Still can’t understand why the first 3 signings were not to address this exact forward problem. This is beyond ground hogs day as the main line up hole.
Eh - I thought we maintained possession and had them on their heels the entire game. Obviously we couldn’t finish but I thought the team absolutely controlled the field against the best MLS team in history. Striker needed? Of course. But, let’s calibrate our expectations a bit.
I'll take it. The team that recently woke up from a triple bypass, lung, liver, and brain transplant (and is still waiting for it's scoring prosthesis) just played a respectable match against the Adonis of the MLS.
That's basically what Huson's philosophy seems to be. Can't say it's a bad one either given the short amount of time the Rapids had to prepare with a new coach, players, etc. Hard for me to judge the play of the Rapids without having watched. Of course not being able to score at all against MLS level competition is a big issue. It will be interesting to see how things progress with the inclusion of Aigner and Morgan. I would add Gashi, but who knows what's up with his health and fitness? When's the last time he played in a match of any sort? Ten days till NE for the MLS opener. Hope Aigner will be able to play at the least.
#Rapids96 Anthony Hudson on Feb. 19: "The objective of this period is to be ready for the start of the season.""It is early days, but for sure our target is the first game of the regular season. We have our sights set on that day."This comment should not come as a surprise. https://t.co/hlJcdrAniO— Daniel Boniface (@danielboniface) February 28, 2018
The part that Boniface is responding to didn't come out for me. here's what it was: Grant Wahl tweet; quotes a guy quoting Hudson from the postgame, then comments on it: Hudson: "This was a preseason game for us." Wahl's comment: "Hell of a first impression from Anthony Hudson. Bush league comment." Was Wahl talking about Hudson's or his own?
Well, the first half was pretty good. We certainly showed some fight and spunk and kinda traded punches with them in the first half as far as scoring chances. Second half I thought we faded considerably and they had more scoring chances and we were just barely hanging on over the final 25 minutes. MacMath was better than Howard. Two nice low diving saves that I think Howard might have been scored on. Badji with a couple more decent scoring chances, but also some ugly fouls (should have picked up a second yellow and been ejected). In fact, I think Kortne Ford could easily have been shown a red as well for his tackle of Giovinco. Ford was pretty bad several times - poor basic defending / clearances - but then he had a few decent clearances and slide tackles. He's just very inconsistent, but hey, only 22 years old. Wilson and Smith seem quite solid, but I thought it was strange how often one of Smith, Wilson, or Ford would make little attacking forays and lost shape in the back. The other thing that really confounded me tactically was Wynne as the left wing-back and Blomberg occupying too much of that space way too often. I didn't like Blomberg's play overall. His spacing seemed off - defended a tad less than McBean (who shadowed Bradley again) and just seemed to not cover much ground and didn't create space well. Price is good - some sharp through ball passes, good passing, decent free kicks / corner kicks. Willing to defend and foul (occasional ugly fouls). Hairston just decent - didn't see enough of the ball in my opinion. Enzo Martinez arguably the most active and involved player in both legs - guy has a great motor and likes to rip shots from distance and yet I feel like we still don't have that creative attacking center mid type. Badji finds his way to create scoring opportunities... but... finishing still lacking it seems. I think McBean has some decent skill with back toward goal, showed more hustle - but should be a bench player. The sub of Castillo for Blomberg was weird. Castillo just didn't seem comfortable as a center mid pushed towards the left a bit. I almost wonder if Serna would have fit better at that spot. Nana was better there than Blomberg or Castillo, but still not great. What I do like about our team is fight, hustle, grit - but isn't that our strong point from the last several years - a team that is tough, hustles, scraps, tugs, pulls, plays with heart, etc.? I just don't see an improvement in any attacking talent. I mean, I guess we'll see more crosses whipped in from the wing-backs, headers in the box, and some shot chances from outside the 18 because of quick counters or taking advantage of mistakes after high pressure, but I wish we had some players than could generate authentic attacking creativity, passing sequences that lead to a goal, etc. but doesn't look like that's who we are. Not my prefered style, but I do think the coach has the players on board and working hard - so maybe this style of play will yield some results. First game vs. New England should allow us to get at least a point - I don't rate them as a good team.
Ahh, Didn't Hudson mouth off about taking CCL seriously/ we're going to win upon his hiring? We change out the characters but it's still the same song and dance.
I saw the game intermittently while dealing with dinner. The team looked more consistent throughout save the final 20 minutes when we seemed to bunker and lose attacking ability. I preferred Boateng in there vs Blomberg and Castillo. Ford-Smith-Wilson better, ...Wynne not as much, at D or wingback. Mcmath over Howard should be a consideration. Shots on goal were good to see but most pretty much right at Bono or an easy reach The build up to chances seemed opportunistic and not as deliberate as one might hope. This is easy to see when playing TOR and watching their movement, passing, and build-up. Hopefully we're seeing an evolving and gelling attack that has greater potential than we see right now. But with Badji (who may be at his ceiling) and McBean up top... I kinda doubt that. For me a better 11 would be: McMath Ford - Smith - Wilson Hairston - Castillo Aigner - Price - Boateng Gashi - Mason But this is a disturbing fact:
Did he? I don't recall that. If he had, I would have called BS. Anyone who thought we were gonna go from last season to winning this should be ignored.