I’m agreeing with all that but you still need a plan because Higuain clearly can’t start 30 games a year Hopefully Meram is the answer but we need more scoring from wings absolutely
Dude, get off Higuaín. Of our 22 matches, Pipa has started 18 and played in 20. Only three players have started more matches than he has (Afful, Artur, Zardes). Of our entire roster, just seven players are in the picture to start 30 matches this season, Higgy being one of them. He's sixth in total minutes played (and only two minutes behind Trapp). Regarding Pipa not being able to start 30 games a year, you're wrong: He started 31 matches just last year between the regular season and the playoffs. He started 37 in 2015. And that's not even counting any Cup matches or other games. Is Higuaín getting long in the tooth? Of course, and we'll need a replacement for him soon. But, right now, he's a major component to what makes this team tick, he's the second most productive guy on the squad, and he's one of the top players in the league. You don't let him walk until you've got someone as good or better. You're worried about DP contracts? Focus on Santos or the cash we're dropping on Mensah. Sheesh.
I’ve been concerned with Santos then Higuain. Santos is a problem Mensah seems to have settled in so he is not much of a problem, he is not a DP but is slightly overpaid Higuain is fine but anytime he could just give out and then we will be forced to stick with Sosa with no 3rd option. My point is more towards long term not for this year. Investing in a aging player in a key postion is risky.
Truth. I'm not ready to give the keys to Sosa nor am I giving up on Higs yet. It's a difficult role to fill especially in MLS. If a young player takes the reigns and proves themselves there's a good chance they leave. An older player can handle the position but is in decline. I guess what I'm really trying to say is ******** you Precourt.
So now that the euphoria of this (possibly undeserved) win has passed and we have had some time to reflect, how does the team build on this. Do we have a plan to receive more highly questionable penalty calls in the box? Does Trapp's strike give the team confidence to take more long range efforts from outside the box. Or will plan A, B, and C still be some variation of pass it to Afful and watch him overhit a cross into the box, or pass it to Santos and watch him fall down.
I don't think you can "build" on a win with something of a makeshift lineup. The Crew needs to get Higuain back in the middle, and to play tighter defense. That said, and even if the PK was soft, the team continued to push for a result at home into stoppage time, and ended up scoring two goals late, changing what looked like zero points into three. That effort, commitment and mindset deserve recognition, because they prove this team cares deeply about the results of these matches, even if their performance in some areas needs improvement.
Hopefully, we have more confidence especially when finishing. It's been a rough season on and off the field so any spark is welcome. No, Santos will not stop falling down.
Some constancy in midfield would do us a world of good. Pipa/Sosa were clearly missed in this game. Looking across the roster, we have depth at almost every position. The optimist in me says that the issues are known and GGG will work to address - you can't begrudge me a little sunshine, can you?
FYI, the jerseys worn in the game are up for auction on the Crew's website, for those who might be interested. https://e.givesmart.com/events/7W5/i/_All/#item4FXV
Damn! Trapp's is up to $1050. I wonder if it is him or his family trying to win it given how special that was for him.
On the Crew Facebook page they have officially set the clip of Trapp scoring to "My Heart Will Go On". It had to be done... #CrewSC pic.twitter.com/JG5K2BZxGO— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) July 23, 2018
I have generally thought Argudo has been better than Sosa this year. Though most of the comparison is with Argudo central & Sosa wide.
I get the feeling that this ref has a lot of second thoughts, which he accumulates throughout the game, and the PK was the culmination of a number of calls he didn’t make, followed by regret that he let them go, and finally adding up to something he thought looked bad enough to award a PK. I think if you want more PKs, you need to be in threatening positions, and receive the ball, the league is full of “professional foul” defenders. I do wish we could show more direct play at times, just to keep teams guessing a little bit, as well as taking some good longer shots.
I sometimes got yelled at by my teammates for taking occasional long range shots (as @coachchris may remember), but that can loosen up a defense that's packed in, as they have to come out to challenge you. And every now and again, the shot goes in.