Ives Galarcep: Revolution Season Preview

[The Magpie]

Defense still needs to be shored up
Ives Galarcep
ESPN Soccernet.com
3/18/05

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=328058&cc=5901

IMHO, a number of his comments and prognostications seem somewhat off the mark, especially that of Dempsey seeing time wide right, and his gushing over Parkhurst seems, at best, premature.

The Magpie

[BrianLBI]

IMHO, a number of his comments and prognostications seem somewhat off the mark, especially that of Dempsey seeing time wide right, and his gushing over Parkhurst seems, at best, premature.
The Magpie

Not to mention his characterization of Steve Howey as a "key loss"....

[Jon Martin]

IMHO, a number of his comments and prognostications seem somewhat off the mark, especially that of Dempsey seeing time wide right, and his gushing over Parkhurst seems, at best, premature.
Except for his comment about CD playing wide right, I thought he was pretty accurate. What else was there to object to?

[HiBall]

Not to mention his characterization of Steve Howey as a "key loss"....

That's just the heading of the section for players who left. here is what he actually says about Howey:

If New England goes after a veteran foreign defender, it must do better than Steve Howey, who was a complete flop after signing last season.

[HiBall]

Does he know anything about Parkhurst that we don't? What is he basing this praise on if the team has been abroad for the last few weeks and practicing in a bubble before that?

I have no problem with a 3rd place finish whatsoever.

[goussoccer]

I think his analysis was good enough. The information in the beginning of the article was interesting...that is where Howey was listed as a key loss. We also were 11th in the MLS last year. Not sure how we did that in a 10 team league...but I guess anything is possible. OTOH we were tied for last in the regular season so that is splitting hairs.

We are all very worried about our central defense. Experience proves again and again, that the benefits of a strong offense will not overcome the shortcomings of a weak defense. As he does point out though, there are few teams that could have our fire-power: TnT, Noonan, Ralston, Dempsey, Cassio and Cancela on the field at the same time. I am reminded of a quote from Clavijo though before the start of his last season, something to the effect of 'while we may be weak on defense, we are certainly going to score some goals'.

[Soccer Doc]

What a breath of fresh air it is to read some positive statements about the team after all the "sky is falling" bashing we have been throwing back and forth for months. I think he's pegged the Revs potential right on the mark. We have a lot of firepower and may well have the best offense in the league---if---Cassio lives up to expectations. Defense could be OK or a problem depending on a variety of things. Of course, with almost no objective info to work with we can only conjecture just what the defensive Corps will be capable of till the season starts.

Calling for us to be third in the East, with the West being quite weak is to call for the Revs to be a team in the upper thrid of the standings.

I'm predicting we break the 50 point barrier this year.

[ghsdpu]

http://blog.matchnight.com/blogindex.cfm?action=home&commentID=3221

* In his Revolution preview for ESPN.com, Ives Galarcep reports that the Revs are shopping for a South American central defender. It's a pretty good piece; although the one thing I would take exception to is the notion that Carlos Llamosa is "looking fully recovered". Admittedly, I haven't been to many practices so far, but in my opinion Carlos does not look like he's 100%. He still limps noticeably at times, and appears to be a little slow making turns. Talking to Steve Nicol about Llamosa, you get the feeling that the team knows he's not back to what he used to be, but they're hoping he'll be reasonably close by the start of the season.

[mosler]

Does he know anything about Parkhurst that we don't? What is he basing this praise on if the team has been abroad for the last few weeks and practicing in a bubble before that?
I was also curious what he's basing his opinions on. I assume he's got some of them journalist connections to get opinions from folks around the league.

[Soccer Doc]

Does he know anything about Parkhurst that we don't? What is he basing this praise on if the team has been abroad for the last few weeks and practicing in a bubble before that?
.

I'm sure he's not pulling his report out of thin air. He must be talking to someone on the inside--SN?

It's interesting that it was Riley that SN was gushing about at MTC. Now wouldn't it be fine if BOTH Parkhurst and Riley ( note-they played side by side in a three man back line in college) were good enough to start. I know that would be almost too much to expect but maybe star-rookie lightening will strike again in Revland.

(Damn, wouldn't that piss-off the "Sky IsFalling Brigade") ;)

[rkane1226]

What a breath of fresh air it is to read some positive statements

Positive statements like this?


Outlook:

New England fans have grown tired of the Groundhog's Day-like repetition the Revs have gone through the past three seasons: Bad regular season, followed by late-season run, capped by a strong playoff push. There are plenty of fans in the league that would take that but the novelty has run off in the Northeast. Unfortunately for Revs followers, it is hard to imagine a different script. The Revs just didn't do much to improve in the off-season and merely staying healthy isn't going to be enough to surpass the likes of D.C. United and Kansas City.



Sounds like the script could be to dwell in 4th, 5th, or 6th position and then make a late season run to finish third... Been there, seen that, bought the tee-shirt. Don't need to see it again.

[Soccer Doc]

Sounds like the script could be to dwell in 4th, 5th, or 6th position and then make a late season run to finish third...

Where did you read that? What, other than the way things have played out in the past three season do you have to back up your statement? NOWHERE have I seen any statement or indication that what you suggest is anywhere in the season plan for the Rev management, coaching staff or players. You have made this same statement over and over and IMO it's no more than a projection of your angst over the Revs poor showing during past seasons.

We are entering the 2005 season. Lets see how this season goes and leave the ashes of 2004-2003-2003 and before in their graves. I note in the points in 2005 poll that you don't think the Revs will do very well this year. OK, your on record. Now lets have a season of matches and see if your were correct or incorrect. The only way this "argument" can be settled is to play the games and tabulate the results. Fear of what might happen is just a waste of good brain function.

[BigFrank]

I'm predicting we break the 50 point barrier this year.

And pigs will be flying over Foxborough! :eek:

Without improvements on defence they will leak more than 50 goals which makes that point total totally unrealistic.

[rkane1226]

Where did you read that? What, other than the way things have played out in the past three season do you have to back up your statement? NOWHERE have I seen any statement or indication that what you suggest is anywhere in the season plan for the Rev management, coaching staff or players. You have made this same statement over and over and IMO it's no more than a projection of your angst over the Revs poor showing during past seasons.

We are entering the 2005 season. Lets see how this season goes and leave the ashes of 2004-2003-2003 and before in their graves. I note in the points in 2005 poll that you don't think the Revs will do very well this year. OK, your on record. Now lets have a season of matches and see if your were correct or incorrect. The only way this "argument" can be settled is to play the games and tabulate the results. Fear of what might happen is just a waste of good brain function.

1. Note the word "could" in my statement. I admit anything is possible.

2. I see no reason to predict that season 10 will be any different than the previous 9 seasons. This organization just can't ever seem to hit on all cylinders. Not that being an ESPN journalist makes one correct, but it was comforting (to me) to see that someone who may have more time to follow MLS and perhaps more access to inside information concluded that this team has not done ENOUGH in the off season to change the script.

3. Of course it is a projection of my angst. My angst that they will repeat the sins of the past. [Are repeating the sins of the past]

I'm sure they don't have a seaon plan posting in huge letters in the locker room that says, "Let's suck until late August then play." I'm sure every member of management would pass a polygraph with flying colors when asked the question, "Do you intend to take the first 2/3 of the season as a joke." They'd all answer "No.

But the subtle attitude below the surface is based upon the fact that MAKING THE PLAYOFFS is the only thing that counts to the Krafts. And you only have to squeak into 4th to do that.

So, you build your team late. You don't worry about visa problems until July. You keep looking for just the right central defender. And you let your fans watch crap football from April to mid August. You didn't overtly plan it that way but it keeps happening. OVER AND OVER AND OVER again.

So, I'll keep repeating my complaints until they stop repeating their script. And they have to change first. I'm not cutting them slack. They don't get the benefit of the doubt.

Put up or shut up REVS.

And BTW, I will be very dissapointed if I'm right on total REVs points this year. But I predicted they would do what they have always done. Well shy of 1.5 points per game. Close to 1 PPG.

[Soccer Doc]

But the subtle attitude below the surface is based upon the fact that MAKING THE PLAYOFFS is the only thing that counts to the Krafts.



And you know this how???? :confused:

I'm really not trying to pull your chain. I just think that we Rev fans have enough to deal with without making up "facts" to increase our sense of victumhood. To think that MR Kraft doesn't want a team that will win every single game is just nuts. A team that is winning games and playing attarctive soccer fills seats. You can accuse MR Kraft of a lot of things but you cannot say he's dumb and doesn't know the $ value of having a winning team.

Lets just stick to what we know to true.
~The Revs have not done well over the years.
~You, me and most Rev fans are tired of our teams poor showing during the regular season and want the team to play well from the starting gate to a Cup win
~The current Rev team has a potentially potent attack but the defense is suspect.
~We have little or no real information as to just how well this seasons team will do.

On the matter of points:
How about a friendly bet---at the first home playoff match--- a beer to you if your guess is closer to the mark and a cold water to me if my guess is more correct.

Lets the games begin.

[Soccer Doc]

Without improvements on defence they will leak more than 50 goals which makes that point total totally unrealistic.

OK Frank. Why don't you go on the record and say just how many points the team will get in the regular season.

I will also offer you a bet--a beer for you against a cold bottle of water for me that the Revs defense does not give up 50 goals during the regular season.

If you will accept the bet please tell me where you sit in the stadium so we can meet to shake hands to confirm the bet :cool:

[Jeremy Goodwin]

Why bother SD?

If anyone expresses an opinion strongly in opposition to your own then you start shouting and demanding to know where they got their information and how they know that to be the case!

It's a like a little kid who someone cruelly informs that someday his parents will die. How do we know? Because it's happened so many times before. It's cruel but it's life.

[idiot wind]

I think losing Pierce will not be offset by the return of Llamossa. Llamossa may be the "smarter" defender, but Pierce was an outstanding reactive defender.......someone who could rescue a bad situation when chaos ruled. Llamossa and Parkhurst might prove a less error prone center tandem than Pierce and John last year, but I think any gain may be offset by losing Pierce's recovery skills.

Offensive balance also worries me a bit (even given good goals for numbers last year). Noonan and Twellman seemed to play better when the other was off the field. Perhaps they'll improve together, and certainly stronger outside attacking midfield play will help generate more chances, but some variety in attack is important against good teams and I'm not sure I see that occuring with Noonan and Twellman both on the field.

[Soccer Doc]

If anyone expresses an opinion strongly in opposition to your own then you start shouting and demanding to know where they got their information and how they know that to be the case!
.

Come on Jeremy, you call people on the statements in their posts all the time. I did not shout. I asked? And why not?

When someone states that it's a FACT that the only thing that MR Kraft cares about is the team making the playoffs, why is it inappropriate to ask how they know this? IMO, the statement by it's very nature makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE from a Business stand point. Maybe he has some inside info. If there are some hidden facts here maybe we all would like to know.

[rkane1226]

And you know this how???? :confused:

I'm really not trying to pull your chain. I just think that we Rev fans have enough to deal with without making up "facts" to increase our sense of victumhood. To think that MR Kraft doesn't want a team that will win every single game is just nuts. A team that is winning games and playing attarctive soccer fills seats. You can accuse MR Kraft of a lot of things but you cannot say he's dumb and doesn't know the $ value of having a winning team.

Lets just stick to what we know to true.
~The Revs have not done well over the years.
~You, me and most Rev fans are tired of our teams poor showing during the regular season and want the team to play well from the starting gate to a Cup win
~The current Rev team has a potentially potent attack but the defense is suspect.
~We have little or no real information as to just how well this seasons team will do.

On the matter of points:
How about a friendly bet---at the first home playoff match--- a beer to you if your guess is closer to the mark and a cold water to me if my guess is more correct.

Lets the games begin.

I know very little, at least if you're trying to be super solid on the facts. I have to infer alot from the very little press coverage and the teams activities on the field. My basis of inference is that Mr. Kraft seems to have sent the signal to a number of coaches that, if they made the playoffs, their job is secure. Second, the quotes that I hear out of coaches, players, and management sound to me like last year was a success.... because they made the playoffs and were "one kick away from the final." The entire "karma" of the team seems to be that making the playoffs is good enough. (Seems to me, of course). Over the last three years, I'll also add that Mr. SN doesn't seem too terribly upset that his team is lookup up the rear end of the league for > 2/3 season. And his job never seems to be in jeapordy.

I'll agree that Kraft is a smart man. I don't think he sees winning a necessary to succes in the soccer market but that is another thread.

Next, I want to ask why we should predict anything better than we've had in the past? We can do this based upon points per game or just how they'll look, winning or losing. What has changed other than the calendar has advanced? This is pretty much the same team as last year. You yourself have often pointed to MLS parity? Did the other teams get suddenly worse? Because I don't see where we've gotten terribly better.

Over history, this team's PPG ranges from a low of .81 to a high of 1.5. SN has done 1.35 (Our "1st" place finish and cup appearance), 1.5 and 1.1. What is it about this team that is better than the team that did 1.5 PPG? Llamossa is older and coming off injury? Twellman and Noonan are known in the league and the formers production has been down? Ralston is still good but two years older? We've replaced a goalie that was playing so well we were talking about him being on the national team with one that, while above average, has yet to show Brown's 2002 level?

We can make it a beer in both directions. No reason you should drink water just because I turned out to be (more) right than you. And believe me that is a beer I'd love to buy because I'd have seen some good football all season long.