Olsen's low block and high press just make a mess of the central midfield. How can anyone do their job when they're wearing roller skates into the 18 yard box and then putting up a high press on the rare occasion when our long ball over the top gets to the goal keeper? Being a center mid on this team is the worst job in the world. We just cede the center of the field to the other team game after game. Olsen's teams have no style, personality, vision, etc. Just like him as a player... Run around like crazy as if your head was just cut off. Maybe something good will happen.
Back from AF, I was really fearing this game, San Jose has a positive tradition here in DC and they have been really on fire lately. We gifted them basically the whole first half, then most of the second was DCU playing and SJ defending (well). I can't believe how from a deficit situation like the one of the first games (4 consecutive defeats with a 2-14 goal A/P) they turned around their season this well. Wondo may be 36 but he's still lethal, he floats around the defense giving you the impression that he can be easily controlled, then when you really realize where he is, it's too late. No wonder he scored like a machine gun. All in all, not a great game to watch but I think a good point, especially after seeing the first half. Regarding us, Acosta - despite the goal - is always whining on the field like a little bitch everytime an opponent moves him around and the referee doesn't call foul, he should just think to keep playing without stopping and whine. Rooney was not very precise too tonight, he looked somewhat tired, Olsen should keep in mind that Rooney is a player like all the others and can be substituted too. But of course he won't.
So, I looked at the standings, and we've played two to three more games than everyone but MTL (LA has 16), and we've already had, what, two bye weeks? If I had one wish of Ben, is that it would be to rotate forwards and push the team to spread wide in the attacking third. TWO. If I had TWO wishes of Ben, it would be to rotate forwards and push the team to spread wide in the attacking third and get the team to play forward faster. THREE...IF I HAD THREE WISHES of Ben.....
They are poor because they are stale. - play the ball into Rooney or Lucho's feet. Then wait for 1-2s or overlapping runs. - take the ball down the wing either from Jara or Arriola then cross into Rooney for him to create the chances
So what would you do if you were coach and your players didn't execute your plan? Wait, I know: make a statement after the game that a point at home was "pretty impressive" because of, uh, "circumstances."
Come on, you know it's a "collaboration" between coach and TD. If you don't there's plenty of people who just want to shit up every thread, every post will tell you so. And if you don't know the theme, the coach, BEN OLSEN, is the one who is at fault, every day. Every post. Every thread. Thx, Jay!
Or the alternative is that you guys keep playing Baghdad Bob year after year. Perhaps you’ve come to embrace the suck. James
Perfect weather for the game and great energy in the supporters' section last night. Thomas Rongen came over to bang the drum and sing for a bit, after halftime. Good times.
It certainly says a lot that we play like we play and we haven’t won a game in forever and still are at the top of the East. The East is a dumpster fire.
So you're saying the squad Olsen has to work with is a bunch of substandard players who can't play? That's just delusional.
And this is said by somebody who until some time ago was defending Olsen left and right, OMG how many disagreements have we had on this...
The team in general wants to perform at a certain level in all regards, so it assigns Kasper and Olsen and guts our media team and guts our TV deal and assigns basically second rate people to almost all positions of importance. The problem with this team is Rooney is a total oddball acquisition out of line with this organizations values. If we get a new coach it will be a mediocre higher or a new Kasper will be bad too. MLS stadiums are great too but they obviously haven’t helped others teams perform. I’ve kind of resigned myself to the fact that the championship attitude we once held as an organization has become the attitude of every middling club- setting hopes on entry to a big entry playoff and a quick exit with a “thanks fans” photoshop image to conclude the season.
The team on paper is very good IMO - I just think how much better it could be with a different coach, more propositive about the game.
I'd also have accepted "Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no..."
I kind of agree with this, the real competitive clubs at least as far as attitude are Atlanta, Seattle, LAFC and probably the Galaxy and unfortunately NYRB, we have to recognize that to them, maybe Toronto too now. Everybody else is living by the season.