I am always conflicted on this trophy. It's cool to win. Last year when we won at CMP was great. I was able to take my older boys and they saw their team with a trophy at home. But...I really don't care if we lose. Once we are out of the Open Cup it's like it never really mattered and is just so easy to get back into focus on MLS Cup readiness.
As far as I am concerned, Evans being in KC is nothing more than soccer welfare. The guy never wanted to be here but needed a paycheck that other teams weren’t will to pay. I still don’t think he has played a single minute of MLS soccer this season and I’d be surprised if he takes the field before he leaves at the end of the season.
There are only four pieces of silverware possible. It is one of them. I would rather win any of the other three, but I like winning this one.
Halftime thoughts: - In theory, I like the 4-2-3-1. I like getting an extra attacker on the field (not Croizet) and I think Roger and Ilie are doing very well next to each other deep. However, Salloi has been on an island for much of the game and doesn’t get enough touches on the ball this way. - Rubio is doing very well as an attacking midfielder. - Either Sinovic is finished, or Elis is just that good. Seth is getting torn to pieces on that flank. I definitely think Lindsey is going to need to sub in to try and match Elis’s speed. - I still like Amor and Smith. Hope they continue to develop and we can keep them around. They are both dealing with the fires well. - Not sure why we can’t keep much possession. Combo of heat and fatigue? - Finally, Houston’s attendance and broadcast quality are just dire. Horrible. Worse than amateur hour.
Our defense has some serious, serious issues. We have now allowed at least 2 goals in 7 straight games.
Zusi gets burned by Quioto on the 2nd, then keeps Manotas onside on the 3rd. Then no one covered the goalline for Melia, makes another great 1v1 save but hung out to dry by his defense.
If the result holds, we have four losses and one draw in the last 5 games. I know he can’t do anything about all the injuries, but PV better come up with some answers quick.
Salloi left his killer instinct in Kansas City, probably should have had at least 1 or 2 so far tonight.
Amor and Smith are not making the case for continued minutes for themselves once Besler and Ike are healthy again.
Not to forgive it, cause we haven't looked good either, but the 4 losses were all on the road. I'm really trying to cut Croizet some slack, but that 2nd chance where Croizet squared it was incredibly weak. Stronger pass and Salloi puts it away (which I assume is what he was complaining about).
also... Peter Vermes: "I think a couple guys gave up in the game."— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) July 19, 2018
My initial thought was Amor and Smith. Based off the full quotes in Sam's article I don't think it's a regular starter though our midfield completely disappeared. But Zusi had a really bad game and if we had a game this weekend I would sit him. Rubio started well but faded really badly, especially in the second half when I forgot he was even on the field. Gerso also didn't seem that involved.
As had been mentioned many times before, we already has the CCL spot in hand, so no disaster here. Upside, saves our faltering legs another match, or two, so that's nice. There are no Audi numbers on USOC games, but just one comment on the stats. We had 14 shots, seven on target. That's a very solid outing for the attack. OTOH, they had 24 shots, 12 on target! Jeebus. I used to tell my kids that real football was different than xbox FIFA because there's far more importance in midfield battles in real football, it isn't all back and forth shot, shot, shot. My oldest mocks me for that lesson after this sort of game. Also, how is it possible that Melia makes the save, scrambles around after manatos for like, what, half an hour, before Manatos turns to shoots a second time and Zusi is still the only other SKC defender who has sensed this might be a dangerous situation? OTOH, Houston in mid July, I wouldn't have been psyched to run around for more than about, well, for me, 10, 15 seconds.
during the half time break they showed melia as having made more saves than there were shots on goal, so I wouldn't consider their stats as too accurate. I cant remember having watched an mls houston home game on espn+, can anyone confirm/deny whether the camera crew is as terrible there as well? it seemed like they had one camera per fan that attended, which they used to nonstop make close ups of their fans, while at the same time only having one camera on the actual play. since two of their goals were over the top balls it woulda been nice to be able to check for offsides in a replay (not that it's likely that they were as no skc player complained). in any case, we were already conceding space and defending like 15 yards deeper as we usually would, but still get beat on pace multiple times with balls over the top. can't wait for our back two to get fully healthy again (although I'm not sure whether that will ever be the case again)
Silver lining: this will reduce schedule congestion, allow for more rest, and maybe everyone will focus a little more on MLS Cup and not call the season a success when they crash out in the first round again just because they won the USOC.