Tommy wants change, where then?

[shawn12011]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/07/uniteddynamo_the_aftermath.html#comments


United-Dynamo, the Aftermath
You know about the storm. Now listen to the fury.

"Just as a whole, that was bad," Coach Tom Soehn said.

After the long delay, "We came out like we did in the first half: no energy and no life. They punished us over and over again."

And changes are on the way.

"We are going to bring in some reinforcements, people that I think are going to make us better in spots on the field where we need to get better," Soehn said, declining to elaborate.

GM Dave Kasper said the club plans to bring in more players for trials starting next week, but like Soehn, did not want to say anything else.

What do you think should be United's top roster priorities?




So Tommy think changes need to be made?

Where do you think should be first?

[uniteo]

When everyone is healthy, the team plays very well, unfortunately that's not a realistic expectation for a full season in MLS.

Clearly (to me) the biggest needs are in defense, at wide midfileld, in goal, then at central midfield.

Burch and McTavish are so inexperienced at the back that while one makes the other defenders work hard, two just creates a mess. I like Martinez in the middle and Namoff wide right...I think the biggest need is an experienced organizing central defender.

Out wide, we just need an old timey winger who can go both directions and take responsibility for the wing without needing a lot of help from the defender behind him or the central midfielders. Why? Well if we're gonna go with Fred on one side there needs to be defensive help over there, can't really do that on both sides and have 2 forwards, and Gallardo plays too deep to play with a lone striker.

Wells. Okay, he's a good shot stopper, but puts himself in bad positions a lot. When we lose it's usually down to the D (not necessarily Wells) but Wells is the reason DC has not had a shutout.

Center mid? I think Moreno and Tino can cover for Gallardo, and Fred? Fred would probably do okay lying deep getting the ball and running at people. Probably not needed if the first 2 needs are met.

Is there anyone in DC's youth setup that's even ready for reserve time?

[The Cold Sea]

Coach

[Bolivianfuego]

We need a winger with what Olsen gave us, Good control over the ball, occasional crossing, great passing, and heart. I swear this could have been donnet back then, but he was too much for us.

Up front, i say look at bolivian prospects the next friendly vs. Guatemala. We have forwards up the ass now in bolivia! Midfielders liek etch' sadly dont exist anymore, it seems that position is going extinct actually around the world.


And in defense, a more solid central defender wouldnt hurt, although i have no problems with Peralta, some reinforcements are in need.


Goalie too. Wells has heart but shows me he still lacks position on some plays, and gets caught sleeping too much. I love what he has tried to do for us, he's improves immensly(sp) but we need someone better that can do what he does in his sleep.





Edit: And yes, a new coach wouldnt hurt either!

[ongreystreet]

I get bothered by the Wells bashing sometimes. In recent games when the team breaks down and the opposition scores a goal I feel as if I can see the goal coming before Wells is even involved on the play. Defenders slip and fall, and the midfield doesn't track back quick enough. In most good defenses the keeper is a shot stopper and only comes out of the 6 yard box for crosses and a rare tackle. In recent games it seems like Wells is going in feet first more often the defenders. The team as a whole needs to get more physical. Put a shoulder in off the ball, put one in on the ball if the play isn't in a dangerous position, and take turns chipping at the fowards. I am not saying anyone should get hurt, but United has to find a way to keep the individual opposition off balance and to disrupt the other teams timing.

[Grasscutter]

I get bothered by the Wells bashing sometimes. In recent games when the team breaks down and the opposition scores a goal I feel as if I can see the goal coming before Wells is even involved on the play. Defenders slip and fall, and the midfield doesn't track back quick enough. In most good defenses the keeper is a shot stopper and only comes out of the 6 yard box for crosses and a rare tackle. In recent games it seems like Wells is going in feet first more often the defenders.

I pretty much agree.

"We are going to bring in some reinforcements, people that I think are going to make us better in spots on the field where we need to get better."

A better poll might be, do you believe the team is actually going to pull the trigger and make a major mid-season move? Because if they're just talking about bringing in another Joe Vide or Quavas Kirk or Craig Thompson, it's not going to turn things around, especially if it takes the coach three months to play each player in each and every defensive and midfield spot before he figures out whether he even wants them.

And it probably isn't even worth the cost of the paperwork if none of the reinforcements will be able to contribute by the time the New England/Open Cup game rolls around.

[elconejito]

I voted for midfield. It's the only place where even with our first choice starters HALF of them are playing out of their natural position. And I mean Fred and Tino, in case you were wondering...

And if either of them goes down (as we've seen) the replacements are a huge dropoff in talent.

After that, I think we just need some depth everywhere. Our 1st 11 can hang toe-to-toe with just about anyone, but as soon as we lose one or more starters, the next level of players is staggeringly awful.

[Winoman]

Coach

What Cold Sea said. I understand having to fill holes caused by injuries to players. I just don't get putting in substitutes, out of their normal positions.

Example: Peralta is out. Why play Burch in the middle, when he is still learning to play defense on the left? Also, why move Namoff to the middle when Pat Carroll has been playing center-back for the reserves? If you're going to play a Pat Carroll (and I don't have any problem with using the reserves when they're needed - even with the drop-off in talent), play him in the position he is used to. Otherwise, slide Martinez into the middle (his more natural position), let Burch play on the left and leave Pat Carroll out.

I think we could have had a much better defense than we actually fielded last night, had everyone played in their normal positions. Wells made some very good saves last night. That he was left hanging out to dry by Soehn's poorly-devised defense, was almost criminal.

[sysco76]

Example: Peralta is out. Why play Burch in the middle, when he is still learning to play defense on the left? Also, why move Namoff to the middle when Pat Carroll has been playing center-back for the reserves? If you're going to play a Pat Carroll (and I don't have any problem with using the reserves when they're needed - even with the drop-off in talent), play him in the position he is used to. Otherwise, slide Martinez into the middle (his more natural position), let Burch play on the left and leave Pat Carroll out.

I think we could have had a much better defense than we actually fielded last night, had everyone played in their normal positions. Wells made some very good saves last night. That he was left hanging out to dry by Soehn's poorly-devised defense, was almost criminal.


It's just so obvious what your talking about right here that it pisses me off. What is Tommy thinking :confused::mad:

I voted for midfield, even though we need help every where.

[John_Harkes_6]

Because I could - I voted for all of them. There is not a single area on this team that couldn't be upgraded and at various points in the season they have all been our weakness at one time or another.

Forward - when Emilio was stone cold at the beginning of the season we were dead in the water. If Emilio goes cold again or Jaime breaks down - we are woefully exposed up top.

Midfield - Wow - when Gallardo and Tino are out do we ever lack ideas. Watching last night's game was painful. Guys would get the ball and have no idea what to do with it. The next person I hear say Gallardo hasn't had an impact on this team I will kick in the nuts.

Defense - Martinez looked bad last night - Burch seems to have regressed from last year - Perralta has looked horrible at times.

Goalie - Wells - He has let in way too many goals this year that should have been saves. He also hasn't had many saves that SHOULD have been goals. Good goalies pull back at least a dozen or so shots each year that should have been goals and possibly win the game for their team - no such luck with Wells. He has a deer in the head lights look to him now (very Tom Presthus).

Coach - Tommie - what were you thinking last night with that line-up? You need to stop tinkering. yes, we were dealing with injuries but bringing Namoff inside was just not a good move. I would rather have seen Burch out wide and Martinez inside with McTavish. Then the sub of Dyachenko for Carroll - ugh! If you wanted to go offensive bring in Doe and give Emilio some help.

[seahawkdad]

Although I voted coach, I'm not sure that's not too low a target.

I watch Houston substitute and the level of play doesn't go down. They seem able to adjust to key injuries.

I watch New England substitute and the level of play doesn't go down. They seem able to adjust to key injuries.

What do these team's brain trusts know that ours doesn't? Their selection of talent, its development and their teams' core continuity seem to be superior to ours.

It's not just the coach.

[nobletea]

I'm not voting.

But.

I did not partake of all the Fire Soehn threads this year, but I have been thinking a lot lately that maybe he's just not the guy.

With Nowak, who was described by all as very rigid, disciplined, and somewhat distant from the players in ways, similar to the egalitarian European style coach, Tommy probably had to play the role "good cop" in some ways to balance things out.

So naturally, when Nowak was gone, all the players wanted him to be coach. They even said themselves, he's a player's coach, he was a player, he's more loose than Nowak, etc.

So, I'm beginning to think that mentally this team is not where is needs to be because Tommy cannot apply the proper mentality to the players, the systems, the trainings, etc.

You can call this a failure if you like, but it's rather just a classic case of the right coach at the wrong time. I think he's a good coach. Probably not very good, and not great, but just good. He is still learning his craft, obviously, as this is his first gig and I think he has great potential. But it appears, to me at least, that perhaps the job of this team, right now, this year, is too much for him.

We need someone to get more from the players we have, and so far, he's not doing it. Doing that, particularly in MLS, is critically important to being a very good, or better, coach.

Do we all wait for Tom to get it right? Or is it time to move?

I'm honestly not sure still. I think however, that if we don't gain a Concaf place (ie, a trophy) from this season, we'll find out pretty quick.

[bigredfutbol]

I'm not voting.

But.

I did not partake of all the Fire Soehn threads this year, but I have been thinking a lot lately that maybe he's just not the guy.

With Nowak, who was described by all as very rigid, disciplined, and somewhat distant from the players in ways, similar to the egalitarian European style coach, Tommy probably had to play the role "good cop" in some ways to balance things out.

So naturally, when Nowak was gone, all the players wanted him to be coach. They even said themselves, he's a player's coach, he was a player, he's more loose than Nowak, etc.

So, I'm beginning to think that mentally this team is not where is needs to be because Tommy cannot apply the proper mentality to the players, the systems, the trainings, etc.

You can call this a failure if you like, but it's rather just a classic case of the right coach at the wrong time. I think he's a good coach. Probably not very good, and not great, but just good. He is still learning his craft, obviously, as this is his first gig and I think he has great potential. But it appears, to me at least, that perhaps the job of this team, right now, this year, is too much for him.

We need someone to get more from the players we have, and so far, he's not doing it. Doing that, particularly in MLS, is critically important to being a very good, or better, coach.

Do we all wait for Tom to get it right? Or is it time to move?

I'm honestly not sure still. I think however, that if we don't gain a Concaf place (ie, a trophy) from this season, we'll find out pretty quick.

I'm not voting either, nor am I convinced it's the coach, but this is a great post. Soehn may need to start fresh with a group of players who don't know him as the affable assistant. Just a guess, but nobletea could be on to something here.

[Th4119]

Midfield is 2nd to last here? You guys realize that Rod Dyachenko has been getting significant minutes, right? I know that Gallardo, Quaranta, (hopefully) Olsen will all be back at some point to augment this but still.

[bigredfutbol]

Midfield is 2nd to last here? You guys realize that Rod Dyachenko has been getting significant minutes, right? I know that Gallardo, Quaranta, (hopefully) Olsen will all be back at some point to augment this but still.

Good point. One of our defensive liabilities has been that other teams have no problem puching their attack right up through the middle. Opposing offensives all too often have too much momentum by the time they run up against our (admittedly shaky) back line, especially the CBs.

[Th4119]

Injuries DC has had to deal with in the last couple of weeks:

Gallardo, Peralta, Moreno, Olsen, Quaranta. Those are just guys who would typically be starters. Let's face it, in MLS, if 50% of your starting lineup is out, including 4 players who have represented their Full National Team repeatedly (and two men who have appeared in World Cups), you're screwed.

The other one of those is Peralta, and while I haven't been a huge fan of his this entire season I'm very quickly changing my tune. In addition to the fact that his personal play was improving, I haven't seen Gonzalo Martinez have a good game since Peralta left the field. I truly think Peralta's ability to communicate with Martinez in Spanish was a huge benefit that I personally overlooked for a long time. Without the Spanish speaker back there, Martinez, who doesn't speak English virtually at all, is lost. Even in the Open Cup games, Martinez was one of the more disappointing players I saw on the field. I thought in the Rochester game that this may have just been a let-down after clinically shutting down Beckham a couple days before, but he was even worse against Chicago so I'm convinced.

So DC is missing 5 starters. 4 of which are National Team vets and one who is the critical link to the organization of another defender. In essence, DC is down 6 starters right now. Then you've got depth guys like Jeff Carroll, Kirk, and Mediate who have all been injured recently or are still currently out. When a 28 man roster is missing almost 1/3 of it's players for any given period during such a busy stretch, what's to expect?

To make matters worse, Niell and Carvallo were complete flops. Despite rugged form, Wells has had absolutely nobody challenge him in practice. I assume Wells still works hard in training but without that mental edge that you could lose your job if you aren't 100% on your game, you're never going to perform as well as you can.

Fred is in a slump, too. Probably has to do with the fact that teams can key on him coming forward because Gallardo is more withdrawn than Gomez was (and Dyachenko isn't exactly threatening) and now that Olsen and Quaranta are out there's little threat that Craig Thompson is going to kill you. Despite this though, Fred has missed some ridiculously easy finishes all year.

[Bootsy Collins]

Kasper.

[Th4119]

Of note, I think the Vide pickup was a very good one. I also think that Cordeiro is going to be a solid player.

[Kenobi]

Of note, I think the Vide pickup was a very good one. I also think that Cordeiro is going to be a solid player.

"is going to be" doesn't help us much right now.

[shawn12011]

Because I could - I voted for all of them. There is not a single area on this team that couldn't be upgraded and at various points in the season they have all been our weakness at one time or another.

Forward - when Emilio was stone cold at the beginning of the season we were dead in the water. If Emilio goes cold again or Jaime breaks down - we are woefully exposed up top.

Midfield - Wow - when Gallardo and Tino are out do we ever lack ideas. Watching last night's game was painful. Guys would get the ball and have no idea what to do with it. The next person I hear say Gallardo hasn't had an impact on this team I will kick in the nuts.

Defense - Martinez looked bad last night - Burch seems to have regressed from last year - Perralta has looked horrible at times.

Goalie - Wells - He has let in way too many goals this year that should have been saves. He also hasn't had many saves that SHOULD have been goals. Good goalies pull back at least a dozen or so shots each year that should have been goals and possibly win the game for their team - no such luck with Wells. He has a deer in the head lights look to him now (very Tom Presthus).

Coach - Tommie - what were you thinking last night with that line-up? You need to stop tinkering. yes, we were dealing with injuries but bringing Namoff inside was just not a good move. I would rather have seen Burch out wide and Martinez inside with McTavish. Then the sub of Dyachenko for Carroll - ugh! If you wanted to go offensive bring in Doe and give Emilio some help.

You get 5 for 5 from me on this one!!! :)


And for those who talk about Kasper I did not put him on the list because in Goff's blog he quoted Tommy mainly about making the changes. Tommy cannot make changes up the chain of command. Tommy has input on player changes and can remove himself as coach if he so desired. I have said before in previuos threads that I am not sold on Kasper making the right moves most of the time but for the purpose of this discussion I narrowed the focus.