Our Defense [R]

[1MADDOG]

I like the direction of our defense. In light of DC's crap play of late, our defense is what's saving us from horrible routs.

The Vanney move was a good one.

[Daniel le Rouge]

Frankly, I thought Vanney's first game was a disaster. The second game was significantly better.

[vivzig]

Like against KC, where we gave up 21 shots. :rolleyes:

[Bootsy Collins]

Frankly, I thought Vanney's first game was a disaster. The second game was significantly better.
I dunno, man. I was watching in a bar -- not the best place for analysis -- but it seemed like he got caught ballwatching a tremendous amount of times, resulting in passes to a player on the other side of the 18 that he had to frantically recover for. I wasn't ready to throw him under a bus after one game, but this game didn't reassure me.

[Publius]

I don't remember seeing Vanney do a whole lot to save our bacon in the defensive third. It seemed the midfield lost control of the game once Houston scored, forcing a lot of pressure on the back four, but Vanney wasn't a name that got called out much during the game as I recall.

[Sachin]

That's because they mostly came down the other side with Holden.

[DCSharksFC]

i don't like vanney playing for us, although since he's on the team, he's gotta gel with our players, 2 games ain't going to do it, but a few more might, i still think it was a bad move, and you shouldn't have a cb taking corners, he needs to be in the box winning a header

[Red&Black]

when did we play like crap? when we scored 4 0n colorado? when we beat a good kc team at kc? when we came up short at houston where they rarely lose? all those without jaime,namoff and kepne and two with no ben or bobby

[asitis]

when did we play like crap? when we scored 4 0n colorado? when we beat a good kc team at kc? when we came up short at houston where they rarely lose? all those without jaime,namoff and kepne and two with no ben or bobby

Yeah, I thought he played like crap for Colorado in the 4-0 smackdown.;)

Seriously, I'm still undecided about Vanney. I don't see him as a much of an upgarade over Erpen (yet). I hope he settles in, mentors Boswell and hoists the cup at RFK. But I see him retired in a couple of years while Erpen continues to get better.

asitis

[Daniel le Rouge]

I dunno, man. I was watching in a bar -- not the best place for analysis -- but it seemed like he got caught ballwatching a tremendous amount of times, resulting in passes to a player on the other side of the 18 that he had to frantically recover for. I wasn't ready to throw him under a bus after one game, but this game didn't reassure me.

I think that's overstating things a bit. Everybody made mistakes, but not the kind, quality or sheer numbers that had KC running at us all day long. KC had more clean chances that they spurned than Houston did overall shots, let alone shots on goal.

People think we got pasted--that's just not so. We had a horrific offensive effort, but Houston came up with exactly smeg-all against us--nine shots and only four on goal. If Ching doesn't get a little lucky that Fred didn't run him off while Troy was playing the dummy, and Gomez gets a little luckier with that bounce, or Emilio just finishes his damn chance, we could easily have won this match. It was that tight. One chance, one way or the other was going to decide this one.

It was close, they shut us down. What people are missing is that after a gawdawful defensive effort against KC, we really shut Houston down pretty well.

[BigKris]

Our defense was fine. Vanney's still getting comfortable with his teammates (that the first game was a mess was kinda inevitable, and it's frankly easier to give him a pass for that one since we won it). Once he and Boz get comfortable, we'll be fine.

Now, I'm not saying anything about the trade being a good one or a bad one, just that we didn't end up with a significantly worse product on the field. Our defense is OK.

[MattMathai]

I agree. Our defense is fine.

We have two central defenders who play like central defenders now. It's a bonus that they can send the ball forward well too. McTavish makes a very nice center back as well, and his movement forward is very nice to see.

[Hedbal]

[snip]I
If Ching doesn't get a little lucky that Fred didn't run him off while Troy was playing the dummy,[snip]

Or if Addlery had gone to ground to block Mulrooney's shot instead of jumping and letting it go over him....

[1MADDOG]

when did we play like crap? when we scored 4 0n colorado? when we beat a good kc team at kc? when we came up short at houston where they rarely lose? all those without jaime,namoff and kepne and two with no ben or bobby

Our defense is our high point right now. Our offensive weapons are there, except their just not clicking. They lack motivation and urgency. We are just too slow.

Anyways, this thread was made for defense. Thinking about our offense sickens me. THe only bright spot is that we have enough individual talent to take advantage of counters.

I see a significant difference in our defense. We lost a defender that could hold the ball, but we now have one that can obviously communicate and more importantly, defend. I thought our positioning was pretty darn good compared to most games played this year.

[s0ccerm0m]

I agree. Our defense is fine.

We have two central defenders who play like central defenders now. It's a bonus that they can send the ball forward well too. McTavish makes a very nice center back as well, and his movement forward is very nice to see.

My main concern about Vanney is whether he will make the side-to-side movement as much of a priority (more, actually) than the going-forward movement. I like it that he can go forward. But he needs to cover the box first, and then go forward if the situation allows. There was one play in Houston when Gros, Vanney and McTavish all went forward at the same time. Granted, we needed a goal at that point, but then when the ball was turned over (Fred, IIRC), only Boz was back. It could have easily been a 3-on-1 break, but Houston didn't transition as quickly as I feared, and Clyde got back to help. Vanney loves to go forward. He may view our current offensive woes as an opportunity for him to contribute. But he was brought in to help the defense, so he needs to keep his priorities there. I hope.

[soccerkitty]

I have seen a significant improvement in the defense. I didn't like the fact that Erpen was traded... however Vanney is an improvement to the back line. I would like to see Namoff back out there as soon as he is ready, but other than that much better without a doub't. :)

[Elvira]

I agree. Our defense is fine.

We have two central defenders who play like central defenders now. It's a bonus that they can send the ball forward well too. McTavish makes a very nice center back as well, and his movement forward is very nice to see.

Congratulations to your new Defense, specially when they can pass very good balls now not before. You seem to know a lot of football. All the same I wish DC all the best, but I still support Facu though he was kicked out by your great coach not by the real DC supporters. Elvira

[TCompton]

I'm glad that we picked up Vanney. I've never thought he was a great defender, but he has a lot of experience and will help to provide some seriously needed leadership and organization to our backline.

He's not costing us anything (more) this season, and we've managed to solve the two problems about Facundo Erpen with this one trade... Erpen's sometimes thoughtless defending, and his (soon to be) Senior International status.

The other problem with our defense as a whole is that there are some players who don't seem to understand some of the rules of defending. Houston's goal against us never should have happened, but Fred didn't push up when the ball was cleared out of the box, keeping Ching on sides. I think Josh Gros made the same mistake earlier in the season. But those mistakes can be taken care of.

i think that if you give Vanney a handful more games and he'll be playing like he's been a part of United since week 1, and our Defense will begin to post more clean sheets.

[Hedbal]

One knock on Vanney is that he lacks speed, but did you see the play in the Houston match when he followed Ngwena from the right touchline to the left and not only stayed with him but won the ball? The amazed look on Ngwena's face was priceless.

When Namoff returns, I would like to see a back four of Namoff-Vanney-Boswell-McTavish. I suppose Namoff would take the left side and give McTavish his preferred right side. I love Josh Gros for his 90 minutes of hustle, but he's not yet a reliable back, IMHO.

[United fury]

One knock on Vanney is that he lacks speed, but did you see the play in the Houston match when he followed Ngwena from the right touchline to the left and not only stayed with him but won the ball? The amazed look on Ngwena's face was priceless.

When Namoff returns, I would like to see a back four of Namoff-Vanney-Boswell-McTavish. I suppose Namoff would take the left side and give McTavish his preferred right side. I love Josh Gros for his 90 minutes of hustle, but he's not yet a reliable back, IMHO.No, Namoff even said after the Galaxy game that he plays much better on the right side.

I think the linuep should be the one that is on your post.