I'm thinking that offense for KC has something to do with replacing Ike with somebody better at playing out of the back. Having said that, it's a good thing they have the ball because they look disorganized in their own defending third. Really enjoying the Vermes style, have to say. Dutch like his name, I guess.
Mexican broadcast now saying Toluca not used to the cold. Everybody in Toluca sleeps with an electric blanket. I just made that up.
Eric Hurtado sighting at 81' for KC. Beaverton guy, ex Vancouver who was a sometime flavor on these boards.
Watching this KC team, I'm thinking Vermes should def be in discussion for 2026. It would be nice cap to his career.
SKC looked surprisingly sharp. Their transition defense and their marking were superb. Their passing out of pressure was also excellent. Among the Flavors, Melia was quality. 343 is an odd formation for Atlanta to start in. They don't have pace on the wings to bother the opposition.
Atlanta choking hard with pressure to perform being labeled MLS' marquee team at this point. Maybe jumped the gun with Martino's and Almiron's departure. They couldn't execute a basic tap-in that was hanging on the doorstep for seconds. Larentowicz stumbled all over the place and then ultimately got in the way. They're really over-dribbling up front instead of hitting the overlap. And not making the sensible pass in defensive midfield. Poor positioning at the back too. Namely been an overrated Pirez and over the hill Parkhurst. Robinson has been the strongest of weak links. 2-1 Herediano in an eventful first half.
You may be right about that. That being said, I think the Loons did well, if preseason can be counted at all. The Loons performed much better defensively with Ike in their defense … barely giving up any goals at all. So maybe it is a win-win based on styles.
Robinson has played well. His tracking of runners and his emergency defending have been excellent. Bello hasn't been bad. He hasn't been that involved. Atlanta need to change up the formation. Add one more to central midfield as Big Red and Remedi haven't been enough. They could have carved this team open if not for the over elaboration.
He might be if they waited and passed him the ball on the trailing run. Turn away, dribble, dribble, dribble TO by Barco. I don't think that's been a successful transfer thus far.
Atlanta has too many old, slow guys being asked to cover space. Larentowicz as the 6 in a 2 man defensive center midfield. And Parkhurst out wide in a 3-back line. Move Robinson outside and Larentowicz to the bench. Also trying to play out of the back too much on the road and relative to their personnel.
Robinson was solid, but looks like he's getting guilt by association'd by some fans, as is to be expected. He was putting out fires of the Atlanta wing-backs getting caught too high, the cm allowing opposing players to run right by them, and both misplaying balls near the back. Not that he was spotless. At some point De Boer should have made adjustments and switched from the less organized 3 back paring to a more organized 2, subbing out Parkhurst, and started out with Nagbe in cm so they didn't get overran there. Frank is a suspect manager. Bello has potential but he's very raw/green. He was hesitating when passing out of the back, didn't unlock the defense in limited opps, and he got beat in behind a couple times.
Please, Mr. Blank, trade Nagbe to Crew for Trapp. Similar salaries, I believe. Larentowicz getting long in the tooth, need a younger guy ready to step in. No Almiron means need Trapp to spray balls wide to Barco, Gressel or thru balls to Pity, Remedi. It's a plan, right?
Nagbe not only gave Atlanta competitive #'s in cm, but also helped them build, and play thru the Herediano defense a bit. I like the idea of a Goslin being the ball winner, handing off to Nagbe, who outlets to Atlanta's deep attacking wing stable. I was impressed with Goslin's play for u-17's. But I don't know how he's performed for reserves and I think he's got a minor injury.
Sounds like he'd be perfect for Porter-ball. Porter likes a tough athletic 6 - that's not Trapp - to partner with Nagbe who is the possession guy. Atlanta likes 3 cb's in the back with a strategic 6 - that's Trapp. It's a perfect trade. Garber needs to be mid-wife of the MLS here. Bring the great product to the masses. Go for it. p.s. Goslin should be sold to Europe.
Robinson and Nagbe were good. Nagbe was, for Nagbe, aggressive. He played like he had a point to prove. He needs to do that every game. Bello had his moments, good and bad. Maybe 1000 league minutes this season is a good target.
Honestly, this is why I’m glad Nashville are entering the league (from a personal bias, Carolina too)... because Atlanta might be the big money club in the southeast whereas Nashville (or Carolina) might be where the top youths go because they can’t crack into Atlanta’s best XI.