Please Jesse move Sacha back into the middle of the field. Especially with Veron presumedly hurt there's no reason to try that 4-4-2. We're a better team than that CCL series showed, I think that was much more a result of poor pre-season planning than our quality. All our key guys showed up pretty late to camp considering we had two competitive games before MLS even started, and I think it showed in their fitness. BWP, Kljestan, and Collin all look rusty as hell.
I am not sure where you go here. And what of Veron? Any word on how long he will be out? Does 16 slide back centrally and Grella/Muyl/Etienne come in to start out wide opposite Royer?
They didn't spend any money and I think it will bite them. Clearly need some back line help. Long looked OK, Perrinelle still slow. No real rock to lock it down. Maybe gun shy after Veron purchase, but it's gotta happen. God forbid we lose Robles.
Red Bulls are off to a less than inspiring start--bombing out in the CCL to Vancouver, and now a tepid (at the least!) and dull performance in their first MLS game that would have resulted in them losing if it were not for the own goal. The Red Bulls offense struggles so hard to create opportunities from the run of play. I am tempted to think that it is just because the team has not yet gelled together but the performance on the field over the course of 3 games has been so bad that I wonder if it is not indicative of having built the team wrongly. Hopefully next week will be a different story.
I'll take the win. I'm not entirely sure our guys were ready to walk into a very loud and hostile 55k crowd and the fans were lifting Atlanta for large stretches of the game. Once Jesse switched to two forwards we controlled the game and nicked a couple of goals. I'll start worrying if we are not showing any signs of improved fluidity in 3 weeks or so.
I'm done making excuses for this team. When the EPL season starts I don't think people are walking around saying things like "they haven't gelled yet" or "it's early in the season" or "they weren't ready". The season has started and everyone should be 100%. If they aren't then that's a problem. I'm not coddling these guys anymore. They have a good stadium, good coach/staff, ownership has money, the fans love them, they have a good mix of veteran leadership and talented youth, they have all star talent, etc. There is no reason not to lift a trophy this year and I want them to prove they can get it done in the big games. No more excuses.
16's position worries me right now. He is playing out wide and that is just not his thing. When he slides more centrally in that same formation, it makes us VERY narrow. That's not good. I know we are trying to get more service for BWP, but the 4-2-3-1 with 16 as more of a true 10 has better potential, IMHO. Again, I am not a coach nor a tactician, so...
I'm not sure Sacha Kljestan counts as "all star" talent. He is a good player and a former US national teamer. To me "all star" means a world class star. We've had only 1 guy like that in the team's recent history--Henry.
http://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2017/03/08/gideons-done-baah-placed-on-season-ending-injury-list/ So we definitely need to pick up a CB.
I respect the shield most and think that should be the most coveted prize...but it isn't ...and we have 2 of them...which I am grateful for. Now I want the other 3. Open Cup, MLS Cup and CCL. No particular order. Although if you asked me to choose I'd rather have CCL.
I hate to beat a dead horse but how many off seasons am I going to have to rail on about signing a CB?
Gulbrandsen could be on the way to bolster our attacking corps. The reports I've seen of his play usually mention his pace, his technical ability and his tireless energy. He's also youngish (24) and well-versed in Papa Red Bull's pressing philosophies. http://www.onceametro.com/2017/3/9/...ding-to-new-york-red-bulls-rb-salzburg-norway
I mean, they brought an NASL squad to an MLS fight. The only person I've seen say anything remotely positive about their chances is Matt Doyle, and all he could muster up is to say that they are "well balanced" and would probably finish about 18th instead of 22nd...