Learning the Game Plan :: Goff, W. Post

[Knave]

Eskandarian's scoring touch has become increasingly vital to United's fortunes following the release of veteran forward Ronald Cerritos on Monday and long-term injuries to several attacking players. Although the club is in search of an experienced striker from South America to fill Cerritos's roster spot, Eskandarian is very much in Coach Peter Nowak's plans.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6586-2004Jun25.html

[McOwen]

This was a really great article. I am a little surprised that few people have noted that the second goal Eski scored came on a free kick and how nice this was considering our poor record on set pieces. Alecko looked Marco-like with that left footed blast.

--Can anyone recall who was the last player for DC to score on a direct shot from a free kick? I can't.

[Nogra Rover]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6586-2004Jun25.html

Interesting starting line up Goff's got:

GK Troy Perkins;
Ds Bryan Namoff, Mike Petke, Brandon Prideaux;
MFs Earnie Stewart, Brian Carroll, Dema Kovalenko, Ben Olsen, Bobby Convey; Fs Jaime Moreno, Alecko Eskandarian.

No Nelsen, no Ezra. We'll see.

[Nogra Rover]

--Can anyone recall who was the last player for DC to score on a direct shot from a free kick? I can't.

Has to be Etch.

[Th4119]

Josh Gros is getting the royal screw job here. Equal production (in one half season vs. 1.5 seasons) at a fraction of the price and more energy on the field, and he's riding pine for Sir Stewart.

On a serious note, Earnie should really take a lesson from Josh though. At least when Gros shanks shots like in the LA game they turn into spectacular goals.

[McOwen]

I agree... Wasnt Nowak's creed that all are equal? All are competing for time???

--IF Stewart plays and Bobby runs the mid we BETTER win. I can't see the logic in dicking around with the line up after scoring 3 goals.

[DCU]

Josh Gros is getting the royal screw job here. Equal production (in one half season vs. 1.5 seasons) at a fraction of the price and more energy on the field, and he's riding pine for Sir Stewart.

On a serious note, Earnie should really take a lesson from Josh though. At least when Gros shanks shots like in the LA game they turn into spectacular goals.
I couldn't agree more with you guys. Gros has earned his starting spot. Someone, who I don't care, should sit. This is total b.s. from Nowak if he does it.

[bbarrie]

re: scoring from a free kick...

doesn't count 'cause it was preseason, but bobby had a spectacular free kick against charleston in freddy's first non-official game that was fairly similar to esky's except that it was from the center instead of the right side... i was thinking after that that bobby would be taking all of those, but i don't recall him taking any at all this year... maybe i'm wrong.

[writered21]

This was a really great article. I am a little surprised that few people have noted that the second goal Eski scored came on a free kick and how nice this was considering our poor record on set pieces. Alecko looked Marco-like with that left footed blast.

--Can anyone recall who was the last player for DC to score on a direct shot from a free kick? I can't.

Hristo's Hrocket in Dallas last season?

[nancyb]

This was a really great article. I am a little surprised that few people have noted that the second goal Eski scored came on a free kick and how nice this was considering our poor record on set pieces. Alecko looked Marco-like with that left footed blast.

--Can anyone recall who was the last player for DC to score on a direct shot from a free kick? I can't.

Stoichkov had a great one against Dallas last year, I believe. I don't recall Etch getting one last year.

[writered21]

Josh Gros is getting the royal screw job here. Equal production (in one half season vs. 1.5 seasons) at a fraction of the price and more energy on the field, and he's riding pine for Sir Stewart.

On a serious note, Earnie should really take a lesson from Josh though. At least when Gros shanks shots like in the LA game they turn into spectacular goals.

Gros has brought energy and life to this team the last 2 appearances. Against Colorado, it didn't lead to any goals, but no one could fault Josh's play for that. He was again outstanding against Columbus.

Not that I'm completely sold on him anyway, but I will have real issues with Nowak if Gros and/or Eskandarian is benched. Having seen the Columbus game up close, the difference between the play and effectiveness of Gros and Stewart was clear. Though it is fair to say they wouldn't necessarily be fighting for the same particular spot, since Gros was on the left and Earnie on the right against Team Yellow.

[Cantankerous]

Interesting article.


One line says

"Eskandarian approached, and just as Kovalenko stepped aside, he smashed a 22-yard shot that streaked over the defensive wall and bent into the upper right corner of the net to give United a 3-0 halftime lead."
Anyone notice that the kick grazed the head of a Crew player (I think it was Cunningham) who was in the wall. Had he jumped, or even risen up on his toes, the ball would have been deflected over the bar. Instead, he stood there like a lump, and gave away a goal.

That said, it was a glorious shot anyway. Hope to see more of Alecko this weekend.

[mellon002]

It would take a guy with some real bloomin' onions to jump in the path of that free kick. It was Cunningham by the way.

We have to find a way to get Gros on the field. I think he's been the most explosive player so far this year.

[Sundevil9]

Looking on the bright side of Gros not starting, every time that he gets back into the lineup, he takes a stronger grip on that job.

Maybe he's being productive and analyzing/learning from his bench time.

[TEConnor]

This was a really great article. I am a little surprised that few people have noted that the second goal Eski scored came on a free kick and how nice this was considering our poor record on set pieces. Alecko looked Marco-like with that left footed blast.

--Can anyone recall who was the last player for DC to score on a direct shot from a free kick? I can't.

I noted this in the post game thread earlier this week. It was pointed out that Stoichkov had the last one.

Tim

[elconejito]

another great article by Mr. Goff.

interseting to note (yet again) that he felt a bit alienated in his rookie year and felt that he got no support.

i hope he keeps up the scoring. he's the type of guy that you kinda root for (despite being from UVA:D). seems like a nice guy, doesn't complain, leaves it all on the field. paid his dues (kinda) with last year being on the bench, his injuries and the whole freddy thing. has been a great team player.

is he our leading scorer now? 3 or 4 goals total?

[JayRockers!]

is he our leading scorer now? 3 or 4 goals total?At the bottom of the page... (www.dcunited.com)

Player Goals Assists Points
J. Moreno 3 4 10
D. Kovalenko 2 3 7
A. Eskandarian 3 0 6
F. Adu 2 1 5
J. Gros 1 2 4

Thx,

Jay!

[elconejito]

At the bottom of the page... (www.dcunited.com)

Player Goals Assists Points
J. Moreno 3 4 10
D. Kovalenko 2 3 7
A. Eskandarian 3 0 6
F. Adu 2 1 5
J. Gros 1 2 4

Thx,

Jay!
thanks!

[uniteo]

Anyone notice that the kick grazed the head of a Crew player (I think it was Cunningham) who was in the wall. Had he jumped, or even risen up on his toes, the ball would have been deflected over the bar. Instead, he stood there like a lump, and gave away a goal.


First, from 10 yards away, you need to decide if your going to jump or not before the kick.

Second, I want my people in a wall to stay on the ground. Have you ever seen a FK where the kicker puts the ball under a jumping wall? Goalie has no chance - looking up, can't even see the ball til it's under and by the wall, and has to go down 6 feet to get it. Most of the time a FK will go over the bar when it has to go over a wall.