San Jose Earthquakes - Real Valladolid C.F. exhibition (Tuesday, 7/16) pre/in/postgame thread [R]

Affolter looked really shaky, especially in the first half against either of the visiting team's forwards. Real Valladolid is more a counter attacking team and the two forwards often have to do a lot by themselves to create chances. They have some decent pace and make good use of the body to outsmart the defender. And Affolter was having a hard time handling them. Almeyda left him on the field probably because Affolter would need more playing time to raise his game than Cummings.

Partida and Cavillo worked hard but they were often busy running around with nothing to show. They are not MLS ready yet. Felipe had a decent game and he was the one looking more promising and composed out of the three.

Lima will need time to get his position back whether it is RB or LB. Currently TT seems to combine better with the team mates and his ability to glide past opponents is essential in terms of keeping the ball and driving forward. Lima tends to rely more on his speed than skill. Lopez is also steadily improving.

Tarbell made some good saves.

When Magnus, Wondo and Vako entered the game, it was like a pack of wolves hunting.

 

Yes, definitely. I have seen it numerous times before.

 

I remember one time at Buck Shaw when they were doing the end of half time In N Out loudest section gets a free burger competition, and they were flashing the "winning" section on the video screen before the announcer asked everyone to start yelling.

 

I’ve always suspected those are rigged.

 

It ain't ever the cheep seats that win!

 

Usually Q would be in the winning section beforehand.

 

Now we're going to hear the origin story of one of baseball's weirder traditions. It was born over a quarter century ago, when the Milwaukee Brewers debuted their racing sausages. Today, nearly two-thirds of baseball teams have their own racing mascots . . .

https://www.npr.org/2019/07/09/7397...sages-start-a-trend-at-major-league-ballparks

 

Affolter was really bad. He must have passed the ball to the other team three to four times while not under pressure. Add his struggles with 1v1 defending, and well, he sucked. Cavillo was better than last time, but he set the bar so low last time that just taking the field was an improvement. Still, neither Felipe or him looked MLS ready. Felipe is far too slow in his play.

Agree about Lima. Lopez is looking more confident, but still has away to go on the development curve, but it's good to see the improvement.

Boring first half with a better second half. We really struggled to break them down with their counter attack style. It does make senses as they have plenty of practice against teams like Real Madrid and Barca.

Any fat Ronaldo sightings?

 

I thought Cummings looked rusty (maybe more like he came back from playing a different system for a while at the Gold Cup?), Affolter was just not good. I agree Affolter was left on since it was clear fitness isn't his issue, he needs game time and then a decision to keep or jettison.

Calvillo has a strong shot. He had moments where he looked good, but his passing wasn't decisive. I barely noticed Partida. I really liked the choice of starters, subs, and the timing of the subs.

Kashia was limping at the end (after a tangling of legs) hopefully he is okay. We don't have much depth there. I think Flo+Kashia is easily our best pairing at CB, Flo+Cummings is much worse. I'd like one more moderately fast CB, one that could cover for either Kashia/Cummings or Flo in a pinch. Affolter is not the one.

 

Hah. We were posting at the same time. Yeah. I am afraid Affolter is the only name on the roster that I think "must never be used in an actual game". Hopefully the coaches find a way to help get him going. His decision making is the thing that is most questionable, so maybe coaching and confidence can help?

 

Also, Tarbell wasn't too good. One good positioning save? The free kick was well placed but wasn't super hard hit, Tarbell was late to react (maybe he was screened?). A top goalie is able to get there if they react immediately. And he had the obligatory "kick it directly out of play" on maybe his second kick?

 

Yeah, my wife said the same thing about Tarbell. I give him the benefit of the doubt in that he got cheating a little bit to his left. Happens even to the best Gks. The shot wasn't hard, but it dipped and would have been a difficult save.

Otherwise, he was average as you noted. I will credit for at least trying to play the ball out, but Real pressed on goal kicks and made it difficult.

 

I was looking, but no. He was supposed to have attended but then I heard from one source that he could not, and still another that it was uncertain.

 

Time you upgrade from that Commodore 64.

 

Or go to Avaya.

 

How many people were there? I don’t believe or trust the online attendance.

 

Everything has to be reduced to numbers around here.

Anybody who was anybody was there.

 

Speaking of numbers, my CompuServe pentium 3 1999 dial up number is up to date!

I think I’ll try dialing the number to América On Line next!

God Bless America, my home sweet home!


Quakes tied Valladolid! 1-1! Exhibition game or not, this is awesome in the dyes of the world and Wondo scores a beauty! The Brazilian Ronaldo owns them and he has to notice the Quakes are on fire!

Almeyda really knows his stuff! I can’t believe it!

They are a much better team now than in 2012. They are playing with a system and style and using real tactics! The 2012 season was all about Dawkins and Shea running around the midfield with Cronin backing everyone up playing defensive mid and lobbing them ball into the box for Wondo, Lenny or Gordo. This side is much better and works harder.

 

Yes, why use numbers when everything can be explained with NFL analogies.

 

Then show up and trust your own eyes.

 

I couldn’t because I was in bed and awoke at 3am, while you were sawing logs!