Thought Brown and Shaq were both so-so this one. And we really missed anyone in the MF holding and threading the ball at least to the corners. Oh well, snuck it out.
Be interesting to see who we start on Sunday, Gooch and Moore both looked really tired. Steffen or Castano? If Acosta doesn't play for FC Dallas on Saturday, I'm sure he'll back for the final. Thought the Miazga/Amick duo played well, especially once we went down a man.
I understand the change in tactics down a man but the midfield was pretty abysmal. Also some silly turnovers, just dumping the ball up field to no one late in the 2nd half. Chalk it up as immaturity since they're young. Moore had his hands full against #7, very quick, skilled and could cross.
This team was stuck together with spit and glue. EPB at DM. No Acosta, No Arriola. Were they sent home? Didn't see them on the bench. We dominated them in First Half. We looked great. Absolutely deserved second yellow to EPB for kicking the ball away at 48 min. I'm not a homer. We closed up shop and just defended perfectly for 45 minutes. Last second goal to Flumy on last shot. Early Red to Flum on a semi breakaway then all hell broke loose. Off post, PK saved, scored, break away, Castano hockey kick save. Great win.
Arriola went back to Tijuana, and Acosta was called back for FC Dallas but they are playing at home. So we could see Acosta if he doesn't play for FC Dallas.
Castano just looks more sophisticated. Kinda like Rimando. Great kicker of the ball. Steffen is a great athlete but he plays the position being physical. You can tell Castano played field positions growing up.
My criticism on the keeper was fairly early in the game. I should have waited until the game ended to make that comment. But I do stand by the midfield being disappointing. Rubin is a player. Spencer plays like Brian Ching, links up well.
I'd like to think I'm pretty objective and if someone was poor I'd say so. He is simply a very good CB. Tall, Mobile, Ball skills. You should look forward to a good young player in the next few yrs. On last second goal can't remember where he was but I think they threw 3 runners for 2 CBs.
It's definitely hard to judge Gooch totally as he's playing out of position compared to where he plays with Sunderland, but he busts his ass off (opposite of Gall), and he seems to be a good switcher of the field. Read a good quote from someone on twitter that Gooch looks like a rugby player stature wise, he's built like a brick for his height.
He's definately not your physical prescence out there. More of a finesse GK. Great hands, very good positioning, great savvy. I like him overall. Hopefull his physicality gets better.
I don't even know how in the 1st Half you could've criticized Castano. He had a shaky play early in the 2nd Half on a cross in the air, but that was really about it negatively.
What is Gall's issue. He's like a Prima Donna out there. He floats, and floats and floats.........then gets ball then loses it then jogs. All game long. PS Forgot to give him credit for the great free kick to on Spencer's header goal.
I agree. Seemed like he was lollygagging throughout the game. This was my first time watching him so I will reserve judgement but I was expecting a little more from a player characterized by Ramos as "special."
I'm not good with embedding gifs and pics, but you can see all the goals here --> http://www.socceroverthere.com