Awe or Talent? [R]

[ursula]

So a question for tonight's Pumas game is: Were Pumas really much better technically or were DCU in awe of them at first and gave them too much space until halfway through the second half?

Or was it a little of both?

[bigredfutbol]

I think we saw a solid MLS-level team still shaking off the pre-season cobwebs and glitches getting a face full of technically superior Mexican futbol in mid-season form. There was a lot of great passes on the Pumas side of the ball, and you won't see many MLS teams playing anything like that in early April.

So what's my answer? A bit of both, I'd guess.

[MeridianFC]

Pumas were a better in team in season form. Our best players are probably about as good as their best players. Their worst players are much better than our worst players.

[gnat]

So a question for tonight's Pumas game is: Were Pumas really much better technically or were DCU in awe of them at first and gave them too much space until halfway through the second half?

Or was it a little of both?
If that was the top of the Pumas game (I have no idea really), then when we are in form we should be able to walk all over them. The games I have seen so far (the 3 CCC games and the "Kids of USA" game :D) I don't think we have been playing our best game. I chalk this up to being at the begining of our season and the team not having geled yet. I hope we can continue to pull it off next Wed, but if we can pull off a single goal loss or a loss by penalty kicks i'll chalk it up as a good run for us (i'll keep hoping for the win though).

-dave

[dale_wilster]

Which DCU players would start for Pumas? Gomez? Eskandarian is probably better than Botero, but probably not Marioni.

[CHICO13]

I just finished watching the game on tape after getting home from the live game. I must be in Bizzaro land because I don't see where they out played us. We hung tough for 90 minutes. People asking for 90 minutes of perfection from DCU are dilussional. We gave them a helluva game and I'm proud of our boys.

[TEConnor]

The final 30 minutes of the second half seemed to be a mirror image of the first. Hence, I think if you look at the game as a whole, these were two talented squads dishing on each other. DC bent but did not break (the PK notwithstanding). Pumas broke but then held up luckily through the end.

From my perspective, DC clearly intended to come out strong to score early, then sat back to absorb the pressure through the first half. DC came out hard again in the second, but the luck did not go their way early. By the end of the contest, DC were fairly dominant. If one of the many DC chances had gone in at the end, this thread would be entirely and totally moot. As it stands, it is a question that requires a partial assessment of the contest.

Tim

[TEConnor]

I just finished watching the game on tape after getting home from the live game. I must be in Bizzaro land because I don't see where they out played us. We hung tough for 90 minutes. People asking for 90 minutes of perfection from DCU are dilussional. We gave them a helluva game and I'm proud of our boys.

Bingo bango bongo Chico. That's my exact assessment.

Tim

[TEConnor]

Which DCU players would start for Pumas? Gomez? Eskandarian is probably better than Botero, but probably not Marioni.

Moreno
Gomez
Gros
Olsen
Eskandarian

Each of these guys was at the level or above their Pumas counterparts.

Tim

[monster]

I'm with Tim and Chico. We showed we are at that level. Maybe not every play. Maybe not every player. But through 90 minutes, we are as good as them.

[bigredfutbol]

I guess I took ursula's comments to mean specifically the opening minutes, where I thought the visitors were storming the gates. I certainly didn't see DC being outclassed or ever outplayed throughout most of the match. The one gap in quality was the passing--Pumas were able to spread out more because they consistantly completed half-field passes which were as quick as they were accurate.

[Bootsy Collins]

I'm with Tim and Chico. We showed we are at that level. Maybe not every play. Maybe not every player. But through 90 minutes, we are as good as them.
Which is why I'm so bummed right now, actually. If they'd flat-out kicked our asses, I'd be sitting here going "oh well, they were better, crap." Instead, I'm sitting here frustrated as I possibly can be, thinking "WE COULD HAVE BEATEN THEM! WE *SHOULD* HAVE BEATEN THEM! *DAMMIT*!"

[ursula]

I guess I took ursula's comments to mean specifically the opening minutes, where I thought the visitors were storming the gates. I certainly didn't see DC being outclassed or ever outplayed throughout most of the match. The one gap in quality was the passing--Pumas were able to spread out more because they consistantly completed half-field passes which were as quick as they were accurate.

Yeah I sort of agree with what BRF says here. More specifically the last 30 minutes of the 1st half their dominance on the flanks along with their superior spacing, particularly in midfield allowed them to dictate the game IMO. Without a doubt DCU put in total effort out there but UNAM were more effective for much of the middle of the game. As MeridianFC sort of said above, ther worst players were pretty good technically; better than ours.

What Pumas doesn't have is finishing ability and from what they've done in their MFL season, their relative inability to translate their midfield/flank advantage into goals is no fluke even if their leading scorer didn't play. What was it Ray Hudson said? "Posession without penetration is just masturbation?

[Arisrules]

Yeah I sort of agree with what BRF says here. More specifically the last 30 minutes of the 1st half their dominance on the flanks along with their superior spacing, particularly in midfield allowed them to dictate the game IMO. Without a doubt DCU put in total effort out there but UNAM were more effective for much of the middle of the game. As MeridianFC sort of said above, ther worst players were pretty good technically; better than ours.

What Pumas doesn't have is finishing ability and from what they've done in their MFL season, their relative inability to translate their midfield/flank advantage into goals is no fluke even if their leading scorer didn't play. What was it Ray Hudson said? "Posession without penetration is just masturbation?



Yea, the passing and spacing of Pumas was superb. They couldn't finish if their life depended on it though (which is why I think Eski would probably be the only DC player who could start on their side, just on pure finishing ability). However, the Pumas players were technically savvy.

I was extremely impressed by that Lenardo fellow. Who is this guy? I think he showed how you beat DC, ping the ball from end to end, and try to take advantage of that backline. He was incredibly adept at controlling the ball, and finding the man in stride.

But I do think they were better technically than DC. DC held in out of pure determination, but there were a lot of times when the backline of DC just couldn't handle anything. Good match anyway though. I think you guys need somebody to settle down the back, and your game will improve drastically, especially in terms of possesion.

Lets see what happens in Mexico.

[TOTC]

Exactly. But the thing is, our 1996 MLS Cup-winning side would probably not have had a chance against the Pumas team with Jorge Campos.

That rumbling you hear is the American soccer giant stirring to life. We're coming. Underestimate us at your peril.

And the professional two-time MFL champions almost (!!!) got schooled by a 15-year-old!!!

[BudWiser]

Overall they're better. Not much better, but clearly better. They were a pass or 2 away from certain goals several times. Quite a team-I was thinking how did they end up near the bottom of their league. DC played a h*ll of a game to stay in it and almost even pull out a win.

If you're a homer, we're better or just as good. :p

DC deserves credit for the effort tonight. A great game. But a great game in part because Pumas came in and made it one.

[TwoIfBySea]

Couple things- I think at the beginning of the game what you were seeing was a commonality in any sport, especially if the game is between two teams that have never seen each other before. Usually both teams will just sit back and play really conservatively. But I believe what we saw here was two teams that had the same game plan because of their style of play. ATTACK! This translated into the fast paced game we saw for the first 20 minutes or so. During this time of the match we got our goal, capitalizing on a chance. Pumas had two wonderful balls played into the box and the same Pumas' player (name escapes me) boffed two easy chances. One was a header, the other a little volley tap in. I'm on the offense about the outcome in Mexico- perhaps they will capitalize when they play in Mexico...we'll see.

[Bootsy Collins]

[QUOTE=TwoIfBySeaI'm on the offense about the outcome in Mexico- perhaps they will capitalize when they play in Azteca...we'll see.[/QUOTE]
I don't care if Pumas does very very well in Azteca, since the match isn't at Azteca ;)

[Bolivianfuego]

I feel that pumas played a tad bit more technical but thats not to say that we didnt outrun them and played more physical. I was sad that esckendarian(sp.) didnt really do much up front. But it was good watching that goal of gomez. They fought hard but Pumas had them technically. Even though we had them with more shots and oppurtunites. On that note Screw Cross bars. LOL DC shoulda won Damn IT!!

[TwoIfBySea]

I don't care if Pumas does very very well in Azteca, since the match isn't at Azteca ;)

Estadio Olimpico Universario in Mexico City- the coordinates are coming in to my GPS as we speak- I'll get back to you in a second... ;)