Moreno - Performance So Far [R]

[cyberthoth]

I've watched all three games and have been extremely underwhelmed with number 99. He hasn't looked dangerous at all and the worst part is he's so slow!!!

I know some of you feel he's still trying to work himself into shape...I hope that's true but I'm not buying it. I don't think Jamie Moreno is a 90-minute striker anymore and at this point I think we may be better off playing Fred in Moreno's place...starting Deroux and bringing number 99 off the bench.

That or try to bribe Toronto into trading Eski back for Moreno.

[BBBulldog]

I'll be right back, lemme just go get my shotgun :D

[MattMathai]

I've watched all three games and have been extremely underwhelmed with number 99. He hasn't looked dangerous at all and the worst part is he's so slow!!!

I know some of you feel he's still trying to work himself into shape...I hope that's true but I'm not buying it. I don't think Jamie Moreno is a 90-minute striker anymore and at this point I think we may be better off playing Fred in Moreno's place...starting Deroux and bringing number 99 off the bench.

That or try to bribe Toronto into trading Eski back for Moreno.

You know, you had decent points until that last sentence. Then the whole thing devolved into, well, silliness...

[Pints]

I'll be right back, lemme just go get my shotgun :D

No worries, I'll hold him while you get it.

[petar]

I have to agree. Moreno looked sluggish ysterday. And he also looks like he needs drop a few pounds. I love him as much as the next guy, but I was glad to see him subbed out.

[Section106]

So let me get this straight -

- It's pre-season? Check
- United just played and tied one of the best teams in this entire
hemisphere? Check
- Many BS posters need a whipping boy? Check

Good news, we're on track so far.

[scarshins]

DeRoux? Esky?

True Moreno is on the downhill :(

But he did OK last night, he has skills and smarts we still need in the attack and neither of the players you mention have those. At all.

[Sandon Mibut]

A drop-off of Moreno's form of recent seasons is inevitable. He and Jimmy Conrad are the only players in the league to be Best XI each of the past three seasons and that's a hard pace to maintain.

Only Marco (96-99) and Armas (98-01) have maintained a Best XI form longer than Moreno's current run. And they were younger than Moreno is now when they did it.

The reality is that Jaime is not a young man - 33 earlier this year - and that he has a LOT of professional wear and tear on his body, having been a pro for almost half his life.

If his slow down starts this season, and I agree he hasn't matched the past three seasons so far - that really shouldn't come as a surprise and, quite frankly, we should all be glad that the second phase of the Moreno Era in DC has gone as well as it has.

Still has the best MLS career in league history, IMO.

[MattMathai]

I will suggest that, when used appropriately, guile and experience trump youth and energy.

Jaime is clearly slowing down (who the hell isn't?) but he will be hugely important to us this year.

[Knave]

Now, now ... seems to me Moreno's role on the field this year is completely fair game for discussion. And, indeed, with all the new attacking additions (not to mention the fact that he keeps getting subbed out) it looks like it's fair discussion for the coaching staff too. I think it's pretty clear that his role on the field is already changing.

This came up in another thread this morning and I actually went and looked at some of his numbers from the last two seasons - shots and shots on goal, actually. (Numbers are really murky for a couple years before then with the moves and the injuries.) Here's that post (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=10973146&postcount=473).

Anyway, you may not like the way this topic was introduced (that bit about getting Eski back or starting DeRoux is a bit ... well ...) but I just wanted to say that I think this topic should be open for discussion -- might even be, you know, interesting.

[Oddly United]

In addition to DCU suffering from pre-season fitness against a Chivas team enjoying a late-season stride, DCU was playing a team last nite who wrote a few chapters in the book of "Cheap Hits, Flying Leaps and Turf Diving". Moreno wasn't the only DCU player on the receiving end from Chivas. Gomez and Emilio were also taken out of the game by Chivas for extended periods of time thanks in large part to Chivas' dirty off-the-ball and on-the-ball tactics.

Nevertheless, the signings of Emilio and Fred will create a new role for an in-shape Moreno during the regular season - a super-sub of sorts.

[vood]

I agree with the OP. As a big fan of Jaime I look for every excuse for him but he hasn't shown that well so far. He looked very bad in the first half for me. Others look more fit and energetic despite it being "pre season." (By the way, they've had numerous scrimmages, practices, and now 3 full on games by now. And they weren't couch potatos to begin with. I'm starting to weary of the excuses re: pre-season.)

Maybe its taking extra Jaime some time -- due to age -- to get into the swing of things. I think this is the case.

[DCU]

I think the front office already believes that the team has to look for ways to replace Moreno. Personally, I think Fred's been brought on to replace Jaime. (Everything I've read says he's not a natural wide player.) But even if that's not their plan, they've been trialing additional forwards.

I don't think it's a matter of if Moreno will be benched, it's just a matter of when. This season? Or next? I have nothing but respect for Moreno's history, but I hope they're looking to replace him earlier. He has not looked good since June of last year.

[OKTerrific]

I'll be right back, lemme just go get my shotgun :D

I have the blindfold and the shackles. Meet me at sunrise tomorrow.

[rugman]

No doubt this is a relevant thread. I'm not busting on Jaime at this point. For me, when we play a tougher team such as Chivas he will have a tougher time. However, that doesn't mean he will not be very valuable during the MLS season. And yes, the FO is already ahead of all of us with Emilio and Fred joining the team. Oh and we still have a couple of open slots for additional players. I look forward to Jaime proving wrong anyone saying he will not be valuable this season.

[griffin1108]

So let me get this straight -

- It's pre-season? Check
- United just played and tied one of the best teams in this entire
hemisphere? Check
- Many BS posters need a whipping boy? Check

Good news, we're on track so far.

At least the posse isn't going after Erpen this time.;)

[United fury]

I can say that it appears Jaime's steps have slowed a bit.However sometimes he is just right there and makes jaw-dropping plays that leave you stunned. Plus I think he does better against MLS teams because he knows the players a little better. If he picks up the pace and starts scoring then I can see maybe 8-10 goals if he's consistent. When Jaime is on, there is nobody that can stop him

[Falc]

While some of you want to insist on beating up on Jaime, I have problems in that Deroux and Simms have no idea how to cross the ball. Offensively, Simms was terrible. He did his part on the flank defensively (did he not start in the center with Ben on the wing and the two switched?). On the Chivas goal, Deroux was running behind as the entire side was left open. While he has shown that he has some nice moves, it does no good as he has no clue what to do with the ball after he beats someone. Chivas did their homework and tightly covered Moreno, Gomez and Emilio. When any of the three had the ball, they usually received double coverage. As was the case late last season, others need to step it up. Only Ben raises it a notch when the going gets rough. Jaime is not the Achilles heal some of you make him out to be. The two substitutes from last night had little to offer.

[Clint Eastwood]

You know Jaime didn't look all that good the second half of last year either. I'm just saying.........

He's been on the decline ever since he got his fourth star. No surprise, he's getting older.

Seeing as the DCFO didn't replace him, and replaced Eski with Luciano (upgrade) instead, he's really a key to our season. He's still better than 90% of the forwards in MLS. Period.

Forward isn't my main concern anyway. It's our paper-thin defense. We better pray for Namoff, Erpen, and Bobby to stay healthy.

[RayWhitney]

While some of you want to insist on beating up on Jaime, I have problems in that Deroux and Simms have no idea how to cross the ball....On the Chivas goal, Deroux was running behind as the entire side was left open. While he has shown that he has some nice moves, it does no good as he has no clue what to do with the ball after he beats someone.

I won't address Simms, but I need to point out that Deroux came in and had an immediate impact. He got penetration down the left, and he did present a number of decent crosses.

The two substitutes from last night had little to offer.

I need to disagree with regard to Deroux. As a substitute, I found him to be very effective. The combination of the substitutions and the realignment addressed the complete lack of width from the first half. Deroux's speed and control disrupted the well-disciplined Chivas defense, and he presented a number of attacking opportunities.

Jaime is not the Achilles heal some of you make him out to be.
I completely agree with this. I also am heartened to see that our new manager is making substitutions. He is willing to change personnel and tactics--and the changes are effective (they are not Rongenesque).