MLS Table Talk | All About Positioning

So what do we classify as the "home stretch"? Last third? Last quarter? I'll go out on a limb of my own creation and say it's all about the last five games, because, let's face it, the MLS regular season is all about finishing in the top half of the league so you can go to the post season. Until the Supporters' Shield carries more than Champions' League qualification (because MLS teams value that competition soooo much...), it's all about positioning and timing your peak form. And what do those positions look like this week?

The Dynamo have been (as leaders always seem to be in MLS) reeled back in by the pack. They hold a slender two point margin over the Crew and a three point edge over the Sounders and Fire, but the real news is how packed together those top nine are. Just six points (two games!) separate the Dynamo in first from non-playoff TFC in ninth. And TFC themselves are in the sights of RSL and the Revs, who both sit just three points back with games in hand. The Wiz are perilously close to losing touch with the playoff battle, and Dallas need a miracle to get back into the fight. The Quakes and Bulls? Dead and deader.

• The points per game table echoes the actual points table, with the top eight sides arrayed from the Dynamo (at 1.7 points per game) to a trio of teams at 1.5 ppg. Once again, TFC, RSL, and the Revs are hovering around the fringes at 1.3-1.4 ppg, KC is in no-man's land at 1.2 ppg, and Dallas (0.9 ppg), the Quakes (0.8 ppg), and the Bulls (0.5 ppg--are you kidding me?) are out in the cold.
  
• DC United, the Rapids, and RSL are your joint leaders in the goal-scoring sweepstakes (1.6 goals per game) followed closely by the Crew (1.5 gpg). The Red Bulls, of course, continue to set the record for futility, netting at half the rate (0.8 gpg) of the leaders.
• Despite their setback this week, the Dynamo still set the pace for defensive solidity with just 0.7 goals allowed per game. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the three in the "relegation" places, Dallas (1.7 apg), the Red Bulls (1.8apg), and the Quakes (1.9 apg).
• Goal difference paints a pretty stark picture this week. All eight of the playoff sides boast goal differentials of +3 or better, with the expansion Sounders leading the way at +10. Of the seven non-playoff sides, only two have positive goal differentials, and only one of those is above the magic +3 barrier (RSL at +5).
  

All signs are go for an exciting photo-finish to the season, though maybe it might be more intriguing if we had 8-9 sides fighting for first rather than 11-12 sides fighting for 8 playoff spots. Thoughts?

A Poor Effort From Distance | a DC United Match Reaction

This won't take long. I'll put in about the time that Tommy did for his team selection. Remind me again about the FO's commitment to international competition. Aren't they always claiming that we "need" to be involved in these types of tournaments? So what the hell were we doing throwing our Open Cup roster out there, punting so we don't have to deal with the group stages in the fall? Some fodder for discussion...

* Anybody else getting flashbacks to the bad old days of 2008 in this one? Did Janicki's putzing about and delivering the goal to Firpo on a silver platter not have a touch of Martinez' "overplaying" in defense about it? How many of you watched Kocic mishandling a variety of shots and thought, "hey, when did Zach Wells re-sign for United?" And Peralta's got nothing on Avery John when it comes to resorting to the long dump over the top when he can't connect a simple 10-yard pass. As for disappearing #10's...I won't even go there.

* Clear the damn ball! Honestly, I can understand if the message was, "play possession, don't give it away needlessly." But once you've been burned once for trying to be cute at the back, don't you think tempting fate should be out of the question? I've often forgiven Jakovic for this behavior because he's so rarely punished and his technique is decent, but god, if the rest of the defense is trying to emulate him, we're in for a world of hurt.

Quick hits?

* I wonder if N'Silu's early exit was planned, because he was actually hustling for his 40 minutes.

* Why was Szetela wide with DiRaimondo in the middle for most of the match? Isn't DiRaimondo a wide player, and doesn't Szetela bring more to the party from a distribution standpoint?

* We were lucky to get that ref. Sure, he called things a little tight, but he also wasn't the typical maniac with cards that you usually get from CONCACAF.

* Defensive help, please? That open senior roster spot beckons. Time to fill it.

See? Told you I'd be brief. The worry for next week, of course, is that away goals leave us needing to win or grab a scoring draw. Either way, we need to create goals. And that doesn't even take into account that we might not be so lucky with cards or PK's next time around. Here's hoping we get more space to play and that somebody has a word with Tommy about running out a stronger lineup. I wouldn't have minded trotting out some second-stringers if the road leg was first, but we've just placed all of our eggs in one uncertain, Central American basket.

SAT Prep Question

Mexico's B+ squad is to the USA's B- squad as...

A. Transformers are to Gobots.
B. Liverpool is to Singapore.
C. MacBook Pro is to OLPC.
D. US military spending is to education spending.

MLS Dogpile | Meet the New Boss

Wow. Just wait till you see the state of the single table when MLS Table Talk goes live later this week. Suffice it to say, it's congested. But what else can you expect when many of the sides chasing playoff spots grabbed wins while most of those in the top half of the table drew or lost? Having suffered the roster vampirism of the Gold Cup and having been through our latest round of key long-term injuries, it's now time for the playoff fight to begin in earnest. New signings are aboard, adjustments are being made to compensate for lost starters, and the top nine sides in the league are within 6 points (2 wins) of each other. So let's take a scenic visit to the top of the Pile...

The Alpha Dog

1. +3 Columbus Crew (WDDWW)
Let's all welcome the new top dogs. Sure it took them till the last gasp, but they managed to win without the heart of their defense (Marshall) and missing huge chunks of their attack (Rogers, Schelotto, Moreno). You see, here's the difference between a team with a killer instinct and the rest of the chasing pack that all failed to move closer to Houston by virtue of their assorted draws.
Next: Rapids (Away)


The Playoff Pack

2. Seattle Sounders (DDWWD)
Still not losing matches, but the Sounders miss a golden chance to catch the floundering Dynamo before Ching and Holden get back in the saddle. The draw with Chicago was further marred by Ljungberg's red card. And what about those rumors of Montero heading for London? Worrying times for Sigi, but the picture is much rosier than other expansion sides have had of late.
Next: Quakes (Away)

3. -2 Houston Dynamo (LWLDL)
Well, there went the last straw, Houston. A 1-0 home loss to a non-playoff (at the moment) side gets you finally toppled from the top of the Pile despite most of last weeks' top challengers getting draws this week. Of course, Houston will now get Ching and Holden back from Gold Cup duty, but you have to wonder if they might return just in time to wave bye-bye to Rico Clark. Trouble's brewing in Orange-land. Fortunately, DC United is coming to town, and they've looked pretty lame on the road recently.
Next: DC United (Home)

4. +1 Chicago Fire (LLWDW)
A credible point on the road sees the Fire continuing to hang out near the top of the standings. But how long until they start missing McBride's presence? And will they be able to hold onto Soumare through the transfer window?
Next: RSL (Home)

5. -2 DC United (DLDWD)
Ouch. After going up 2-0, United only finish with a point against the worst team in the West. Sure, United were in control for half an hour, but that next hour saw them look decidedly second best. Not the best way to start a long road tour. Next stop? Houston.
Next: Dynamo (Away)

6. +1 Los Angeles Galaxy (WWWWD)
Back to reality with a tough road draw, though Donovan looks like a man possessed. Does anybody else get the feeling that he knows he's gone after this season and has made a commitment to stamp his mark all over the league before he goes? Another question. How did they manage to fit Becks' ego in that little ballpark? No matter, a little friendly with some side called Barcelona next week will give him a chance to preen.
Next: bye

7. +1 Colorado Rapids (LLWLW)
Nothin' like a little home cooking at altitude with the Red Bulls coming into town to boost the old goal difference, eh? Despite having fallen to fifth in the conference, the Rapids have grabbed ahold of the final playoff spot for the time being. Can they hold onto it with the cardiac Crew coming to town?
Next: Crew (Home)

8. -2 Toronto FC (WLWDL)
So, so close. TFC were well on track to beat Columbus on the road, but in the end, the defensive frailties that have haunted them all season got the better of them. Gerba marked his debut with a goal in a promising development for TFC, but all the offense in the world isn't going to help if they continue to ship goals at a rate that challenges the bottom three in the league.
Next: Revolution (Away)

Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. +2 New England Revolution (LLDWW)
The Revs thrust one decaying claw out of the grave with a big road win against the top team in the league. Could there be life in Nicol's battered beast yet? Next weekends' scrap with TFC could go a long way toward determining who the #4 side in the East will be, an all important distinction as it looks like the East will probably have four playoff sides at the most.
Next: TFC (Home)

10. -1 Chivas USA (WLLLL)
Poor Chivas. Idle this week. Idle the next. By the time they get back into league action, they'll probably have completed their precipitous fall from the top and be on the outside of the playoffs looking in.
Next: bye

11. +1 Real Salt Lake (DWDLW)
Talk about last gasp! Despite going into the break down 0-2, RSL claw their way back and add some insurance as well to grab a 4-2 victory that keeps them hovering right at the fringes of the playoff battle. Having gotten Johnson back from Gold Cup duty, an even more key midfield cog will be returning in the form of Beckerman next week. And RSL will need all the help they can get against the Fire.
Next: Fire (Away)

12. -2 Kansas City Wizards (LWLDD)
Claudio Lopez dials in a certain goal of the week with a half-field blast that Becks, famed for such a feat himself, might have appreciated from a few yards away. Still, the Wiz couldn't manage to grab all three points at home and are threatening to lose touch with the playoff contenders. A victory against Dallas next week is a necessity if they want to keep pace.
Next: FC Dallas (Away)

13. FC Dallas (WDWLL)
Can we upgrade the status on the Hyndman death watch yet? Dallas were just a half away from confirming that they might still have a shot at the post season. But 45 minutes and 4 goals later, they're left making vacation plans. 10 points out with 12 games to go? Do you believe in miracles? Well, maybe...but not in Dallas.
Next: KC Wizards (Home)

14. San Jose Earthquakes (WDLLD)
A spirited fight-back nets the Quakes a point. Sadly, that only takes them to 14 from 18 games and leaves them well shy of playoff qualification, 13 points adrift with 12 games to go. Who wants a roster spot next year? Better keep fighting.
Next: Sounders (Home)

15. New York Red Bulls (LLLLL)
Just when things just can't seem to get any worse for the Red Bulls, they do, to the tune of 4-0. An astonishing 15 losses in 21 games and a woeful -21 goal difference really begs the question: how does Osorio still have a job? Anybody think they qualify for the Champions' League proper over the next couple of weeks? They'd better, cause they have precious little else to play for this season.
Next: bye

Second Half Collapse | a USA Match Reaction

The second halves of cup finals have not been kind to the United States in the last couple of months (How's that for understatement of the year?). After having the better of the play in the first half, and the first 10 minutes of the second half, it all fell apart for the US in cataclysmic fashion. And why did it? I'm going to try to be dispassionate here while hiding the razor blades and wondering how long it will take until we live this one down...

* Let's get physical. The US's game was reliant on staying compact and playing fast and physical. Which worked for about an hour. That's when fatigue started to kick in. The midfield and defense started getting dragged apart and Vela and Dos Santos started running amok in the gaps. When the play was compact (much like the US vs. Brazil in the Confed Cup), the Mexicans were forced to lump in the direct balls and crosses only for Marshall and Goodson to stand strong and tall against small, quick attackers with no room to operate in. When the midfield was pulled away from the defense and the fullbacks were stretched wide, Goodson and Marshall were exposed for what they are. Big, slow center backs.

* Can't capitalize. The US had the ball in dangerous areas. They had chances at goal. But they couldn't hit the final ball consistently, and when they did, the receiver either didn't know what to do with the ball or scuffed the opportunity. Neither of the US forwards was a pure goal scorer, and the primary goal threat for the US was probably always going to be the man charged with creating the goals as well, Stuart Holden. Tough to do both. Sadly, the other avenue to goal, the one that we've always been reliant upon, set pieces, were completely wasted.

* Psychology 101. This one was a two-edged sword. The doubts had to be surging in Mexican minds. The US has been working some major mind-voodoo on the Mexicans for years now, and with a clearly second (or possible third) choice US roster controlling the majority of play in the opening half against what was probably a half A, half B side for Mexico, you have to wonder what was going through Mexican minds. But when that PK went in, the belief had to be surging. On the US side, on a team without many caps, you always had to question their resilience. It's one thing to come from behind in the group stage against Haiti, or against Panama in the quarterfinal, but in a cup final against the arch-rivals in a hostile atmosphere? Who do you look to on this roster to be the veteran heart of the team. Ching? Pearce? Hmmm.

* Ch-ch-ch-changes. Aguirre and Mexico made them. Bob and the US didn't. Where have we seen this story before? All too often this has been a trend in Bob's teams. I'm not going to go on an anti-Bob rant, but let's just say I have some questions regarding his tactical decisions...

...You know what? I can't do this any more. I'm trying to be analytical, but all I can feel is that big hollow pain in my gut. I know this was a "learning experience" roster, and I was proud, and a bit surprised, that this group made it all the way to the final. That said, I could have stomached 2-0, probably even 3-0. But 5-0? That's flat out embarrassing for anybody representing the US. So I'm just going to wrap this up with a final thought and then go get some ice cream or something to try and put things in perspective...

You can bitch all you like about Campbell's questionable call for the opening PK, but after the first few minutes of the second half, you could feel the match starting to slip away from the US. Maybe it wouldn't have exploded quite so dramatically in Mexico's favor without that PK, but I think it would be hard to imagine the US winning this game anyway with the way the second half was starting to turn.

Ugh to the Nth power.

Putting the Knife Away | a DC United Match Reaction

Sure, United's quick jump to 2-0 on the road against the Quakes had more than a whiff of good fortune surrounding it. A soft penalty call. A generous deflection into the path of a waiting finisher. But that fortune was self-made. From the first whistle, United were playing calm, controlled stuff, spreading the play, and putting the ball into dangerous areas. By comparison, the Quakes were a disjointed mess, their few chances coming from quick balls to aggressive, athletic runners rather than the result of any coherent buildup.

But then, perhaps as a result of not really believing in the lead they had amassed, United let San Jose back into things, with a flurry of corners leading to a deflected cross that took a flick and found a willing foot to finish it. This is where you break out the "most dangerous lead in soccer" stuff and witness the accompanying change of fortunes and momentum with a jaded eye, right? But that ignores the chances United had to find a third. That ignores the fact that San Jose are nearly a broken team, wallowing at the foot of the Western Conference with a defense held together with chewing gum and paperclips. They had nothing resembling confidence and appeared to be resigned to their fate. So what went wrong..?

* Fred the wastrel. How many times did the ball find Fred in acres of open space on the flank approaching the box? It was happening with alarming frequency (for the Quakes anyway) in the first half and even happened a few times in the lackluster second. But in these dangrous moments, Fred more often than not elected to pause, either to set up a dribbling run, wait for a runner to go into space ahead of him, or play it backward. If his first touch is more aggressive, you've got to figure that, at the very least, he pulls defenders away from the middle to free up runners for a cross, or, more likely, gets a chance on goal himself. Of course, it takes a player better than your average MLS bear to take advantage of these types of situations with technique and quickness, both of throught and foot. Is your average MLS wide midfielder so blessed? Not always, but when you're pulling over $200k, I'd say the expectations of what you are able to do in these situations needs to be higher.

* Putting the knife away. If I'm an MLS attacker looking at that San Jose back line, I'm licking my chops and ready to get after them. And United did that to a certain extent. Granted this was a road match, and maybe there's an eye towards the Champions' League qualifier on Tuesday, but with a fragile back line, a midfield that wasn't generating anything resembling a passing sequence, a stunned crowd, and forwards relying of sheer athleticism to create half-chances, San Jose were exposed, necks bared for United to deliver the killing blow. But for some reason, the knife was put away, and the Quakes got up off the altar, shook off their stupor, and, but for some horribly wasted chances of their own, might have gone on to win this match quite easily.

* No late heroics. Much of United's success this season has come from last-gasp winners and equalizers. It's a testament to the spirit of the team that they've always seemed to have the confidence that they could pull a result out of the fire. And while I didn't share that feeling for the opening months of the season, I've started to take it on board. Sadly, I saw little evidence of it last night, either from players or coaches. True, the response wasn't completely without teeth, and there were some half-chances created after the Quakes' opener and in the second half, but there was none of the fire that I've been pleasantly surprised by this season. Is this a result of the young players hitting the wall? Not having Quaranta's energy and passing? The crowded summer fixture list catching up?

Quick hits...

* Moreno looked awful in his sub appearance. No energy, consistently stripped of the ball or passing to nobody. He did create one moment of danger that, of course, Fred managed to squander.

* We miss Simms' mobility. Jacobson had some nice moments in possession, Benny was (as usual) giving it his all, and I was impressed with Szetela's holding and distribution, but none of them can cover as much of the field as Simms can defensively. When San Jose's confidence started building, they were consistently able to outrun our midfield, either on or off the ball.

* What the hell was Rodney Wallace thinking on that handball? There was nobody behind him. Was he just feeling guilty about how soft United's PK was?

* Testy Emilio made another appearance though not quite as egregiously as the bottle-kicking version of a couple of months ago. But he sure wanted to take that PK. Tough to blame a goalscorer for wanting to take the kick, but did he have to be so vehement?

* Was it just me, or did it seem like Jakovic was playing at times like he had more cover in the middle? Perhaps this feeling was colored by my expectation that it might take him a game or two to get used to the switch back from a four-back set with Canada to United's three-back set.

So what to take from this match? Obviously, there is severe disappointment that we couldn't make a 2-0 road lead against the second worst team in the league stand up. But parity dictates that there will be few completely one-sided games in Major League Soccer. And at least we didn't suffer as complete a road let down as Dallas did against RSL. Here's hoping the return of Quaranta and Szetela working himself into game shape bring a renewed spark to United's play, because flat performances over the long road-haul that awaits might see us struggling for a playoff position rather than approaching the post season from a position of strength and confidence.

Torrado The Ass

So I'm watching the Costa Rica v. Mexico Gold Cup semifinal (great match so far--both sides attacking), and Mexico fans, being the class act they are, have started launching beverages onto the field in the direction of a Costa Rica player trying to take a corner. Now, I've mentioned before how unimpressed I was with the nasty behavior of the Mexican captain, Gerardo Torrado, both in the Panama match (trying to provoke additional reds and having to have his saner teammates restrain his aggression--this is your captain?) and after it (blaming the refs, the opposition--everybody but his own team) for the resultant fiasco.

But back to the match at hand. So the fans are launching full cups onto the field and some of Mexico's more mature players (Guillermo Franco--note he's an Argentine by birth) are trying to settle the fans. And, as might seem appropriate, the ref goes to the Mexican captain, Torrado, and asks him to go over and try to help calm them. What does this leader of men, this bastion of strength, this paragon of Mexican virtue do? Nada. That's right. He just tells the ref, "Nope, not going to doing it."

What a pathetic prick.

And now Mexico have gone ahead with just minutes to go meaning we'll face them in the final. Expect more prickery. It's going to get ugly, in the stands and on the field, but at least Bob will really learn something about his depth when it comes under heavy fire.

UPDATE: Costa Rica just equalized in the third minute of stoppage time! This is going to get fugly with a capital "fug."

StuHo Is The Man | a USA Match Reaction

Well, that's one step farther than I thought the MLS and Scandanavian All-Star team would advance in the Gold Cup, but there you have it. The US grabbed the lead on a Goodson header off a Holden corner in first half stoppage time and came out guns a-blazin' to start the second half. Despite their inability to find the net a second time, Honduras only had a few moments of danger the other way until, in the closing stages, Cooper tapped in one of the more well-worked goals I've seen a US team manufacture from the run of play. 2-0 to the good guys. Talking points? I have a few...

* StuHo is the man. Stuart Holden has taken a huge step in this tournament. Two more helpers today didn't hurt his case, and he looked poised and confident on the ball. You've got to figure that he's worked his way onto the next qualification roster and set himself up for consideration for South Africa.

* Anybody else punching tickets? Marshall was solid again and might be working himself into position as Gooch's backup. Goodson looked pretty good as well, though I think he has more to prove. Perkins made some big saves when called upon, but I'm still not sure Bradley won't want someone with Hahnemann's experience as his #3 keeper. Ching's ticket is probably already punched, but he worked his ass off. Much of that work was in vain, but his turn and volley was unlucky to be deflected, and his "hold and dish" to Holden to set up the second was pretty stuff. Beckerman has been an engine of righteous midfield energy, but he's got a lot of center mids to plow through before he sees significant time.

* Who disappointed? Heaps wasn't as bad as I would have expected though I did slap my forehead a few times at his giveaways. Still, he wasn't awful, and I'll give him grudging props for that. Pearce had some moments rushing forward in possession (as the modern international fullback needs to do), but his charges and crosses didn't result in much. Arnaud was all huff and puff with little to show for it. Pause was pretty anonymous. And then, of course, there's Robbie Rogers...

* Bulk up and stop watching Hejduk! I'm pretty sure my 6 year old daughter could knock Rogers off the ball. Seriously, can somebody in Columbus get the kid in a weight room? And how about shielding his eyes during crossing practice so he can't see how to "bend it like Frankie"?

* As soon as I saw the whistlemen take the field, I knew we were in for some pain. I've seen this guy on at least one (and possibly two) occasions in this Gold Cup, and he's been nothing short of awful--calling ticky-tack stuff while winking at violent crimes, smirking at genuinely fouled players asking for calls, and generally strutting around like a peacock. But then, what more can you expect from the vaunted Whistlebrethren of CONCACAF?

* You know, what I've seen of Walter Martinez in this tournament has had me cursing the fact that he got away from DC United in the pre-season, but after his diving, whining performance in this match, I'm not so sure I would have liked him anyway. Of course, if the standard is N'Silu, then perhaps I'm not being quite fair...

* And finally, if you'll allow it, a question for Bob. Quick, what's the deepest position on the US Men's National team? Well, I suppose you could argue for keeper, but we're stacked at central midfield as well. Which begs the question...Hey Skeletor, you coulda used a backup plan when Pause and Beckerman were both sitting on cards and looking a little gassed, huh?

Alright. That was a pretty disjointed dash through the reaction, and I'm sure I've missed something, so fire away in the comments. Or go check out my Twitter-stream to see the match as it happened through my keyboard (it's thrilling stuff, I promise ;-).

On to the final!

Tickle v. Tackle | United's Summer Shopping Extravaganza

With two senior roster spots open and a developmental spot presenting itself in the wake of Barklage's season-ending knee injury, United seems to have wasted no time in assessing the summer transfer market wares and making their selections. So let's see where they rate on the Tickletacklemeter...

Already Signed

Danny Szetela
USA, Age 22, Midfielder (central or right) Previously with Racing Santander, Brescia Calcio, Columbus Crew

• Tickle: Szetela checks the second biggest box on the summer shopping list: central midfield depth. He has a wealth of experience with the US youth national teams and 3 caps for the senior side, and has spent the last 2 years (hopefully) learning humility and how to be a professional in Italy and Spain. Given his limited success in Europe, he'll be looking to prove himself and work his way onto Bob Bradley's radar. Szetela's versatility means that he can cover either central midfield spot (for Simms or Olsen), can operate on the right flank, and can slot in at right back in a pinch.
• Tackle: His reputation as a egotistical problem child and not the hardest worker on the training pitch precedes him. Here's hoping that he's grown up since his first MLS stint with the Crew. Also, while central midfield depth was sorely needed (hindsight goes 20/20 with Simms' potential surgery looming), the primary need was a left defender. We haven't seen salary figures yet, but I'm betting his contract must be pretty lucrative for him to ignore Euro-offers. I wonder if that money might have been better spent on a solid, veteran left-sided defender.

Sale Pending

David Habarugira
Burundi, Age 20, Defender (central or left) Previously with Anderlecht, Union Saint-Gilloise

• Tickle: The biggest box we needed to check was a left back. Habarugira is listed as both a left defender (at Wikipedia: font of all that is known and true) or défenseur central. That says to me that he's probably a lefty playing in central defense, which should work in our system if he's got reasonable technical skills and a decent grasp of tactics (both likely given his 5+ years tenure in the Anderlecht youth system). He's also young and wore my number (the cursed #2!) with Anderlecht.
• Tackle: He's young and wore my number (the cursed #2!) with Anderlecht ;-). Seriously, our biggest need is a tactically solid defender at left back. Is a 20 year-old going to provide that? Also, will he be able to cope with the physical demands of MLS? I know nothing of his physical capabilities, but all sites agree that he's 5'8", so he'd better have some serious hops.
  

Ely Allen
USA, Age 23, Forward-Midfielder (left)
Previously with LA Galaxy, Seattle Wolves

• Tickle: Allen is a reasonable quick player who can slot in on the left flank or play up top, and brings some MLS experience to the table as well. He provides wide midfield cover for the loss of Barklage and quick-forward cover for Khumalo, who may be out for a month or more depending on the severity of his injury. Also, he turned in a reasonable 2 years of service for my United side in Football Manager as a utility winger/forward, though his consistent blowing of one-on-one chances saw me ship him off in a package-deal trade.
  
• Tackle: Allen got cut by the Galaxy in pre-season and couldn't make the expansion Sounders roster. Indeed, he even fell through the USL cracks to land with the Seattle Wolves in the PDL. Hmmm.

Thoughts?

Run, David, Run!

Nice! Check out the rest of the Photoshoppery skills on display at the Guardian, but be prepared to hate me forever for the first image that loads in the gallery...

MLS Table Talk | The Playoff Qualification Death Match

It's looking increasingly like the battle lines have been drawn up for the playoff fight. While the Dynamo are fairly comfortable at the top, even with their recent struggles, and the Quakes and Bulls are already planning for 2010, we have a fairly solid block of eight clubs vying for seven playoff spots. Three clubs (KC, RSL, the Revs) are hovering around the margins, looking to pick off the sick and wounded in the playoff battle, and poor FC Dallas can't decide if they belong with this trio of scavengers or with the pair of lost causes at the foot of the table. The tight nature of the playoff race is illustrated by the cases of LA and Colorado. Last week, LA were in 9th, on the outside looking in. This week, they vault to the heady heights of 4th. In the reverse scenario, the Rapids were a fairly comfortable 6th, but saw a single loss drop them to the trailing 9th spot. Queue the bullet points!

• The points per game table should give renewed hope to KC and the Revs, both sitting on games in hand that put them at 1.3 ppg, just 0.1 back of the final playoff contenders (TFC & Colorado). The rest of the playoff scrum sits on 1.5 or 1.6 ppg, while the Dynamo hold a solid lead on 1.8 ppg. RSL's 1.2 could use a little boosting if they want to be a contender, while FCD's tie-per-game (1.0 ppg) mark sees them closer to the cellar dwellers (Quakes at 0.8 and Red Bulls at 0.5) than the playoffs.
• Goal difference is starting to stratify more clearly, with the top two (Houston and Seattle at +10) and bottom two (Quakes at -14, Bulls at -17) being the only double-digit posters. Most of the playoff pack (from Chicago in 3rd to Columbus in 7th) boast differentials of +3 or above with TFC's -2 being the only exception. The rest of the sides still in realistic playoff contention, save the Revs on -4, also claim positive goal differentials, while Dallas' -6 is an indication that maybe the ghost is ready to be given up.
• DC United remain the top scoring side in the league on 1.6 goals per game, while the Bulls remain the only side that can't net at least once per game (0.8 gpg). The remainder of the league is packed into the 1.1-1.5 span, with sides near the top (Seattle, Chicago) generally outscoring those lower on the table. That said, the two LA sides sit 4th and 5th on 1.2 and 1.1 gpg respectively, and the league-leaders, Houston, only post a middle of the road 1.3 gpg (the league average is 1.28).
• Of course, we'd have to balance that lack of scoring for Houston with their shockingly good 0.7 goals allowed per game mark, which sits in stark contrast to the Quakes on 1.9 apg. While defense seems to be a reasonable indicator of success, it's no guarantee, as the 10th and 11th place Wizards and RSL (on 1.1 and 1.2 apg respectively) demonstrate.
• The scary #10. Why can't anybody crank the dial to "10" when it comes to point-nabbing results? The Quakes joined the Red Bulls in the "10 losses or more" brotherhood this week, but the Dynamo once again failed to post their 10th victory and the Galaxy, Crew, and DC United have all been hanging out on 9 draws for weeks now.
  
• Mess in the middle. Take a look at the gainers/droppers (+/-) column up there. Looks a bit like a sandwich doesn't it? The top two and bottom six remain unchanged, while the middle seven all played musical chairs. Is it coincidence that these are the sides in the playoff qualification death match?

MLS Dogpile | The East Is A Ferocious Snarling Mess

So if there was any over-riding picture to take home from this weekends' action, it has to be that the East is a ferocious snarling mess, and the West will be thankful for it. Why? Consider that all those Eastern sides that were busy spanking their Western brethren will also be taking big, bloody chunks out of each others' hides as we close on the playoffs. That could have a double benefit for the West. First, a super-tight East opens the door for any middle tier side in the West to grab a fourth, or perhaps even fifth, playoff spot for the conference. This leads to the second benefit for the West in that their top tier teams don't have to face a dangerous "Eastern Import" in the first round of the playoffs. So lets have a gander at that Pile...

The Alpha Dog

1. Houston Dynamo (DLWLD)
The highlights seemed to skew in TFC's direction, but Houston continues to be a hard side to beat, even missing a handful of key players. One win in their last five seems to be for them to be toppled from the Alpha Dog pedestal, but who are you going to give the top spot too? Seattle? Let's see how things look next week after a home date with the Revs, shall we?
Next: Revolution (Home)


The Playoff Pack

2. Seattle Sounders (WDDWW)
Given their recent form and Houston's struggles, I'd be quite tempted to push Seattle to the top spot...if they had been in action this week and grabbed a win. The pause for the money grab may have padded the bank accounts, but it doesn't do much for the Sounders' Pile position.
Next: Fire (Home)

3. DC United (WDLDW)
The veterans show the much-heralded kids how it's done, and Gomez sticks the dagger in his former side and twists with a vengeance as United respond to their 3-0 loss against the Rapids just a few weeks ago. Three-point hauls, particularly at home, are going to be invaluable in the ever-so-tight East, and United's response to going down a goal showed their renewed confidence in the wake of Gallardo-gate.
Next: Quakes (Away)

4. Columbus Crew (LWDDW)
An impressive result for a severely undermanned Crew as they trounce RSL 3-1. That said, there were pretty frightening gaps at the back that RSL just couldn't seem to punish. Still, what's most important for the Crew is that they won without their talisman and did it in some style to hold serve in the Eastern Conference battle royale.
Next: Toronto FC (Home)

5. Chicago Fire (LLWDW)
Blanco makes it happen off the bench for a Fire side rocked by the news of a long layoff for the ever-present McBride. The win helps Chicago keep their noses just in front in the tightly contested East, but will they be able to cope with the loss of McBride and the likelihood of Blanco getting called back to the Mexican national team later this summer?
Next: Sounders (Away)

6. +1 Toronto FC (WWLWD)
Tough luck for TFC as they seemed to create enough chances to bag a home win against a tough opponent, but just couldn't seal the deal. Regardless, they've been more solid of late and seem to need just a little more defensive steel to have the makings of a playoff dark horse.
Next: Crew (Away)

7. +2 Los Angeles Galaxy (LWWWW)
Alright, I suppose four wins on the trot pretty much does away with the "Drawlaxy" moniker. How about the LA Volleymeisters? They sure put away three beauts, though Esky's had Goal of the Week written all over it. So the good ship Beckham has put into port at long last, and the Gals didn't miss a beat. Is all forgiven, or does the bad blood just need time to simmer before boiling over and horribly scaring all involved? Scenes from the Milan friendly seem to indicate the later might be a-cookin'.
Next: KC Wizards (Away)

8. -2 Colorado Rapids (DLLWL)
United raised the stakes in the Veteran Wars and Mastro, Gibbs, Casey, and friends couldn't find a proper response. Still, the reunited duo of Casey and Cummings did look threatening on the break (where Colorado seem to spend the entirety of their attack), which they'll need to be as the playoff run-in heats up. Lucky for them, an at-altitude home date with the most dysfunctional team in MLS promises a rapid (pun intended) recovery.
Next: Red Bulls (Home)

Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. -1 Chivas USA (WLLLL)
Perhaps now, at long last, the rest of the MLS punditry will be awakened to the fact that Chivas' early blitz of results wasn't indicative of the true quality of the product? Even at the height of their early-season dominance I kept sounding notes of disbelief and caution, and it seems I had some justification for doing so. Of course, we shouldn't ignore that Chivas had the field tilted in their favor in the early going, but that control slowly ebbed away, as is their high league will continue to do unless Preki can find a quick fix.
Next: bye

10. +1 Kansas City Wizards (DLWLD)
Not a good week for the Wiz, who had to sit idle while most of their competition for playoff spots in the East grabbed three points. Also, the images of a bloody and woozy Conrad, busy with the national team will have been a worry. Still, RSL's suffering is to their gain.
Next: LA Galaxy (Home)

11. +2 New England Revolution (WLLDW)
So am I now properly chastised and willing to retract my statement that the Revs are a spent force? Nope. The victory was a good one for the Revs at home, but highlighted that they really need Joseph on the field to make things happen. In the early going, they were fortunate not to go down to a Chivas side that consistently tested them. The fact that they pulled out the result in the end after increasing pressure speaks well of their chances to grab a post-season spot with all those games in hand, but the fight will be long and hard in the East, and their depth is suspect.
Next: Dynamo (Away)

12. -2 Real Salt Lake (WDWDL)
Just when you thought RSL had finally picked themselves off the mat, dusted themselves off, and waded back into the fray, they get pummeled on the road. Still, the chances were there to be taken for a side missing major midfield bite to Gold Cup duty. Sadly, they just didn't seem to be able to take said chances against a weakened Crew side.
Next: FC Dallas (Home)

13. -1 FC Dallas (LWDWL)
With the middle tier of the West generally suffering this week, Dallas can consider themselves either (1) fortunate to still be within striking distance of a playoff spot or (2) unlucky to be idle, and thus unable to take advantage of their rivals' slip-ups.
Next: RSL (Away)

14. San Jose Earthquakes (LWDLL)
They held out for a long while with a patched together defense, but in the end there was no answer when Blanco started asking questions. I suppose the only thing the Quakes have to be thankful for is the Red Bulls, who keep their miserable points tally and league position from looking quite so bad.
Next: DC United (Home)

15. New York Red Bulls (DLLLL)
Ooof! Still think keeping Osorio et al on board was the right plan of action? What more is there to say except this house is in decay, and it's just a matter of figuring out if there are any bricks worth saving when they blow the sorry thing to kingdom come.
Next: Rapids (Away)

The Boss-Man Chuckles

Is it just me, or does Tommy seem uncharacteristically jovial in his post-game comments?

Screaming for a Feilhaber | a USA Match Reaction

Bob sent out an MLS domestic all-star team to take on Panama, and that only seems appropriate, given the physical, oft-times brutal approach of the Panamanian team. One hopes that perhaps that was Bob's reasoning for including Jay Heaps, who was burned far too often in his last match out for the US. Still, in a game that sometimes bordered on mind-numbing, the US had just about enough about them to see themselves through to the semifinals of the Gold Cup. So let's hit a few talking points, shall we..?

* This game was screaming for a Feilhaber. The US had their moments in attack, but probably would have had more with a steadier hand guiding the ship. Beckerman is an adequate two-way player, and certainly showed his attacking quality with a blistering volley for the equalizer, but I can't shake the feeling that he's much better in a "disrupt and distribute" role behind a creative type like Feilhaber. Or hell, alongside pretty much anybody who could make their presence felt. There were stretches of this match where you would have been forgiven for thinking that Logan Pause had stepped off the pitch for a bit of light refreshment, such was his contribution on the field of play. I wonder, with the players at his disposal, if Bob might have considered playing Holden alongside Beckerman and having Quaranta on the right wing.

* Rogers is not the left-wing messiah. Sure, he torched the amateurs from Grenada, but when it comes to facing real opposition, he's not done much of note. He has dangerous moments, but always seems to hold the ball too long, dribble into a thicket of defenders, or hit a god-awful, Hejdukian cross. A project for the future, no doubt, but for my money, he's not ready for prime time (read as: the Hex qualifiers).

* Fair play to the ref. Though there were a handful of questionable calls, and I can't help but wonder how Perez and Baloy (and others, though those two seemed the most to blame) kept getting away with so much brutish play, he kept a pretty tight lid on a potentially explosive match (any match involving Panama is primed to be "explosive," I suppose). Here you see the difference between a Mexican ref, used to calling matches at a high level, and the assorted whistle-bearing martinets of CONCACAF who consistently disgrace the game and themselves when the big spotlight is on.

I don't have too much more to take from this one. Nobody really distinguished themselves, though I thought all three center-backs (Marshall, Conrad, and his replacement, Goodson) handled themselves, and their dangerous opposition, with aplomb. Conrad, in limited minutes before he got knocked senseless, looked an entirely different player than the one who occupied a great big pile of suck in the group stage. Other than that, I think we've come about as far as I expected with the crew Bob put together--farther actually, considering the talent we've shipped back to Europe for the start of pre-season. I wonder if he'll consider calling in any of his "extras" for the semifinal against a Honduras team that looked to be playing us pretty well until we brought on the quality in Feilhaber and Davies in the group stage meeing.

The Veterans' Response | a DC United Match Reaction

Much of DC United's surprising early season form (surprising, at least, from the vantage point of the "woe is us" pre-season) has been attributed to the consistently impressive displays of the new youth movement in United's locker room (Jakovic, Wallace, Pontius, et al). But last night, with Wallace starting on the bench, Jakovic away with the Canadian national team, and Pontius cutting a frustrated figure for much of the match, it was United's core of veteran players who stepped to the fore. Moreno and Gomez combined to create the Moreno PK that took things level, Gomez dropped one on Namoff's noggin for the second, and Gomez' hustle, combined with Fred's calm in the box, set the table for Emilio to slot home the third.

Talking points? Sure, I've got a few...

* What name do you see ever-present up there in the goal summary? Gomez wasn't particularly dangerous in the first half, but his fingerprints were all over the goals, whether from good running (the PK), quality delivery (Namoff's header), or sheer hustle (Emilio). And you'll note that he went the whole match as well. I don't know if you can say that he's back to his best in a United shirt, but he's consistently involved and looks hungry. Was there any particular extra "oomph" in his effort against his old side and the coach (Smith) that benched him? Perhaps. But it's something that's been building over the last couple of months as well.

* Worrying signs at the back again. Last season was marked by consistent defensive fiascos, and while this year's model has continued to throw up the miscues more than I'd like, the rate hasn't been nearly so alarming nor as prolifically punished. Of course, you can put some of that down to having Janicki in the middle rather than Jakovic and can probably add a generous pile of "how didn't the ref see Casey shoving our guy in the back?" And indeed, the majority of the questionable decisions/plays at the back can be laid at Janicki's boots. But with that said, both Namoff and Burch were not entirely blameless either. That transfer window wish-list still has a big box marked "left-sided defender" that is just begging to be checked.

* Tommy--genius or just lucky? When Fred, already on a yellow, went in late on a defender in the latter stages of the first half, I jotted down a note about Tommy needing to pull him sooner rather than later to avoid a second yellow and subsequent red. When he did the same on Gibbs in the second half, sending the Rapids defender to the locker room (knowing his history with assorted leg injuries, lets hope it's not serious), he probably should have seen red, and my notes were really littered with calls to "get him off, Tommy!" Of course, I'm not sure Pontius or Wallace has the patience or experience to pull off the assist that Fred laid out for Emilio, thus taking the score to a comfortable 3-1. So was Tommy right to keep him on? You be the judge. I did like Tommy (seemingly) explaining his decision to a clearly upset Fred after the substitution.

* While the veterans certainly did get the result in the end, I'm a little worried that we looked so plodding and toothless for large stretches of the match. By contrast, Colorado didn't waste any time in stringing together a number of quick, one-touch passes to set up chances. Not that I'm saying we were outplayed, but we certainly seemed to need a lot more time and effort to get into threatening positions, and our insistence on playing patient possession got us into major trouble a handful of times.

Quick hits...

* I've commented before on Boyzzz's finishing prowess, or lack thereof, so I won't belabor the point, but other than his impotence in front of goal, he turned in a pretty decent performance both through his hustle and his running/passing. A useful squad player, to be sure, but you can see why it took him so long to get a shot at top-flight ball.

* Unleash the Namoff! Great finish. When Gomez hit the corner I thought, "Damn it! He didn't clear the first defender again." Well, no...but fortunately the first "defender" to get his noggin on the ball was Namoff.

* Jaime's PK was beautifully placed. Great effort for a guy who'd only been on the field for a minute or so and was still stretching the aging quads. But then, there's that "veteran" quality that permeates this post.

* Fred holding and dishing for Emilio with Perkins drapped all over him showed the kind of "ice in the blood" calm that I wish (and I'm sure we all wish) he'd have when he gets into the box facing the other direction.

* Simms holding court with assorted medical sorts after he was subbed out didn't look promising. Perhaps we picked up Szetela just in time?

One final note to wrap up this reaction. Sure, revenge is nice, but wasn't it refreshing to see the team not become deflated after dominating the early stages of the match, only to suffer an own goal? They could have pressed hard for the equalizer immediately and been caught on the break again. But instead, they continued to play their patient game, knowing that there was plenty of match left to be played. That's the kind of confidence a team doesn't have when it's desperate--a mode that United found itself in for far too much of last season. I'm not sure I'm prepared to go on record as saying I felt that confidence myself, but I certainly didn't feel the game was lost when we went behind, and that's a refreshing change.

Vamos United!

Checking the First Box

I mentioned the Szetela-to-United rumors in the omnibus WIWFC post yesterday, and today the deal is done. So what are we denizens of the dank blogosphere to think? Has United just upgraded its core of promising youngsters, or did we just import a cancer into what has been (reportedly) a united (no pun intended!) dressing room?

I'm cautiously optimistic. There. I said it. Hope I didn't spoil the suspense for you. Lets take a look at my reasoning, shall we?

* It checks a box. In the WIWFC (in July!) post, I identified our two primary needs in this transfer window as quality depth in the center of midfield and a starting left back. I also mentioned the need for left midfield depth as "nice to have." But wait, Szetela goes on the right, right? I'll get to that in a minute. Suffice it to say, Szetela plays primarily as a central mid (either holding or attacking), can slot in on the right flank, and even serve as an emergency right back in a pinch. That checks a lot more than one measly little box. (But you said left flank depth, FB!) Patience, grasshopper. We've seen both Quaranta and Pontius playing at left mid this year, haven't we? Doesn't Szetela's ability to cover the right mid position free either of those two to serve as left flank possibilities?

* So now let's address that quality issue. Say what you will about Szetela washing out in Spain and Italy (the latter seems more an issue of injuries and a coaching change, but we'll leave it as "washing out" for now) and his mere 34 appearances for the Crew in 3+ years (remember, he started as a 17 year old), but you also must consider his history with the youth national teams (key member of the '03 U-17 and '07 U-20 teams and squad player for the '05 U-20 and '08 Olympic teams) and the fact that he has 3 caps to his name. Sure, the ground is littered with youth prospects who never panned out, but he is still 22. Which reminds me...

* The heady scent of reclamation is in the air. Remember when we brought the Phoenix into camp last pre-season? Remember the questions that were swirling then? All this "spoiled kid," "egotistical brat," "couldn't hack it with the Gals and Bulls" talk? So the question now becomes, "can they repeat the trick?" Szetela has always struck me as a problem child too enamored of his own abilities. But perhaps a couple years struggling for time in Europe has brought him down a peg? Maybe he's looking at the turnaround Tino has made (in his life and his career) and his subsequent return to the national team? At the very least, we've got Tino as a good example for Szetela and a veteran leader who plays his position and brooks no fools, Benny Olsen, to take him under his wing and/or keep him in line.

* Diversity is our speciality. Let me hark back to that depth thing again. Szetela's obvious analog on the current roster is Olsen (fiery competitor, combative but clever with the ball, pops up with goals now and then, plays at central or right mid). But Olsen is limping along on bionic ankles and Jacobson (another Euro-washout) isn't really inspiring when Olsen can't go. Maybe Szetela can do better. He certainly has the pedigree, and we could have done worse. And let's face it, I don't think any left backs suitable to play in a back three (Pearce, perhaps, but he's as much a "washout" as Szetela) are going to pop up on the allocation board any time soon. We had an opportunity to sign a promising player in a position we lack depth at, and we took it. Besides, Szetela not only covers for Olsen, but also the loss of Barklage, as we can play him on the flank and at attacking mid as well. Not to mention that he can spell Simms at d-mid to boot...

So amid all of this optimism, is there room for a little doom-mongering? Absolutely!

* How big is the cap hit? He can't be on huge money, but I wouldn't expect him to be cheap either. And for my money (natch!) we need a starting left back more than midfield depth. Starting left backs don't come cheap. Not good ones anyway. We've got the senior (and international) roster spot available, but do we have room under the cap to add a player of reasonable quality? I'd expect that any signing would show us the back of Avery John, but aren't salaries guaranteed at this point?

* Malignant tumor? Szetela has a reputation as egotistical and a not so pleasant presence in the locker room. Here's hoping (and knocking on wood, tossing salt, et cetera ad nauseam) that his struggles in Europe have introduced a least a little trace of humility and professionalism. One of the things United players keep stressing this year is how positive the camaraderie within the club is. Once would think we have enough strong, veteran characters to keep one bad apple from ruining the bunch (all aboard the cliche express!), but there's always a chance...

* Injury woes? Szetela's time with both Colombus and Brescia/Santander saw him struggle with recurring injuries. Now maybe some of that is down to not training in a professional manner or being overconfident with his body (whilst with the Crew). Maybe he was feeling the strain of competing for a spot with Brescia and tried to get back on the field too early (he wouldn't be the first). Whatever the case, it is something that the fitness staff will have to monitor.

So there you have it. I'm not going to go out on a limb and proclaim this a tremendous, positive signing for United. I have some lingering concerns. But with the looming fixture congestion, doubts over our midfield depth (and health), and the possibility of a big payoff (a la Tino) with a young player coming good and finding his feet professionally, there are more possible positives than negatives. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but I'm going to consider one box checked on my transfer window wish-list.

WIWFC (In July!) | The Omnibus Post

Rather than my usual modus operandi of splitting the "What I Want For Christmas" analysis/FO rant/starry-eyed wishlist into several posts, instead I'm going to try to cram it all into one steaming jambalaya. Ready or not...


Roster Rundown

Let's start at the top, shall we? Emilio and Moreno are front line MLS strikers, even if the former doesn't provide consistent effort or results, and the later is increasingly slowed by age and injury and sometimes seems a touch too patient for a more energetic attack. Pontius and Quaranta are both hybrid midfielder/forwards at the moment, but look to be an intriguing successor pairing to Emilio and Moreno. That said, they're needed in midfield as well, either as starters or as cover, leaving the bustling but largely ineffective Khumalo and the not-so-bustling and even less effective N'Silu as depth.

On the flanks, we have Wallace and Quaranta as the current starters, with the likes of Pontius, Fred, McTavish, Khumalo, and possibly even DiRaimondo as potential depth. That's an awful lot of cover for the right, but the left is worth considering. At a reasonable cap hit, I wouldn't mind having Fred as depth on the left, but he's pulling over $200k. That's an awful lot for a backup, though perhaps his providing cover for Gomez in the playmaker role mitigates that somewhat (not too much, but somewhat).

The holding roles are currently filled by Simms and Olsen, with McTavish, Jacobson, and potentially DiRaimondo and Pontius as available cover. That's reasonable, but not ideal, and I'm not going to quit harping about having a bit more steel and precision passing in these roles. Likewise, Olsen's battered body can't keep him on the pitch consistently.

At playmaker, Gomez seems to be returning to something like the quality we expect, but he too is operating on 30-something legs. Fred provides decent cover and danger in spurts, and Quaranta can be slotted in here as well assuming we have some cover for the right flank. Barklage would have been nice to have as cover for the flanks and at playmaker, but I think we're in decent enough shape here despite his season-ending injury.

The back is where we find the most glaring hole. At keeper, we've settled on Wicks as the starter and Kocic as his understudy. Not great, but not terrible either. The pleasantly surprising Jakovic in the middle with Janicki as cover works for me, as does, to a somewhat lesser extent, Namoff on the right with McTavish as cover. The left, however, gives us Burch to start and John as his backup. Frankly, I don't believe John belongs on an MLS roster, and Burch is cover, at best, for the left back and left midfield spots.


Open Slots

The departures of Peters and Crayton free up two senior roster spots as well as an international spot (leaving us one to three international spots potentially unfilled--I'm unsure of who has green cards). Barklage going on the IR gives us a developmental spot as well. I suppose I could speculate about how much cap space we have available, but frankly, I'd be firing blanks at ghosts, so we'll just assume that we can't bring in a truly big money signing, but have enough space to add either one reasonably highly compensated, Crayton-level ($175k) player or two journeyman to good ($80-100k) senior players. And, of course, we've got the $15-20k worth of Dev Dollars to throw at some gullible (or ambitious and not risk-averse) youngster.


Fill 'Er Up!

So what's a front office to do? The rumors are swirling about the possible addition of Szetela, and the defensive depth problem appears to be a target as well, given the trialists we're bring in. Shockingly, those would probably meet my two primary targets for the summer transfer window. The third target would be subject to what's available. Rather than rambling and hedging, let's put the cards on the table, shall we? We've got three spots. What do we do with them?

1. Senior roster (possible international) #1: The biggest hole in the roster at the moment is a solid left defender. Burch is young and still has some promise, but he's not a natural defender. He does provide solid cover for left back and left midfield, but I think he's the weakest link in the defense as a starter. John hasn't done anything to convince me that he's not a spent force. Looking around MLS, I don't see anybody on the trading block that meets our needs which means we need to look abroad. The trialists mentioned above seem to indicate that the FO is addressing this.
2. Senior roster (possible international) #2: Let's face it, if we qualify for the Champions' League proper, we're going to have a real mess in September/October between the CCL campaign and a backalley knife-fight in the tight Eastern Conference. Olsen might be available for half of these games if his ankles hold out. Simms can log major minutes and doesn't have a history of injuries, but we all saw how gassed he was at the end of last season. And if we're relying on Jacobson and McTavish as our depth here, I think we end up punting the CCL and focus on making the playoffs. I've never been a fan of Szetela's behavior, but if he's learned a little humility struggling in Spain and Italy, and is hungry to prove himself, he'd be a huge upgrade to our depth in holding midfield and on the right flank. Otherwise, we need to find another d-mid from somewhere to provide minutes in place of Simms. Jacobson is decent cover for Olsen, but I'm not sold on McTavish for Simms.
3. Developmental roster: Here's the "best option available" selection. I'm nervous only carrying two keepers, so If we could keep one of those two big kids from the academy from jumping on the Euro-boat, that would be my first choice. Other possible options? Pretty much anywhere on the pitch, though you've got to be looking at low-skill, big effort position for developmental players, so I'd think left midfield, d-mid, or flank defender (right-sided if the left gets addressed with a senior spot) could all be spots you'd look to fill if the right situation presented itself.

So that's my shopping list. Of course, had I provided this a week ago, there probably would have been more discussion as the FO already seems to have created the same list and is busy trying to fill their order with parts off the shelf.

Any arguments with their logic (and mine)?

Thanks, Bob!

You know what? For a couple of days there I was actually feeling a bit guilty about choosing to watch a DC United league match Saturday night instead of a tournament elimination game for the national team (way to go, scheduling homunculi!). But then we started sending out best players home. Bye, bye Benny! Auf Wiedersehen, Dolo! And now we bid adieu to Charlie Davies after a long, hard summer's work...

So what now? Who goes with Ching up top against Panama? Evidence from Panama's match against Mexico (and, presumably, Guadaloupe--it does seem to be their specialty) suggests we blitz their defense on the quick counter. Ching? Quick? Okay, let's look elsewhere. Davies? Oh yeah...that France thing. So that leaves SuperCoop and couple of those middy/forward hybrid models in Quaranta and Arnaud.

Ach! My kingdom for a forward with pace!

So, Bob, what's the plan?

I'm pretty much onboard with Goodson + Marshall in the middle, Pearce on the left, and Perkins in goal, but what about the right? Mr. Evans...come on down! You're the next contestant on Convert-a-midfielder!

Midfield and attack? We'll probably get Holden and Rogers wide with Beckerman and Pause holding behind a front line of Arnaud and Ching.

Yawn.

How's about trying that 4-5-1/4-2-3-1 thingy out again, Bob? Same back line as before, but Beckerman and Pause destroying and dishing to Quaranta wide right, Rogers wide left, and Holden through the middle in support of his Dynamo teammate, Ching. (Alternatively, swap Holden and Quaranta.)

Whatever. How am I supposed to take this thing seriously when you're entering the knockout stages of a competition with five freakin' defenders and two "pure" forwards (though Cooper does tend to drift onto the wing, usually the left one, exactly where Rogers should be doing his thing...argh!)?

Of course, we do still have options just a phone call away. Not brilliant options on the whole, but Altidore wouldn't be a bad one...

MLS Table Talk | Layers in the Labyrinth

You see all those asterisks up there? You know, the ones attached to every team from fourth to thirteenth? They indicate that MLS's byzantine tie-breaker rules are in play. Allow me, if you will, a brief divergence into what parity has wrought upon our humble league. Take the four-way pileup on 24 points. These four teams have all faced each other, multiple times for one pairing, but only one of them has managed to win (twice, in fact). That would be the Rapids. Their 2 wins, 2 draws, no losses record against the other three gives them the #6 spot, after which, MLS rules say we go back to step one of the tie-breakers with the three remaining teams.

The three remaining teams have each played each other once. Every one of these games ended in a draw (shocker, I know, given the rash of draws in MLS this season). So that bumps us to goal difference. All three teams are on +1. And on we wend to total goals scored, where DC United manage to grab victory and the #7 spot, despite the fact that when all four teams were subject to tie-breakers, United had the worst overall record. Regardless, it's back to the tie-breakers with the remaining two teams, where, once again, it all comes back to goals scored, leaving the Crew in the eighth, and final, playoff position, with the Gals ruing their lack of firepower.

Could we end up with such a numerical labyrinth to navigate on the final day of the season? If we do, we know the accounting gods are smiling somewhere. So what else can we divine from the numbers?

• The table tiers have shifted again. Now the Dynamo (31 points), despite losing, are all alone up top. The Sounders (28) and Goats (27) are wedged between the Texans and the big scrum of 24 and 25 point teams (six clubs) fighting for the remaining playoff spots. KC and RSL (20) are detached but within striking distance, while the Revs and Dallas (17) have a bit more work to do. And the Quakes (13) and Red Bulls (10) should be booking their November vacation plans.
• The points per game table gives us a more nuanced and congested picture. The Dynamo (1.8) are still ahead, but Chivas (1.7) are right behind, with the Sounders and Fire (1.6) hot on their tails. TFC and the Rapids (1.5) are our next layer of sediment with a thick band of United, Crew, and Galaxy (1.4), followed by KC and RSL (1.3) and a trace suggestion of Revs (1.2). In this case, Dallas (1.0) join the Quakes (0.8) and Bulls (0.5) in the land of the forlorn.
• The goals were in short supply this weekend, and that's reflected in the dropping of the goals per game marks. No club in MLS scores more than 1.5 per game, with the Sounders and DC United being the only sides to reach that mark. Is it parity or better defending that has the entire league, save the Red Bulls, piled in the 1.1-1.4 range behind the leaders? Those poor Bulls. At 0.8 ppg, they're the laughingstock of the league...
  
• But strangely they aren't the worst defense. That dubious title would fall to the Quakes, who are shipping 1.9 goals per game. And it's still the usual suspects that are keeping them out, with the Dynamo leading the way on 0.7 apg.

Anything else up there catch your eye? Maybe it's the Bulls' 13 losses (no other side yet boasts more than nine results of any variety)? Or how about RSL posting a +5 goal differential, good for fourth best in the league, but still becalmed four points adrift of a playoff spot? Or maybe the Galaxy, who have only lost three times in seventeen outings, yet are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the post-season?

Some USA Tidbits...

If it seems that I've been paying the Gold Cup about as much respect as US Soccer is, that's because the Fullback clan has been in full Family Summertime Fun Mode of late. I got home Saturday night just in time to watch the US huff and puff for about twenty minutes before Holden dropped his bomb. Today, I finally got to see what happened in the rest of the match.



I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be horrified by Heaps' performance in what must surely be his one and only cap or delighted that he pretty much performed down below my sub-oceanic floor expectations. And where's Bretos screaming "WORLD CLASS!" when you need him for those last two goals?

Anyway, I see on my feed reader today that Parkhurst and Cherundolo have joined Adu and Feilhaber on the road back to Euro-pre-season. Well, that just about proves how seriously Bob, and US Soccer in general, is taking this thing. So in that spirit, I'll just dash through what's left of the roster and pick (only semi at random) a starting lineup for next Saturday, a game that I, once again, won't be watching because it'll be on at the same time as United host Colorado just a couple of hours down the road.

GK - Perkins. Duh. DC fans got to see the Ghost of What Used to Be (Perkins) and the Ghost of What Might Have Been (Robles--we drafted him, remember? Heck we probably still own his MLS rights). Suffice it to say, Used to Be trumped Might Have Been by some distance.

DEF - Pearce at left back (you really want to see Heaps again?) and Marshall in the middle (wasn't that a TV show...kidding) are pretty much no-brainers. As for a partner for Marshall? With Parkhurst (who's looked rotten anyway) out of the picture, and Conrad looking ready to put out to pasture, it's got to be Goodson if he's healthy, neh? On the right? Dolo's departure leaves us with the Great Converted Midfielder experiment again. So who will it be? Evans, Cronin, Pause? Maybe the bustling Arnaud? Take your pick, they'll all be lame. Way to bring the depth, Bob. Think the limited Marvell Wynne might have been useful here?

MID - Just like with the defense, I think we're safe if we call Rogers on the left and Beckerman in the middle. Likewise, Holden is a lock, but where do you put him? If you pair him with Beckerman in the middle, Quaranta or Arnaud go on the right. The more likely scenario is Holden on the right. So who goes with Beckerman? He seems to play better in a more defensive role with a creator-type beside him. But with Feilhaber heading back to Denmark, who is that creator? Maybe Holden, but I've got this nasty sinking feeling that Bob's going to call in one of his "Magnificent Seven" replacement players and put his trust in Sacha "Magic 'Stache" Kljestan. Oy vey!

FWD - Ching and Davies. Any questions? Kenny Cooper? You done messing with BigSoccer's collective head yet?

So that's about the shape of it for me. Any guesses from the peanut gallery? Or are you past the point of caring now? Panama has some pretty dangerous players, but we should still have the tools in the chest to negate them. The keys will be patience and paying far better attention to the counter. Our chances will come. We just need to take them.

MLS Dogpile | Change Sandwich

Once again, MLS plodded on with the Gold Cup sucking away players (and, quite probably, dozens of fans as well). And the Alpha Dogs really could have used the likes of Ching and Holden (and, quite probably, some video replay equipment) as they got upended in Seattle. Still, Houston hold a three point lead in the standings, and while both sides may have been shorthanded, I want to see a full-strength Seattle beat a full-strength Dynamo before I give them the nod atop the Pile. So, how exactly do things stand? Well, it's sort of a "change sandwich," with all the movement happening in the middle...

The Alpha Dog

1. Houston Dynamo (WDLWL)
Tough luck in the battle of the gelded Western Conference contenders, as a lineman's flag makes the difference in a tight match. Only two wins in the last five matches would seem to call for a drop from the top for the Dynamo, but I'm really not sure anybody has the chops to claim their crown yet. Now, if they lose in Toronto next weekend..?
Next: Toronto FC (Away)


The Playoff Pack

2. Seattle Sounders (WDDWW)
Five unbeaten and a win over the current league-leaders. Looks like the fat man has sailed his nauseating green vessel past the troubled early-summer waters. So much for Expansion Fever! Barring a spectacular collapse or rash of injuries, Seattle are in with a chance for three pieces of silverware in their first MLS season--the Open Cup, MLS Cup, and Supporters' Shield. Now they take a break to square off with the Premiership bore-mongers of Chelsea.
Next: bye

3. DC United (WWDLD)
So how exactly do I justify keeping DC United this high on the Dogpile? Simple. Nobody who could have dislodged them did anything remotely interesting from a results perspective, and they were idle. Is this position perhaps somewhat flattering? Sure, but the East is a mess, and nobody seems to want to plant their spear and grab the prize. So we're left with head-scratching, unconvincing claims for the high ground, and more questions than answers. Would a revenge win against the Rapids next weekend make the #3 more believable? Absolutely.
Next: Colorado (Home)

4. Columbus Crew (WLWDD)
The Crew looked better and more dangerous than they did last week at home, but in the end the result remained the same as the Crew spurned the chance to grab a slender lead in the rough-and-tumble East. Can they find a three-point haul at home to RSL next week?
Next: RSL (Home)

5. Chicago Fire (LLLWD)
Chicago edge towards the front of the East, but nobody seems to want to make a grab for the crown and the Fire only take one point from the three on offer. Will they fare better against the dregs of the West..?
Next: Quakes (Home)

6. Colorado Rapids (WDLLW)
I suggested that a home date with the Coop-less SuperHoops was just what the doctor ordered for a Rapids side that's gone off the boil of late...and so it proved, though it took a good while for the result to be ensured. So the Rapids are back in the saddle, but the als0-rans of the West have caught up. Can they repeat the 3-0 victory over DC United of a month ago?
Next: DC United (Away)

7. +2 Toronto FC (LWWLW)
With the Revs and KC struggling, I said last week that now was the time for TFC to make a firm grab for one of those top four spots in the East. And, duly, they delivered with a 3-1 road win over the admittedly struggling Quakes. The win pushes TFC into a tie for first in the East with Chicago, but this dogfight is a long way from over. Next week brings a tougher test at home to Houston.
Next: Houston (Home)

8. -1 Chivas USA (LWLLL)
It's still a mystery to me how others keep rating Chivas so highly. Yes, they had an explosive start to the season, winning tight matches when others settled for draws. Yes, they might have more about them than I thought they would in pre-season. But I've never been convinced that this is a really good team, and they proved it once again this weekend in a snorefest with the Gals. So can they beat up on the wounded Revs next week? They'd better if they expect to stay in the race for the West.
Next: Revolution (Away)


Bum-Sniffing Omega Mutts

9. +2 Los Angeles Galaxy (LLWWW)
A boring performance, but the right result as Arena's charges continue a charge that can only end in a spectacularly comedic collision with the brick wall that is the return of Becks. Who knows, maybe Arena will prove those man-management chops that are his claim to fame. Do I think he will? Unlikely, but strange things do happen in La-La Land.
Next: Red Bulls (Away)

10. -2 Real Salt Lake (DWDWD)
Tough luck for RSL as their inactivity gets them punished pretty harshly. Sure, their recent form should put them amongst the Playoff Pack, but the fact that they're four points off a playoff spot really puts that run into perspective. Can they prove they deserve to be higher away to the Crew?
Next: Crew (Away)

11. -1 Kansas City Wizards (DLWLD)
Tough luck for the Wiz, who probably did enough to bag a road victory against one of their rivals in the middle of the Eastern Conference knife-fight. It always seems to come back to finishing for the Wiz. And the double whammy comes in the form of a bye week where the Wiz get to watch the rest of the East attempt to pad their playoff nests.
Next: bye

12. FC Dallas (LWDWL)
Ah, there's the Dallas we know and love. And they were so close to actually sniffing around the fringes of the playoff fight. If Dallas can take anything from this match, it's that they only gave up one goal and held out until late in the match, something we wouldn't have been able to claim they could do (with a straight face anyway) early in the season. Too bad they have to endure an extra week of pain as they get a "friendly week" bye with assorted MLS clubs going for the money-grab next weekend.
Next: bye

13. New England Revolution (WWLLD)
I suppose you could lead with, "hell, at least they didn't lose," right? I didn't see much in the stats or highlights to indicate that the Revs deserved anything from this match--being outshot by a fairly sizable margin, and at home to boot, doesn't read as particularly encouraging. The Revs have their precious games in hand with which to differentiate themselves from the playoff fringe-fighters (like the Wiz), but this looks like a spent force to me. Let's see if that statement comes back to bite me a few months, shall we? I suspect it won't.
Next: Chivas (Home)

14. San Jose Earthquakes (DLWDL)
Ouch. Let's all wince along with Pitchkolan, shall we? The Quakes mini-climb off the bottom comes to a shuddering halt. Look for Yallop to continue making roster changes as he searches for another miracle second half of the season run. Will it be too late? Probably. And Chicago's a tough place to try and start such a run.
Next: Chicago (Away)

15. New York Red Bulls (LDLLL)
Well, at least they didn't lose this week. I suppose that's the best you can say for the Bulls. Of course, they didn't play either, but we'll ignore that for a moment. So the question for Thursday night is: which is worse? The morale hit that the return of Becks will bring to the Galaxy or the New York Red Bulls? Tough call.
Next: LA Galaxy (Home)