Houston vs. RSL [R]

[clarette]

Originally Posted by Aerick

So we haven't had a win yet. Did you know that almost the entire starting 11 was replaced in the offseason? Did you know that anytime that happens it's going to take a little time for things to gel? Did you know that Houston had very few changes to their starting 11 during the offseason (if any)? And did you know that this was the same team that won the Supporters Shield last season?

No way!!! That will teach ME to watch the E! True Hollywood Story instead of the pre-game show from now on...

Originally Posted by Aerick

Good grief people, lighten up! I still say this is a good team. Is it a perfect team? No! Is it a team that has made mistakes that were at times costly? Yes. Are we much improved from last year despite the results table? Yes.

Tactically, we're not all that improved from last year. The talent level has improved, which has improved the execution at times, but we're still seeing the same problems from last year. They're just dressed in prettier packages.

[rslfutbolfan]

Originally Posted by clarette

No way!!! That will teach ME to watch the E! True Hollywood Story instead of the pre-game show from now on...



Tactically, we're not all that improved from last year. The talent level has improved, which has improved the execution at times, but we're still seeing the same problems from last year. They're just dressed in prettier packages.

This could be debated. LMAO

[Burninator]

It seemed to me like it was last week's game all over again, only instead of us running all over RBNY, it was Dynamo running all over us. Unlucky on Jason's (oh-so-close!) goal and the possible DeRo handball. We got worked, and it should have been 3 or 4-1, just like it should have been with the Red Bras.

I was excited to see us in a 3-5-2 and I think that it may work out for us if we keep practicing it. Just keep Atiba and Williams and Brown out of the game. Put in Jeff and Jason at forward, let Mehdi, Chris Klein, and Ryan Johnson run the top of the midfield while Douglas and Kenny work the back, with Torres, Talley (or Cabrera) and Pope in the back. Bring in Atiba and Williams and Jamie as supersubs. I liked the 3-5-2.

I hate losing, though. Why is it that we cannot defend a 1 goal lead? Really good teams know how to defend 1 goal leads (oops, I think I found my answer!). That first goal, instead of energizing the other team, should be a discouragement, even if it comes on a giveaway or set piece. It should break our opponent's back.

They aren't afraid of us. We, on the other hand...

Is it just me, or did Torres have a pretty awesome game last night? It seemed like Pope did a good job, too. Talley, well, he's a midfielder anyway...I'm getting tired of Ellinger's experiments all over the field. If a guy has played a certain position for most of his career, there's probably a reason for it.

⚽ Geoff
-----------------------
REGULATORS! Mount up!
STOP THE ELLINGER EXPERIMENT!

[Rover]

Originally Posted by clarette

Tactically, we're not all that improved from last year. The talent level has improved, which has improved the execution at times, but we're still seeing the same problems from last year.

Absolutely agree, and this is the reason for my pessimism. I see no problem with our players. I see major problems in how they are prepared to play.

I've had enough of excuses about unlucky bounces, missed chances, poor officiating, and injured players. All teams put up with that stuff.

What I see every time RSL takes the field is a lack of basic execution of soccer fundamentals. That may not be exciting to talk about, but disciplined play is the foundation of a winning team. Doing the little things consistently right is how winning clubs are built. We're not doing that.

I'm now pessimistic because the player changes have been made and our team play--let alone our place on the table--has not improved. The few moments of good play cannot hide the fact that RSL is a team that just doesn't look prepared to play competitively in the league.

[clarette]

Celo just had a rare moment of insight on the FCD-KC broadcast...

"Good teams know how to hold onto a 1-0 lead."

Just saying...

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by clarette

Celo just had a rare moment of insight on the FCD-KC broadcast...

"Good teams know how to hold onto a 1-0 lead."

Just saying...

[R] for those of us not watching it live please!!!

[AreliusIV]

Keys to the match:

1) Shut down Ching and Moreno/Cerritos (Pope & Talley) First half: B,B / Second half: A,A
a. Very well done.

2) Williams needs to provide quality service to Cunny and Kreis. First half: C / Second half: taken off.
a. Terrible service into the forwards in first half.

3) This game will hinge on Ballouchy/Johnson and Klein transitioning from offense to defense (and vice versa). If they do it well, we will get great service from the flanks and yet shut down Mullan and Davis going forward. First half: C / Second half: B
a. Klein and Ballouchy holding back on defense.
b. Better in second half.

4) Cutler will need to cut DeRo down to size. First half: B- / Second half: D.
a. Obviously, he didn’t pick him up on the DeRo goal.

First half

Ballouchy had a chance off the set piece but he continues to play below expectations. He’s too tentative.
A little too much “boot and run on to it,” hoping that Cunny can latch on to a long ball.
Need to do more midfield work to move up the field.
Not able to capitalize on throw ins or set pieces.
Too casual. Too much walking.
Too many balls over the top. Need to keep the ball on the ground.
Wasting set pieces.
No offense.
Klein was invisible in the first half.
We play as if we really don’t believe we’ll score or win. It’s all about defense. And when we get a throw in or set piece, we turn over the ball.
Still a disconnect between midfield and forwards.

Second half

Harris continues to unimpress. I don’t think he belongs in MLS.
Counter-attack sputters.
More possession in second half but the service in to the forwards lets us down.
Williams really is terrible on defense. Rather than containing the opposing player, he constantly commits and is left in the dust. Houston is able to get in unopposed crosses.
Horrible defense on the Houston corner. Waibel scores. Harris got left in the dust. Another lame defensive effort. Get Harris out of there!! He looks like he’s lost!
Sequeira’s long ball to Cunny. RSL needs to stop the long ball to the forwards and play more possession offense.
Cunny in a beautiful breakaway and wiffs it!!! Harris was square!!!! Cunny, just square the ball!!!
Replay on the Kreis free kick shows how much it bended!!!
DeRo walks in from half-field. No one stops him. What was our defense thinking???

Summary of match:
RSL plays well in the second half but Houston scores off two set pieces. RSL defense lets them down.

Pope: First half: A / Second half: B
Talley: First half: B+ / Second half: B-
Torres: First half: B / Second half: B
Klein: First half: C / Second half: A-
Kreis: First half: B / Second half: A-
Ballouchy: First half: C / Second half: subbed out.
Sequeira: First half: B / Second half: B
Cunny: First half: B- / Second half: B+
Williams: First half: C / Second half: B+
Atiba Harris: First half: didn’t play / Second half: B-

[Merrill]

Originally Posted by Burninator

Is it just me, or did Torres have a pretty awesome game last night?

It might be just you. All I can see when I hear the name Torres is a doophus running slow and raising his hand begging for a call from the ref, when he was the only one who could have cut DeRo off before he put in the heartbreaking goal.

Play the game Torres, let the refs make the calls, YOU PLAY THE GAME!!!

[xlyte]

my pessimism isn't necessarily the results its .... its knowing that our team has the ability to play high class football, but doesn't.

Yes i know a team takes time to bond but they played some good football last week adn all of a sudden it disappeared this week.

[keyph]

That was one of the poorest played 2-1 games I've ever watched. Houston tried to give us the game multiple times and we couldn't capitalize....again! I too think that it is ironic that a formation that was supposed to help with possession time actually hurt it! I was willing to give Ellinger the benefit of the doubt last year, but the way we've started off this year I say give him 2 more games and if we don't get a win then he's got to go!