Tonight the Dynamo face DC United in a do-or-go-home match. The good news is that we have DeRo, Ching, and ERob back in the lineup; but will Ching and ERob be match fit after their injury? We also have Ianni and (most importantly) Holden for the two DCU matches before they traipse off to the Olympics in search of honor and glory. We also have Nate Jaqua, though I doubt he sees action. Maybe in our Tuesday DCU replay.
We won't have Caraccio anymore. That's a shame, but understandable given the limitations on salaries and personnel set by the League. Buena suerte, Caraccio! (I took French, not Spanish, in school, so forgive any solecism.) I know you'll find a club that suits you well.
(The same day, LA released Abel Xavier.)
Winning tonight's match is vital, but B-Fall has all of the different scenarios of winners and losers mapped out in his blog.
There's been more coverage of the Dynamo's fight on behalf of all MLS players to get better compensation from tournament purses. Or at least to allow clubs to decide what is fair for their own players. Sounds reasonable. B-Fall has an article on the imbroglio. That MLS would prevent a team from voluntary striking bonus deals with players for this type of tournament can also hurt a team like the Dynamo, who could use the incentive to entice a player to sign with the team. ESPN has an article as well.The Dynamo case could set a precedent. If an arbitrator rules in favor of Dynamo players, each MLS team could be allowed to determine payouts to players for tournaments. This certainly challenges the single-entity system and could become a milestone decision.
In other soccer news, some of the New England Revs' staff are keeping the skies safe. Certainly a timely move by the MLS club members. Even off the field the club can effectively kill any offensive environment; sometimes it is not only easier, but better, to destroy than to create.
Showing posts with label Caraccio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caraccio. Show all posts
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
SuperLiga-Beaten by the Bimbos
They're back! After a one-game respite, the 2008 Dynamo returned in full force. The two telling traits were there for all to see:
1. Solid defense except for a costly moment of confusion
2. Chances aplenty up front but no goals
That's the 2008 Dynamo, love 'em or leave 'em. And in a season of unpleasant firsts, we added a new one: losing in an international competition at home for the first time.
The 1-0 loss to Chivas-Guadalajara answered the questions I posed earlier:
In all fairness, the Dynamo were missing four key starters (DeRo, Holden, Ching, and ERob) plus a fifth usual starter (Mulrooney, who is a very useful journeyman, but his lack of specialization means he's not an essential cog in the Orange Machine). That wasn't our A-Team that was out there, although they looked like our A-Team often does, given that they maintained some solid possession, demonstrated an indefatigable work rate, and clung to those two nasty traits I mentioned at the beginning of this blog. This patched-up team, but for a lousy 5 seconds, earned themselves a draw. But 5 bad seconds can kill you in this game.
The team also had three or so point blank shots that were saved by Luis Michel, the Chivas keeper. Good goalkeeping. Dreadful finishing.
Needing only a tie to get into the semifinals, the Dynamo took their usual rocky road and are essentially forced to win this weekend versus DC at DC. That's not an easy task. We then need to beat them on July 22 to help our MLS standings. (We could move on to the semis if we tie DCU and Chivas-Bimbo beats or ties Atlante, but we want a victory. Two of them. Both in DC.)
Another tough road ahead. That's the 2008 Dynamo for you.
PS: Check out Lark's blog. Good summary of the game, recap of the atmosphere, and analysis of Caraccio.
1. Solid defense except for a costly moment of confusion
2. Chances aplenty up front but no goals
That's the 2008 Dynamo, love 'em or leave 'em. And in a season of unpleasant firsts, we added a new one: losing in an international competition at home for the first time.
The 1-0 loss to Chivas-Guadalajara answered the questions I posed earlier:
Was the domination of Atlante a fluke?This game was a "a microcosm of the Dynamo's 2008 season."
Probably. The fact that Atlante beat DC United handily does suggest that we didn't beat a pansy team. And the fact that we were missing so many starters does make it hard to say we couldn't beat Chivas-Bimbo with the lineup that beat Atlante, particularly since we were oh-so-close with the lineup we threw together. But in the absence of a different result, we have to say at this point that it was a fluke. We need some more data points (positive ones, A.K.A "victories") if we want to say that this side can be consistently good. Can you provide us with some more positive data points this year, dear Dynamo?
Can the Dynamo be creative and effective without DeRo?
Not really. Especially not when Holden is gone too.
We will be missing some regulars; Who will step up tonight?
No one. Try back again this weekend and we'll see what we can do for you.
Will Houstonians go to a game that begins at 9PM on a weeknight?
Apparently yes. But they won't necessarily be rooting for the Dynamo. Good crowd though.
Will the field still be crappy?
Ugh, yes.
In all fairness, the Dynamo were missing four key starters (DeRo, Holden, Ching, and ERob) plus a fifth usual starter (Mulrooney, who is a very useful journeyman, but his lack of specialization means he's not an essential cog in the Orange Machine). That wasn't our A-Team that was out there, although they looked like our A-Team often does, given that they maintained some solid possession, demonstrated an indefatigable work rate, and clung to those two nasty traits I mentioned at the beginning of this blog. This patched-up team, but for a lousy 5 seconds, earned themselves a draw. But 5 bad seconds can kill you in this game.
The team also had three or so point blank shots that were saved by Luis Michel, the Chivas keeper. Good goalkeeping. Dreadful finishing.
Needing only a tie to get into the semifinals, the Dynamo took their usual rocky road and are essentially forced to win this weekend versus DC at DC. That's not an easy task. We then need to beat them on July 22 to help our MLS standings. (We could move on to the semis if we tie DCU and Chivas-Bimbo beats or ties Atlante, but we want a victory. Two of them. Both in DC.)
Another tough road ahead. That's the 2008 Dynamo for you.
PS: Check out Lark's blog. Good summary of the game, recap of the atmosphere, and analysis of Caraccio.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Time to rebound in the Rockies
So tonight we're in Commerce City to face the Rapids on the biggest field in the MLS. (BTW, the bigger the better in my way of thinking, so I like the pitch at The Dick.) The worst news about tonight's game is that it's not on TV except for that mystical HDnet. I don't know any places on the north side of town that have HDnet and that would be willing to devote a TV to a soccer game, so it looks like I'm stuck with the radio play-by-play. Not a bad thing, that; but I prefer the visuals of television.
Here's the game preview. It says we still don't have DeRo or Onstad. That's not good. We also get a ref who's officiating his first MLS game tonight. That's not good either. We do have Ching back. And Barrett. But no Mulrooney. We also have the opportunity to break the deadlocked record at The Dick: in four meetings each team has won twice. Overall, we've beaten the Rapids 5 times and tied them once in 8 matches. Not bad. But what counts is tonight's result. We need 3 points in order to stay at the top of the conference with LA. At the moment we're in third place, with two teams one point behind us and a third two points behind (at the moment).
The Dynamo website has an article on Ricardo Clark and one on Caraccio. I've heard some fans voice concerns about how The Dom is not playing Caraccio, but I think coach is doing the right thing: forcing Caraccio to show improvement and desire before being allowed in the starting 11. In the end, I think it'll make the Argentine a better player and the Dynamo a better team.
DeRo might not play tonight, but he got the job done for Canada on Friday, scoring two goals and getting an assist in a 4-1 victory over St. Vincent AND the Grenadines (both countries at the same time!).
Here's a pre-game article from The Chron. The big news (according to the article) is that Ching is back with some zing. Let's hope so!
Vamos Dynamo!
Here's the game preview. It says we still don't have DeRo or Onstad. That's not good. We also get a ref who's officiating his first MLS game tonight. That's not good either. We do have Ching back. And Barrett. But no Mulrooney. We also have the opportunity to break the deadlocked record at The Dick: in four meetings each team has won twice. Overall, we've beaten the Rapids 5 times and tied them once in 8 matches. Not bad. But what counts is tonight's result. We need 3 points in order to stay at the top of the conference with LA. At the moment we're in third place, with two teams one point behind us and a third two points behind (at the moment).
The Dynamo website has an article on Ricardo Clark and one on Caraccio. I've heard some fans voice concerns about how The Dom is not playing Caraccio, but I think coach is doing the right thing: forcing Caraccio to show improvement and desire before being allowed in the starting 11. In the end, I think it'll make the Argentine a better player and the Dynamo a better team.
DeRo might not play tonight, but he got the job done for Canada on Friday, scoring two goals and getting an assist in a 4-1 victory over St. Vincent AND the Grenadines (both countries at the same time!).
Here's a pre-game article from The Chron. The big news (according to the article) is that Ching is back with some zing. Let's hope so!
Vamos Dynamo!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Going Back to Ohio
Dynamo-Houston trek to Columbus, OH, tonight. The Crew aren't their usual pushover selves, especially when Guillermo Barros Schelotto is on his game. In the 4-game history of the two teams, the Dynamo have won only once (in Columbus, not The Rob) with the remainder being draws. It's hard to predict who wins tonight, although one might think that Houston is due its first win of the season, but I don't think the odds work that way: adding up until a particular game is a gimme. You could easily argue that the Crew are due their first win of the Houston/Columbus series. Maybe a draw is the most likely conclusion.
All's I know is that Alejandro Moreno will probably score a goal; he has netted one every time he's faced Houston since his departure from Houston. And I will say unequivocally that Moreno will earn his team at least 2 dangerous free kicks. That's how he rolls. Still, I feel that Houston should win if they play like they have been. Here's hoping for a game like the first half versus LA, only with more scoring for the orange.
Here is the MLS game preview.
Caraccio has been a long-time admirer of Schelotto. Tonight is a great chance for the young gun to impress the old maestro.
A brief note about the defensive line. This will be the first time this season our back line will have the same personnel lining up in consecutive games.
Did you know that Sigi Schmid coached The Dom on the USNMT years ago? Sigi said Dom was on the "World Cup Team" but Dom wasn't on the final roster for the 1990 team. Maybe Sigi was the assistant coach and Dom was with the team through the build up, then was cut before the final roster was made?
Also, do the Dynamo want to be the team that gives Sigi his 100th win? (Read the fourth bullet under Item #5 here. Also, Item #1 talks about the weird knuckling action of the MLS ball; could unfamiliarity with the MLS ball be the reason for Caig's slow start? That would be nice if it were true; and it might explain why his last few games have been better. But: (1) that wouldn't explain one of his apparent weaknesses, which is his hesitancy as to when to come off his line and (2) it wouldn't explain the performance in Saprissa, where they don't use the MLS ball and he still struggled.)
A final (?) word on Donovan and His Angry Face
Shaka Hislop has an interesting take on the Dynamo's reaction to Donovan's vocal showmanship last week: the complacency is a sign that all is not well in Dynamoland. He feels Ianni should have confronted Donovan and the Dynamo should have supported their teammate. Instead, Donovan "had to be led away by one of his own team-mates - all the while, no one from Houston, not even Ianni, cared to confront the LA forward...It portrayed a real lack of camaraderie from within Houston's ranks, which is very concerning given the pre-season favourites' precarious position at the bottom of the Western Conference, without a win to their name." Personally, I think Ianni handled the incident quite professionally, and camaraderie is one thing that doesn't appear to be a problem with the Dynamo. I do agree with Hislop's later accolades about The Dom.
Another factoid from the Hislop piece: In Portsmouth "the fans are famous for their vehement support, so much so that the number 12 was reserved for the crowd - no player would wear the No12 shirt." Cool tradition, that.
All's I know is that Alejandro Moreno will probably score a goal; he has netted one every time he's faced Houston since his departure from Houston. And I will say unequivocally that Moreno will earn his team at least 2 dangerous free kicks. That's how he rolls. Still, I feel that Houston should win if they play like they have been. Here's hoping for a game like the first half versus LA, only with more scoring for the orange.
Here is the MLS game preview.
Caraccio has been a long-time admirer of Schelotto. Tonight is a great chance for the young gun to impress the old maestro.
A brief note about the defensive line. This will be the first time this season our back line will have the same personnel lining up in consecutive games.
Did you know that Sigi Schmid coached The Dom on the USNMT years ago? Sigi said Dom was on the "World Cup Team" but Dom wasn't on the final roster for the 1990 team. Maybe Sigi was the assistant coach and Dom was with the team through the build up, then was cut before the final roster was made?
Also, do the Dynamo want to be the team that gives Sigi his 100th win? (Read the fourth bullet under Item #5 here. Also, Item #1 talks about the weird knuckling action of the MLS ball; could unfamiliarity with the MLS ball be the reason for Caig's slow start? That would be nice if it were true; and it might explain why his last few games have been better. But: (1) that wouldn't explain one of his apparent weaknesses, which is his hesitancy as to when to come off his line and (2) it wouldn't explain the performance in Saprissa, where they don't use the MLS ball and he still struggled.)
A final (?) word on Donovan and His Angry Face
Shaka Hislop has an interesting take on the Dynamo's reaction to Donovan's vocal showmanship last week: the complacency is a sign that all is not well in Dynamoland. He feels Ianni should have confronted Donovan and the Dynamo should have supported their teammate. Instead, Donovan "had to be led away by one of his own team-mates - all the while, no one from Houston, not even Ianni, cared to confront the LA forward...It portrayed a real lack of camaraderie from within Houston's ranks, which is very concerning given the pre-season favourites' precarious position at the bottom of the Western Conference, without a win to their name." Personally, I think Ianni handled the incident quite professionally, and camaraderie is one thing that doesn't appear to be a problem with the Dynamo. I do agree with Hislop's later accolades about The Dom.
Another factoid from the Hislop piece: In Portsmouth "the fans are famous for their vehement support, so much so that the number 12 was reserved for the crowd - no player would wear the No12 shirt." Cool tradition, that.
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