2017 Game Thread [R]

...and April 1st is coming...

 

Watched the Colorado match and have to say that Minnesota U looked improved at the back. It helped that Kallman came in for Demidov and did quite well with his man-marking. The first Colorado goal was a give-away by Schuller with that stupid back pass: never pass backwards unless it is on the ground and directly to the defender! In fact, better not pass back at all if you can't do it right.

Offense looked good and I would nominate the Ramirez goal for MLS Goal-of-the-Week. Great cross in from Thiessen and Christian got in front of his defender in his run for the near post.

If Minn U can cut out the defensive blunders, they will be competitive. But I don't see them making the playoffs, no way.

 

Speaking only for myself, I'd take competitive in Year 1.

 

Seriously, after the first two weeks all the experts/pundits were complaining about MN bringing in so many NASL players even though only two had seen more than 5 minutes on the field. This game four start and a fifth comes in at half to contribute immensely and the team gets a point and plays some of their best soccer so far this year.

All that being said, Kallman played way above my expectations. I don't know if anyone else noticed but the first serious chance the Loons had was created on a cross the field long ball from Kallman to Ibarra who settled and then had time and space to work with the others up front.

Ibson. The performance Ibson put in Saturday night was more than enough for me to start expecting him to start over Schuller. Ibson is the perfect player to be that link between the defense and attack, he holds well and is keen to advance the ball by creating space with his teammates. Maybe it was change in strategy but even Warner was getting more involved in the attack once Ibson was out there.

Shame about the international call ups, would have loved to see our guys have a chance to build off this success. Yes this tie was a success.

 

I feel if we want a point or even a chance for three we actually should go ultra conservative this time around. Probably giving in to much to my fear and the club should go aggressive but this is what I would go with against the Revs:

Ramirez
Saeid, Kadrii, Ibarra
Demidov, Warner
Jome, Taylor or Greenspan, Kallman, Theisson
Shuttleworth

edit to add: this would be a great time for Gatt to match fit and ready to go

 

Can we get the Minnesota united logo up for the club thread image? The international call ups are going to weaken us by a lot but we're going up against some weaker teams. I think we will be able to pull out a couple a points over the next two games.

 

If kallman can play like last game all the time that would be a big difference for the defense. I thought he might get beat like Davis did the first game. Instead he held the back very well.

 

5-2 loss today you guys need a but plug because you are gaping

 

Nine players missing, not even a full bench.

 

Unfortunately it looks like RSL has solved its coaching issues...

 

I am hoping to catch a glimpse of Freddy Juarez on the sideline Saturday

 

Something is wrong here...

Is our pitch supposed to be green?