No one is talking about who didn't play tonight. We are talking about who played and just how well they did. That is the sure tell sign of a complete team performance.
No one is talking about who didn't play tonight. We are talking about who played and just how well they did. That is the sure tell sign of a complete team performance.
Laryea has to be ahead of either Shaff or Gallardo on the org chart. That part I don’t entirely get.
Really, he is an MLS starter, ahead of Auro or whomever on a full strength squad. I don’t get his sub role at all. It's not a small sample - all he does is beat people 1v1
BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/resi...YMZLZ2SY7Y.jpg
Haha. Funny enough I thought to myself the exact thing at the game tonight. I was telling my son to watch they will pull Gallardo off and put Laryea on and then we will see some 1v1 challenges because all Gallardo was doing was taking the easy pass back. I really wanted to see him take defenders on but there was no threat until Laryea came on. I was about to come on here and comment about it and boom...first place I look there is your comment. I am not alone I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by ensco
I thought the same thing today. I was telling people he doesn't get enough credit for all the little touches and plays he does because he really held things together tonight for us in the midfield. Nothing too flashy but just lots and lots of nice little plays.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeForbes
Another thing I noticed tonight is that Jozy was ready several times for a through ball that never came and had to stop his run. I kept thinking back to the Giovinco days because he fed them those all night long and why they were so dangerous together. He doesn't get as many of those balls now so not really playing to his strengths with respect to that. Now we seem to go wide majority of the time versus playing him through.
A player who has proved himself in pre season at his position, Fraser has not proved himself as a replacement for Bradley and has only had 1 or 2 good games in the past 2 years,Quote:
Originally Posted by TomLawrence
he is still not good enough to start, he is in my mind, the same as Chapman was, not very good at his position, but has some more time, who knows maybe Fraser is lazy in training much like Jordan Hamilton and does not deserve a start.
I told myself I would stop posting on this topic but, jesus christQuote:
Originally Posted by Derko
My stream didn't start until 15 mins after the hour, so I thought there might have been a delay.Quote:
Originally Posted by nfitz
Random thoughts the next day
Crowd was in preseason form. Cold weather game does that. Loud and engaged as usual but not quite on. Will be better next week.
NYC is a decent team but their attacking players are not all that interested in defence. Johnson was good last night but he's prone to a gaffe and I was just waiting for something.
NYC controlled the ball for a whole chunk of time and we were able to sit back and defend. NOBODY was going at our 2 CB's. It was all around the perimeter.
Westberg's distribution when hurried wasn't up to his usual standards BUT...the guy makes saves and he is very good with both feet.
Gallardo last year took LB's on when he played - this game, for some reason, he kept going back. I think that's coaching. But, he got injured so who knows when we'll see him again.
Laryea is a baller and effective at finding the spot to get crosses in.
Our interchanges across the top of the box are the best in the league right now - better then LAFC and I'd say equal to Atlanta when they have Martinez. We play a quality of attacking game that is worth the price of admission.
Achara prefers his right foot and comes in / back to make the pass. NYC didn't suss that out but other teams will. He will end up having to cross the ball with his left.
Poz tries so many things and they don't work that sometimes people get frustrated with him. Thing to remember - Pozuelo needs just 2 chances a game - he hit the corner of the posts with one and put in Laryea with the second. He did more then those 2 but he ALWAYS gets at least 2.
Pozuelo was coming back to defend more then he did against SJE.
Jozy occupies space and it takes time for people to wear down against him - both their CB's were on yellows by the end of the first half. Job done.
Morrow just might end up being one of those guys who can play decent LB until he's 36.
Auro must have a hand sweating problem because he ALWAYS wants a new ball to throw in - cost him a yellow last night. Also loses momentum for us.
Delgado's passing was more off then most but the man defends and creates fouls on himself - he was fouled more then anybody else last night. Going to miss him next season.
Agree with others on Osorio - he was the rock in the middle last night. Against that team, that midfield 3 was the better choice. I suspect Fraser will be in against Nashville, who are way less dynamic going forward and in defence.
Lots of takeaways from the game and they are certainly mostly positive (imo)
-Q's ability to play the ball out with both of his feet makes him a bit of a sweeper keeper of sorts/to a degree. It can be a bit nerve-wracking to watch but he gets it done
-Achara settling into the game as it went on, this kid is a beast and it'll be fun to watch him grow and mature.
-Our CB pairing feels "complete" for what I might say is the first time ever. Mavinga and Omar each have distinctive strengths that work well together.
-Was a bit concerned not having Bradley out there for the first month or two, but Delgado and Osorio have settled that for me (for now).
4 points from two games, so far so good.
Doyle on Poz
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/MattDoyle76/status/1236481386569179141
One of the biggest deficiencies in Fraser's game is that his speed limits his field coverage.Quote:
Originally Posted by TomLawrence
I think he's starter quality based on his vision and passing skills when TFC has the ball but on the defensive side, particularly when the other team has a quick counter from a turnover, Fraser can't track back fast enough.
Great observations, that is what i was referring to earlier in the year. There are so many options when you add someone beyond Jozy and Poz upfront (Same as Gio and Jozy... when we added Vasquez, everyone looked better). Jozy beats defenders up, it takes time and what we miss when he is injured.Quote:
Originally Posted by OgtheDim
I am hoping the Achara observation is only because no one has pressed him to his left (hoping he has one)... if he does we are going to be very difficult to keep off the board. Add even a reasonably healthy Piatti and look out.
Couldn’t get to the game but was really pissed at Caldwell’s color commentary, I thought someone should have called him out. We have been in 3 of the last 4 Finals.
He is TFC’s voice to the viewers (long term and newbies), the call was right on the penalty but the commentary could have been around the build up... your observation on the top of the box interchanges were bang on and yet Caldwell focused on... its coming back and later in the game saying we were average at best today. On the Osorio play, he was talking about how it should have been a yellow as opposed to “what a great job, tracking back”. His commentary was about how sliding through a player is a yellow... well where was that when Columbus took Jozy out last fall, Caldwell back then was saying “magnificent tackle” for the other team...wtf. It is almost as if he is deep down jealous at the team success. I thought Osorio was in excellent form.
It would have been easy for him to say ...”when these guys put into 3rd gear, we are going to be a fun team to watch.”
I am not looking for a shill but come on, the team has played two solid games, get the fan base interested in the team.
Edit - It seriously makes me want to shut of the sound, but there are no other feeds because he is on the radio as well
Other than that great start for the boys... put the foot to the floor on Nashville
:scarf:
COYRs
Westberg can't play the ball...holds it wayyyyyy too long and even when he has time his distribution is crap. I don't know if he hit anyone yesterday aside from fans on the side line.
Love to see the continued dominance against NYCFC. With Martinez out for ATL, early days are starting to look good for us in the East this year.
Lots of positives from the game. Another good step forward from last week which still looked closer to preseason form. Was impressed that Achara was able to step into things so quickly. Had some great interplay with Pozuelo and some quick give and go's at one point and a real nose for the net. Went into the game hoping for Gallardo's coming out party but came out wanting an Achara jersey!
Morrow looked more stable than last week which was great, though I don't think we're going to see the same attacking level from him we had in 2017 and before. Not the best game from Auro.
Love what Delgado does for us but offense just dies on his foot. I don't think other teams mind him having the ball outside the box because they know he's never going to shoot or cross, just pass back to Auro.
Do we actually have wing depth now? Switched up both starters from last week and looked good. All without Piatti or Deleon yet.... but the injuries keep stacking up. Endoh too? Gallardo again? Somethings off if this many guys go down in pre-season.
Going to try watch Nashville Portland tonight to see what we can expect next week. Hoping for dominance.
Overall pretty pleased and for all those who may have looked off or some of the off plays, I’m going to give a pass on due to the cold. Can’t be easy for a guy like Gallardo to play his peak performance under those conditions. Hard to get a good feel for the ball when your feet are cold so I’m sure many opted for the safest options.
Surly you jest, Westburg has great ball handling, what I like in particular is on a back pass far too many keepers in particular Bono don't or won't control the ball and just hoof it up field, Westburg controls the ball and passes so TFC keeps possession. Maybe it was a one off, I saw that Westburg played well. Perception I guessQuote:
Originally Posted by Eastend
Gonna have to politely disagree with you, slightly. Simply because he holds it in his feet longer doesn't mean he "can't play the ball". I'd say that's a sign of the opposite. That he feels comfortable and confident enough in his ability to handle the ball with both feet than other keepers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eastend
Sure hitting the target in outfield players needs improvement, but that will come.
I agree, caldwell is good at two things, being negative and barely speaking english. I have no idea why he even has a job as a colour commentator, give his job to dunfield.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmancan
Westberg was man of the match. Made at least three big saves on serious chances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Derko
Yeah, not convinced, and it wasn't just yesterday. He holds it way too long and gets so close to getting caught. Teams are figuring it out, like NYC yesterday when they continuously pressured him and he had to kick it away often.Quote:
Originally Posted by CBTFC
He kicked it out of touch twice - not his best day.
So-so game, but I still can't decide who is worse to listen to:
Caldwell's 'grumpy Scotsman' or Rauter's 'folksy bonspieler'?
This is the funniest thing I have ever read on here. Westberg greatest attribute is his distribution of the ball. This is why he is our first choice keeper. Perhaps you had too many of these :drinking::drinking::drinking:Quote:
Originally Posted by Eastend
That’s often intentional. The players who press move in and if the next wave isn’t fast enough Westberg just bought his teammates that much more time with the ball.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eastend
He’ll get caught some day, for certain. However, doesn’t mean we should stop.
Keepers playing the ball at their feet and skirting danger is increasingly a part of the game. We’re way ahead of many of the other teams in MLS who’s keeper reflexively put it into midfield and wouldn’t dare make a short pass under the slightest whif of pressure.
He holds it too long, yes. Vanney has to work that out of him. But his distribution is superb. Last year I heard him yell “Jay” and play a ball right to Chapman - 50 yards away. That’s what he is like more often than not, in fact usually.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eastend
Just 3 observations after this match:
- I am very happy for Achara, at this point he looks like a great, great, great pickup, and at the same time making the TFC braintrust being a genius for this choice at the draft....
- so far Gallardo looks like a bust to me, I hope I am very wrong
- Richie should be a STARTER on this team. Why the hell is this not obvious yet for almost anyone???
I want some of what you're smoking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eastend
Someone on here linked to a SkySport stream. The announcers were amazing. They had great MLS and TFC knowledge as well. The games are soooooo much more enjoyable when you don't have to listen to Caldwell or Rauter.Quote:
Originally Posted by boozilla