Before this game, I thought he was doing this. Yesterday, he was almost passive. I think he's totally fuzzed out. His passes have been pretty weak, and often based on assumptions rather than fact. And I'm frustrated by the throwing up of hands as well. Dude, I understand you're frustrated, but you play soccer for a living. That's pure quit. Help get the ball back for your sake and the team's. That said, we were playing a 5 3 2, with three defensive midfielders. I'm not sure we can read too much into it, except that we got a point.
Parity. But I'd solve that by removing the cap and saying you can pay what you want for as many players as you want, but you're going to pay a 30% solidarity tax on every dollar over a certain amount (say $8M) you spend. We collect all those dollars at the end of the season, divide by the number of teams in the league and hand it out as part of the salary subsidy for the next season.
Think we saw a different guy. He seemed pretty routinely behind the play and, in the second half, had some chances to distribute which just didn't materialize. He's a weird player -- clearly has capacity but just does not seem to have enough caffeine. I'm baffled. But on the field he does not seem on the same wavelength as the others. Not sure he ever has been. As for Lucho, his "funk" better end soon. If it doesn't he will play himself off the field, with everyone wishing they'd taken whatever deal PSG was offering. He gets this right and Rooney is his sales force -- a good guy with a great brand selling a young talent who's overcome a big challenge. Cha-China. He alienates Rooney with play like he showed tonight and his international "brand" is "bad teammate". The difference in dollars I'm guessing will be pretty substantial. If I'm his agent, I'm getting a sports psych asap just in case.
FYI. Anyone know what the deal is with when you have to grant permission for another MLS team to interview one of your coaches? I always assumed it would have to be for a head coaching gig but that is clearly not the case here. Which other positions would clearly be senior to a second division head coach? Or maybe that doesn't matter? Bruce Arena told @samstejskal last night he "know(s) a couple people I'll be hiring."Per sources, Arena is looking to add Curt Onalfo in a technical director role. Source also said #NERevs have reached out to #DCU for permission to speak to Loudoun United coach Richie Williams.— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) May 16, 2019
Aren't we in the market for a forward? https://sbisoccer.com/2019/05/report-johannsson-to-leave-werder-bremen-this-summer
Keep your damned hands off Richie, il Bruce! At least let him finish his first year or two. Does he still have the house in Vienna? Should I go egg it while wearing a Richie Williams jersey?
Right - I guess I am wondering if D.C. should be on that list! But I agree that Johansson's price/risk/reward ratio is tricky.
No interest in Johansson. He’s far to far removed from the national team picture of have any creed there. Cans remember the last time he played an appreciable amount of games and MLS is not the kind of leagues where you suddenly find health. Hard pass.
Well, when you're used to watching Alex Bono, sorry USMNT keeper Alex Bono, actually seeing someone stop shots is an eye opening shock.
Steiber is clearly talented, and he was one of the key players keeping United afloat (along with Asad and Mattocks) before Rooney arrived last summer. He's like Boskovic in many ways (though I think Boskovic was more talented), but Olsen right now a) has no confidence in him, and b) keeps putting him out there in the wrong position.
This will be a test of DCU's ambition at this point. I thought Richie was a great hire and if they let him go I'll be concerned. I had already read that NE has two scouts. Don't we only have one?
Why? Coaches move all the time. If Williams views the job offer as either providing more money or the chance to possibly succeed Arena is a season or two, why not make the move? And, in sports you don't want to get the reputation of a place that doesn't permit folks to move on to what they consider a better offer. Remember, your offer to someone down the road may be "better" and you want to maintain good relations with other FOs.
Richie hasn't been on board for more than a few months. In sports you don't want to get a reputation as a job hopper either. If Richie leaves it tells me that he only went to DCU for a temporary move -- something we've seen with tons of other assistants, scouting types, etc. I don't view an assistant for an MLS squad as a better deal than head coach of a USL squad. Unless NE pays a lot more... and that goes back to my perception of the club's ambition. This isn't Bob Bradley leaving the bench to go coach the Chicago Fire.
RSL is hosting TFC right now. RSL is up two goals early in the first half. RSL has held a lot of possession too.