What's really wrong with this team?

I_Believe_In_Kreis · 05-08-2006, 10:17 AM

I'm hearing a lot of talk about the defense and goalkeeping, but I think our real problems lie elsewhere. Not to say we can't get better in those areas, but the fact is there will always be at least a few breakdowns like we saw Saturday. But here are some stats that might surprise you:

I was amazed to see we are #2 in the league in total shots (74). We are behind DC (75) and ahead of the Whiz (72). The league worst is Chivas (44). Obviously we don't have a problem creating chances. I think this is due to our midfield which I think is definitely the strong point of this team. But read on.....

Of our total shots, only 39% are on frame. That's worst in MLS. DC leads the league at a whopping 67% on frame. That's the same DC team that leads MLS in total shots - they have 50 SOG compared to only 29 for RSL.

Making matters worse, of our shots on goal (and there aren't many to begin with) we are converting a league worst 17%. For comparison, Dallas scores on 41% of their SOG.

Add that all up and what you get is RSL is scoring on a measly 6.8% of their total shots, worst in MLS. Houston leads the league in this stat, scoring on 20.1% of their total shots.

What this tells me is our biggest problem is finishing. Against Columbus we shot like it was one of those small goals, no keeper drills. Besides Kreis I don't see anyone who has the confidence to strike the ball hard or shoot from outside the 18.
Stats aren't everything, but I think with the opportunities we create this team could (should) become a scoring machine. Thoughts???

rabble-rabble · 05-08-2006, 10:27 AM

A lot of our shots are obviously quite weak. After the Crew loss, the announcers on the post game show went on and on about how many more shots we had. I observed that some of our shots on goals had about as much pace on them as the shot made by the half time contestant who rolled the ball into the net to win a prize.

dysko · 05-08-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Believe_In_Kreis

Add that all up and what you get is RSL is scoring on a measly 6.8% of their total shots, worst in MLS. Houston leads the league in this stat, scoring on 20.1% of their total shots.

I once had a coach that said you should score 1 in 9 shots (11.1% of shots) even with your eyes closed.

That said, I am quite disgusted with the lack of effort that Garlick has shown on some of these goals.

I think we should be scoring more to take some pressure off our defense and keeper, but our keeper doesn't seem to care if the he just decides to let one in every now and then.

noxum · 05-08-2006, 11:13 AM

What about this thought?....
The missed shots are one thing, but if you look at the offensive transition, how many times are there gaps between the forward line and the next attacking line? Many times, goals are scored on second balls, and second balls are only won by the attacking team when the entire team can connect on offensive transition.

I see, many times, the ball knocked up to Cunningham, Kries or whom ever is up top and they are constintantly left in a one-on-three battle, no support, no second ball once they take a shot or defense clears.

Next game, unless they actually execute, watch the accordian style of play we have. You'll see the huge gaps between each of the lines, both top to bottom and from side to side. Guess what I'm getting at, is we are constantly collapsing.

Aerick · 05-08-2006, 11:24 AM

This is a fantastic post, because this is what I've been thinking of over the weekend after the game. Our midfield can do very well, and our time of possession from last year to this year is night and day. So I tried to figure out what our problem was. I knew we almost always have good stats at the end of our games (lots of corners, lots of shots, etc.), but our games don't show the results.

I think Noxum hit it right on the head. I think that several of our potentially dangerous opportunities come when no one else is in a good position to help.

What can be done?

fuegote · 05-08-2006, 11:27 AM

A big part of it is having players out of position. I couldn't tell you how many times in the first half the RCB was looking at a huge area of realestate where there should have been a left winger.

prk166 · 05-08-2006, 11:28 AM

Scoring more goals is needed for the team to compete on a regular basis. But in terms of breaking the winning streak, the team needs to stop bleeding goals. This team hasn't had a clean sheet in eons. And at the end of the day, the biggest reason for that isn't talent but organization and tactics (or lack of them) on the pitch. RSL is giving up 2 goals a game or more. Even the best offense's in the MLS can't compensate for that.

Deuce · 05-08-2006, 11:35 AM

I agree there is no help up top. Many of our bad bounces would have been goals had there been a trailing player to clean up the rebound.

I saw at least 2 different instances in the last match alone, that had Busch caught off his line with a dangerous rebound that rolled harmlessly across the front of the goal. No one in an RSL jersey within earshot of the forward that took the shot.

Now Jason Kreis will be back in the Lineup against Galaxy he is a clean up guy... that is how he got to 102 goals. The problem here is that if he is the only guy going forward who is going to clean up for him?

noxum · 05-08-2006, 11:38 AM

How do you fix it? I know it shouldn't be broken down into to ABC's for these guys, they're professional players for cryin' out loud, but what I would do is spend a couple of practices walking the starting 11 on the field, without another team, and introduce them to the different positions on the field, what they look like in different scenerios, and how to reacte to them.

As anyone knows, you have your main position right, Kries is a striker, but how many times during a match are you required to switch, for whatever reason. The problem RSL has right now is the players are too focused on the fact that they play this or that position. They've got to understand that when they look at the striker spot, that's not Kries or Cunningham's position, that is the left or right striker and at any time I could be playing that position so if I don't know what is expected of that position and I have to switch, most likely the team is going to end up having a gap, collapsing, where and when there shouldn't be a gap. (then a switchback could take place once play allow for it)

It seems to me there are too many players on the field trying to do it all, so we end up getting out of position, case in point when Cunny and I think it was Harris collided on Saturday.

prk166 · 05-08-2006, 11:38 AM

I volunteer to do that. Surely RSL has enough room with the salary cap to afford a 6-pack of Pologamy Porter for me for each game I play. 🙂