RSL vs. Goats Lite July 9 talk [R]

Aerick · 07-10-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover

I think you're quite right about the leadership issue, but I also think we have a serious problem with depth if no one can step in and play that role. It's a lot to ask of the rookies, but they're not all rookies.

It's always complicated with teams, of course, but what we lack most of all is chemistry and discipline (fundamentals) in the back. How many times this season have we seen a player get in trouble and yet have no backup? And surely we've used up our quota of missed clearances. We still give attackers too much room on the dribble, and do not aggressively double team when we can shut an attacker down.

Too often players look lost and markless, and no one outside of the Big Three (Pope/Dunseth/Pierce) can consistently shut down attacks before they get to the 18, win air battles, and not only clear but send those clearances to the good guys in the midfield and launch attacks on the other guys' goal.

In the end, defenses have to be well constructed (system) and directed (leadership) because they are by definition reactive. You're tying to shut someone else down. We need more of both from our players.

The thing I see, or have seen, is that any one of the people we had on the back line, or even coupled together, have made good showings in the past. Why? Because we had a leader out there directing them. Knowles has done a good job for us in the past, as has Akwari and Kamler. Some games two or more of them have been on the field at the same time even, and have still shown well. If the leader is absent, however, all of the good troops end up running around like chickens with their heads cut off because there's no organization. How many times do we usually pull off the offside trap successfully in a game? How many times did we do it last night? Nobody was directing traffic out there with any effectiveness.

Last item: How deep should your defensive leader position be? 3 or more? We have 2, with a possible 3rd in Pierce (though I'm not sure you can have a successful non-center back leader). What are the odds you lose all of them for a game? If I were a betting man, I wouldn't be betting on it.

Aerick · 07-10-2005, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HibaIssa

IMO I don’t think it’s a good idea. The team is going to be down and I don’t think this is what they need now. Support is good, but for some reason this just doesn’t seem like a good idea. I know it’s not, but it almost seems mocking.

I think you may be right there. I like where you're heading with this Jules, but the players might just look at us and think "Did you even WATCH the game?"

clarette · 07-10-2005, 12:01 PM

That game was so (bleep) that I seriously started reading "The Dictators: Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia" after about minute 61 and actually felt less depressed.

It's really frustrating to watch a group of professionals turn in performances like that.

I feel like I have a hangover or something for having watched that.

Aero · 07-10-2005, 12:31 PM

I think that one thing we did discover last night was that Chivas' starters are better are better than our reserves, especially their offense against our defense. I felt that our lack of depth was going to be our biggest weakness this year and this game just proved me right. If we lose a even a few guys to injury, suspensions, or NT call-ups, we suck!

Deuce · 07-10-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HibaIssa

IMO I don’t think it’s a good idea. The team is going to be down and I don’t think this is what they need now. Support is good, but for some reason this just doesn’t seem like a good idea. I know it’s not, but it almost seems mocking.

We could show up and not burst into cheering but make sure they know we still support them somehow...
Maybe like that budweiser commercial. A slow clap that just gains in volume til everyone notices.

They are prolly already back but it is a nice thought anyway.

Braveheart · 07-10-2005, 03:38 PM

The Metros have never lost a game in which Clint had scored.

His first goal for RSL comes in a (massive) loss.

HibaIssa · 07-10-2005, 11:12 PM

Well, at least the reserves won. 5-2.

Goals by:

Washington (2)
Cila
Lookingland
Kreamalmeyer

SoccerPrime · 07-11-2005, 06:22 AM

Wow what a weekend. We almost had a hurricane hit us and some lame-o team in Southern Cal beat some minor league team from Utah.
🙁
Depth and passion is whats wrong with RSL. It needs to change.

bordelais7 · 07-11-2005, 08:44 AM

My favorite part from the game:

Jamie lined up next to Clint in a 3-man defensive wall on a Chivas FK from about 25-30 yards. Jamie trash talking or yelling loudly at someone. Clint doesn't even look over but reaches his hand out and puts it on top of Jamie's mouth. Jamie proceeds to raise his arms as he's gesturing towards someone, and Clint slaps the arm down. Classic. Anyone who can find that on video and screenshots the "hand on the mouth" for me gets rep every day for a year.

HibaIssa · 07-11-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bordelais7

My favorite part from the game:

Jamie lined up next to Clint in a 3-man defensive wall on a Chivas FK from about 25-30 yards. Jamie trash talking or yelling loudly at someone. Clint doesn't even look over but reaches his hand out and puts it on top of Jamie's mouth. Jamie proceeds to raise his arms as he's gesturing towards someone, and Clint slaps the arm down. Classic. Anyone who can find that on video and screenshots the "hand on the mouth" for me gets rep every day for a year.

Found it. I'll have it up in a minute. 🙂

It's right after Jamie yelled his "choice word" at the ref 😉