[R] TFC - Revs (post game)

[The Perfesser]

OK, gang, let's pick over the carcass of this one. :(

[The Perfesser]

What we really need to explain is why can't we hold a lead?

Here are the possible explanations:


Too many players look first to hoof it out without trying to play it out.

No calming midfield influence to actually settle everyone else down.

Too many veterans playing too many long minutes.

Khano doing a wonderful impression of a statue on defense.


What else?.... :mad:

[Hed7181]

I think there's definitely a tactical element to it as well. It was pretty obvious after the second Revs goal that the team switched into defense mode. I hate it when they do that.

To use a pointy-ball analogy, the Revolution are like a no-huddle offense. The best defense for them is a good offense. They have to keep the pressure on the other team. That's where the strength of the team is. In the offense. It's pretty obvious that teams cannot stop the Revolution from scoring so just keep pushing and the other team will stay off balance.

That way, even if we do get countered, we might actually win 3-2 or 4-2 instead of tie 2-2.

...To add to this...

even in the limited depth we have on the bench, most of it is in the offensive end. We have subs that we can use to keep up the pressure in Cristman, Dorman, Nyassi, Mansally, etc. On the other hand, we have very limited defensive help. We have to play to our strengths!

[Cannons]

We played as well as we could and it wasn't enough .... against Toronto. They were faster and more dangerous all day long. SN & Co have no one to blame but themselves for not building a bench and not using the one they have.

I would have given Noonan the hook in the first half and Smith right behind him. I do think that Rielly for Smith was worse though. At least Smith got back sometimes. We really need to retool during the offseason :rolleyes: (like that's ever gonna happen)

[MouseyTongue]

Last week and this there were goals that we usually expect Reis to stop. That is not to say that Reis wasn't good, he just wasn't his former amazing self. Could it be that our defense is too reliant on being saved by Superman?

In the end, this game would have been total entertainment if the Revs had come back to tie instead of losing the lead. Seeing the atmosphere at BMO I was very jealous (and resolved that I need to get there for a match, preferably for a non-Revs match so I can cheer for TFC). And any day that Parky scores a golazo like that one is a good day (almost regardless of result).

[Houndog528]

Three weeks in a row I have been let down by the Revs. In three games, we get a total of one point. Not good, not good at all. Where is the spark, the heart that we used to have? We used to play with such heart and soul, like we cared about the game. It seems to me that we've had our heads in the post-season, while our focus should have been on the here and now. We are in a huge rut, and I don't see an easy way out.

We need to play smarter, quicker, but most of all, we need to play with heart. I remember last season hearing non-stop during the games that the Revs are the leading scorers after the 75th minute, and how it exciting it was to see them do it and win a game that way. What happened to that? Where did it go?

[miked9]

We've been out-worked for three games in a row.

I'm concerned that the complete reliance upon 14 guys all years has resulted in little to no competition for places, and by this time guys don't have that edge, both due to fatigue and complacency.

We don't have a single game-changer.

[RSwenson]

Reminds me of DC last year... aging team... continued to play the "main men" the entire season (in their case at least it was because they wanted the supporter's shield)... burned out Moreno and, to a lesser extent, Gomez... therefore, went down without reaching the final...

...this year, added great depth...

[TheLostUniversity]

Well, guys, collectively you've pretty well dissected what ails our Revs. As for cures, that now has to wait for an offseason in which our FO has to decide whether to take seriously the desire for a championship and for showing well in international competition [no, I do not want us to be the one MLS side to be embarassed in Superliga, for instance :(].
So, setting aside "cures", what should Nicol do to give us a maximum chance at making a run in the playoffs? Can we make a list of top 5 suggestions on this?

[RSwenson]

So, setting aside "cures", what should Nicol do to give us a maximum chance at making a run in the playoffs? Can we make a list of top 5 suggestions on this?

Too late... you got to go with what got you to this point (especially when all of the options outside of your basic 14-15 players are completely untested)... it will probably be enought to barely get by the RB... but it might be better not to (I know... sacrilage)...

[Houndog528]

We don't have a single game-changer.


But we could if we played our cards better. I think our game changer is Khano Smith. Think about it. He can't give us a quality 90 minutes, probably never will. But, he is good for about 25-30 minutes of play. Very ideal in my book for a super sub late in the game. He's got speed, he can dribble the ball, run at guys, and he can shoot and score from just about anywhere. He just can't do it for the whole game. And, we can't expect him to. I also think that Steve Nicol needs to piss off Khano before he goes in. He always plays better pissed off.

I would like to see Ralston and Thompson on the wings, Noonan and Twellman up front with Noonan helping out Thompson as needed, Dorman back as a starter in front of Joseph and Larentowicz, Parkhurst and John and Heaps as the back three, and Reis in goal. This way, you have Cristman and Smith as subs to come in the game as needed. Smith has the speed and shot, while Cristman has the work ethic and ability.

[Draracle]

Watching Parkhurst score that goal was unbelievable. I'm a season tix holder with TFC and I have never heard the stadium go that quite -- normally we boo every goal against, but how do you boo that... At least I got to see a top contender for goal of the year.

[zatopek]

is it true that it was parkhursts first goal in his mls career??
if its the truth - its absolutely unbelievable...

[Biker Jim]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mick7184 View Post
Is that the best goal in Revs history? I'm seriously asking
I think Beto Naveda hit a similar one at the old 'boro in '97

The great thing about Beto's goal was that it was part of hat trick in front of his parents, if memory serves. But he wasn't on the far side of midfield the way Michael was today.
__________________

[TheLostUniversity]

Watching Parkhurst score that goal was unbelievable. I'm a season tix holder with TFC and I have never heard the stadium go that quite -- normally we boo every goal against, but how do you boo that... At least I got to see a top contender for goal of the year.

It was a great goal.
Congratulations on you guys for a season that never bored, and showed much promise for the future. If someone had to tie us, at the last second of the last game of the season, it might as well be someone like Dichio and before that crowd.
Of course, when you come down to Gillette next year, it will be Retribution Day ;)

[RevsRule]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mick7184 View Post
Is that the best goal in Revs history? I'm seriously asking
I think Beto Naveda hit a similar one at the old 'boro in '97

The great thing about Beto's goal was that it was part of hat trick in front of his parents, if memory serves. But he wasn't on the far side of midfield the way Michael was today.
__________________

Beto was a very good player and a fan favorite so it only follows that the Revs sent him packing. We have a history of getting rid of anyone with flair and that the crowd likes.

Back to the present. I really think we are going nowhere this year. Other teams have improved their players as well as their play while we've operated under the "we're all set" theory. Well we've looked anything but all set in the last month. We peaked early and hung on but are in a death spiral now. There is no turning this ship around. We don't have a good enough team to win at all and I can't see us getting past the first round. The discouraging part is that we won't do a damn think during the off season to bring anybody in. I was in Toronto all last week and the local papers had big articles about different players they were looking at. They're not sitting still and will keep looking for and signing players to improve themselves while we do NOTHING. If we do fizzle in the playoffs, the question must be "Can SN take us to a championship" I'm beginnning to think not. He does a good job to a point but doesn't seem willing to make necessary changes to this team that would allow us to contend. I'm glad we resigned Joseph but Heaps? I've always been a fan but his best days are past and we should be developing a replacement. We have none. We have problems at outside half ... no solutions. We neet a true AM ... no solution. We're too slow up front .... no answer there either. We have nobody but Ralston and Reilly that can play outside defense and Reilly continues to scare me. Everybody that watches this team sees the flaws but still nothing changes.

[TheLostUniversity]

But we could if we played our cards better. I think our game changer is Khano Smith. Think about it. He can't give us a quality 90 minutes, probably never will. But, he is good for about 25-30 minutes of play. Very ideal in my book for a super sub late in the game. He's got speed, he can dribble the ball, run at guys, and he can shoot and score from just about anywhere. He just can't do it for the whole game. And, we can't expect him to. I also think that Steve Nicol needs to piss off Khano before he goes in. He always plays better pissed off.

I would like to see Ralston and Thompson on the wings, Noonan and Twellman up front with Noonan helping out Thompson as needed, Dorman back as a starter in front of Joseph and Larentowicz, Parkhurst and John and Heaps as the back three, and Reis in goal. This way, you have Cristman and Smith as subs to come in the game as needed. Smith has the speed and shot, while Cristman has the work ethic and ability.

This recommendation is spot on! Surely Nicol can make changes like this even into the playoffs? [If not, then we have bigger problems than already suspected]

[nomarrox84]

Michael Parkhurst's goal was unfreakinbelievable! I wanted to join the huddle/hug celebration on the field. Seriously.

I didn't get a chance to watch the game, but I saw the video highlights on MLSNET and I've gotta say, TFC's last goal was pretty sweet too. The crowd looks amazing there. Hopefully someday we'll get that kind of atmosphere going in NE.


And as for the loss...doesn't really garner much confidence heading into the playoffs, does it? :( Hopefully the boys can work out their ish in time for the first match.

[TheLostUniversity]

Michael Parkhurst's goal was unfreakinbelievable! I wanted to join the huddle/hug celebration on the field. Seriously.

I didn't get a chance to watch the game, but I saw the video highlights on MLSNET and I've gotta say, TFC's last goal was pretty sweet too. The crowd looks amazing there. Hopefully someday we'll get that kind of atmosphere going in NE.


And as for the loss...doesn't really garner much confidence heading into the playoffs, does it? :( Hopefully the boys can work out their ish in time for the first match.

Well, strictly speaking 2-2 is a tie, not a loss ;)
But I know what you mean, it sure does feel more like a loss than a tie.

[rocker]

one thing you may not have seen on TV was the pitch invasion by TFC fans after the game.
I was there and what a great spontaneous burst of emotion. The crowd jumped and chanted for about 20 minutes while security looked on. it reminded me of those college football celebrations after they win the championship... TFC wins maybe finishing second last? ;)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qst0P5tco-U