To be fair on the sub thing, apparently the second team scrimmaged Houston this morning. So I'm guessing there weren't many players left without 90 minutes played today after the game.
After having watched the three DDC games on youtube, I can say our team looks pretty much the same as last year when Jones wasn't in the game. Defensively sound, kind of boring to watch, hard team to beat, but not much in the way of goals. I hope Gashi and Serna can get healthy, they at least bring more creative attacking play. Powers as the attacking center mid just doesn't work for me. He's decent, just not dynamic. Doyle up top not good enough either. He's good in the air and has the occasional strike, but again, a bit slow and not dynamic enough. Badji up top would at least stretch the defense more. Azira and Cronin look fine. Defense is well organized and gets wide quickly once in possession of ball. I thought Miller looks improved. Macmath is good. As for second team players, Calvert looks improved. Back up defense is solid. Nana looks to have some potential. He was physical and did seem to want to get forward more with the ball. Guest player Cascio was a differnce maker when he was in, but wouldn't expect him to get picked up. I liked the two homegrowns, Ford and Perez. I thought both fit in well and could have a future. Heck, I'd almost rather see Perez in the "10" spot over Powers (not likely to happen of course). Well, in summary, not much has changed at all tactically. We will be a defensive team that doesn't concede many goals, but doesn't score many either. Not attractive, attacking soccer, but will frustrate the opponent and pick up some wins here and there.
So I take it Tony Cascio will be signed? With only 23 players, and 3 of them keepers and one of them the still-injured Serna, they need to sign some of the guys in camp just so they can scrimmage in practice.
Watched portions of the game, mostly the second half. They were extremely unimpressive. Even with our success last year, I still have no idea what goes through the staff's heads in terms of roster composition. We clearly have needed a key offensive signing for a while now, and it's been an obvious need to basically everyone with a brain. So why has there been such minimal effort to address this problem?
Good information. I didn't realize they had done this. Powers is cringeworthy as the playmaker. I'd be ok with yesterday's starting lineup if they switched powers with gashi.
And this differs from almost every offseason (last year excepted) how? This is the MO of the Rapids FO for years. Minimal offseason work until late int eh game,, an early season scramble to figure out what we can do, and then a mid-season trade/purchase to plug the hole.
I didn't say it was different...but at least in the bad years you could argue there were so many problems that it was hard to know where to start, and which issues to address first. Now though, the offense in the final third is the only real clear issue, while everything else ranges somewhere between serviceable to great.
Still not sure I am good with CB depth, but at least the #3 CB may not be out for season with injury like before.
Anybody pick up their STH packet at one of these pick up events? I am wondering how low to set my expectations when I go get mine. Anything good in them?
Glad I'm not the only one . Actually, I'm still frustrated by having to pick up the packet rather than having it mailed. It just happened that we were out and about on Saturday and thus were passing relatively close to the Dick's up north. I plan on e-mailing the power(s) that be with my thoughts about this.
As for this season, there seems to be no reason - at this point - to believe the Rapids will accrue any more poinst than last season. In fact, it seems that they could regress during the regular season in that respect. I just don't see the 5% to 10% improvement that Pablo seems to think will happen in the scoring department. To do so it seem would take some new players in the attacking areas. My gut reaction to the last few preseason matches it that Badji and perhaps Calvert are as likely to score goals as Doyle at this point. Who can consistently provide service of the quality variety? Watching the second half on Saturday the Rapids didn't have much problem advancing the ball into the final third, but after that there wasn't any creativity, just a lot of hit the ball and hope it finds someone in a scoring position. I didn't inspire confidence in their ability to finish. How many times last season did the Rapids win 1-0? Can they match that performance again without changes to personnel and or tactics? So I think they will make the playoffs, but not finish in the top three in the West. Of course should they go out and get an Aron Jóhannsson perhaps they will become slightly better at scoring than last season.
Per PM then 39 Goals in 34 Games in 2016 will hopefully come to 2-4 additional goals in 2017 but does that really added Wins given our second half performance when teams figured out how to play us and lady luck wasn't helping?
And then there's this click bait, #4 made me laugh, (pre-season power rankings in the video). http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/index Dogs and cats living together?
Not sure what changed but since MLS put this out, I take something did. http://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations
2 new roster slots (going from 28 to 30) but they have to be for HG's. So if the Rapids sign all 3 remaining draftees, Cascio, and Mizell they'll be at 28, including 4 goalkeepers (and 3 HG's). But, you know, having something close to a full roster isn't important for Opening Day apparently. Also they've allowed TAM to be used to sign a HG to his first contract, and a few other odds and ends.
Boniface tweeted Casico didn't travel north with the team and Callaham has left camp. That leaves us with 26 players in camp, 4 of whom are keepers.
I was pulling for Cascio also, and that's why I say with absolutely no smile on my face, he's probably better off with Arizona.
I might have totally missed it this year, but did we not do a "predictions" thread? Maybe no one cares enough or wanted to jinx the team after the surprise of 2016, in a darn good way!!
So Mix is still owned by MLS but no longer with NYCFC. Still think he would improve our squad (benching Powers) NYCFC "exercised its one offseason buyout of a guaranteed Contract on Mix Diskerud. He remains under contract with MLS.” #usmnt https://t.co/exqQLBcu2Y— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) March 2, 2017