Our shutout record ends at 726 minutes and 7 games, but our unbeaten streak continues at 11 games. I'm glad we set the record, but hopefully now we can focus on the more important record: our winning record.
The winning column won't be augmented after today's match, despite our 3 goals. It seems 3 goals isn't enough versus Revs+Kevin Stott. Kevin Stott is a new prospect the Revs were trying out. He wore red in this match while the Revs wore their traditional blue.
There is something about Steve Nicol's soccer philosophy that I find to be absolutely pedantic and even negative. With such a bevy of talent at his disposal and though playing at home, this product of Scotland still has his team hold back and play the counter. With a 3-5-2 I would expect better domination of the midfield and a more attacking poise. Instead, I thought NE looked to be the inferior team, just as when they beat us here in Houston at the beginning of the season.
(As an aside, isn't Mo Johnston also Scottish? Why are these two unimaginative MLS coaches diametrically opposed to the philosophy held by other Scotsmen on the field and on the sidelines? Dominic Kinnear is a great MLS coach with a positive style of play, and Sir Alex Ferguson is great by most any standard.)
That's not to say that the Revs didn't look dangerous. In the first half, the Dynamo (despite being on the road) took an aggressive stance in the hope of attaining victory. We controlled possession and we pushed forward, and had several forays into the penalty box, albeit with few actual shots on goal. This aggressive stance left us vulnerable at times and, but for bad finishing by the Revs and solid goalkeeping by Onstad, we could have easily been down a goal due to New England's effective Route 1 tactics.
An excellent finish by Noonan (after poor defending and wasteful begging for a foul by Robinson) ended our shutout streak. New England gained some confidence from this and attempted to pass a little at times, but still relied on the counter, and there were often more than the "3" of the 3-5-2 clogging up their box. Hey, if you're going to play a 4-4-2 or 5-4-1, call it what it is at least.
D-Ro helped turn things around with his GOTW candidate from out of the blue in the second half. He found his space between the midfield and the back line, and a little space is all he needs to make game-changing plays. But moments later Cochrane drifts away from Twellman in our box, and Twellman (the pouty Dan Marino of the MLS) can usually tuck away freebies when he's not in a USMNT uniform.
Ngwenya looked the most dangerous Dynamo most of the match. He had the ball in the box on numerous occasions. I bet he had few actual shots on goal, but he got off several passes through the legs of defenders in the box, but the passes unfortunately missed their targets. He found Ching around the 60th minute to tie us up again. And Ching gets his 2nd and our 3rd just a minute later.
Enter Kevin Stott. I've got to say that the handball call against D-Ro was dodgy at best. The ball hit D-Ro in the chest, and it's questionable whether it actually hit his arm, but if it DID hit his arm, it was incidental and did not merit a PK. Great save by Onstad on the kick, and yes there was definite encroachment by our players. Technically, that is against the LOTG, so it's hard to argue the decision to take the kick again (bogus as the PK award was in the first place), but the fact is that there was no rebound for our encroaching players to intercept, so we gained no advantage from the encroachment, thus a re-kick is just a typical "letter of the law versus spirit of the law" situation. Unfortunately, Kevin Stott's spirit and decision-making was all sided against the Dynamo.
This is the first time we've given up more than 2 goals this season (not counting the 5 versus Pachuca in the second half of the aggregate CONCACAF Champions' Cup series with them). Last season, we only allowed two teams to score 3 on us: FC Dallas (we won 4-3 on May 6) and Colorado (a 3-3 draw on October 14). That's a testament to our defense. Obviously, we've never lost when we've scored 3 or more goals, but oddly, we've also never lost a MLS match when our opponent has scored more than 2 goals. Let's not test that record.
As for this past game: We have to be content with the fact that we got a point on the road and that we played the more exciting and imaginative soccer, and we did so we our wings clipped (Jaqua started on one wing, and Holden had his second sub-par game in a row, though it wasn't necessarily a poor performance). In fact, we tend to display more exciting and positive play than more than most of our MLS opponents ... even when we're on the road.
Now we take a nearly 2-week break from MLS play as we gear up for the inaugural SuperLiga. It would do credit to the club to do well versus our Mexican opponents (and DC as well), but we must guard against allowing our efforts versus international opponents to affect our domestic play, like we saw after the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Mid-Term Eval
At the All-Star Break is a convenient time to look back on our progress thus far. We're over halfway through the season (18 games down, 12 more to go), but most other teams are closer to the halfway mark (15). LA, on the other hand, has only played 12 games and has 18 to go. If they turn their ship around, they have enough games to catch up with anybody and everybody. In other words, we've got to keep on doing what we've been doing in the last month and a half.
If the MLS Cup tourney started today, here's how the teams would break out (showing points and number of games played):
Two West Leaders
33 Houston (GP: 18)
30 Dallas (GP: 18)
Two East Leaders
26 New England (GP: 15)
25 Kansas City (GP: 16)
Next Four Qualifiers
24 DC (GP: 15)
24 New York (GP: 16)
24 Chivas (GP: 15)
22 Columbus (GP: 17)
Five Out Of Playoffs
19 Toronto (GP: 16)
17 Colorado (GP: 17)
16 Chicago (GP: 16)
13 Los Angeles (GP: 12)
9 Salt Lake (GP: 15)
If the MLS Cup tourney started today, here's how the teams would break out (showing points and number of games played):
Two West Leaders
33 Houston (GP: 18)
30 Dallas (GP: 18)
Two East Leaders
26 New England (GP: 15)
25 Kansas City (GP: 16)
Next Four Qualifiers
24 DC (GP: 15)
24 New York (GP: 16)
24 Chivas (GP: 15)
22 Columbus (GP: 17)
Five Out Of Playoffs
19 Toronto (GP: 16)
17 Colorado (GP: 17)
16 Chicago (GP: 16)
13 Los Angeles (GP: 12)
9 Salt Lake (GP: 15)
Things look good at this point, but there's plenty of time for things to go sour should we not continue getting results. I'd say that we can still get to the playoffs if we play mediocre (as long as we don't play badly), but I think we should be shooting for the double: the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup. It's an achievable goal.
How do our numbers look compared to last year? Looking at totals won't tell us much, since we've only played 18 games to last year's 32; but we can compare the game-to-game statistical performance by looking at the averages and percentages. Here's a simple table that I crudely uploaded, thus making it virtually unreadable:
In short, we're doing better all around. More than half our games are wins (as opposed to a third last year, and less that 10% on the road). We're getting 1.8 points per game (2 per game at home) and scoring 1.4 goals a game, while conceding about 1 goal every 2 games (0.56 goals per game). Last year we were scoring slightly less per game (1.38 goals per game), allowing much more per game (1.25) and earning fewer points on average. All in all, we've improved. Credit goes to Dom and the lads on the field. Let's take this All-Star breather, then continue with our foot firmly on the Dynamo accelerator.
How do our numbers look compared to last year? Looking at totals won't tell us much, since we've only played 18 games to last year's 32; but we can compare the game-to-game statistical performance by looking at the averages and percentages. Here's a simple table that I crudely uploaded, thus making it virtually unreadable:
In short, we're doing better all around. More than half our games are wins (as opposed to a third last year, and less that 10% on the road). We're getting 1.8 points per game (2 per game at home) and scoring 1.4 goals a game, while conceding about 1 goal every 2 games (0.56 goals per game). Last year we were scoring slightly less per game (1.38 goals per game), allowing much more per game (1.25) and earning fewer points on average. All in all, we've improved. Credit goes to Dom and the lads on the field. Let's take this All-Star breather, then continue with our foot firmly on the Dynamo accelerator.
Onstad article
Great article in the Chronicle about our favorite goalkeeper (and perhaps the most underated one): Pat Onstad.
Pat is the only member of the MLS older than me. While that right there is enough for me to like the guy, he's also one of the classiest personalities you'll ever find in sports. He deserved to be on the All-Star team this year based on his numbers alone, but hopefully he'll have a few more years to prove his All-Star status.
Pat is the only member of the MLS older than me. While that right there is enough for me to like the guy, he's also one of the classiest personalities you'll ever find in sports. He deserved to be on the All-Star team this year based on his numbers alone, but hopefully he'll have a few more years to prove his All-Star status.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Blame the Metric System!
There's something about the Canadians and their darn metric system that confounds us. We lost to them up there (but is that the same as a tie using standard measurements?) and now we settle for a tie (is that the same as a win with the conversion?) down here. One point out of a possible 6 versus the expansion team; I blame the metric system.
(Note: the Canadian side had only 2 Canadian starters: the GK and Brennan. The two subs -- Pozniak and Lombardo -- were also Canadian.)
Tonight was a frustrating rehash of the beginning of the season. Despite dominating the field, we couldn't get the ball in the net. Ching had a 1v1 with the GK in the first half. Post. Ngwenya had shot after shot, and offside after offside. Holden: Blocked or post. Clark: High, wide, or to the keeper. D-Ro: wide. Jaqua: header high. All in all, we had 16 shots, and probably twice that many scoring opportunities. Toronto had 4 shots, 2 on goal, and that was about it for their opportunities.
With Edu sent off for his Flying Death maneuver on Mullan towards the end of the first half, and shots raining down on the Toronto goalkeeper, Srdjan "I'd Like to Buy A Vowel" Djekanovic, it seemed only a matter of time before we got one into the net. We even ended the game with 3 forwards: Ching, Jaqua, and Wondolowski. Dom also shifted the Middies around at the end, with Holden on the right, Mulrooney in the middle, and D-Ro on the left. I think that helped a lot (Holden was having trouble with O'Brien), but it didn't tickle the twine.
No goals; no Haiku.
But wait! There's still reason to celebrate. From the Dept. of the Glass is Half Full: We set an MLS record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. We're now at 695 minutes (the 2000 KC Wizards had the record at 681) and counting. I believe Dynamo's unbeaten streak of 10 games is a club record, and our shutout streak is at seven games. Plus, our 33 points put us at the top of the Conference and in the lead for the Supporters' Shield. Also, our 10 wins are just 1 shy of our season total in 2006. (Yeah, our 2006 losses were only 3 more than our total today, but I'm trying to keep it positive here.)
Other cool things: birthday wishes were posted on the Megatron for my oldest son. Happy 14th Birthday, bud!
How cool would it have been if Jaqua had squeezed his first touch into goal? Immediately after coming on, he had the golden chance following a corner kick. Dom has looked like a genius at times when his subs' first touch resulted in a goal or an assist. It's happened with Holden, Wondo, and Jaqua.
And how cool was it when the crowd cheered at the 77th minute -- during a routine goal kick -- when everyone realized the scoreless streak had attained record levels? That's a pretty savvy crowd.
But the crowd was sure light tonight. Just over 11,000 -- not a great showing. Our section (221) was very crowded, so I thought the attendance number would be higher. I guess they cram people into the eastern bleachers when possible to make the camera shots look more dynamic. Weather was probably a factor in the low turnout. Good thing the crowd was loud and ebullient.
Speaking of effusiveness; what was with Abbey-O demanding the streamers be taken off the field? We've had goalies complain about that before, and the refs just shushed them. Heck, Abbey-O has reffed here before and never had an issue with the party favors. This is the first time a game has been stopped for lawn maintenance at the Rob. (Except for when the sprinklers went off during the Dynamo vs Dynamo Open Cup match last summer...) I thought it was ridiculous that he stopped the game; but once he did, I thought the crowd should stop throwing things so we could continue the game. (Still every delay made the 77th minute get here faster.) I think we need a ruling from the MLS on this. Streamers are completely innocent; if cups and trash were being thrown, that would be a different issue entirely.
Despite the positives from tonight, losing to an expansion club that is one man down makes the evening a little sour. We seem to have trouble putting away games when a man up (see RBNY in our first road trip this season).
I think during the All-Star break we should do some finishing drills. Okay, it's not much of a break, but at least we don't have 4 games in 1 week.
At the All-Star exhibition. John Spencer will be the Asst. Coach (to Nichol, coach of our opponent next Sunday), and Ching, D-Ro, and Clark will represent.
Then it's off to New England, where the pesky Revolution will try to end our defensive streak. Here's hoping they don't, and that we find that net again. (Do we need to have a Thursday game to score?) Also, now that we're through facing the Canadian opponent, I hope that D-Ro will not try so hard and will return to his natural, game-controlling self.
Congratulations on the Dynamo U-17 team for going undefeated (so far) in the SUM U-17 Cup. Yeah, they're winless as well, but they're also undefeated!
(Note: the Canadian side had only 2 Canadian starters: the GK and Brennan. The two subs -- Pozniak and Lombardo -- were also Canadian.)
Tonight was a frustrating rehash of the beginning of the season. Despite dominating the field, we couldn't get the ball in the net. Ching had a 1v1 with the GK in the first half. Post. Ngwenya had shot after shot, and offside after offside. Holden: Blocked or post. Clark: High, wide, or to the keeper. D-Ro: wide. Jaqua: header high. All in all, we had 16 shots, and probably twice that many scoring opportunities. Toronto had 4 shots, 2 on goal, and that was about it for their opportunities.
With Edu sent off for his Flying Death maneuver on Mullan towards the end of the first half, and shots raining down on the Toronto goalkeeper, Srdjan "I'd Like to Buy A Vowel" Djekanovic, it seemed only a matter of time before we got one into the net. We even ended the game with 3 forwards: Ching, Jaqua, and Wondolowski. Dom also shifted the Middies around at the end, with Holden on the right, Mulrooney in the middle, and D-Ro on the left. I think that helped a lot (Holden was having trouble with O'Brien), but it didn't tickle the twine.
No goals; no Haiku.
But wait! There's still reason to celebrate. From the Dept. of the Glass is Half Full: We set an MLS record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. We're now at 695 minutes (the 2000 KC Wizards had the record at 681) and counting. I believe Dynamo's unbeaten streak of 10 games is a club record, and our shutout streak is at seven games. Plus, our 33 points put us at the top of the Conference and in the lead for the Supporters' Shield. Also, our 10 wins are just 1 shy of our season total in 2006. (Yeah, our 2006 losses were only 3 more than our total today, but I'm trying to keep it positive here.)
Other cool things: birthday wishes were posted on the Megatron for my oldest son. Happy 14th Birthday, bud!
How cool would it have been if Jaqua had squeezed his first touch into goal? Immediately after coming on, he had the golden chance following a corner kick. Dom has looked like a genius at times when his subs' first touch resulted in a goal or an assist. It's happened with Holden, Wondo, and Jaqua.
And how cool was it when the crowd cheered at the 77th minute -- during a routine goal kick -- when everyone realized the scoreless streak had attained record levels? That's a pretty savvy crowd.
But the crowd was sure light tonight. Just over 11,000 -- not a great showing. Our section (221) was very crowded, so I thought the attendance number would be higher. I guess they cram people into the eastern bleachers when possible to make the camera shots look more dynamic. Weather was probably a factor in the low turnout. Good thing the crowd was loud and ebullient.
Speaking of effusiveness; what was with Abbey-O demanding the streamers be taken off the field? We've had goalies complain about that before, and the refs just shushed them. Heck, Abbey-O has reffed here before and never had an issue with the party favors. This is the first time a game has been stopped for lawn maintenance at the Rob. (Except for when the sprinklers went off during the Dynamo vs Dynamo Open Cup match last summer...) I thought it was ridiculous that he stopped the game; but once he did, I thought the crowd should stop throwing things so we could continue the game. (Still every delay made the 77th minute get here faster.) I think we need a ruling from the MLS on this. Streamers are completely innocent; if cups and trash were being thrown, that would be a different issue entirely.
Despite the positives from tonight, losing to an expansion club that is one man down makes the evening a little sour. We seem to have trouble putting away games when a man up (see RBNY in our first road trip this season).
I think during the All-Star break we should do some finishing drills. Okay, it's not much of a break, but at least we don't have 4 games in 1 week.
At the All-Star exhibition. John Spencer will be the Asst. Coach (to Nichol, coach of our opponent next Sunday), and Ching, D-Ro, and Clark will represent.
Then it's off to New England, where the pesky Revolution will try to end our defensive streak. Here's hoping they don't, and that we find that net again. (Do we need to have a Thursday game to score?) Also, now that we're through facing the Canadian opponent, I hope that D-Ro will not try so hard and will return to his natural, game-controlling self.
Congratulations on the Dynamo U-17 team for going undefeated (so far) in the SUM U-17 Cup. Yeah, they're winless as well, but they're also undefeated!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Dear Carl
I submitted this email to Carl of 790 AM's Davies & Duke morning show. I only heard a bit of the show this morning as I drove in (traffic was lighter than usual today, so I didn't have as much radio time), but Carl was talking about -- what else? -- Beckham. Soccer is rarely discussed on this show (but they do have Waibel on occasionally), but I thought I'd weigh in when he asked for calls and emails about whether Beckham would grow the game of soccer in the US.
Carl,
Beckham will indeed grow the sport of soccer in the US. He will draw interest from fringe soccer fans, including the soccer moms and the media-molded curiosity-seekers. He'll also draw interest from ex-pat Euro/Latino soccer fans who have traditionally snubbed the MLS for the leagues of their homelands. (Beckham is not Latino, but he has the interest of Latino soccer fans -- and Latina soccer fans...)
In addition to these built-in audiences and manufactured audiences, soccer is unlike other American sports in that it is tied to national team competitions. The World Cup is a catalyst for passion that is fueled by more than just enjoyment of a sport, because it draws on the nationalistic pride of a people. The improved quality of the US Men's National Team has helped spark this interest in the USA, and that can turn into a passion for the local MLS clubs.
Nationalism is a powerful aphrodisiac. Basketball realizes this and is trying to tap into it with the newly organized approach to developing a national team for international play and the Olympics. Baseball is also hoping to eventually create something like the World Cup for similar reasons.
If Beckham's team, the LA Galaxy, actually becomes a good team, it will be better for the league having such a national (and maybe international) powerhouse in such a high profile media market. That will draw interest from not only new audiences, but from other global (and local) athletes, who will be willing to come to the MLS. This will improve the quality of the league, which will further the development of our American players and expand the audience even more.
This is not to say that soccer will surpass the big 3 in American sports. I think it can and will pass up hockey overall –- soccer is already becoming big in Toronto due to the new MLS team up there and the success of the Canadian National team, and we all know the Canucks are the biggest source of hockey fanaticism on the continent.
Of course, some of us may soon be sick of seeing all Beckham all the time, forcing us to turn away from soccer out of pure nausea...but I think the circus side of things will quiet down eventually.
***
As for the nausea and the circus side of things, there are plenty of articles and (yikes) pictures of His Hairness. The pix are not for those with a modest bent. I also don't imagine they're framed in the Beckham home for little Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz to see. "Mommy, why is Daddy wrestling with you in that picture? Did the wind blow your clothes off?"
A good sports illustrated article about Becks is here.
And a Time article here.
And a photo shoot that begs the question, "Why would a guy have a tramp stamp?" Apologies to all for me having succumbed to the madness and posting links. I feel dirty, and I can't get my wife off the computer now...
Carl,
Beckham will indeed grow the sport of soccer in the US. He will draw interest from fringe soccer fans, including the soccer moms and the media-molded curiosity-seekers. He'll also draw interest from ex-pat Euro/Latino soccer fans who have traditionally snubbed the MLS for the leagues of their homelands. (Beckham is not Latino, but he has the interest of Latino soccer fans -- and Latina soccer fans...)
In addition to these built-in audiences and manufactured audiences, soccer is unlike other American sports in that it is tied to national team competitions. The World Cup is a catalyst for passion that is fueled by more than just enjoyment of a sport, because it draws on the nationalistic pride of a people. The improved quality of the US Men's National Team has helped spark this interest in the USA, and that can turn into a passion for the local MLS clubs.
Nationalism is a powerful aphrodisiac. Basketball realizes this and is trying to tap into it with the newly organized approach to developing a national team for international play and the Olympics. Baseball is also hoping to eventually create something like the World Cup for similar reasons.
If Beckham's team, the LA Galaxy, actually becomes a good team, it will be better for the league having such a national (and maybe international) powerhouse in such a high profile media market. That will draw interest from not only new audiences, but from other global (and local) athletes, who will be willing to come to the MLS. This will improve the quality of the league, which will further the development of our American players and expand the audience even more.
This is not to say that soccer will surpass the big 3 in American sports. I think it can and will pass up hockey overall –- soccer is already becoming big in Toronto due to the new MLS team up there and the success of the Canadian National team, and we all know the Canucks are the biggest source of hockey fanaticism on the continent.
Of course, some of us may soon be sick of seeing all Beckham all the time, forcing us to turn away from soccer out of pure nausea...but I think the circus side of things will quiet down eventually.
***
As for the nausea and the circus side of things, there are plenty of articles and (yikes) pictures of His Hairness. The pix are not for those with a modest bent. I also don't imagine they're framed in the Beckham home for little Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz to see. "Mommy, why is Daddy wrestling with you in that picture? Did the wind blow your clothes off?"
A good sports illustrated article about Becks is here.
And a Time article here.
And a photo shoot that begs the question, "Why would a guy have a tramp stamp?" Apologies to all for me having succumbed to the madness and posting links. I feel dirty, and I can't get my wife off the computer now...
Thursday, July 12, 2007
We are on Fire!
In our short history, we've lost to Chicago twice (at home) and tied them at Toyota Park in a game that featured D-Ro's goal from the midfield line. We've never beaten them, until tonight.
For our third Thursday night game in a row, we beat our opponent 4-0. Mullan, Mulrooney, Holden (who played like a veteran), Ngwenya (who played like a maestro at times), and Jaqua (who really wanted to impress his former fans) were in the zone tonight. I didn't see Clark do too much today (I didn't even see his first half blistering shot until the replay because ESPN thought we might want to see a Beckham commercial in the middle of the game), but (1) he was playing out of his usual position, and (2) he didn't need to do too much today. We tended to by-pass the midfield or use the flanks to great effect tonight.
Despite the clean sheet, I think our back line was a little loosey-goosey at times. (That's a technical term, by the way.) Perhaps it was over confidence. We are now firmly in second place to the 2000 KC Wizards for consecutive minutes without conceding a score. I worried that the thorn-in-our-side-that-is-Thiago would make one of his signature moves and sneak a ball in, but nope. Onstad was flawless and our overall team defensive abilities kept us out of trouble for the most part.
Ngwenya's amazing goal has moved me to Haiku:
A touch: "Bye, Curtain;"
Another: rounding Pickens
A knife to the net.
The first touch around Curtain was immaculate. The move around Pickens, well timed. The shot from the impossible angle was amazing precision. Definite GOTW candidate. That was a Ngwenya that I've never seen; I wonder if the Crew had ever seen it?
Kinnear has done an amazing job crafting a team in this, his sophomore year in Houston. The team is the best integrated group of individuals in the MLS. They have talent, but their obvious rapport with each other is what separates them. I loved the relaxed smiles Onstad had during the game, including his relieved grin after Cochrane's own-goal-that-nearly-was whizzed past the post in the first half.
Sliding, dirt flying,
His leg -- akimbo -- strikes out,
"Flee to safety, ball."
Another great game tonight -- and in front of a great crowd too. Impressive showing by the Fahr faithful: more than 20,000 on a Thursday night. Here's hoping for equally impressive attendance this Sunday at the Rob, where we hopefully can avenge our loss to Toronto and shut them out in the process.
Finally, about that Beckham commercial that took up the screen while Rico was teeing up his shot: the "S" in ESPN should stand for "Sports" not "Soap Operas." We're glued to the TV to watch a game, so show a game. Talk about Becks if you must, but don't hide the reason we tuned to your station. By the same token, my main focus is the game, not the news. If you feel your sports fans need to have an in-game update on whether A-Rod will negotiate his new contract now, later, or never, because that's news that just can't wait, then at least make the news video a smaller screen than the game -- the game that made me tune to your station in the first place. Thanks.
A small postage stamp
With Orange mites on green,
Oh, that's the 'Mo Game!
For our third Thursday night game in a row, we beat our opponent 4-0. Mullan, Mulrooney, Holden (who played like a veteran), Ngwenya (who played like a maestro at times), and Jaqua (who really wanted to impress his former fans) were in the zone tonight. I didn't see Clark do too much today (I didn't even see his first half blistering shot until the replay because ESPN thought we might want to see a Beckham commercial in the middle of the game), but (1) he was playing out of his usual position, and (2) he didn't need to do too much today. We tended to by-pass the midfield or use the flanks to great effect tonight.
Despite the clean sheet, I think our back line was a little loosey-goosey at times. (That's a technical term, by the way.) Perhaps it was over confidence. We are now firmly in second place to the 2000 KC Wizards for consecutive minutes without conceding a score. I worried that the thorn-in-our-side-that-is-Thiago would make one of his signature moves and sneak a ball in, but nope. Onstad was flawless and our overall team defensive abilities kept us out of trouble for the most part.
Ngwenya's amazing goal has moved me to Haiku:
A touch: "Bye, Curtain;"
Another: rounding Pickens
A knife to the net.
The first touch around Curtain was immaculate. The move around Pickens, well timed. The shot from the impossible angle was amazing precision. Definite GOTW candidate. That was a Ngwenya that I've never seen; I wonder if the Crew had ever seen it?
Kinnear has done an amazing job crafting a team in this, his sophomore year in Houston. The team is the best integrated group of individuals in the MLS. They have talent, but their obvious rapport with each other is what separates them. I loved the relaxed smiles Onstad had during the game, including his relieved grin after Cochrane's own-goal-that-nearly-was whizzed past the post in the first half.
Sliding, dirt flying,
His leg -- akimbo -- strikes out,
"Flee to safety, ball."
Another great game tonight -- and in front of a great crowd too. Impressive showing by the Fahr faithful: more than 20,000 on a Thursday night. Here's hoping for equally impressive attendance this Sunday at the Rob, where we hopefully can avenge our loss to Toronto and shut them out in the process.
Finally, about that Beckham commercial that took up the screen while Rico was teeing up his shot: the "S" in ESPN should stand for "Sports" not "Soap Operas." We're glued to the TV to watch a game, so show a game. Talk about Becks if you must, but don't hide the reason we tuned to your station. By the same token, my main focus is the game, not the news. If you feel your sports fans need to have an in-game update on whether A-Rod will negotiate his new contract now, later, or never, because that's news that just can't wait, then at least make the news video a smaller screen than the game -- the game that made me tune to your station in the first place. Thanks.
A small postage stamp
With Orange mites on green,
Oh, that's the 'Mo Game!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Battery drains Dynamo
Well, I would've liked to have won tonight, of course. Wins are always nice, and we'd have had the reward of facing the vile Frisco Hoops in the quarterfinals. It would be nice to add the US Open Cup to our trophy case one day, but it won't be this year.
As much as I would have liked to have beaten the Charleston Battery, I can't say that I'm all that disappointed with the loss. Usually when we're on the business end of a defeat, I gnash my teeth and glower at the dog and grunt at the kids, but I just don't feel the frustration tonight.
Why?
The US Open Cup is a fascinating competition, and it's a nice piece of hardware; but it's traditionally been third in importance in the hierarchy, and now with SuperLiga, it's dropped to fourth. Let's see...in my mind the order is probably:
(1) the MLS Cup,
(2) the Supporters' Shield (which is a greater accomplishment I think, but the MLS Cup gets the edge because of the lasting recognition, including the jersey scudetto that turns into a star, and the magical silver ball),
(3) SuperLiga, then
(4) the US Open Cup.
I would have to put the CONCACAF Champions Cup above the SuperLiga at this point, but I do think (hope) SuperLiga will grow with importance as it matures.
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way:
Other 3rd Round Results:
I can't hold it back any longer: listening to Steve Mark's game description (I can't call it game play-by-play) is pure torture. He doesn't use much soccer terminology first of all, but the worse sin is that he doesn't keep pace with the game. The PK was immediately called by the ref, but Mark seemed to think the ref was waffling and I didn't learn of the call until the video feed (which runs nearly a full minute behind the radio play) showed it. Action in front of the goal will end with a long silent pause while Mark tries to mentally sort it out, and I'm left shouting "What is HAPPENING?!" The man knows sports, and he's got passion, no doubt; I just wish he'd borrow some tapes of EPL games and listen to how it's done. Maybe Glenn Davis or even Charlie Pallilo (who's not a soccer guy, but knows play-by-play) could pass along some pointers.
Having said that, I really liked Steve Mark's post game report this past weekend. It's great to be able to flip over to 790 on the drive home after a game and hear the team interviews. Live local soccer with radio commentary; things have gotten good here in Houston.
The USL video feed of the game was actually pretty good. The camera work was hosed, but to be able to watch a US Open Cup game from a USL team's home stadium in South Carolina is really a treat. The play-by-play guy was understated and good. He didn't know many of the Dynamo players...but then neither did I tonight. I wouldn't mind him calling Dynamo games regularly, but who knows: his radio work might not be as good as his video work.
A nod to Monsieur Dwayne De Rosario
I really like the news that came out yesterday: DDR will be a Dynamo through 2010. Much bile has been spilled his way due to his lack of form so far this year. He's still the generator of electricity for the Dynamo, and his speed, touch, and imagination can leave you breathless on the sidelines. I've already noted many times that I don't think that he was not trying hard enough during the negotiation: he was trying too hard. Hopefully now he will be at ease and just let himself slip into the game. DDR through 2010 is a good thing.
As much as I would have liked to have beaten the Charleston Battery, I can't say that I'm all that disappointed with the loss. Usually when we're on the business end of a defeat, I gnash my teeth and glower at the dog and grunt at the kids, but I just don't feel the frustration tonight.
Why?
The US Open Cup is a fascinating competition, and it's a nice piece of hardware; but it's traditionally been third in importance in the hierarchy, and now with SuperLiga, it's dropped to fourth. Let's see...in my mind the order is probably:
(1) the MLS Cup,
(2) the Supporters' Shield (which is a greater accomplishment I think, but the MLS Cup gets the edge because of the lasting recognition, including the jersey scudetto that turns into a star, and the magical silver ball),
(3) SuperLiga, then
(4) the US Open Cup.
I would have to put the CONCACAF Champions Cup above the SuperLiga at this point, but I do think (hope) SuperLiga will grow with importance as it matures.
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way:
- Well, we lost, and that's never good.
- Ashe looks like he has an ankle sprain. He's recently been making a name for himself on the first team, and an ankle sprain could waylay him for a while -- just ask Dalglish. Cochrane may have also been nicked up.
- Charleston Battery were quite equal with us on the field, and could have gotten a goal without the ref's help had it not been for Zach Wells. Similarly, we had too few good chances on goal.
- Eddie Robinson played quite a bit. So? Well, this is bad because he's on my Fantasy Soccer team (currently in 6th place in my 86-team league; Go Balder Dash!) and will now probably sit much of the Thursday game.
- The reserves got some good time on the field and in a meaningful competition. I saw some talent out there, but a lot of development is still in the books. There was one left middie (or an advanced back) towards the end of the match who had a really good touch and could maintain possession well under pressure. Was that Hayden? Hatzke? Ustruck? Couldn't tell on my small screen. Moloi got some raves too.
- Dalglish finally got some work on the field and began to build up his fitness. Welcome back, Daggers! (What's with the hair?)
- Zach Wells continues to impress.
- It took a lame dive and chintzy call by the ref in the 106th minute to get the ball into our net, and even then, better reaction from our defenders may have paid off after Wells deflected the initial shot but couldn’t beat the Battery forwards to the rolling ball.
- Except for Robinson, our primary starters were able to rest. I know Onstad traveled to the game and Ching didn't, but I hope at least some of the other "Starting XI" attended the game to cheer on their mates.
- Our game schedule is now a little more open and less arduous on the lads. It's very likely we'd have to go with a mostly reserve team versus FCD, or risk our effectiveness in the league or SuperLiga.
Other 3rd Round Results:
- Dallas plays its first team against the Atlanta Silverbacks and is a man up for 68 minutes (from the 82nd minute through two overtimes) but still has to go to penalties to move on.
- LA takes the same approach as Dynamo Houston, and with the same results. Playing several reserves, the Gals lose to the Richmond Kickers 1-0.
- New England Revolution plays its first team and beats the historic club, the Rochester Rhinos, 4-2.
- Colorado relies on a mix of veterans and reserves to put away the California Victory, 3-1.
I can't hold it back any longer: listening to Steve Mark's game description (I can't call it game play-by-play) is pure torture. He doesn't use much soccer terminology first of all, but the worse sin is that he doesn't keep pace with the game. The PK was immediately called by the ref, but Mark seemed to think the ref was waffling and I didn't learn of the call until the video feed (which runs nearly a full minute behind the radio play) showed it. Action in front of the goal will end with a long silent pause while Mark tries to mentally sort it out, and I'm left shouting "What is HAPPENING?!" The man knows sports, and he's got passion, no doubt; I just wish he'd borrow some tapes of EPL games and listen to how it's done. Maybe Glenn Davis or even Charlie Pallilo (who's not a soccer guy, but knows play-by-play) could pass along some pointers.
Having said that, I really liked Steve Mark's post game report this past weekend. It's great to be able to flip over to 790 on the drive home after a game and hear the team interviews. Live local soccer with radio commentary; things have gotten good here in Houston.
The USL video feed of the game was actually pretty good. The camera work was hosed, but to be able to watch a US Open Cup game from a USL team's home stadium in South Carolina is really a treat. The play-by-play guy was understated and good. He didn't know many of the Dynamo players...but then neither did I tonight. I wouldn't mind him calling Dynamo games regularly, but who knows: his radio work might not be as good as his video work.
A nod to Monsieur Dwayne De Rosario
I really like the news that came out yesterday: DDR will be a Dynamo through 2010. Much bile has been spilled his way due to his lack of form so far this year. He's still the generator of electricity for the Dynamo, and his speed, touch, and imagination can leave you breathless on the sidelines. I've already noted many times that I don't think that he was not trying hard enough during the negotiation: he was trying too hard. Hopefully now he will be at ease and just let himself slip into the game. DDR through 2010 is a good thing.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
The Dynamo Machine Keeps Plugging Away
The Dynamo-Houston defense lived up to its billing and got its fifth straight clean sheet. We only got ourselves one goal, but it was all we needed.
The goal wasn't pretty by any stretch. After DC cleared one of our corners, the ball ended up with Mulrooney, who took a little long in my eager mind to decide to shoot, but shoot he did. The ball got stopped in the crowd in front of the goal, and Ching managed to redirect it into the goal. Gotta say that I didn't realize Ching had even scored that one until much later.
We had a few more opportunities that were prettier than the goal, but nothing trumps a goal. In the first 10 minutes, I thought we were going to get our goal when we had two solid threats. One of them saw Ngwenya with an open look on goal, but he decided to pass it off and the ball was lost. Later, Ching [watching the tape later: it is D-Ro] hustled to the goal line to save the ball and chip it in front of goal, but with an open goal staring us in the face, no one was there to capitalize as Holden hustled up to try.
Then in the 19th minute Gomez had a pretty innocuous free kick that bounced in our box (bad news, that) and somehow lazily floated towards the top corner of our goal. We were saved by the woodwork, but it would've been pretty embarrassing had that slow ball gone in.
From my position (low down section 219 tonight), I thought Ching had a sure goal in the 27th or thereabouts. With the ball at his feet at the edge of the 18-yard box, only one defender in the area (pinned to his side of course), Ching winds up and rips a shot that was deflected by the back's shin. With the deflection, I was lined up behind the ball's path and it was bearing in on the upper 90. I thought the ricochet would make it too deceptive for Perkins, but the GK had incredible reflexes and managed to knock the sure goal out for a corner.
Just a few minutes later, Robinson and Emilio are going at it on our half and Robinson smoothly wins the ball, only to get twisted up with his own momentum. The Brazilian collects the ball and Onstad faces him alone...and comes out on top. This was by far the most dangerous moment of the first half (other than that confusingly scary free kick). A few minutes later, we got the goal and I figured one goal would be all we need in Robertson Stadium.
But then the second half started and I became a bit more worried. Our back line limited DC 's opportunities on goal, but we were totally outclassed in the midfield. It wasn't that we had bunkered in or had given up, but for a stretch from about the 55th minute to the 65th minute, we could only manage about 2 passes to every 11 of DC's. They were stringing the passes together like beads, but luckily the passing was basically just possession-oriented and not penetrating. Things became a bit more even as the half wore on, but I think DC's desperation made them a bit more effective.
I thought that we had some good individual performances in the second half, but we sure weren't clicking. One player would make a nice pass, and another would have just cut the other way. One would zig while another would zag. The subs didn't change the game complexion much, but were a good move given we have three more games this week. I didn't think Nate Jaqua added much when he came in, but it was good to give Ngwenya some rest. Ashe did manage to keep our speed up in Ngwenya's absence. DeRo needed the rest and Clark needed some time to gel with his teammates. (And did Clark's jersey look yellower than the other jerseys? Maybe that's what happens when it sits at the bottom of your drawer for a month. My wife thought it just hadn't absorbed 8 pounds of sweat and that's why it looked different.)
We do need to work on game-killing possession play in these 1-goal games. It makes for tense moments otherwise. And I repeat this question: Why can't the stadium keep the clock running past 90 so we at least have an idea of how far into stoppage we've gone? Maybe I need to start an email campaign to get that going.
Bottom line is our defense is tops of the league. We have allowed only 10 goals this year, 5 fewer than the next lowest total (owned by Chivas-Carson). At home, we've scored 13 and allowed only 4. In only one game (at DC) we have allowed more than 1 goal -- and that was limited to 2. Credit goes to Onstad and our back four, no doubt; but it's also a result of our solid midfield with talent in the center and hustle on the wings. Perhaps Bradley should give some of our defenders a better look at the next US National Team camp.
Odd bits:
You know, you can't expect better weather in Houston in July. With the occasional breeze, it was actually bearable tonight.
We tied the series with DC this year. While we're done with them for league play, we do meet them once more here in Houston, on August 1 for the SuperLiga tournament.
We are only 2 wins shy of our season win total last year. Our 2 ties are 11 shy of our season total for last year, but I'd gladly swap draws for wins any season.
Tuesday we face the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup. Even if it means we struggle, I hope we give our reserves some time on the field. It'd be good for them and good for our club's future. If we do move on and face FCD, I hope we mop the field up with them!
The goal wasn't pretty by any stretch. After DC cleared one of our corners, the ball ended up with Mulrooney, who took a little long in my eager mind to decide to shoot, but shoot he did. The ball got stopped in the crowd in front of the goal, and Ching managed to redirect it into the goal. Gotta say that I didn't realize Ching had even scored that one until much later.
We had a few more opportunities that were prettier than the goal, but nothing trumps a goal. In the first 10 minutes, I thought we were going to get our goal when we had two solid threats. One of them saw Ngwenya with an open look on goal, but he decided to pass it off and the ball was lost. Later, Ching [watching the tape later: it is D-Ro] hustled to the goal line to save the ball and chip it in front of goal, but with an open goal staring us in the face, no one was there to capitalize as Holden hustled up to try.
Then in the 19th minute Gomez had a pretty innocuous free kick that bounced in our box (bad news, that) and somehow lazily floated towards the top corner of our goal. We were saved by the woodwork, but it would've been pretty embarrassing had that slow ball gone in.
From my position (low down section 219 tonight), I thought Ching had a sure goal in the 27th or thereabouts. With the ball at his feet at the edge of the 18-yard box, only one defender in the area (pinned to his side of course), Ching winds up and rips a shot that was deflected by the back's shin. With the deflection, I was lined up behind the ball's path and it was bearing in on the upper 90. I thought the ricochet would make it too deceptive for Perkins, but the GK had incredible reflexes and managed to knock the sure goal out for a corner.
Just a few minutes later, Robinson and Emilio are going at it on our half and Robinson smoothly wins the ball, only to get twisted up with his own momentum. The Brazilian collects the ball and Onstad faces him alone...and comes out on top. This was by far the most dangerous moment of the first half (other than that confusingly scary free kick). A few minutes later, we got the goal and I figured one goal would be all we need in Robertson Stadium.
But then the second half started and I became a bit more worried. Our back line limited DC 's opportunities on goal, but we were totally outclassed in the midfield. It wasn't that we had bunkered in or had given up, but for a stretch from about the 55th minute to the 65th minute, we could only manage about 2 passes to every 11 of DC's. They were stringing the passes together like beads, but luckily the passing was basically just possession-oriented and not penetrating. Things became a bit more even as the half wore on, but I think DC's desperation made them a bit more effective.
I thought that we had some good individual performances in the second half, but we sure weren't clicking. One player would make a nice pass, and another would have just cut the other way. One would zig while another would zag. The subs didn't change the game complexion much, but were a good move given we have three more games this week. I didn't think Nate Jaqua added much when he came in, but it was good to give Ngwenya some rest. Ashe did manage to keep our speed up in Ngwenya's absence. DeRo needed the rest and Clark needed some time to gel with his teammates. (And did Clark's jersey look yellower than the other jerseys? Maybe that's what happens when it sits at the bottom of your drawer for a month. My wife thought it just hadn't absorbed 8 pounds of sweat and that's why it looked different.)
We do need to work on game-killing possession play in these 1-goal games. It makes for tense moments otherwise. And I repeat this question: Why can't the stadium keep the clock running past 90 so we at least have an idea of how far into stoppage we've gone? Maybe I need to start an email campaign to get that going.
Bottom line is our defense is tops of the league. We have allowed only 10 goals this year, 5 fewer than the next lowest total (owned by Chivas-Carson). At home, we've scored 13 and allowed only 4. In only one game (at DC) we have allowed more than 1 goal -- and that was limited to 2. Credit goes to Onstad and our back four, no doubt; but it's also a result of our solid midfield with talent in the center and hustle on the wings. Perhaps Bradley should give some of our defenders a better look at the next US National Team camp.
Odd bits:
You know, you can't expect better weather in Houston in July. With the occasional breeze, it was actually bearable tonight.
We tied the series with DC this year. While we're done with them for league play, we do meet them once more here in Houston, on August 1 for the SuperLiga tournament.
We are only 2 wins shy of our season win total last year. Our 2 ties are 11 shy of our season total for last year, but I'd gladly swap draws for wins any season.
Tuesday we face the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup. Even if it means we struggle, I hope we give our reserves some time on the field. It'd be good for them and good for our club's future. If we do move on and face FCD, I hope we mop the field up with them!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Soccer 101
Dynamo Houston hosted a soccer clinic tonight with a public viewing. The courses included:
1. Organizing a Defense
2. The Midfield: A Tool for Setting Up the Forwards
3. Let's Get Physical: Soccer as an Effective Contact Sport
4. Play the Odds: Shooting in Bunches and the Goals that Can Result
5. Chillin' & Killin': How to stay refreshed and end a match
And finally,
6. How to Create a Strong Franchise within a Budget.
The willing student were the Red Bulls-NY. I don't know how much RBNY picked up in class, but we obliged with much repetition to help with the learning. We ended the game 4-0, but it could've been 6-0 or more.
Sometimes it's hard to figure out this team. We always have solid defense, and our midfield is among the best in the league, but we're not always that good in the final third. Tonight we were. Ngwenya had two (with his head), Ching had one (with his foot), and Holden had a "cracker of a shot" (as the English are wont to say) to add to his 2 (and a half) assists. Ngwenya almost had another, Ching almost had two more (including an outstanding shot that hit the post), DeRo could've had two (a brilliant free kick and a powerful kick following his own dummy and a Ching backheel), and substitute Cory Ashe could've had two of his own as well. After the second goal, the team was so relaxed that they were playing confidently and creatively.
If memory serves, the first three goals were off corner kicks, right? (Ching's being immediately following one.) That right there is unusual for the team this year. And we didn't have to rely on a single defender to score for us tonight.
All this after a forgettable day at Frisco. I guess Houston still wilts under a harsh sun (who doesn't?), but humidity ain't no thang.
And the newbie, Nate? As a sub he laid off the pass that opened Holden up for his "CoaS".
I'm just going to sit back and bask in it all. I've got it taped, so I might even rewatch it. I may have to save it to watch after the DC game this weekend if that goes sour.
But if the team finishes on a regular basis like it did tonight, things won't go sour often, and we'll take the Supporters' Shield.
Other bits:
Go Dynamo!
1. Organizing a Defense
2. The Midfield: A Tool for Setting Up the Forwards
3. Let's Get Physical: Soccer as an Effective Contact Sport
4. Play the Odds: Shooting in Bunches and the Goals that Can Result
5. Chillin' & Killin': How to stay refreshed and end a match
And finally,
6. How to Create a Strong Franchise within a Budget.
The willing student were the Red Bulls-NY. I don't know how much RBNY picked up in class, but we obliged with much repetition to help with the learning. We ended the game 4-0, but it could've been 6-0 or more.
Sometimes it's hard to figure out this team. We always have solid defense, and our midfield is among the best in the league, but we're not always that good in the final third. Tonight we were. Ngwenya had two (with his head), Ching had one (with his foot), and Holden had a "cracker of a shot" (as the English are wont to say) to add to his 2 (and a half) assists. Ngwenya almost had another, Ching almost had two more (including an outstanding shot that hit the post), DeRo could've had two (a brilliant free kick and a powerful kick following his own dummy and a Ching backheel), and substitute Cory Ashe could've had two of his own as well. After the second goal, the team was so relaxed that they were playing confidently and creatively.
If memory serves, the first three goals were off corner kicks, right? (Ching's being immediately following one.) That right there is unusual for the team this year. And we didn't have to rely on a single defender to score for us tonight.
All this after a forgettable day at Frisco. I guess Houston still wilts under a harsh sun (who doesn't?), but humidity ain't no thang.
And the newbie, Nate? As a sub he laid off the pass that opened Holden up for his "CoaS".
I'm just going to sit back and bask in it all. I've got it taped, so I might even rewatch it. I may have to save it to watch after the DC game this weekend if that goes sour.
But if the team finishes on a regular basis like it did tonight, things won't go sour often, and we'll take the Supporters' Shield.
Other bits:
- Good to see Goldthwaite again. Second time this season we've faced him, and in his second uniform. Trading Goldie was good for his career, I think, but I feel for him not getting the chance to gel with one team. Hopefully he gels with the Taureaux Rouges. He didn't have a particularly good game tonight unfortunately (or fortunately for us). How nice it would have been for him to have his goal count tonight, with him returning to Robertson. We likely won't see him again, unless he gets traded again or we see him in the post-season.
- Speaking of former Dynamos, here's a nice article on Alejandro Moreno from the Columbus Dispatch.
- The "First XI" have been identified for the All-Star team. To have two center mids from the same club chosen as "the best" says a lot for the club's quality.
- Oh yeah: the US lost to Colombia. While we didn't look overmatched like we did against Argentina, this one hurts the most because of the fact that Colombia is not the quality of Argentina, that Colombia had to play with 10 men and a striker in goal for the final 3+ minutes of the game, and Guzan managed to save a PK and we still were outscored.
Go Dynamo!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Paraguay Cheese & Daggers
Okay, I'm getting cheesed by the USMNT. Tonight we played a Paraguay team that, as good as it is, is several notches below Argentina. That played a major role in the fact that the US looked much more solid than in its first game. Not only did we have good possession, we had a half dozen (or more) solid chances on goal. Great goal by Dynamo-Clark to end the first half, and he almost ended the second half with an even better strike.
And for all the grief I give Twellman, his assist was complete quality and showed amazing vision.
But good gravy! The game should've ended 1-1, except for a horrible back pass by Bornstein to Keller that left the GK out to dry. Perhaps Conrad could've gotten to it, but he was caught flat-footed by the lazy pass as well. (I hinted at this before, but now I'm loudly proclaiming that Bornstein has talent, but those talents do not involve defense. Put the bloke in as left mid.) And that final Paraguayan goal was well placed, but (1) what a horrible and unnecessary foul by Califf that should never have happened, and (2) I can't help but believe that Keller could've gotten to it had he been better positioned from the onset.
The first goal was well played right down our middle and we were completely disorganized as a result. An organized and disciplined (as in, "non-ball-watching") defense could have stopped that run, but I'll give a pass on that one since it was executed so quickly. Yet those last two goals were, I think, completely preventable.
This result cheeses me more than the Argentina result. On the positives, I've got to say that Clark had a good game and I'm glad he bounced back. Moor did better than I thought he would, shame about the missed open header at the end. In the "beating a dead horse" category: can we please, PLEASE find some forwards in this nation of 302 million people? Our defense has usually been strong and our midfield is becoming more and more talented, but our corps of forwards is very weak, with even the talented ones seemingly hesitant to go to goal or put away good opportunities. I think this might haunt us for some time, but hopefully we figure it out before 2010.
***
Speaking of lame forwards...
Here's some other news that cheeses me. Dynamo are losing Gray and gaining Nate Jaqua. Gray had his faults, but he was a good utility player to fill holes due to call-ups or injury. He is also young and cheap. Jaqua is a forward (don't we have a bunch of those already?) and not a very good one. And he's expensive. So we're obliging AEG's favorite team, the Gals, by taking their expensive cast-offs. Great.
I think this means that Dalglish is no longer a Dynamo. Daggers, we hardly knew ye. I guess that'll put an end for good to the Braveheart game intro.
It's just a day to be cheesed.
And for all the grief I give Twellman, his assist was complete quality and showed amazing vision.
But good gravy! The game should've ended 1-1, except for a horrible back pass by Bornstein to Keller that left the GK out to dry. Perhaps Conrad could've gotten to it, but he was caught flat-footed by the lazy pass as well. (I hinted at this before, but now I'm loudly proclaiming that Bornstein has talent, but those talents do not involve defense. Put the bloke in as left mid.) And that final Paraguayan goal was well placed, but (1) what a horrible and unnecessary foul by Califf that should never have happened, and (2) I can't help but believe that Keller could've gotten to it had he been better positioned from the onset.
The first goal was well played right down our middle and we were completely disorganized as a result. An organized and disciplined (as in, "non-ball-watching") defense could have stopped that run, but I'll give a pass on that one since it was executed so quickly. Yet those last two goals were, I think, completely preventable.
This result cheeses me more than the Argentina result. On the positives, I've got to say that Clark had a good game and I'm glad he bounced back. Moor did better than I thought he would, shame about the missed open header at the end. In the "beating a dead horse" category: can we please, PLEASE find some forwards in this nation of 302 million people? Our defense has usually been strong and our midfield is becoming more and more talented, but our corps of forwards is very weak, with even the talented ones seemingly hesitant to go to goal or put away good opportunities. I think this might haunt us for some time, but hopefully we figure it out before 2010.
***
Speaking of lame forwards...
Here's some other news that cheeses me. Dynamo are losing Gray and gaining Nate Jaqua. Gray had his faults, but he was a good utility player to fill holes due to call-ups or injury. He is also young and cheap. Jaqua is a forward (don't we have a bunch of those already?) and not a very good one. And he's expensive. So we're obliging AEG's favorite team, the Gals, by taking their expensive cast-offs. Great.
I think this means that Dalglish is no longer a Dynamo. Daggers, we hardly knew ye. I guess that'll put an end for good to the Braveheart game intro.
It's just a day to be cheesed.
How I'd change things up for Paraguay
Tonight we meet a Paraguay team that posted an impressive 5-0 victory over Colombia. (Maybe "Los Cafeteros" should have called up JP Angel and Juan Toja after all.) We've faced Paraguay four times, with us winning twice and drawing twice. That means zilch of course.
If I ran the zoo, this is the lineup I'd select for the US, partly because I think it might work, partly because I just want to shake things up, and partly because I don't get into trouble if things go awry. I still think the forward selection is the weakest pool of talent we've brought with us, but our wide defenders could be the most troublesome weakness. Still, if our forwards could stretch out the opposition and set them back on their heels, it would make things easier for our harried defense.
GK: Keller (stay with experience one more game as long as we have hopes of advancing)
DEF: Wynne (one more chance to see if he learned from the first match...but if not, then he might be the first sub out), DeMerit, Conrad, Pearce
MID: Nguyen (an exciting prospect?), Clark, Feilhaber, Bornstein (it's not his normal position, but I think his strengths and weaknesses would work here)
FOR: Johnson (yet another chance), Davies (a first chance)
Olsen would be the first sub of the second half if we are fortunate to have a lead to protect.
It was pure coaching brilliance on Bradley's part to ensure our first game blowout makes Paraguay overconfident coming into this match...go US!
If I ran the zoo, this is the lineup I'd select for the US, partly because I think it might work, partly because I just want to shake things up, and partly because I don't get into trouble if things go awry. I still think the forward selection is the weakest pool of talent we've brought with us, but our wide defenders could be the most troublesome weakness. Still, if our forwards could stretch out the opposition and set them back on their heels, it would make things easier for our harried defense.
GK: Keller (stay with experience one more game as long as we have hopes of advancing)
DEF: Wynne (one more chance to see if he learned from the first match...but if not, then he might be the first sub out), DeMerit, Conrad, Pearce
MID: Nguyen (an exciting prospect?), Clark, Feilhaber, Bornstein (it's not his normal position, but I think his strengths and weaknesses would work here)
FOR: Johnson (yet another chance), Davies (a first chance)
Olsen would be the first sub of the second half if we are fortunate to have a lead to protect.
It was pure coaching brilliance on Bradley's part to ensure our first game blowout makes Paraguay overconfident coming into this match...go US!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Copa America
America didn't start the Copa America on a strong foot. On Thursday, as I sat in an Outback restaurant, I saw the score 4-1 scroll across the screen and I figured that the worst had come to pass--that Argentina had rolled up 4 quick goals then put in some scrubs to give them experience and only then did the US manage to eke out a goal in garbage time.
Having watched the game post-facto, I have to say I'm relieved. Or at least I'm as relieved as one can be when one's team has lost 4-1.
First of all, we scored first. Second of all, we managed some periods of possession and even some one-touch passing combinations amongst a group that mostly hadn't played together, and we even did so at times in Argentina's half. Thirdly, I thought DeMerit and Conrad looked pretty solid as center backs. Finally, we limited Argentina's chances on goal and most of the goals can be directly linked to one (or two) of our players deciding not to do his job.
Having said all that, Argentina definitely controlled the game. They didn't dominate the game, but they could've. They took a tentative approach for some reason, perhaps because they don't know the US that well or perhaps because they are trying to conserve their energy for a long tourney. The US had no serious threats on the Argentine goal, and had the South Americans not fouled Johnson, the US probably would have had no goals. (Johnson already looked to be indecisive as he approached goal.)
It seems that Johnson and Twellman are not international-caliber forwards. I can only hope that Johnson grows into that role eventually, but I have my doubts. (I've long since given up on Twellman.) Unfortunately, there's no one on this roster that offers immediate hope either, so we will struggle to score in the tournament unless our midfield steps up dramatically. I'd like to see Charlie Davies get some time. I've heard he's full of promise at least.
In the midfield Feilhaber continues to impress, and Olsen is the Pablo Mastroeni of the wingers. Clark played well overall, and Mapp shows promise but needs plenty of seasoning. The sub, Gaven, didn't do much. While the successive onslaught wasn't his fault, there was a decided defensive edge that was lost when Olsen departed the field. Beckerman also showed some spunk on the attack. Strong shots from distance are one of his hallmarks, and he had his opportunities from afar, but the shots were much too anemic to pose any threat. On the left side, I think Bornstein might do well moved up to left mid. I also hope Lee Nguyen gets some time on the field. It would be good for him and I think it would even be an improvement for the team.
In the back, I think DeMerit and Conrad looked solid for the most part. DeMerit has already faced Tevez in the Premiership at least. The two outside backs, Wynne and Bornstein looked okay when we were in possession, but were defensive liabilities at times...and easing up just a moment can be fatal at this level, and is an inexcusable sin for defensive backs. Keller got a lot of grief for some of the goals, but it's hard to blame him.
Goal 1: The line thought the free kick would be a shot directly on goal and didn't adjust to the runs made on the chipped kick. Chaos in front of the goal is usually bad.
Goal 2: Messi works the ball through the gut of the US and slots a through pass to Crespo, who Bornstein charitably lets run free for the goal.
Goal 3: Wynne jogs at a leisurely pace to ensure Heinze has plenty of time on the flank. Heinze uses the time to make a perfect cross. Clark, meanwhile, lets Aimar make an unchallenged run up the middle to head in the goal. Both DeMerit and Conrad almost got to the cross in the air, so perhaps Clark thought they'd get the ball before Aimar, but that's a risky gamble.
Goal 4: Bornstein again lets his man (some guy named Tevez...can't be too dangerous, can he?) run free onto a perfectly timed pass from the centerline. Tevez has so much time that he stops for a cappuccino on his way to scoring the final goal.
Much has been made of this being a US B-Team, but I don't know how much of a factor that is. Up front we really haven't found our dependable forward (I'd say Ching is the best true forward we have at this point, but most disagree with me), so what we put out there was as good as any. In the midfield we were missing some definite strength, with Donovan, Dempsey, and Beasley gone, and that definitely affected our attacking ability, but we still had some solid (in terms of USMNT standards) fare with our two center mids: Clark and Feilhaber (and even Beckerman, though it's hard to tell based on when he came in). As for the back line, I don't think that our centerbacks were much of a drop (if they even were a drop) in quality from our Gold Cup tandem of Onyewu and Bocanegra, but our wing backs were definitely problematic at times...but are Hejduk and Spector that much of improvement? Simek maybe defensively.
So, yes, a definite loss of quality with our wide mids and attacking mid, but the questions we already had at the other positions means we can't smugly say "Well, this was our reserve team you beat." In short, we have some definite newbies, but the drop in quality overall was less than what most US fans would believe. Had we sent our so-called A-Team (namely, just added the consensus favorites: Donovan, Beasley, and Dempsey), the scoreline might be different, but I think the result would be the same. That might be a fatalistic view, but I think our World Cup experience supports the theory for now. At least with this loss we've exposed some new players to the best of the best, so to speak. Maybe Bradley has even found out that some who he thought might be staples (Twellman, perhaps) should remain in the US as club heroes.
But, yeah, it would've been nice to see what difference (if any) our supposed USMNT starters would have made. It's always best to put your country's starters against another country's.
(Oh, and another excuse I hate is that "we were pooped from playing the Gold Cup just a few days before." Mexico's win over Brazil eliminates that excuse.)
Final notes:
On the Telefutura broadcast, who thinks the US fans cheering around the reporter were really US fans? I think they were studio plants to create atmosphere. That's my impression at least. The Argentine fans at least were sporting team jerseys and had passion in their eyes.
Didn't sober Maradona look happy when his team finally cranked up the level of play? What a sad off-field story he has become though.
Having watched the game post-facto, I have to say I'm relieved. Or at least I'm as relieved as one can be when one's team has lost 4-1.
First of all, we scored first. Second of all, we managed some periods of possession and even some one-touch passing combinations amongst a group that mostly hadn't played together, and we even did so at times in Argentina's half. Thirdly, I thought DeMerit and Conrad looked pretty solid as center backs. Finally, we limited Argentina's chances on goal and most of the goals can be directly linked to one (or two) of our players deciding not to do his job.
Having said all that, Argentina definitely controlled the game. They didn't dominate the game, but they could've. They took a tentative approach for some reason, perhaps because they don't know the US that well or perhaps because they are trying to conserve their energy for a long tourney. The US had no serious threats on the Argentine goal, and had the South Americans not fouled Johnson, the US probably would have had no goals. (Johnson already looked to be indecisive as he approached goal.)
It seems that Johnson and Twellman are not international-caliber forwards. I can only hope that Johnson grows into that role eventually, but I have my doubts. (I've long since given up on Twellman.) Unfortunately, there's no one on this roster that offers immediate hope either, so we will struggle to score in the tournament unless our midfield steps up dramatically. I'd like to see Charlie Davies get some time. I've heard he's full of promise at least.
In the midfield Feilhaber continues to impress, and Olsen is the Pablo Mastroeni of the wingers. Clark played well overall, and Mapp shows promise but needs plenty of seasoning. The sub, Gaven, didn't do much. While the successive onslaught wasn't his fault, there was a decided defensive edge that was lost when Olsen departed the field. Beckerman also showed some spunk on the attack. Strong shots from distance are one of his hallmarks, and he had his opportunities from afar, but the shots were much too anemic to pose any threat. On the left side, I think Bornstein might do well moved up to left mid. I also hope Lee Nguyen gets some time on the field. It would be good for him and I think it would even be an improvement for the team.
In the back, I think DeMerit and Conrad looked solid for the most part. DeMerit has already faced Tevez in the Premiership at least. The two outside backs, Wynne and Bornstein looked okay when we were in possession, but were defensive liabilities at times...and easing up just a moment can be fatal at this level, and is an inexcusable sin for defensive backs. Keller got a lot of grief for some of the goals, but it's hard to blame him.
Goal 1: The line thought the free kick would be a shot directly on goal and didn't adjust to the runs made on the chipped kick. Chaos in front of the goal is usually bad.
Goal 2: Messi works the ball through the gut of the US and slots a through pass to Crespo, who Bornstein charitably lets run free for the goal.
Goal 3: Wynne jogs at a leisurely pace to ensure Heinze has plenty of time on the flank. Heinze uses the time to make a perfect cross. Clark, meanwhile, lets Aimar make an unchallenged run up the middle to head in the goal. Both DeMerit and Conrad almost got to the cross in the air, so perhaps Clark thought they'd get the ball before Aimar, but that's a risky gamble.
Goal 4: Bornstein again lets his man (some guy named Tevez...can't be too dangerous, can he?) run free onto a perfectly timed pass from the centerline. Tevez has so much time that he stops for a cappuccino on his way to scoring the final goal.
Much has been made of this being a US B-Team, but I don't know how much of a factor that is. Up front we really haven't found our dependable forward (I'd say Ching is the best true forward we have at this point, but most disagree with me), so what we put out there was as good as any. In the midfield we were missing some definite strength, with Donovan, Dempsey, and Beasley gone, and that definitely affected our attacking ability, but we still had some solid (in terms of USMNT standards) fare with our two center mids: Clark and Feilhaber (and even Beckerman, though it's hard to tell based on when he came in). As for the back line, I don't think that our centerbacks were much of a drop (if they even were a drop) in quality from our Gold Cup tandem of Onyewu and Bocanegra, but our wing backs were definitely problematic at times...but are Hejduk and Spector that much of improvement? Simek maybe defensively.
So, yes, a definite loss of quality with our wide mids and attacking mid, but the questions we already had at the other positions means we can't smugly say "Well, this was our reserve team you beat." In short, we have some definite newbies, but the drop in quality overall was less than what most US fans would believe. Had we sent our so-called A-Team (namely, just added the consensus favorites: Donovan, Beasley, and Dempsey), the scoreline might be different, but I think the result would be the same. That might be a fatalistic view, but I think our World Cup experience supports the theory for now. At least with this loss we've exposed some new players to the best of the best, so to speak. Maybe Bradley has even found out that some who he thought might be staples (Twellman, perhaps) should remain in the US as club heroes.
But, yeah, it would've been nice to see what difference (if any) our supposed USMNT starters would have made. It's always best to put your country's starters against another country's.
(Oh, and another excuse I hate is that "we were pooped from playing the Gold Cup just a few days before." Mexico's win over Brazil eliminates that excuse.)
Final notes:
On the Telefutura broadcast, who thinks the US fans cheering around the reporter were really US fans? I think they were studio plants to create atmosphere. That's my impression at least. The Argentine fans at least were sporting team jerseys and had passion in their eyes.
Didn't sober Maradona look happy when his team finally cranked up the level of play? What a sad off-field story he has become though.
A Warm, Wet Blanket
I'm back from hot, dry So-Cal. In Palm Springs the car thermometer said it was 113 out. But at least it was a dry heat.
It was about 30 degrees cooler in Frisco this evening. But it was a wet heat. Humidity and heat, as we Houstonians know, is like having a warm, wet blanket thrown over you. And that whole game was like a wet blanket. The bright spot: we got one point on the road.
With over 40 fouls between the two teams, it was a chippy affair to say the least. There was absolutely no rhythm to either team, but I'd say that FCD had the edge in possession and did a better job in the middle of the field. Alvarez and Toja had the best opportunities for the hosts, and it would have taken only one to put that game away.
Yawn.
On the other end of the field, DDR had a great opportunity in the 79th minute when Mullan won the goal line and made a nice cutback pass, but DeRo hit a stray, weak dribbler of a shot. In the 85th, he had a 1-on-1 with Sala, and the GK made a great sliding save. The back lines of both teams -- even FCD's cobbled-together defense -- were pretty solid.
In general, a team is happy with a point on the road, particularly after a great 5-game winning streak; but at the Deep Dish the Houston supporters were more ardent than the Dallas supporters and that FCD defense was mostly second-string. That was no hostile crowd or stifling defense we faced, and if Dynamo-H is going to be a contender we should be able to put away games like that ... or at least look to be the more dangerous team. I'd say we were half-hearted, though not as half-hearted as the Dallas supporters looked.
This makes two games in a row where our offense looked timid. When we had opportunities, our forwards would pause and pull back. They'd allow the defense to get organized, then pass the ball (and the responsibility) to someone else. You know: they were playing like Eddie Johnson on the USMNT. DeRo was the only one that looked willing to score. The only other threats came with players hoping for a lucky ricochet off their foreheads off corners or free kicks. We had 8 shots to Dallas' 14.
Subs didn't help either. Unlike past games, there was no spark generated by Holden's and Ashe's entrance into the game. What was missing? Are teams now aware of Ashe's speed? Or was there just a general malaise and a desire not to lose rather than an urge to win? I dunno.
Yawn.
Let's hope there's more passion when Juan Pablo Angel comes to town on Thursday. (And RBNY losing to the Crew tonight: what's with that? Parity can sure make for a fun league, but it sure undermines the ability of the league to have any great teams emerge. And it plays havoc with my fantasy team.)
Odd Notes:
Ruiz, trouble though he is at times, is still sporting the captain's armband. Did you notice that his armband is in FCD's colors with the FCD shield? Wade Barrett's armband is black and white with the Adidas logo. Can we not pitch in for a truly Dynamo armband?
In the pre-game show, Dallas supporters were waving some really classy posters in the background: "Bretos has Onstad's merkin" and "Kinnear has a baby arm." (What does that last one even mean?) After the first commercial break, the Fox Soccer Channel folks must have forced the miscreants to put away the posters. I think FSC did the miscreants a favor by making them put away those posters -- it prevented them from embarrassing themselves.
Post-game, did you notice the FCD prayer circle? It included Dynamos Brad Davis and Joseph Ngwenya. Seems religion can bring people together. Too bad that doesn't work in the Middle East.
The third round of the US Open Cup is upon us. We'll be playing the Charleston Battery of the USL on or around July 10. If we win, we'll play the winner of the FCD-Atlanta Silverbacks match. Charleston is no pushover, particularly since our schedule will likely force us to play many reserves and we'll be playing at their home stadium, Blackbaud Stadium. We played the Battery in the pre-season and tied 1-1. FCD faced Charleston last year in the Open, and the game ended tied 3-3, with FCD advancing on penalties (5-3).
It's no guarantee, but it's very likely we'll face FCD in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. If so, it'd be nice to have a result like last year's.
It was about 30 degrees cooler in Frisco this evening. But it was a wet heat. Humidity and heat, as we Houstonians know, is like having a warm, wet blanket thrown over you. And that whole game was like a wet blanket. The bright spot: we got one point on the road.
With over 40 fouls between the two teams, it was a chippy affair to say the least. There was absolutely no rhythm to either team, but I'd say that FCD had the edge in possession and did a better job in the middle of the field. Alvarez and Toja had the best opportunities for the hosts, and it would have taken only one to put that game away.
Yawn.
On the other end of the field, DDR had a great opportunity in the 79th minute when Mullan won the goal line and made a nice cutback pass, but DeRo hit a stray, weak dribbler of a shot. In the 85th, he had a 1-on-1 with Sala, and the GK made a great sliding save. The back lines of both teams -- even FCD's cobbled-together defense -- were pretty solid.
In general, a team is happy with a point on the road, particularly after a great 5-game winning streak; but at the Deep Dish the Houston supporters were more ardent than the Dallas supporters and that FCD defense was mostly second-string. That was no hostile crowd or stifling defense we faced, and if Dynamo-H is going to be a contender we should be able to put away games like that ... or at least look to be the more dangerous team. I'd say we were half-hearted, though not as half-hearted as the Dallas supporters looked.
This makes two games in a row where our offense looked timid. When we had opportunities, our forwards would pause and pull back. They'd allow the defense to get organized, then pass the ball (and the responsibility) to someone else. You know: they were playing like Eddie Johnson on the USMNT. DeRo was the only one that looked willing to score. The only other threats came with players hoping for a lucky ricochet off their foreheads off corners or free kicks. We had 8 shots to Dallas' 14.
Subs didn't help either. Unlike past games, there was no spark generated by Holden's and Ashe's entrance into the game. What was missing? Are teams now aware of Ashe's speed? Or was there just a general malaise and a desire not to lose rather than an urge to win? I dunno.
Yawn.
Let's hope there's more passion when Juan Pablo Angel comes to town on Thursday. (And RBNY losing to the Crew tonight: what's with that? Parity can sure make for a fun league, but it sure undermines the ability of the league to have any great teams emerge. And it plays havoc with my fantasy team.)
Odd Notes:
Ruiz, trouble though he is at times, is still sporting the captain's armband. Did you notice that his armband is in FCD's colors with the FCD shield? Wade Barrett's armband is black and white with the Adidas logo. Can we not pitch in for a truly Dynamo armband?
In the pre-game show, Dallas supporters were waving some really classy posters in the background: "Bretos has Onstad's merkin" and "Kinnear has a baby arm." (What does that last one even mean?) After the first commercial break, the Fox Soccer Channel folks must have forced the miscreants to put away the posters. I think FSC did the miscreants a favor by making them put away those posters -- it prevented them from embarrassing themselves.
Post-game, did you notice the FCD prayer circle? It included Dynamos Brad Davis and Joseph Ngwenya. Seems religion can bring people together. Too bad that doesn't work in the Middle East.
The third round of the US Open Cup is upon us. We'll be playing the Charleston Battery of the USL on or around July 10. If we win, we'll play the winner of the FCD-Atlanta Silverbacks match. Charleston is no pushover, particularly since our schedule will likely force us to play many reserves and we'll be playing at their home stadium, Blackbaud Stadium. We played the Battery in the pre-season and tied 1-1. FCD faced Charleston last year in the Open, and the game ended tied 3-3, with FCD advancing on penalties (5-3).
It's no guarantee, but it's very likely we'll face FCD in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. If so, it'd be nice to have a result like last year's.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)