I think this is true of fans in general (maybe even human beings in general, but let's not wax too philosophic). Fan, after all, has the same root as fanatic.
I think it's applicable to certain sets of fans though. As fickle as sox fans are, I don't know any that read much into preseason standings or any specific spring training win/loss as a predictor on how the team will finish up their campaign. Same is true with other Boston teams. I went to a pats preseason game where they lost 31 to 0 to the giants. Given the starters played only a quarter, no one was screaming for Belichick's head because ...preseason. I think cautious optimism should apply here after a 6-2 preseason win. Yes, the scoreline looks good and makes you feel warm and fuzzy but ultimately it doesn't matter beyond getting a sense of how the new guys look.
Both goals given up, even though brilliant strikes, were preventable. And both were the result of midfielders being lackadaisical in closing down space. Bunbury was the culprit on the first, seeming to discourage the notion that he'd come back this season with a new attitude and renewed fire. It was eerily reminiscent of last season when he put very little effort into defending. And the same thing was repeated on the 2nd KC goal. Not sure, but I think it was Diego giving up way too much room in goal-scoring range. Fortunately there are plenty of people around to drag them back down to earth. Seriously, every team probably has some true believers who think all the pieces are ready to fall into place.
Ok, I just returned from Tucson, and I have to say I came away with guarded optimism for this seaon. I think though that the season might hinge on us solving our defensive midfield position and also I'm hoping the new defensive back-line jells quickly. Right now, my biggest concern is Kouassi's game fitness. It was nice to see him on the field but he looked a but fragile. I can see, however that if he gains full fitness and ability, he'll be the talisman. If not then I feel we'll struggle with no real Jones or Koffielike central talisman. Some things I saw though, that I was really encouraged by, here, in no particular order: Cody Cropper is the real deal Knighton also looked sharp I really liked what I saw from Delamea. His open field tackles are textbook. Hopefully he can pull this skill off in real MLS action. (If these are done wrong it could be red cards.) Delamea is really calm with the ball as he dribbles it out of danger (European pedigree). Brian Write could hold promise for the future Donnie Smith is coming along and could be our on field enforcer at some point Great to see Femi in the mix Haven't seen enough of Angoua Juan looks like he could have a breakout year when partnered with a fully acclimated Kamara I saw the team get off the bus last Saturday for the game vs Colorado and they all had intense game face. None of them said a word as they headed in. It's almost like they appeared to have a real mission. I observed the other teams and they seemed different. Much more relaxed, with lower keyed training sessions. The Rev's seem to have much more intense training sessions than that I saw of Houston, KC and Seattle. Some negative takaways: Woodberry is still shite Lee still dives too easily and looks for calls instead of following the play
Tradition Continues in Desert Diamond Cup Finale February 22, 2017 fctucson.com COL vs HOU for the DDC championship.
Thanks for posting this, really nice to get some first hand perspective. Remember when Woodberry was new to us, playing RB and lighting it up with his crosses into box? Seems like that was forever ago. I worried it was too good to be true and it seems like it was unless he is just in some serious dip of form (over 1+ seasons?)
Ha ha. Thanks guys. Also thanks for not flaming me. I'm certainly no expert but just someone who very much wants to share what I thought I saw.
And preseason is done. New England prevails over an RBNY team that fielded literally not a single player I'd ever heard of. Maybe that's what depth looks like.
Will HT adjustments be the #NERevs calling card during the regular season? https://t.co/btMJhmTcuk via @NESoccerToday— Brian O'Connell (@BrianOConnell21) February 26, 2017
Delamea: Angoua & I Need Some Training Time https://t.co/ze5mHmDQDX pic.twitter.com/Yk2HPcUo9S— NESoccerToday.com (@NESoccerToday) February 26, 2017
Im not familiar with the Bulls roster or who their starters are but I thought we looked good for the vast majority of the time. Our two goals were bot good ones and we should have had a third if Kamara had laid it off to Juan instead of taking a selfish, bad angle shot. Juan looked disgusted at that as he should have As far as depth, I read on some internet MLS site (cant find on internet to quote) that our fearless leader, Burns. is "in no hurry to fill the 6 open spots on the teams 28 -man roster. Given the players we already have, he believes waiting might be the better choice." So the bottom line here is that we pay him to do nothing? Amazing. We wait EVERY year for something to happen and in the end, nothing happens. And you're right, we have zero depth. I did hear on the Fox Sports stream that his son was on the roster last night though. I wonder if I could get my son on the roster too?
[ Hopefully Burns' son won't have to take the unwarranted abuse that Bradley did because of who his father is.
That "If" is as likely as the Revs paying out Toronto money for Bob Bradley's son. That "If" is as likely as Jurgen's son leading the USA to the world cup. That "If" is as likely as Beckham's son leading Man U to the CL trophy.....
Mike Burns is too low profile, not enough people care. Probably just snark here but I doubt nationally
John Harkes' sone plays for DC United. No idea if he's any good or if he gets any flack from their fanbase. No one has beef with this sort of thing if the guy proves that he deserves to be there. Bradley gets a lot of flack for a variety of reasons, but no one beleves that he is not a competent pro. If his father opened the doors for him, so be it, but he was more than able to walk through that door. Many years ago, the Red Sox had a backup catcher named Marc Sullivan. He wa a border-line major leaguer and never could quite cut it at the major league level. After leaving the Sox, he caught on with a couple of other teams with similar results before calling it a day. The thing was, Marc's father was Haywood Sullivan, one of the Red Sox owners. Maybe he got a break because of this, and maybe the Astros and Cardinals decided to give him another shot as a favor to his dad, I don't know. But at least he was a competent player where similar border-line guys have been given the same shot.
Ian Harkes is believed to be in competition for a starting spot over Rob Vincent as their #8, as a rookie. He had European options and won the Hermann trophy as the NCAA's best player.
OK, so he's a legit player, as any guy with that kind of background would be deserving of a shot on his own merits. In other words, he's not Tony Farias III.