Photographs from DCU RESERVES vs Chicago, 5/9/2008

[MattMathai]

Here are some shots I took on Sunday morning in a driving rainstorm. Tons of fun.

Note to self: must figure out rigging system to manage umbrella and camera gear.

Click on the image below to go to the gallery.

http://www.pbase.com/mmathai/image/96943769/original.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/mmathai/chicago_reserves_20080509)

[whatITis]

How was the play like in the rain?

[shawn12011]

Here are some shots I took on Sunday morning in a driving rainstorm. Tons of fun.

Note to self: must figure out rigging system to manage umbrella and camera gear.




Pssst it was Friday morning. ;) :D

[MattMathai]

Pssst it was Friday morning. ;) :D

See how confused I was?

[MattMathai]

How was the play like in the rain?

The rain made the ball skip on the grass a bit, and passes went a little bit awry. That didn't explain a lot of the standing around and hand-waving I saw. Jeremy Barlow, Mike Zaher, and Ryan Cordeiro were working hard, and they stood out from their teammates. Carvallo was pretty vocal and very brave. He isn't afraid to stick his head into some pretty tough situations.

I read we had some guest players in our lineup. That must be why I didn't recognize them, and why I think, as all good guests should, they should leave quietly.

The forward #36 just stood around a lot. He didn't show for passes, didn't go in hard to pressure defenders, didn't hold the ball well, and didn't pass or shoot particularly well either. Other than that, he was fine. With his size he should have been dominating, and should have been beating up on defenders the size of Conde, but he played a game that could best be described as 'meek'. If that's how he auditions for a roster spot...

Anyway, that was maybe the least fun I've ever had at a reserve match. Perhaps it was just the crappy mood I was in from the senior game the night before.

[fanx317]

Thanks for the pics! Great effort in godawful weather. Actually I was far more entertained by the Friday game than I was Thursday night. It's worth noting, again, that there were no less than three players out there who the reserves don't practice with, much less play with, and they looked more in tune with each other than the starting team did. Not saying a whole lot.......nonetheless, something to consider.

[MattMathai]

It's worth noting, again, that there were no less than three players out there who the reserves don't practice with, much less play with, and they looked more in tune with each other than the starting team did. Not saying a whole lot.......nonetheless, something to consider.

That's very true, and I tried not to comment on the cohesion of the team in the other thread knowing there were new faces on the field. All I was going on was the skill and effort of individuals.

One guy I didn't mention earlier was Stratford. It's plain to me that he has a ton of skill, and he moves into good spots, both to open up attacks and to help out breaking things up in defense. I can see why he's getting senior team minutes.

[fanx317]

That's very true, and I tried not to comment on the cohesion of the team in the other thread knowing there were new faces on the field. All I was going on was the skill and effort of individuals.

One guy I didn't mention earlier was Stratford. It's plain to me that he has a ton of skill, and he moves into good spots, both to open up attacks and to help out breaking things up in defense. I can see why he's getting senior team minutes.

Hmmmmm, I'm right there with you on Cordeiro and Barlow - Stratford not so much. Actually mostly Cordeiro because with his effort he usually accomplished something. Barlow did for awhile as well then seemed to disappear a bit. Stratford looks 'scrappy' ( a hugely popular word in soccer speak) but that term is both overused and overrated. I'd rather see effective and I'm not seeing that. Time will tell.

[MattMathai]

Hmmmmm, I'm right there with you on Cordeiro and Barlow - Stratford not so much. Actually mostly Cordeiro because with his effort he usually accomplished something. Barlow did for awhile as well then seemed to disappear a bit. Stratford looks 'scrappy' ( a hugely popular word in soccer speak) but that term is both overused and overrated. I'd rather see effective and I'm not seeing that. Time will tell.

I think Stratford is having more trouble than the others meshing with his teammates. I wonder if that has to do with getting time with the senior team as well, and having to switch gears in terms of speed and movement.

[Bolivianfuego]

The rain made the ball skip on the grass a bit, and passes went a little bit awry. That didn't explain a lot of the standing around and hand-waving I saw. Jeremy Barlow, Mike Zaher, and Ryan Cordeiro were working hard, and they stood out from their teammates. Carvallo was pretty vocal and very brave. He isn't afraid to stick his head into some pretty tough situations.



Interesting... is there anything else you can say about Carvallo? How did the 2 goals come about? Was he at fault? The defense? Nice pics BTW.

[MattMathai]

Interesting... is there anything else you can say about Carvallo? How did the 2 goals come about? Was he at fault? The defense? Nice pics BTW.

I like Carvallo. He's vocal and seems to organize his back line well. He is also, as I've said before, completely unafraid. He seems to punch the ball more than I'm used to seeing, but that just might be his South American background showing (as it does in that sidewinder punt he uses sometimes.)

I don't think either one of the goals was his fault, but it's a bit tougher to say when you're just looking through a viewfinder. IMO, both goals came from missed marks by defenders. Perhaps someone else who was there could comment.

It's hard to say if he'd be better than Wells because I've only seen him play against reserves. The speed of play is noticeably slower, and the shots are nowhere near as hard.

I think we'd be well served by giving him a couple of games work with the senior team, even if only from the standpoint of developing depth.

[fanx317]

I think Stratford is having more trouble than the others meshing with his teammates. I wonder if that has to do with getting time with the senior team as well, and having to switch gears in terms of speed and movement.

Wow, exactly what I was going to say and I don't want to bash the guy but he's not the only one getting time working with the senior team, he's just the one who (and you nailed this one on the head) is having trouble meshing. Didn't seem to want to mesh to me and every minute playing, no matter which team, should be seen as valuable to any rookie.

[Bolivianfuego]

I like Carvallo. He's vocal and seems to organize his back line well. He is also, as I've said before, completely unafraid. He seems to punch the ball more than I'm used to seeing, but that just might be his South American background showing (as it does in that sidewinder punt he uses sometimes.)

I don't think either one of the goals was his fault, but it's a bit tougher to say when you're just looking through a viewfinder. IMO, both goals came from missed marks by defenders. Perhaps someone else who was there could comment.

It's hard to say if he'd be better than Wells because I've only seen him play against reserves. The speed of play is noticeably slower, and the shots are nowhere near as hard.

I think we'd be well served by giving him a couple of games work with the senior team, even if only from the standpoint of developing depth.

Interesting...that is exactly what i think he played like just by taking a somewhat educated guess. I think he should be given some minutes though over wells right now because frankly we have nothing to lose at this point.

[JoeSoccerFan]

I don't think either one of the goals was his fault, but it's a bit tougher to say when you're just looking through a viewfinder. IMO, both goals came from missed marks by defenders. Perhaps someone else who was there could comment.

Agree, both goals came from defensive mistakes.

First goal, came from sloppy marking in the back.
Second goal, first problem - defense not stepping up to close down attack (sound familiar?). Finally Owens pressures Lowry. Lowry goes around Owens to Owens right. With just a small window to shoot, Lowry shot, the recovering Owens stuck out his foot to block the shot and it deflected off his foot and looped into the goal. Not very bad defense, but minor issues in first defender tactics and defensive ability.

I'm not sure that Carvallo is the answer. He doesn't anticipate well and communications with his defenders is an issue. He should get a few games to spell Wells during fixture congestion.

[MattMathai]

I'm not sure that Carvallo is the answer. He doesn't anticipate well and communications with his defenders is an issue.

Interesting. I haven't seen this at all. There's a steady stream of chatter coming from him, and he seems to move in to defuse situations well. He also doesn't seem shy about chastising his defenders. Maybe you've seen him more than I have.

He should get a few games to spell Wells during fixture congestion.

This is the only way we'll know.

[monster]

Note to self: must figure out rigging system to manage umbrella and camera gear.http://www.pbase.com/mmathai/image/96943769/original.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/mmathai/chicago_reserves_20080509)

http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Files/Gifts-and-Crafts/Umbrella/Hat-Umbrella-2029275580.jpg

You're welcome.

[MattMathai]

http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Files/Gifts-and-Crafts/Umbrella/Hat-Umbrella-2029275580.jpg

You're welcome.

Great. That's just what I need - make myself look MORE ridiculous.


(That kind of umbrella hat is what my wife suggested I wear. After I rejected the wet suit idea...)

[RayWhitney]

http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Files/Gifts-and-Crafts/Umbrella/Hat-Umbrella-2029275580.jpg

You're welcome.

"Matt Mathai, Lightning-Catcher"

It's got a ring to it...

There it is.

[monster]

Great. That's just what I need - make myself look MORE ridiculous.


(That kind of umbrella hat is what my wife suggested I wear. After I rejected the wet suit idea...)
I was trying to find one that also had the beer can attachments, but couldn't find those. I think I have a great money-making idea.

[JoeSoccerFan]

I'm just hoping that Matt keeps his shirt on!