jail and kept them steady on the Pile. Chivas can thank Zach Thornton's "superkeeper" routine for keeping them in the Playoff Pack, and DC United didn't kick a ball in anger this weekend, but benefit from RSL's continued inconsistency.
Outside the playoff pack, the Revs continue to creep along at a miserable point-per-game pace, negating the advantage their games in hand should be providing. But that's still enough to boost them past RSL. Why drop RSL so far, you ask? They were playing a man down on the road and only succumbed to late heroics from Brad Davis after fighting their way back from an early two-goal deficit, right? A stirring performance no doubt, but the problems were there for all to see--reckless defense, inconsistency, and more misery away from home.
Those worries will have them looking over their shoulders at the charging Wizards, who are mounting an unlikely bid for post-season play that vaults them past the two lamest sides in MLS over the last five weeks: the newly DP-ed but defenseless Canucks of Toronto FC and Hyndman's shambolic FC Dallas. Down at the bottom, the Quakes dropped a near thing to the Rapids, which should have given them a boost, but I can't ignore their points total (though Dallas' current run may soon make that irrelevant). And the Red Bulls salvaged a home draw but are victims of that same glaring fault, with only the Quakes likely in their sights as potential victims to overtake.
Thoughts?
Thoughts on a Stirring Weekend
With DC United off this weekend, I got a chance to sit back and enjoy being a neutral for the most part. Of course, there's always that pesky playoff picture looming in the background...
Almost Perfect
No, it wasn't the ideal set of results this weekend in MLS for DC United, but it was pretty damn close. Although about half of the sides involved in the scrap for the final playoff spots managed draws, none of them grabbed three point hauls. Unless, I suppose, you include the 'Zards keeping their faint hopes alive.
So what does the playoff picture look like? Tossing out the top four (all more than three points clear of United):
Defending Optional
If you were going through United defensive brainfart withdrawal this weekend, another United could have provided you with a solid fix (Hello, Rio!). And City chipped in with a few of their own in a thrilling, and controversial, Manchester derby...
Euro-Yanks MIA
Anybody who's been on my Dempsey-bashing bandwagon for the USA of late got more ammo for their anti-Deuce artillery this weekend. Sure, I only saw highlights, but that was enough to see him make yet another miserable decision in the middle of the park, heading backwards to start the move that gave Wolves their game-winner against Fulham. Disinterested defending, lots of jogging, and waving arms at teammates...all from a five-minute highlight clip. Sound familiar? Fulham have bulked up at wide midfield, so I expect Dempsey might be due for a spell on the bench pretty soon.
And he's not the only one. Remember that back line from the Confederations Cup? Let's take a look at their combined playing time this week.
Happily, it looks like we're a step closer to seeing Jermaine Jones pull on a USA shirt, though his current injury woes mean he probably won't figure in the final two qualification matches. Of course, if there's any position where we're spoiled for choice, it's probably at central midfield, though with Edu injured and Junior fighting for time (he dressed, but didn't play this weekend), it wouldn't hurt to have options.
Thoughts?
Almost Perfect
No, it wasn't the ideal set of results this weekend in MLS for DC United, but it was pretty damn close. Although about half of the sides involved in the scrap for the final playoff spots managed draws, none of them grabbed three point hauls. Unless, I suppose, you include the 'Zards keeping their faint hopes alive.
So what does the playoff picture look like? Tossing out the top four (all more than three points clear of United):
- The Sounders are two points clear and have played the same number of games (boy does that 2-1 home loss sting even more now!)
- Chivas and the Rapids hold a one point edge, but both have games in hand (one for Colorado, two for the Goats)
- United currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot, just ahead of...
- RSL and TFC, two points back and having played the same number of games
- The Revs are two points back as well, but have two games in hand. Here's hoping their current pace of a point per game (over the last five games) continues
- KC have a heartbeat, six points behind United but with a game in hand.
- Home to San Jose
- Home to Chivas
- Home to Columbus
- Away to Kansas City
Defending Optional
If you were going through United defensive brainfart withdrawal this weekend, another United could have provided you with a solid fix (Hello, Rio!). And City chipped in with a few of their own in a thrilling, and controversial, Manchester derby...
Euro-Yanks MIA
Anybody who's been on my Dempsey-bashing bandwagon for the USA of late got more ammo for their anti-Deuce artillery this weekend. Sure, I only saw highlights, but that was enough to see him make yet another miserable decision in the middle of the park, heading backwards to start the move that gave Wolves their game-winner against Fulham. Disinterested defending, lots of jogging, and waving arms at teammates...all from a five-minute highlight clip. Sound familiar? Fulham have bulked up at wide midfield, so I expect Dempsey might be due for a spell on the bench pretty soon.
And he's not the only one. Remember that back line from the Confederations Cup? Let's take a look at their combined playing time this week.
- Boca went 90 for Rennes (and was part of keeping a clean sheet), but...
- Spector dressed but didn't make the field for West Ham
- Gooch dressed but didn't make the field for Milan
- DeMerit didn't dress for Watford (he's been struggling with an injury)
Happily, it looks like we're a step closer to seeing Jermaine Jones pull on a USA shirt, though his current injury woes mean he probably won't figure in the final two qualification matches. Of course, if there's any position where we're spoiled for choice, it's probably at central midfield, though with Edu injured and Junior fighting for time (he dressed, but didn't play this weekend), it wouldn't hurt to have options.
Thoughts?
"Were You Aware Of It?" Sunday | Euro-snobs MIA
Apologies to this guy, but I'm going to steal the "Were You Aware Of It?" format to highlight a few of the stories that are drifting past my desk...monitor...inbox...whatever...
If you've not checked in on the latest poll running at FBF (see the sidebar or the original post), I'll have you know that, as of this writing, almost three-quarters of you, the loyal FBF readers, are either so jaded that you can't imagine Garber & Co. killing the conference structure or (gasp!)...you may actually want to keep it! Add in that 1 in 5 of you either have so little faith in MLS HQ or are so enamored of conferences that you want to double the number, and you've got to wonder where the Euro-snobs are hiding.
Either FBF doesn't attract readers of said persuasion or, as with attending MLS matches, they just (and I'll reach across the pond for this in a Christian Miles-esque manner) "can't be arsed" to vote. Where are you, SingleTable-ists?
If you've not checked in on the latest poll running at FBF (see the sidebar or the original post), I'll have you know that, as of this writing, almost three-quarters of you, the loyal FBF readers, are either so jaded that you can't imagine Garber & Co. killing the conference structure or (gasp!)...you may actually want to keep it! Add in that 1 in 5 of you either have so little faith in MLS HQ or are so enamored of conferences that you want to double the number, and you've got to wonder where the Euro-snobs are hiding.
Either FBF doesn't attract readers of said persuasion or, as with attending MLS matches, they just (and I'll reach across the pond for this in a Christian Miles-esque manner) "can't be arsed" to vote. Where are you, SingleTable-ists?
"Were You Aware Of It?" Sunday | HWC T-Shirts!
Apologies to this guy, but I'm going to steal the "Were You Aware Of It?" format to highlight a few of the stories that are drifting past my desk...monitor...inbox...whatever...
FBF pals SoccerPro.com just sent me word about some new t-shirts they have on sale in support of the Homeless World Cup. What is the HWC? From their site...
Great cause. Nice looking shirt...
Offer ends at the end of the month...
FBF pals SoccerPro.com just sent me word about some new t-shirts they have on sale in support of the Homeless World Cup. What is the HWC? From their site...
The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people who are homeless and excluded to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. It has triggered and supports grass roots football projects in over 60 nations working with over 25,000 homeless and excluded people throughout the year.
Great cause. Nice looking shirt...
Offer ends at the end of the month...
"Were You Aware Of It?" Sunday | Chivas USA!
Apologies to this guy, but I'm going to steal the "Were You Aware Of It?" format to highlight a few of the stories that are drifting past my desk...monitor...inbox...whatever...
Neither Chivas nor Seattle could register the precious three points both needed in the almighty MLS playoff scrum, but that doesn't mean the game lacked highlights. Witness Marcelo Saragosa nominating himself for the Jay Heaps' Thug-tastic Hall of Shame...
But the quality in the match was mostly coming from a keeper that most thought was well past his best, but may actually have deserved his nomination as an All Star this year. And no, he doesn't play for Seattle (stupid MLS video nonsense--can't embed the QuickKicks save reel, and highlights have no direct link to Thornton's save reel, so just follow the linky and click on Thornton's save reel at the bottom. Ugh!)...
Neither Chivas nor Seattle could register the precious three points both needed in the almighty MLS playoff scrum, but that doesn't mean the game lacked highlights. Witness Marcelo Saragosa nominating himself for the Jay Heaps' Thug-tastic Hall of Shame...
But the quality in the match was mostly coming from a keeper that most thought was well past his best, but may actually have deserved his nomination as an All Star this year. And no, he doesn't play for Seattle (stupid MLS video nonsense--can't embed the QuickKicks save reel, and highlights have no direct link to Thornton's save reel, so just follow the linky and click on Thornton's save reel at the bottom. Ugh!)...
Big News From the Mothership
Big news from the bowels of MLS HQ (via MLSNet.com)...
Fantastic, though I think somebody over at MLSNet should reread that sentence and realize what it's actually saying...Yes, MLS will not be playing during the 2010 World Cup group phase, and that technically is the first time they will be doing so, but it's also the last and the only time since the 2010 World Cup group phase should only happen once (FIFA HQ shenanigans notwithstanding).
Pedantry aside, I think we'd all agree that this is the right decision, though here's hoping it's but the latest step in MLS HQ's slow, plodding progress away from scheduling league matches on international fixture dates.
The second announcement might be even more interesting, even if it's not unexpected. With 16 teams in the fold next year, MLS will play a balanced, home-and-away schedule, with each club playing each of the others twice. And that begs the question...What will become of the conferences? I suppose you have to keep the conferences intact if you plan on maintaining the current playoff format. That said, seeding the teams 1 through 8 might make for a more interesting playoff structure, ensuring that the top two don't meet, potentially, until the final, and the top sides get the most favorable draws, regardless of arbitrary geographical concerns.
So let's take a bet on what Garber and his minions do with this one...
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has announced that for the first time in its history, MLS will not play League games during the group phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Fantastic, though I think somebody over at MLSNet should reread that sentence and realize what it's actually saying...Yes, MLS will not be playing during the 2010 World Cup group phase, and that technically is the first time they will be doing so, but it's also the last and the only time since the 2010 World Cup group phase should only happen once (FIFA HQ shenanigans notwithstanding).
Pedantry aside, I think we'd all agree that this is the right decision, though here's hoping it's but the latest step in MLS HQ's slow, plodding progress away from scheduling league matches on international fixture dates.
The second announcement might be even more interesting, even if it's not unexpected. With 16 teams in the fold next year, MLS will play a balanced, home-and-away schedule, with each club playing each of the others twice. And that begs the question...What will become of the conferences? I suppose you have to keep the conferences intact if you plan on maintaining the current playoff format. That said, seeding the teams 1 through 8 might make for a more interesting playoff structure, ensuring that the top two don't meet, potentially, until the final, and the top sides get the most favorable draws, regardless of arbitrary geographical concerns.
So let's take a bet on what Garber and his minions do with this one...
MLS Table Talk | Five Weeks
There are five weeks left for most of the clubs in MLS. Five weeks for the top sides to find consistency and form heading into the post-season. Five weeks of cage-match brawling for playoff spots for a great swath of the table. Five weeks for those hovering around the fringes to mount a glorious charge. Five weeks for a handful to buy new golf clubs and call their travel agents.
The current playoff sides are packed into a six-point swing courtesy of the Parity Police, meaning that five weeks from now we might be looking at a dramatically different table as we kick off the battle for MLS Cup. Realistically, eleven sides are fighting for eight spots, though strong finishes by Dallas and KC may see them entertaining faint post-season hopes, assuming that a few sides ahead of them stumble severely.
You can see the way the points table stacks up, but what about points-per-game? That's an interesting picture. The Crew (1.8 ppg) are clearly the class of the league, and, at the moment, it looks like the Dynamo, Fire, Galaxy, Sounders, Rapids, and Chivas are all in advantageous positions (1.5-1.6 ppgs). Where the real battle lies is the scrum for that final playoff spot. We've currently got four teams: United, RSL, TFC, and the Revs, all sitting on 1.4 ppg, with the Revs' two games in hand putting them in the driver's seat. Dallas and KC (1.1 ppg) still have a pulse, but it's illustrative to note that they need to make up more ground on the quartet of 1.4 ppg-ers than that quartet needs to make up on the vast majority of the playoff field. Lesson for the Hoops and 'Zards? Don't hold your breath.
When it comes to offense, we're finally starting to get a little differentiation, allowing us to identify the Rapids (1.6 goals per game), Dallas (1.6 gpg), Crew (1.5 gpg), and United (1.5 gpg) as the goal-getters. The Red Bulls (0.8 gpg) are still struggling to overcome the deficit that has seen them detached from the league average for so long, but goal-shy KC (1.0 gpg) are swimming into their sights. Defensively, it's the Dynamo (0.9 allowed per game), Sounders (1.0 apg), and Chivas (1.0 apg) that are setting the standard, with the Quakes (1.8 apg), Dallas (1.7 apg), and Red Bulls (1.7 apg) struggling along in the league's wake.
Can we use goal differential as any sort of indicator? Considering that the top nine on the table are boasting positive values while the bottom six are all negative, there might be a nugget of truth there. If those numbers are to be believed, then TFC and the Revs might have less to say about post-season play than their points totals would suggest. That said, RSL are tied for second-best in the league with a +8 yet are still two points out of a playoff spot, and Dallas are only at -1 despite being nine points off the pace. Perhaps these aren't the droids you're looking for?
Anything else strike you from those numbers? How about DC United, a side seemingly in crisis and in danger of missing the playoffs, having lost only 6 of their 26 league games thus far? And you can maybe understand the Quakes and Bulls having drawn just 5 and 4 games respectively (they're bad teams, and thus less likely to have the belief or ability to salvage draws), but what about Chivas? They've completely bucked the parity-enforced trend towards draws by only posting 3 in their 23 games.
Thoughts?
Pretty Vacant | a DC United Match Reaction
Well, at least the result was decent, right? Other than the three points and the clean sheet, there was very little that was pretty about this match. United lacked any sort of fluidity, committed numerous boneheaded defensive blunders, had little attacking intent, coughed up the requisite über-stupid losses of possession in perfect counter positions, and generally got damned lucky that Jabloteh were so wasteful. But at least United got the job done despite themselves. Just a few talking points tonight...
* Have we forgotten how to move off the ball? United's blunt attack seemed to consist of passing to one motionless guy, waiting for him to find somebody jogging up the field, then kicking the ball to the opposition. The prime example of this was where somebody got up the energy to dash through the middle, beating a couple of defenders (Pontius, I think) to bear down on the back line. And what's our designated player doing? Is he pulling wide to draw defenders? Is he looking to make a darting run in behind so the man with the ball can look for a chip or ball slotted through? Nope. He's sitting there immobile, with two defenders on his hip. He waits...here comes the attacker with the ball...aaaaaannnnd....whoops! he strips the ball from his teammate and proceeds to do sweet crap all with it. Kill me now.
* Except when we didn't. Not that we were doing much moving, but we did start to spring players down the right wing in the second half, usually with quick flighted balls from Jacobson. Of course, anybody watching Szetela do his best "Fred" ("I'll cut it back inside, surely there will be more options there, right?") might have been screaming for someone with a bit of speed and willingness to take on defenders to be getting the ball in that position...
* Square pegs in round holes. Tommy's a geometry genius right? That's why, seeing that the right wing is there for the exploiting, he brings on Shipalane, a tricksy winger type with a little speed...and sticks him in up top as a lone striker. Goddamn duck on Arrakis. You could see it in every half-hearted challenge for a high ball and every movement to get out of the middle and onto the wings. Unreal. Of course, maybe Tommy's got an inkling that the guy's out of his depth judging by the lame finish displayed on his golden chance to net the precious second. Ah well, at least he hit it hard and on target, which is better than some of the Brazilians we're throwing the big cash at.
* And now, the inevitable complaint. Okay, Shatz, let's have it...this was the 4-4-1-1 that I've thought would be our best bet for a while now, right? Not exactly. Tommy found a way to flub this one too by putting no speed on the wings and playing Pontius and Szetela too deep. They needed to be higher, looking for quick penetrating balls from midfielders with a good range of insightful passing and offering more support to Emilio, who is not well suited for playing the one up top in this scenario. Szetela, in this formation, offers more in the middle. But Gomez certainly looked more involved, didn't he? I'm telling you, let Gomez and Moreno split minutes at free-role playmaking forward.
* And finally, a little credit where it's due. Tommy gave the right orders at halftime. United came out pressing, looking to grab an early second goal to kill the match. You'll have to admit, that's a far better tactic than his usual "bunker first, ask questions (of your defense) later" approach. Still, when the goal didn't come immediately, I still think you're better off in CONCACAF continuing to go for the jugular rather than leaving things in the hands of the most wretched examples of officialdom you're likely to come across...
* Which reminds me. We were damned lucky. The temptation for the man with the whistle to preen and strut and enjoy his moment in the spotlight didn't cost us too much besides two silly yellows and a dangerous free kick or eight. Thank goodness that Jabloteh didn't figure out how easily flustered our back line is by direct play into the box until it was too late for them to do anything about it. Thank goodness they couldn't find the finishes when we gifted them runs on goal from dangerous positions. Thank goodness they couldn't take advantage of some piss-poor defending on set pieces. Better to be lucky than good?
Thoughts?
* Have we forgotten how to move off the ball? United's blunt attack seemed to consist of passing to one motionless guy, waiting for him to find somebody jogging up the field, then kicking the ball to the opposition. The prime example of this was where somebody got up the energy to dash through the middle, beating a couple of defenders (Pontius, I think) to bear down on the back line. And what's our designated player doing? Is he pulling wide to draw defenders? Is he looking to make a darting run in behind so the man with the ball can look for a chip or ball slotted through? Nope. He's sitting there immobile, with two defenders on his hip. He waits...here comes the attacker with the ball...aaaaaannnnd....whoops! he strips the ball from his teammate and proceeds to do sweet crap all with it. Kill me now.
* Except when we didn't. Not that we were doing much moving, but we did start to spring players down the right wing in the second half, usually with quick flighted balls from Jacobson. Of course, anybody watching Szetela do his best "Fred" ("I'll cut it back inside, surely there will be more options there, right?") might have been screaming for someone with a bit of speed and willingness to take on defenders to be getting the ball in that position...
* Square pegs in round holes. Tommy's a geometry genius right? That's why, seeing that the right wing is there for the exploiting, he brings on Shipalane, a tricksy winger type with a little speed...and sticks him in up top as a lone striker. Goddamn duck on Arrakis. You could see it in every half-hearted challenge for a high ball and every movement to get out of the middle and onto the wings. Unreal. Of course, maybe Tommy's got an inkling that the guy's out of his depth judging by the lame finish displayed on his golden chance to net the precious second. Ah well, at least he hit it hard and on target, which is better than some of the Brazilians we're throwing the big cash at.
* And now, the inevitable complaint. Okay, Shatz, let's have it...this was the 4-4-1-1 that I've thought would be our best bet for a while now, right? Not exactly. Tommy found a way to flub this one too by putting no speed on the wings and playing Pontius and Szetela too deep. They needed to be higher, looking for quick penetrating balls from midfielders with a good range of insightful passing and offering more support to Emilio, who is not well suited for playing the one up top in this scenario. Szetela, in this formation, offers more in the middle. But Gomez certainly looked more involved, didn't he? I'm telling you, let Gomez and Moreno split minutes at free-role playmaking forward.
* And finally, a little credit where it's due. Tommy gave the right orders at halftime. United came out pressing, looking to grab an early second goal to kill the match. You'll have to admit, that's a far better tactic than his usual "bunker first, ask questions (of your defense) later" approach. Still, when the goal didn't come immediately, I still think you're better off in CONCACAF continuing to go for the jugular rather than leaving things in the hands of the most wretched examples of officialdom you're likely to come across...
* Which reminds me. We were damned lucky. The temptation for the man with the whistle to preen and strut and enjoy his moment in the spotlight didn't cost us too much besides two silly yellows and a dangerous free kick or eight. Thank goodness that Jabloteh didn't figure out how easily flustered our back line is by direct play into the box until it was too late for them to do anything about it. Thank goodness they couldn't find the finishes when we gifted them runs on goal from dangerous positions. Thank goodness they couldn't take advantage of some piss-poor defending on set pieces. Better to be lucky than good?
Thoughts?
MLS Dogpile | Back to Basics
Now that's the MLS we all know and love, right? Questionable officiating, the playoff race somehow getting even tighter, the Galaxy shipping six goals while scoring three...the Red Bulls losing. What's a poor blogger to do when the Parity Police dictates that only one of last week's top six on the Pile (the Alpha Dogs in Columbus) can manage a win and most of the Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts (save the inactive Quakes and hapless Red Bulls) can? To the Pile, my friends...
The Crew's perch at the top hasn't been in dispute for weeks (months?) now. Remember that torrid start to the season? Not so much, eh? Not only are they atop the Pile, but they're atop the league and have taken three more points than anybody else over the past five games. And they've done it largely without the help of the reigning league MVP.
The aforementioned failings at the top end of the Playoff Pack guarantee movement, but not always in predictable ways. Sure, the Fire only managed a draw, but that was better than the rest of the losers in the top six. And Houston? Well, they're only averaging a point a game over the last five matches (worst in the league, if you can believe that!), but narrowly lost to the Alpha Dogs and still lead the West.
Seattle make a big climb as they drop a second consecutive 2-1 on sputtering United, while the Galaxy plummet after getting hammered at home by the lowly Hoops. Colorado drops a spot, but I'm not quite ready to believe in Preki's Chivas Revival Show. RSL grab a draw to stay in the hunt, but as of now, they're on the outside looking in at a playoff spot.
United hang steady after grabbing an undeserved win over KC and dropping a close affair to Seattle, while the Revs come crashing back to earth after their recent rise into the Playoff Pack. That said, I'm not ready to drop them below TFC yet, given their games in hand and TFC's inconsistency.
FC Dallas would have been moving up after they thrashed the high-flying Galaxy were it not for their league position, and KC's win plus undeserved loss pushes them above the Quakes. At this point, we've even got something like a relegation battle at the bottom, as bets are placed on whether the Quakes will tank hard enough to spare the Red Bulls the indignity of finishing at the foot of the table.
Product Review | Tiempo Time!, Part Two
Part One of this two-part product review addressed shorts and shirts. As we continue in Part Two, we look at cladding the extremities that put the "foot" in football...
During my youth soccer career, I ping-ponged back and forth between adidas and Diadora shoes (if I type "boots" at any point during this review, feel free to launch your boots at me...crap! Duck!). I'm not sure if Nike was never a consideration because they simply weren't making soccer shoes at that point, or if I was running into the problem, without consciously registering it, that kept me from wearing Nike's during college...
They're too narrow.
Even as I sit here, wearing my (relatively) new Nike Tiempo Mystic II's (yes, I'm wearing studs on carpet to type a blog post...), my poor dogs are feeling the squeeze. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose, and all that. Sadly, the wide soles the German-Irish peasant stock that I sprang from don't seem to get along so well with Nike soccer footwear.
Which is a shame. Because for a relatively inexpensive set of shoes, they hold up pretty well in other categories. Under my admittedly modest abuse over the last few months, the leather and stitching seem to be wearing well. I like the hard cup on the heel as well. Though I haven't been clipped there as of yet, it feels like it'll offer solid protection. Grip on firm surfaces seems pretty decent, though the patches of bare, packed clay at the local park aren't terribly forgiving. And they're pretty light to boot (No, that wasn't the aforementioned verboten British usage, dear reader. Put the pitchforks and torches and "hang Christian Miles" banners down; puns are still allowed in this neck of the woods).
But still the narrowness problem persists. So much so that I sometimes feel as if the inside of my foot is hanging over the edge of the studs and threatening to take me down on solid surfaces, with all kinds of miserable consequences for my battered and aging ankles. Thankfully, I don't wear the shoes on solid surfaces much (the walk across linoleum to get to this desk and that hard, packed clay being notable exceptions), but the comfort issue makes me loathe to recommend Nike shoes to those, like myself, who suffer from wide feet.
That said, if you don't have such issues, and aren't caught up in the insanity of pink, purple, or orange day-glo footwear, I think you'll find the Nike Tiempo Mystic II's a solid option for relatively little green. And for those of you with more cash to burn and more colorful tastes? Feel free to explore what else FBF's friends over at SoccerPro.com have to offer in Nike soccer shoes.
---
Product(s) for this review were provided to FBF by SoccerPro.com.
During my youth soccer career, I ping-ponged back and forth between adidas and Diadora shoes (if I type "boots" at any point during this review, feel free to launch your boots at me...crap! Duck!). I'm not sure if Nike was never a consideration because they simply weren't making soccer shoes at that point, or if I was running into the problem, without consciously registering it, that kept me from wearing Nike's during college...
They're too narrow.
Even as I sit here, wearing my (relatively) new Nike Tiempo Mystic II's (yes, I'm wearing studs on carpet to type a blog post...), my poor dogs are feeling the squeeze. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose, and all that. Sadly, the wide soles the German-Irish peasant stock that I sprang from don't seem to get along so well with Nike soccer footwear.
Which is a shame. Because for a relatively inexpensive set of shoes, they hold up pretty well in other categories. Under my admittedly modest abuse over the last few months, the leather and stitching seem to be wearing well. I like the hard cup on the heel as well. Though I haven't been clipped there as of yet, it feels like it'll offer solid protection. Grip on firm surfaces seems pretty decent, though the patches of bare, packed clay at the local park aren't terribly forgiving. And they're pretty light to boot (No, that wasn't the aforementioned verboten British usage, dear reader. Put the pitchforks and torches and "hang Christian Miles" banners down; puns are still allowed in this neck of the woods).
But still the narrowness problem persists. So much so that I sometimes feel as if the inside of my foot is hanging over the edge of the studs and threatening to take me down on solid surfaces, with all kinds of miserable consequences for my battered and aging ankles. Thankfully, I don't wear the shoes on solid surfaces much (the walk across linoleum to get to this desk and that hard, packed clay being notable exceptions), but the comfort issue makes me loathe to recommend Nike shoes to those, like myself, who suffer from wide feet.
That said, if you don't have such issues, and aren't caught up in the insanity of pink, purple, or orange day-glo footwear, I think you'll find the Nike Tiempo Mystic II's a solid option for relatively little green. And for those of you with more cash to burn and more colorful tastes? Feel free to explore what else FBF's friends over at SoccerPro.com have to offer in Nike soccer shoes.
---
Product(s) for this review were provided to FBF by SoccerPro.com.
Hooray for Mediocrity!
Way to go, MLS. We won't miss this guy when Expansion Fever works its magic on the league's standard of play. Ugh.
Where's Our Montero? | a DC United Match Reaction
I'm going to take a slightly different tack for the meat of this reaction post and focus on one subject. If you couldn't guess it from the title of the post, it's this: where is our Montero? Why this focus? Because, tempting as it is to blame Tommy for our impotence in attack (one shot in the first half and it wasn't even on frame?), there's a larger issue, and it's one that Tino addressed in his rant last week. Despite his subsequent apology, it still rings true. We have no dynamism and speed in attack with which to unsettle defenses, and that renders us slow, predictable, and easy to defend. Talking points?
* Remember when? Do you remember the days where we, as United fans, used to bitch and moan about the physical approach from the likes of the Fire and Revs? The way they bit, scratched, hacked, and generally brutalized our technical attacking types? Yeah, those were the days, hmmm? How's that shoe feel on the other foot? The sheer thuggery we directed at Montero was both embarrassing and had my Nostrodameter pinging like mad that he was going to grab a goal to have the last word. I usually don't hate it so much when I'm right.
* Let's get physical. Continuing on the point, I'd like to address the whole "playing dirty" issue a bit more. Is this Tommy-ball or is this desperation? Whatever the case, it's not a game we're cut out to playing very well. We're the least physical team in the league, meaning we lose too many aerial battles, challenges, and 50-50 balls, and we're nowhere near quick enough to cover when our aggressive tackling goes awry and coughs up counter chances. You can point to the center official and say he was letting an awful lot go, but that generally played in our favor...Anybody else think that Namoff's tackle on Zakuani along the end line smelled suspiciously like a PK?
* Questions for the iron men. Speaking of Namoff vs. Zakuani...that was pretty much a disaster, wasn't it? It was shut down better in the second half, but Zakuani was consistently getting the better of Namoff. And that's somewhat understandable given Zakuani's speed (where's that quality on our roster, eh?) and the lack of adequate cover being provided to Namoff, but I about threw my mouse at the screen when I saw Zakuani beat Namoff in the air at the six. Namoff? Beaten in the air? By Zakuani? And Clyde Simms? Sure, he's playing out of position, but on their first goal, he was waaaaay out of position. Rongen can chew out James all he wants for not covering the gap that Zakuani exploited, but that was Simms' side. Where was he? Look at the replays. He's 10-15 yards up the field. In midfield to be precise. Which looks suspiciously like the easily exploited 3-5-2 we've been suffering with for so long.
* Danger zone? Getting back to the dead horse called Montero...Why are we saddled with the likes of Fred on $200k+ and Emilio on DP dollars, aging and ineffective in attack? Maybe Tommy's not exactly a tactical genius, but I'm sure he'd be doing better with sharper tools in his belt. And that's got to fall on the FO. We had our own shot at a Montero-like player (quick, strong for a small guy, makes runs in quantity and with quality), Walter Martinez, in the pre-season, but we lost out to a second-division Spanish side, where he ultimately washed out and ended up back in Honduras, playing against us in the Champions' League. Surely we would have been better served ditching some of the hefty salaries that aren't producing much? You can argue that we didn't know what we were getting with the return of Gomez, but we had a clue about his decline when we chose to ship him off in the first place, didn't we? And certainly we've known for a long time what Fred's bringing to the table. We win trophies? Not without a little ambition in the transfer market.
Quick hits?
* Emilio had two fantastic chances and a half chance. Results? One on frame (a lame dribbler right at the keeper) and two put wide. Does that seem like a solid return on DP investment to you? Also, his first touch is so heavy he managed to hit himself in the face with it on one occasion. And the step he's lost is the step that would probably provide 2-3 more chances per game, given the vision of some of our attackers.
* Wicks needs to take some blame for both goals. The second might be a little harsh as it was deflected a bit and was hit with real venom, but it's still near post and he's a big boy. The first? Pretty lame attempt on the rush out, if you ask me. Sure, he was hung out to dry, but I'm getting sick of seeing him in a statue pose with the ball in the back of the net. Witness Keller getting down on a similar occasion with Emilio.
* I'm all for being a bit more direct and pumping balls into the box, particularly when we're down, but remind me, do we win headers in the box when Pontius isn't in the box? If not, you've either got to get Pontius up top or stop hitting hopeless crosses.
* Wallace's positioning in central midfield and his tendency to cough up possession cheaply are factors against him, but his sheer physicality makes him something we just don't have otherwise, a dynamic presence in midfield. Too bad he's also the only flank speed we have to speak of as well. Way to go, FO...
That was a huge opportunity missed. A win would have put a severe dent in Seattle's playoff chances while significantly boosting our own. It would also have put down a marker that forced the teams around us to step up to the plate or risk being left behind. Sadly, we couldn't deliver, though I'm not entirely certain that it really matters anyway. Consider the KC game on Wednesday. If Arnaud puts a couple of chances on frame, we're staring down the very same barrel.
And what damage are we likely to do in the playoffs anyway given the old, slow, predictable nature of our attack and the tactical inability of the staff to close the gaps at the back? Here's hoping Jakovic recovers before our next league outing (the 27th, home to the Quakes). Time to throw the scrubs to the Champions' League and see if anybody proves themselves useful enough to take part in the final push for the post-season.
Ugh.
* Remember when? Do you remember the days where we, as United fans, used to bitch and moan about the physical approach from the likes of the Fire and Revs? The way they bit, scratched, hacked, and generally brutalized our technical attacking types? Yeah, those were the days, hmmm? How's that shoe feel on the other foot? The sheer thuggery we directed at Montero was both embarrassing and had my Nostrodameter pinging like mad that he was going to grab a goal to have the last word. I usually don't hate it so much when I'm right.
* Let's get physical. Continuing on the point, I'd like to address the whole "playing dirty" issue a bit more. Is this Tommy-ball or is this desperation? Whatever the case, it's not a game we're cut out to playing very well. We're the least physical team in the league, meaning we lose too many aerial battles, challenges, and 50-50 balls, and we're nowhere near quick enough to cover when our aggressive tackling goes awry and coughs up counter chances. You can point to the center official and say he was letting an awful lot go, but that generally played in our favor...Anybody else think that Namoff's tackle on Zakuani along the end line smelled suspiciously like a PK?
* Questions for the iron men. Speaking of Namoff vs. Zakuani...that was pretty much a disaster, wasn't it? It was shut down better in the second half, but Zakuani was consistently getting the better of Namoff. And that's somewhat understandable given Zakuani's speed (where's that quality on our roster, eh?) and the lack of adequate cover being provided to Namoff, but I about threw my mouse at the screen when I saw Zakuani beat Namoff in the air at the six. Namoff? Beaten in the air? By Zakuani? And Clyde Simms? Sure, he's playing out of position, but on their first goal, he was waaaaay out of position. Rongen can chew out James all he wants for not covering the gap that Zakuani exploited, but that was Simms' side. Where was he? Look at the replays. He's 10-15 yards up the field. In midfield to be precise. Which looks suspiciously like the easily exploited 3-5-2 we've been suffering with for so long.
* Danger zone? Getting back to the dead horse called Montero...Why are we saddled with the likes of Fred on $200k+ and Emilio on DP dollars, aging and ineffective in attack? Maybe Tommy's not exactly a tactical genius, but I'm sure he'd be doing better with sharper tools in his belt. And that's got to fall on the FO. We had our own shot at a Montero-like player (quick, strong for a small guy, makes runs in quantity and with quality), Walter Martinez, in the pre-season, but we lost out to a second-division Spanish side, where he ultimately washed out and ended up back in Honduras, playing against us in the Champions' League. Surely we would have been better served ditching some of the hefty salaries that aren't producing much? You can argue that we didn't know what we were getting with the return of Gomez, but we had a clue about his decline when we chose to ship him off in the first place, didn't we? And certainly we've known for a long time what Fred's bringing to the table. We win trophies? Not without a little ambition in the transfer market.
Quick hits?
* Emilio had two fantastic chances and a half chance. Results? One on frame (a lame dribbler right at the keeper) and two put wide. Does that seem like a solid return on DP investment to you? Also, his first touch is so heavy he managed to hit himself in the face with it on one occasion. And the step he's lost is the step that would probably provide 2-3 more chances per game, given the vision of some of our attackers.
* Wicks needs to take some blame for both goals. The second might be a little harsh as it was deflected a bit and was hit with real venom, but it's still near post and he's a big boy. The first? Pretty lame attempt on the rush out, if you ask me. Sure, he was hung out to dry, but I'm getting sick of seeing him in a statue pose with the ball in the back of the net. Witness Keller getting down on a similar occasion with Emilio.
* I'm all for being a bit more direct and pumping balls into the box, particularly when we're down, but remind me, do we win headers in the box when Pontius isn't in the box? If not, you've either got to get Pontius up top or stop hitting hopeless crosses.
* Wallace's positioning in central midfield and his tendency to cough up possession cheaply are factors against him, but his sheer physicality makes him something we just don't have otherwise, a dynamic presence in midfield. Too bad he's also the only flank speed we have to speak of as well. Way to go, FO...
That was a huge opportunity missed. A win would have put a severe dent in Seattle's playoff chances while significantly boosting our own. It would also have put down a marker that forced the teams around us to step up to the plate or risk being left behind. Sadly, we couldn't deliver, though I'm not entirely certain that it really matters anyway. Consider the KC game on Wednesday. If Arnaud puts a couple of chances on frame, we're staring down the very same barrel.
And what damage are we likely to do in the playoffs anyway given the old, slow, predictable nature of our attack and the tactical inability of the staff to close the gaps at the back? Here's hoping Jakovic recovers before our next league outing (the 27th, home to the Quakes). Time to throw the scrubs to the Champions' League and see if anybody proves themselves useful enough to take part in the final push for the post-season.
Ugh.
Thank You, Davy Arnaud | a DC United Match Reaction
Face facts. The reason we won this match is because Davy Arnaud, given two chances with the goal at his mercy, twice pushed the ball wide of the post. Yes, there were other 'Zards who had chances, some of them even pretty good, but Arnaud's two were the clearest chances created by either side. For large portions of this match, United were outplayed and out-hustled, yet somehow they emerged with three points. It's that old Christmas morning feeling. You got the gift you really, really, oh-so-desperately wanted, but it doesn't quite feel satisfying.
Talking Points?
* Fragile doesn't quite describe it. Holy crap were there gaps at the back! Gaps? More like yawning chasms. Of course, some of that was to be expected, given that we've got two starters on the shelf (Burch and Jakovic) and a third (James) who is raw and still new to the team. Burch missing doesn't hurt quite as much, given that Wallace (more later) and John can do the same reasonable impression of defense that Burch gets away with. But Jakovic is a huge loss. His calm on the ball, anticipation, reading of the game, and ability to clean up messes can't be replicated by whatever converted midfielder Tommy decides to throw at the problem. Thankfully, it looks like we may only have to survive the visit of Seattle without him (the Champions' League has long since been tossed under the bus), given that our next league match after this weekend will be the 27th versus the Quakes. That's right near the end of the 2-3 week recovery period. Here's hoping he makes a Simms-like recovery!
* Was that width I saw? Sure, the moments were few and far between, but there were a couple of instances of fullbacks overlapping the wide midfielders, highlighted by a dangerous chance from Wallace where he got in alone on goal. He didn't finish it, but the promise of his speed and energy were there for all to see. Now, if we could just land a coach who doesn't ruin young defenders...
* Diamonds are not Gomez' best friend? Where was he? I kept looking, but all of the attacking midfield action seemed to be dominated by Moreno dropping deep. It wasn't really much of a shock to see him come off at the half, but what you might not have noticed was that Gomez became immediately more involved once Tommy made a shift after the goal. He pulled Pontius inside to pair Simms in the center of midfield, pushed Moreno onto the right flank, and stuck Gomez up top, playing off of Emilio. Considering that the only moments where he did anything useful came as a support forward or on the couple of occasions where he dropped into a deeper midfield role, I wonder if we can just put the diamond midfield (at least with Gomez at the ponta de lança to bed? Pontius and Quaranta (and Fred for that matter) seem to thrive more when two holders allow them greater freedom to push forward on the wings. Given how effective Moreno was (and generally has been) in playing as a withdrawn forward and how much his ability to be composed on the ball gives us options going forward, I wonder if Tommy might just start rotating the two (Gomez and Moreno) in that role (works for me on Football Manager), although...
* The power of pairs. If you'll notice, we seem to have pairs of attackers who generally pick each other out fairly well and play off each other. Quaranta + Pontius is the most obvious example, though Gomez and Moreno combine pretty well too, and Fred and Emilio seem to have some sort of samba simpatico. The question becomes, how many of these pairs do we want to try to have on the field together? At the very least, thinking both of the future and the danger that energy and desire bring, I think we need to see Quaranta and Pontius together, preferably with one of them as a forward.
* Questions for Tommy. I know that Julius James was committing some dumb fouls in bad positions, but how does replacing him with Avery John fix that problem? Also, if you're complaining about defensive shape, how is the right plan to put two converted midfielders (I know McTavish is a hybrid, but he's more of a mid to my mind) in the center of defense with Wallace (energetic, but often a headless chicken) and Olsen (smart, but hobbled) for midfield cover? James may not have been ideal, but I don't think either of those changes created any significant change. If anything, we should be thankful that the 'Zards couldn't get their act together to finish us off.
* Your DP dollars at work. Sure, Emilio poached the one that got the job done, but did he do much of anything else besides miss on two late chances? Frankly, we need a forward who does more than just hang around waiting for chances to come his way. Even when Emilio bothers to make testing runs, he's not quick enough to unsettle defenses, pulling them deep to create room in the hole behind him where a supporting forward or midfielder can operate. Kinda makes you wonder what might have been if we hadn't lost the battle for Walter Martinez in the pre-season, eh? Maybe I don't like that he seems to dive and whine too much (for both Honduras and Marathon), but he does bring a willingness and energy to run as well as quickness and finishing ability. I just wonder what impact some of our more creative types (Gomez, Moreno, Quaranta) might have with a willing, active runner pulling defenses out of shape and eager to get on the end of through balls.
How about a steaming helping of quick hits?
* As soon as we got the goal, Tommy went 4-4-1-1, pulling Pontius inside to hold beside Simms. Then he pulled the halftime trigger once again, ensuring an even deeper central midfield pair by introducing Olsen. Any surprise we were being outshot nearly 2-to-1 by the hour mark? In our house? Against a team in relegation form?
* Moreno was the most active and dangerous of the initial attacking trio. Still, it was worrying to see some of his late petulance (kicking the ball out of play when he didn't get a foul call, leaping up to confront Myers after being taken down).
* We rode our luck. Hard. Lucky Arnaud couldn't finish. Lucky they couldn't find net on a couple of goal-mouth scrambles. Lucky Vaughn kept his whistle quiet on some questionable contacts in the box. Lucky Gomez went off injured for them as Myers couldn't match his production. Lucky all around.
* Wicks spills too many long shots and spills them into dangerous areas. Would you protect him from the expansion draft? I wouldn't.
* There were one or two moments when we showed flashes of quality. Those moments were either the result of overlapping fullbacks or when the front four went fluid, interchanging positions and hitting one-touch stuff while one of the holding mids made a run from deep.
So let's count our blessings and see what the weekend brings. Despite having gotten lucky here, we did get three points, putting down an important marker that our rivals for those final playoff spots must match this weekend. We have the added benefit (though our fitness will be taxed) of getting another chance at Seattle. Another home win there, combined with a loss from one of the other teams level on points with us, would see us five points clear of Seattle and six points clear of whoever else loses. Sure, this notional rival would have games in hand, but 5-6 points is a big psychological margin at this point of the season, maybe even a necessary one given that we'll have to watch from the sidelines next weekend...
Vamos United!
Talking Points?
* Fragile doesn't quite describe it. Holy crap were there gaps at the back! Gaps? More like yawning chasms. Of course, some of that was to be expected, given that we've got two starters on the shelf (Burch and Jakovic) and a third (James) who is raw and still new to the team. Burch missing doesn't hurt quite as much, given that Wallace (more later) and John can do the same reasonable impression of defense that Burch gets away with. But Jakovic is a huge loss. His calm on the ball, anticipation, reading of the game, and ability to clean up messes can't be replicated by whatever converted midfielder Tommy decides to throw at the problem. Thankfully, it looks like we may only have to survive the visit of Seattle without him (the Champions' League has long since been tossed under the bus), given that our next league match after this weekend will be the 27th versus the Quakes. That's right near the end of the 2-3 week recovery period. Here's hoping he makes a Simms-like recovery!
* Was that width I saw? Sure, the moments were few and far between, but there were a couple of instances of fullbacks overlapping the wide midfielders, highlighted by a dangerous chance from Wallace where he got in alone on goal. He didn't finish it, but the promise of his speed and energy were there for all to see. Now, if we could just land a coach who doesn't ruin young defenders...
* Diamonds are not Gomez' best friend? Where was he? I kept looking, but all of the attacking midfield action seemed to be dominated by Moreno dropping deep. It wasn't really much of a shock to see him come off at the half, but what you might not have noticed was that Gomez became immediately more involved once Tommy made a shift after the goal. He pulled Pontius inside to pair Simms in the center of midfield, pushed Moreno onto the right flank, and stuck Gomez up top, playing off of Emilio. Considering that the only moments where he did anything useful came as a support forward or on the couple of occasions where he dropped into a deeper midfield role, I wonder if we can just put the diamond midfield (at least with Gomez at the ponta de lança to bed? Pontius and Quaranta (and Fred for that matter) seem to thrive more when two holders allow them greater freedom to push forward on the wings. Given how effective Moreno was (and generally has been) in playing as a withdrawn forward and how much his ability to be composed on the ball gives us options going forward, I wonder if Tommy might just start rotating the two (Gomez and Moreno) in that role (works for me on Football Manager), although...
* The power of pairs. If you'll notice, we seem to have pairs of attackers who generally pick each other out fairly well and play off each other. Quaranta + Pontius is the most obvious example, though Gomez and Moreno combine pretty well too, and Fred and Emilio seem to have some sort of samba simpatico. The question becomes, how many of these pairs do we want to try to have on the field together? At the very least, thinking both of the future and the danger that energy and desire bring, I think we need to see Quaranta and Pontius together, preferably with one of them as a forward.
* Questions for Tommy. I know that Julius James was committing some dumb fouls in bad positions, but how does replacing him with Avery John fix that problem? Also, if you're complaining about defensive shape, how is the right plan to put two converted midfielders (I know McTavish is a hybrid, but he's more of a mid to my mind) in the center of defense with Wallace (energetic, but often a headless chicken) and Olsen (smart, but hobbled) for midfield cover? James may not have been ideal, but I don't think either of those changes created any significant change. If anything, we should be thankful that the 'Zards couldn't get their act together to finish us off.
* Your DP dollars at work. Sure, Emilio poached the one that got the job done, but did he do much of anything else besides miss on two late chances? Frankly, we need a forward who does more than just hang around waiting for chances to come his way. Even when Emilio bothers to make testing runs, he's not quick enough to unsettle defenses, pulling them deep to create room in the hole behind him where a supporting forward or midfielder can operate. Kinda makes you wonder what might have been if we hadn't lost the battle for Walter Martinez in the pre-season, eh? Maybe I don't like that he seems to dive and whine too much (for both Honduras and Marathon), but he does bring a willingness and energy to run as well as quickness and finishing ability. I just wonder what impact some of our more creative types (Gomez, Moreno, Quaranta) might have with a willing, active runner pulling defenses out of shape and eager to get on the end of through balls.
How about a steaming helping of quick hits?
* As soon as we got the goal, Tommy went 4-4-1-1, pulling Pontius inside to hold beside Simms. Then he pulled the halftime trigger once again, ensuring an even deeper central midfield pair by introducing Olsen. Any surprise we were being outshot nearly 2-to-1 by the hour mark? In our house? Against a team in relegation form?
* Moreno was the most active and dangerous of the initial attacking trio. Still, it was worrying to see some of his late petulance (kicking the ball out of play when he didn't get a foul call, leaping up to confront Myers after being taken down).
* We rode our luck. Hard. Lucky Arnaud couldn't finish. Lucky they couldn't find net on a couple of goal-mouth scrambles. Lucky Vaughn kept his whistle quiet on some questionable contacts in the box. Lucky Gomez went off injured for them as Myers couldn't match his production. Lucky all around.
* Wicks spills too many long shots and spills them into dangerous areas. Would you protect him from the expansion draft? I wouldn't.
* There were one or two moments when we showed flashes of quality. Those moments were either the result of overlapping fullbacks or when the front four went fluid, interchanging positions and hitting one-touch stuff while one of the holding mids made a run from deep.
So let's count our blessings and see what the weekend brings. Despite having gotten lucky here, we did get three points, putting down an important marker that our rivals for those final playoff spots must match this weekend. We have the added benefit (though our fitness will be taxed) of getting another chance at Seattle. Another home win there, combined with a loss from one of the other teams level on points with us, would see us five points clear of Seattle and six points clear of whoever else loses. Sure, this notional rival would have games in hand, but 5-6 points is a big psychological margin at this point of the season, maybe even a necessary one given that we'll have to watch from the sidelines next weekend...
Vamos United!
Sports Illustrated Hates Soccer!
Or maybe they can just plead ignorance? Perhaps they'll have changed it by now, so I grabbed a screenshot from Grant Wahl's recap just in case. Quick! What's wrong with this picture? Or rather, the caption...
Whoops! Heck, the .jpg is even named "ricardo-clark.jpg." Sad...
Whoops! Heck, the .jpg is even named "ricardo-clark.jpg." Sad...
Six Shooter, No Bullets | a USA Match Reaction
Bob's batting a thousand in this round, even if both hits were little squibs that dribbled up the line and looked more like bunts. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Bob'll get us to South Africa, but it's what we do once we're there that worries me. Despite squeaking to a narrow 1-0 victory, I suppose we have to bear in mind that road teams haven't exactly fared well in the Hex. Any talking points?
* Faith repaid. I'm assuming that Bob picked Clark for this match because his physicality and energy were a better match for the opposition than Feilhaber's calm and technique. Who knows, maybe the climactic difference between Houston and Denmark played a role as well? I'm sure he wasn't thinking that Clark was the better option because he can strike them from range (something Feilhaber is fairly adept at himself--see the Gold Cup, circa 2007), but strike Rico did. Full credit also has to go to Donovan, who showed admirable patience to eschew the early crossing opportunity to wait for the better chance. Consider the number of crosses the T&T defense had absorbed with a smile and a "thank you sir, may I have another?" Weren't Livorno linked with this pair in the wake of the Confed Cup? Whatever the case, chalk one up in the "Clark" column when it comes to the battle royale for central midfield spots in South Africa. You've got to figure Junior is already on the list, but Clark and Feilhaber have both been regulars as well. And what happens when Jones gets the inevitable call after he recovers from injury? What about Mo Edu?
* The Dempsey Dilemma. He's clearly one of the most talented players in the pool, but Harkes was right...for once. Dempsey was dogging it. His defensive effort consisted mostly of jogging about and looking bored, while his attacking contribution was limited to ill-advised passes and cheap giveaways. In fact, it looked a lot like his pathetic play in the early Confed Cup losses. I even wondered if perhaps the Texas boy was wilting in the heat. But then Bob pushed him up top, and miracle of miracles, the effort was suddenly there. Does Dempsey just not like playing midfield for the Nats? Does he think he's too bright of a star to be shoved into midfield? Whatever the case, it's a worrying trend. One that has me wondering if we should try a right-sided midfield who helps out on defense and can hit a pretty decent cross to boot. Holden, anyone?
* Re-Bornstein? Despite some worrying moments in the early going that had me questioning Bob's sanity in playing the kid again, and few more late flubs, Bornstein wasn't the odd man out this time around. The defensive effort was better (though that can be said of the entire back line), and he offered a few glimpses going forward of where his real promise lies (as an attacking fullback). The question now becomes: is that enough to hold back Castillo (another attacking left back) when Bob decides to have a look at the kid? Ah, who am I kidding? Bornstein is one of Bob's "guys." His name is probably already inked on the South Africa team sheet, and Castillo won't even get a look in the annual "Scandanavian Scrub Challenge" in January.
Quick hits?
* One of my big complaints against El Salvador was that we didn't value the ball when we had the lead in the late going. It was a much different story this time around, with keeping possession clearly the focus once we had the lead.
* Timmy may just be the biggest difference in boosting this team above mediocrity. Time and again, his excellent positioning meant he didn't need to make the spectacular save, though he did have that in his locker when called upon.
* We're lucky that T&T lacked sharpness in front of goal and on the final pass, or we could have been looking at an early hole of considerable size. As it stands, we're damned lucky as well that nobody in a red shirt but Cornell Glen and Carlos Edwards seemed to think they could win this game. I wonder if I even spotted a little frustration on the face of Edwards that his team weren't more committed.
* He's getting better, but there were still a couple of occasions when Davies put the blinders on and went for goal, regardless of whether there were better options.
* Despite his lack of speed, Ching is a good option to have when you're playing on the counter with a lead. He holds the ball well and combines effectively with quicker runners around him. I'm not saying I'd want him in as a starter, but he's got uses still.
So, six points from six on offer, and the pressure is somewhat off for the trip to Honduras. A draw from one of these matches would almost certainly have required a result in that match. Fortunately, we can now play with a little more freedom and less fear. Of course, I realize the irony in claiming this of a Bob Bradley team, but hope springs eternal, neh? Now I'm off to pull for a Honduras-Mexico draw and an El Salvador win over Costa Rica...
* Faith repaid. I'm assuming that Bob picked Clark for this match because his physicality and energy were a better match for the opposition than Feilhaber's calm and technique. Who knows, maybe the climactic difference between Houston and Denmark played a role as well? I'm sure he wasn't thinking that Clark was the better option because he can strike them from range (something Feilhaber is fairly adept at himself--see the Gold Cup, circa 2007), but strike Rico did. Full credit also has to go to Donovan, who showed admirable patience to eschew the early crossing opportunity to wait for the better chance. Consider the number of crosses the T&T defense had absorbed with a smile and a "thank you sir, may I have another?" Weren't Livorno linked with this pair in the wake of the Confed Cup? Whatever the case, chalk one up in the "Clark" column when it comes to the battle royale for central midfield spots in South Africa. You've got to figure Junior is already on the list, but Clark and Feilhaber have both been regulars as well. And what happens when Jones gets the inevitable call after he recovers from injury? What about Mo Edu?
* The Dempsey Dilemma. He's clearly one of the most talented players in the pool, but Harkes was right...for once. Dempsey was dogging it. His defensive effort consisted mostly of jogging about and looking bored, while his attacking contribution was limited to ill-advised passes and cheap giveaways. In fact, it looked a lot like his pathetic play in the early Confed Cup losses. I even wondered if perhaps the Texas boy was wilting in the heat. But then Bob pushed him up top, and miracle of miracles, the effort was suddenly there. Does Dempsey just not like playing midfield for the Nats? Does he think he's too bright of a star to be shoved into midfield? Whatever the case, it's a worrying trend. One that has me wondering if we should try a right-sided midfield who helps out on defense and can hit a pretty decent cross to boot. Holden, anyone?
* Re-Bornstein? Despite some worrying moments in the early going that had me questioning Bob's sanity in playing the kid again, and few more late flubs, Bornstein wasn't the odd man out this time around. The defensive effort was better (though that can be said of the entire back line), and he offered a few glimpses going forward of where his real promise lies (as an attacking fullback). The question now becomes: is that enough to hold back Castillo (another attacking left back) when Bob decides to have a look at the kid? Ah, who am I kidding? Bornstein is one of Bob's "guys." His name is probably already inked on the South Africa team sheet, and Castillo won't even get a look in the annual "Scandanavian Scrub Challenge" in January.
Quick hits?
* One of my big complaints against El Salvador was that we didn't value the ball when we had the lead in the late going. It was a much different story this time around, with keeping possession clearly the focus once we had the lead.
* Timmy may just be the biggest difference in boosting this team above mediocrity. Time and again, his excellent positioning meant he didn't need to make the spectacular save, though he did have that in his locker when called upon.
* We're lucky that T&T lacked sharpness in front of goal and on the final pass, or we could have been looking at an early hole of considerable size. As it stands, we're damned lucky as well that nobody in a red shirt but Cornell Glen and Carlos Edwards seemed to think they could win this game. I wonder if I even spotted a little frustration on the face of Edwards that his team weren't more committed.
* He's getting better, but there were still a couple of occasions when Davies put the blinders on and went for goal, regardless of whether there were better options.
* Despite his lack of speed, Ching is a good option to have when you're playing on the counter with a lead. He holds the ball well and combines effectively with quicker runners around him. I'm not saying I'd want him in as a starter, but he's got uses still.
So, six points from six on offer, and the pressure is somewhat off for the trip to Honduras. A draw from one of these matches would almost certainly have required a result in that match. Fortunately, we can now play with a little more freedom and less fear. Of course, I realize the irony in claiming this of a Bob Bradley team, but hope springs eternal, neh? Now I'm off to pull for a Honduras-Mexico draw and an El Salvador win over Costa Rica...
MLS Table Talk | Pre-Playoff Prattle
Soon enough now, we'll be transitioning from Table Talking to Playoff Prattling, but since we had a mini-week in MLS this time around, with only three matches on the docket, let's focus the entirety of the post on the playoff picture this week...
Yes, the top four look pretty secure for post-season places, but does that mean that they've snapped up the four "automatic" bids? Not yet. Check out how many games Houston has played. 25? Now look at some of the chasing pack. The Rapids are just four points back with two games in hand. The Revs and Chivas are seven points back with three games in hand. True, the Parity Police dictate the unlikelihood of anybody winning all of their games in hand, but it does make those "automatic" slots look a bit less secure doesn't it? In fact, with the top ten in the league all squeezed into a seven point range, nobody is entirely safe at this point.
What we can be pretty certain about is that the bottom four won't be making the post-season this time around. Even if they win their games in hand, they still have serious ground to make up on those currently sitting in post-season spots. The one exception? Perhaps the 'Zards, who, if they win both games in hand, will be on 30 points, just one result (three points) off the pace. That still reeks of "major stretch of the imagination" though. Toronto are the team in no-man's land, despite being just two points out of a playoff spot. The problem? They need to win and to have three of four other teams lose, including a couple that have to lose three games by virtue of games in hand, before the Reds are back in the frame. Not impossible, but not good odds either.
So what conclusions can we draw here?
- The Dynamo, Galaxy, and Rapids are fighting for the two automatic bids in the West. Yes, technically the Sounders are still in that fight as well, and if Chivas win their games in hand, they might have something to say, but LA and the Rapids are hot. The Sounders and Chivas? Not so much. In fact, the Dynamo aren't faring so well either of late, though it would be hard to pick against Kinnear getting the ship righted long enough to chart a course to the playoffs. But is the CONCACAF Champions' League just a bridge too far? Did it have an impact in their early playoff exit last year as well?
- While the Crew and Fire look pretty good for the top two spots in the East, the Revs may still play the spoiler. Unfortunately for Nicol, a victory this weekend against KC would have left his boys just two points back of the Fire with two games in hand. That failure leaves them treading water at the edge of playoff qualification. Sure, their games in hand should see them through, but stranger things have happened...
- With those five (the top two in the East and top three in the West) looking fairly comfortable, let's turn our gaze to the big battle for the remaining three spots. As I said above, I think we can leave the bottom four out of this discussion. That leaves six sides fighting for three spots. Five of the clubs are separated by just one point, and the odd man out, TFC, doesn't have any games in hand on its rivals. That marks them, to me, as the least likely to qualify. After that, you've got to say that the two teams with two games in hand on the rest of the field, Chivas and the Revs, probably have the best shot at making the post season. that leaves just one spot available for three claimants, all of whom are level on games played, with the Sounders having a slim, one-point lead. Based on current form, you've got to think that RSL might be the pick of this particular litter, but they also have a tendency towards the dramatic collapse and can't seem to maintain any sort of consistency. Seattle? They've got a strong, experienced coach and a good starting eleven, but Expansion Fever is sinking its nasty fangs into their flank at just the wrong time. And DC United? Great playing pedigree, but they're old, banged up, and fighting on two fronts. It might just boil down to who performs the best damage limitation.
Programming Note
Due to only three matches being played in MLS this weekend (is limited conflict with international dates the first step?), I'm going to skip the Dogpile column this week. I'm making adjustments to the rankings, but don't feel there was enough action, and consequent ranking changes, to justify a post. That said, the results did have an interesting effect on the table and the playoff permutations, so a Table Talk column is in the offing.
See you then.
See you then.
Makes You Wonder...
Kinda makes you wonder why 'Arry is so fixed on getting a Croatian to replace the downed Modric. Seems like he's got a damned good wide attacking midfielder buried in the depths of his roster in Dos Santos, doesn't it? Hmmm.
The Stench of Testicular Failure | a DC United Match Reaction
Not the prettiest image invoked by the title, I'll agree, but then that's appropriate to the way United finished this match, isn't it? I suppose you could argue that Dallas were at home (in front of their fan--no, I didn't miss a plural) and that they were even more desperate than we are for a result, but pardon me for expecting a little more ambition against one of the lesser sides of MLS when we're up a man.
Tommy's in-match interview laid all the cards on the table, preaching patience and caution. Yes, maybe we come up a point shy at the end of the season if we grow a pair and go for the win only to get caught on the break. But it's also equally likely that we still miss out by a point or two by virtue of not having obtained all three playing up a man for half an hour. How much will we rue not going for the jugular then? Managers so afraid to lose games that they don't try for victory are at the root of the cynicism in the modern game, and Tommy's no exception to the trend. Too bad.
Line up the talking points...
* Still rough sketches of a brighter future. Pontius runs hard and fights for the high balls, but his movement off the ball isn't quite there yet. Quaranta needs just a touch more patience on the ball. Wallace has energy and athleticism to burn, but needs to clean up the first touch a bit and bring a little calm to his possession (and finishing!). And Julius James...ah, now there's a light obscured by the shrubbery. In this match, he proved that he's not useless with his feet and prefers to find a teammate rather than booting clearances. That's good. As is his raw athleticism. Unfortunately, his poor decisions played a large part in both goals as he missed a headed back-pass and headed clearance to allow Dallas attackers in on goal. Still, he did manage to clean up a fair few messes as well, and I think he's got long-term promise beside Jakovic.
* Is Janicki still on the roster? Ouch. First Soehn would rather go with three at the back rather than play him in a four against a team that obviously should have been defended against with four (Seattle). Then he gets bumped in this match for a central midfielder to play in defense. Makes you wonder why he's still clogging up a senior roster spot, doesn't it? I can only assume that he's emergency cover while Jakovic recovers from surgery. The question is whether he survives the return of N'Silu (meh, it's a wash either way) and Khumalo (ruh-roh, Greg!). But that raises another question as well, doesn't it? Why didn't Simms pair Jakovic in a back four in the Open Cup final considering Seattle basically ran out the same sort of attack Dallas did, only with more quickness on the wings? Hmmm. You wanna field that one, Tommy?
* Speaking of the boss-man. I though he made the absolute right decision in getting Moreno on for McTavish. I think he probably could have waited until the half, but credit to him for seeing the problem and making the call. We were chasing entirely too much, mostly because we lacked patience in possession ourselves. The introduction of Moreno did go some way to ameliorating the problem. Another issue that was somewhat addressed by the change is that we weren't putting enough pressure offensively on their fullbacks, allowing them to get forward with impunity. Putting Tino wide on the right forced the Dallas left back to stay home a bit more, because Tino's first instinct was to get forward, something that couldn't be said of McTavish. This is where it would be useful to address the need for attacking flank players with speed in the off-season. Keeping the opposition fullbacks from advancing into midfield means our fewer numbers there (after shifting from 3-5-2/3-6-1 to 4-4-2/4-4-1-1) will not be missed so much. Of course, having said Tommy was absolutely correct to make the early swap for Jaime, you've got to wonder what he sees in Fred. Turnover machine. Doesn't stay wide. Seizes up in and around the box.
* Better energy up top. Sure, we were getting caught offsides an awful lot in this match, but so what? The fact that we were getting caught shows that we were actually making attacking runs into the spaces behind the defense, something we rarely do with Emilio up top in the 3-6-1. You saw it when he came on in the late going as well. Too many broken-off runs ending in seemingly aimless through balls. Not enough hard running to drag defenders and clear the traffic in the central areas ahead of their defense. Hell, look how often Wallace was making testing runs down the left flank in his limited minutes out there. Sure seemed a whole lot more useful than Fred's constant cutting inside (only to pass the ball to the opposition) or standing about waiting for the ball.
* It's a shame about Burch. Would that he had some other quality as a player other than his left leg, because it is a pretty useful left leg, particularly when shooting from distance and on set pieces. His raking cross-field balls also occasionally provide moments of danger, though too often they are intercepted or drift long. The problem is that his defensive positioning, marking, one-on-one defense, and closing down of crossers (and shooters!) are all substandard. Much as I complain about Fred, he was tracking back to close down the wide attackers that Burch couldn't seem to make his mind up about. Perhaps as he gets used to having two center backs for cover, he'll start to step out more and apply the necessary pressure. Then I won't have to resort to shouting "close him down, you miserable sack of...!" at my screen...
* Testicular Failure. Having said all of that, much of my frustration from the match has to be directed at Tommy. After watching the US struggle across the finish line last night, it was "double the frustration" with Tommy doing much the same with United. For crap's sake! You have a man advantage and are in the tightest of races for the post-season. You're playing against one of the quartet of sides completely detached from the rest of the league. Show a little ambition, man! Instead, fear of losing, as it does so often, won out over the joy of attacking and taking the game to the opposition. We spent far too much time under pressure from 10-man Dallas, content as we were to pack the midfield and keep numbers behind the ball. Woe unto the lone aesthetic idealist in a field of pragmatic cowards!
So we've emerged from a weekend of fairly light action level on points with the Revs, RSL, and Chivas, though Chivas and the Revs both have two games in hand on us. That means we're right on the border between playoff bliss and post-season blues. Unfortunately, the only tie-breaker that goes in our favor is goal difference versus the Goats, leaving us in that dreaded #9 spot. Which makes it that much more annoying that three points would have put us in sixth, two points clear of qualification and just three back of the Fire, who currently hold the #2 automatic qualifying spot in the East and have played the same number of games as we have. Such are the swings that the Parity Police dictate. With the help of a failure of ambition...
Tommy's in-match interview laid all the cards on the table, preaching patience and caution. Yes, maybe we come up a point shy at the end of the season if we grow a pair and go for the win only to get caught on the break. But it's also equally likely that we still miss out by a point or two by virtue of not having obtained all three playing up a man for half an hour. How much will we rue not going for the jugular then? Managers so afraid to lose games that they don't try for victory are at the root of the cynicism in the modern game, and Tommy's no exception to the trend. Too bad.
Line up the talking points...
* Still rough sketches of a brighter future. Pontius runs hard and fights for the high balls, but his movement off the ball isn't quite there yet. Quaranta needs just a touch more patience on the ball. Wallace has energy and athleticism to burn, but needs to clean up the first touch a bit and bring a little calm to his possession (and finishing!). And Julius James...ah, now there's a light obscured by the shrubbery. In this match, he proved that he's not useless with his feet and prefers to find a teammate rather than booting clearances. That's good. As is his raw athleticism. Unfortunately, his poor decisions played a large part in both goals as he missed a headed back-pass and headed clearance to allow Dallas attackers in on goal. Still, he did manage to clean up a fair few messes as well, and I think he's got long-term promise beside Jakovic.
* Is Janicki still on the roster? Ouch. First Soehn would rather go with three at the back rather than play him in a four against a team that obviously should have been defended against with four (Seattle). Then he gets bumped in this match for a central midfielder to play in defense. Makes you wonder why he's still clogging up a senior roster spot, doesn't it? I can only assume that he's emergency cover while Jakovic recovers from surgery. The question is whether he survives the return of N'Silu (meh, it's a wash either way) and Khumalo (ruh-roh, Greg!). But that raises another question as well, doesn't it? Why didn't Simms pair Jakovic in a back four in the Open Cup final considering Seattle basically ran out the same sort of attack Dallas did, only with more quickness on the wings? Hmmm. You wanna field that one, Tommy?
* Speaking of the boss-man. I though he made the absolute right decision in getting Moreno on for McTavish. I think he probably could have waited until the half, but credit to him for seeing the problem and making the call. We were chasing entirely too much, mostly because we lacked patience in possession ourselves. The introduction of Moreno did go some way to ameliorating the problem. Another issue that was somewhat addressed by the change is that we weren't putting enough pressure offensively on their fullbacks, allowing them to get forward with impunity. Putting Tino wide on the right forced the Dallas left back to stay home a bit more, because Tino's first instinct was to get forward, something that couldn't be said of McTavish. This is where it would be useful to address the need for attacking flank players with speed in the off-season. Keeping the opposition fullbacks from advancing into midfield means our fewer numbers there (after shifting from 3-5-2/3-6-1 to 4-4-2/4-4-1-1) will not be missed so much. Of course, having said Tommy was absolutely correct to make the early swap for Jaime, you've got to wonder what he sees in Fred. Turnover machine. Doesn't stay wide. Seizes up in and around the box.
* Better energy up top. Sure, we were getting caught offsides an awful lot in this match, but so what? The fact that we were getting caught shows that we were actually making attacking runs into the spaces behind the defense, something we rarely do with Emilio up top in the 3-6-1. You saw it when he came on in the late going as well. Too many broken-off runs ending in seemingly aimless through balls. Not enough hard running to drag defenders and clear the traffic in the central areas ahead of their defense. Hell, look how often Wallace was making testing runs down the left flank in his limited minutes out there. Sure seemed a whole lot more useful than Fred's constant cutting inside (only to pass the ball to the opposition) or standing about waiting for the ball.
* It's a shame about Burch. Would that he had some other quality as a player other than his left leg, because it is a pretty useful left leg, particularly when shooting from distance and on set pieces. His raking cross-field balls also occasionally provide moments of danger, though too often they are intercepted or drift long. The problem is that his defensive positioning, marking, one-on-one defense, and closing down of crossers (and shooters!) are all substandard. Much as I complain about Fred, he was tracking back to close down the wide attackers that Burch couldn't seem to make his mind up about. Perhaps as he gets used to having two center backs for cover, he'll start to step out more and apply the necessary pressure. Then I won't have to resort to shouting "close him down, you miserable sack of...!" at my screen...
* Testicular Failure. Having said all of that, much of my frustration from the match has to be directed at Tommy. After watching the US struggle across the finish line last night, it was "double the frustration" with Tommy doing much the same with United. For crap's sake! You have a man advantage and are in the tightest of races for the post-season. You're playing against one of the quartet of sides completely detached from the rest of the league. Show a little ambition, man! Instead, fear of losing, as it does so often, won out over the joy of attacking and taking the game to the opposition. We spent far too much time under pressure from 10-man Dallas, content as we were to pack the midfield and keep numbers behind the ball. Woe unto the lone aesthetic idealist in a field of pragmatic cowards!
So we've emerged from a weekend of fairly light action level on points with the Revs, RSL, and Chivas, though Chivas and the Revs both have two games in hand on us. That means we're right on the border between playoff bliss and post-season blues. Unfortunately, the only tie-breaker that goes in our favor is goal difference versus the Goats, leaving us in that dreaded #9 spot. Which makes it that much more annoying that three points would have put us in sixth, two points clear of qualification and just three back of the Fire, who currently hold the #2 automatic qualifying spot in the East and have played the same number of games as we have. Such are the swings that the Parity Police dictate. With the help of a failure of ambition...
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