It wasn't exactly a banner week for Americans in MLS. Plenty of solid performances and good moments, but nothing special. Zusi's play may have been the best. I fear we're not going to avoid his involvement at rb again these qualifiers between this, Bruce's stubbornness, and the attrition at and around the position. Continuity and experience only goes so far. I've got a hunch Hedges makes the roster too simply because he played in the Gold Cup. Bad experience is a negative. My cb's would be Cameron, Besler, Ream, and Miazga. FB options would be Yedlin, Johnson, Villafana, and Morrow (or 3 of them, if that's who is available). That's a versatile group to where you wouldn't need 8 total.
Russell Canouse: 4 drawn fouls, 5 tackles, 3 blocked shots, 9 recoveries, for a Man of the Match WS 8.1. DC need to get a striker.
Zardes is creating a goal every other 90 with the NT where he mostly plays on the flanks. Silva isn't competing with him.
I know, we are so strong because we have Zardes on the team. Maybe Silva can go there and send mediocre crosses that end up in rebound goals, sounds doable to me.
RSL 4-0 San Jose San Jose's front 3 of Wondo(34 with zero pace), Amerikwa(playing on a braced up leg), and a lay about DP offered zero press. RSL picked off the Quakes, at will. Glad, Acosta, and Silva were good. Thompson was solid considering.
Interestingly enough, he put himself in scoring position quite often, but was not passed the ball. He was, however, very active in all of the plays. I would like to hope this is a turning point for him, but we have seen him with good games before, and then he kind of quiets down. Maybe either Caleb or Bruce has finally lit a fire under him.
Wasn't Canouse the one who got hurt right before U20 WC causing some scrambling of players and positions?
I understand there is a DC United player named Own Goal who has really had a positive impact on the team the past two matches.
Adams was pathetic as always. I watched a half. The only thing in his favor is his youth. Mntime, Ben Sweat with another good outing. Thought I would see what who scored says about him and was surprised at their high estimation as follows: Passing Strong Key passes Strong Dribbling Strong Aerial Duels Strong Crossing Strong Concentration Strong Blocking the ball Strong - Weaknesses Tackling Weak Vieira knows how to find them.
He was really impressive at least one of those was a pin point slide tackle head on in the box. Degree of difficulty like 10 out of 10. He impressed me at every turn. Really solid defender like a Beckerman with better range.
NYRB 1-1 NYCFC Red Bulls played their normal high line and pressing game to brilliant effect. Since the formation switch, their pressing, passing, and off-the-ball movement have been the best in the league. The effectiveness of their play, in a small way, conjures visions of Chile. NYC, normally a smooth outfit, struggled to string passes together but were easily sliced open. But, in their forward line, NY lacked that extra bit of quality needed to really put the NYC on the rack. Attacking movements that should have been made dangerous fizzled out. Movements that should have resulted in a shot on goal instead resulted in blocks or misses. NYC, not lacking in quality up top, converted one of their rare decent attacking opportunities. Still, NY had at least one legit pk claim turned away.
Kljestan is in good form for Red Bulls again. Beasley and the various Kansas City national team players get the weekend off heading into the World Cup qualifiers due to Hurricane Harvey.