First off, let me just say that if MLS matchtracker goes blank screen during the game again, I will lose my freakin mind. You locals have no idea what a bitch it is to rely on the video stream. With that said, I look forward to seeing some improvement this week. It will be highly disappointing if we lose this one. Three-game skids are not at all good for morale. But no pressure, alright
Keep its simple and like Al Davis once said: "Just Win, Baby!" Of course scoring would be nice since it hasn't happened in the last two games. Keys to this game IMO: -Kasey Keller! -Montero- Has seem withdrawn the last 2 games and pretty much non existent aside from a couple chances. Hopefully he has a btter game againts San Jose. - More Zak Attack- he should def start this game over Le Toux. -Osvaldo- Hope he continues his stellar play, by far the best and most consistent player on the team (aside from Keller). -Jaqua- Needs to be more of a force. He has had his moments, especially in the first 3 games but has sort of been missing lately. Could be very effective againts SJ.
Jaqua has been playing ok, it's just that he hasn't been getting much support from the midfield. Ljungberg is playing too far back, Montero has been off, and so there's no one to play off of. There are parallels with the US national team in terms of what we are lacking in the attack. A lot of people always blame Ching for the team's lack of offensive production, but he really doesn't get much support. It wasn't until we got a second dedicated forward up into the attack that we finally started seeing improvement. I'd like to see a 433 vs the quakes: --------Ljungberg----Jaqua-------- --------------Montero------------- -Zakuani------Alonso--------Evans- -Scott---Marshall--Hurtado--Riley- ---------------Keller------------- *Have Ljungberg fade out wide left and combine with Zakuani because Zakuani likes to cut into the middle *Montero is an accurate distributor, so he can cross the ball off to Zakuani or Evans, as well join in the attack of course *Evans and Riley coordinate on the right; Evans pinches in towards the middle while Riley pushes up the wing. *Scott, Marshall, Hurtado shifts over for Riley's forays into the attack.
I'll throw out a question about whether the lack of goals will lead to a change for this game. I like all of our players, and support them, but I still that we might be better served with Ljungberg on the wing and Evans inside. Either that, or we are going to have to get more crosses and forward movement out of Riley and Scott. If I were Sigi, I would line it up like this for the Quakes: --------Jaqua----- -------Montero---- Zakuani--Evans--Ljungberg ----El Corazon (Alonso)---- Scott-Marshall-El Presidente-Riley It's not much different. But assuming Ljungberg's legs can keep him up, I think he gives us much more of a threat from the right.
I like that setup too, but only thing I don't like about it is Alonso will tend to stay on the defensive half all game. He has the kind of crosses and long passes that would be good to have in the attacking 1/3rd. We struggled with the 'final pass' vs Chivas.
i don't think sigi would take out evans so i see a lineup more likely like this ---------jaqua----montero---------- --zakuani-----evans------Ljungberg -------------alonso---------------- --Scott---Marshall--Hurtado--Riley-- with le toux and nyassi as sub if necessary. i'd actually like to see a more attack minded starting eleven. -----------jaqua--------montero---------- --zakuani----alonso---Ljungberg----nyassi-- ---Scott----Marshall----Hurtado----Riley--- hopefully we win in style.
I could live with either of your line-ups. Personally, I would replace Nyassi with LeToux and then sub in Nyassi for the final 20. Nyassi hasn't played that much and might not have the stamina for an extended run. Plus, I think a fair amount LeToux's issues in the Chivas game were being put on the left side. I think On the right we will be effective. If not, C'mon in Sanna.
imo i didn't think le toux was that bad in the chivas game, certainly better than riley. i felt zakuani should've replaced evans in that game, but that's the past. sigi calling him out certinaly didn't help his cause to start this game either. but hopefully le toux can redeem himself to sigi and the fans.
Why don't we put flashy "attack-minded" players at all positions on the field! Heck, even Keller likes to come out of the box and attack! Then we can win every game 10-0!!! It's going to be like this on Saturday: --------------------jaqua------------- -------------montero----------------- --zakuani------------------Ljungberg -----------evans----alonso----------- --Scott---Marshall--Hurtado--Riley-- Evans and Alonso will both join the attack, but do so by picking their opportunities smartly. Primarily they will be ball-winners and distributors, helping us transition and start the attack. Someone has to start it so that the flyboys up top can look good. This is how we won the first three games. Also, Evans and Alonso are both capable of ranging forward, so no need to stack them. They are better in a flat formation. Secondarily, they will provide defensive width in the midfield which will cover for Zak or Ljungberg getting caught up too far near the end line. Zak, Montero, and Ljungberg don't have to feel locked into their positions while attacking. They are our creative players on the attack. The formation above is meant to describe their playing tendencies. In practice, they will of course move horizontally a lot without the ball. On defense, this is a good shape. Better than a diamond.
So I was discussing the upcoming match with my coworker and we got to formation discussion and this is what I came up with: ----------Jaqua-----------Montero---------- ----------------Ljungberg------------------- -------Zakuani-----Alonso-----Evans-------- ---Le Toux----Marshall----Hurtado---Riley--- -------------------Keller-------------------- This came about because from what I have seen on TV it seems like Zach is getting exposed more and more as each game goes by. Seba was a defender in France before being converted to a striker in the USL and a midfielder here. It might be the perfect chance to insert him as an attacking defender. Just a thought.
Great thoughts. Would Seba be a downgrade from Scott defensively, or would his attacking prowess negate any defensive deficiencies? It would be interesting to see what happens in your scenario for sure.
We don't need another attacking defender for one. Two, if you put Zakuani on the left, an attack-minded defender behind him is a bad idea. Three, while he was a defender in France, he wasn't happy at that position: http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/sebastien-le-toux/ Four, he has played as a free-roaming player the last two seasons where his motor is a plus. And he has trained in a similar role on the wing all pre-season and through this season. His defensive upside comes from harrassing players constantly and tracking back, which is an entirely different skill than is required at the back. On the back line he will need to be more patient and disciplined as there is no one behind him to cover for him, and I don't think that's possible given his playing style. Fifth, why disrupt the back line unit? They are all on the same page and playing well together.
I like this lineup. It's early yet and the KC game was an anomaly but it feels like the team loses something when Ljunberg's the AM in a diamond. The Evans/Alonso pairing is very solid IMO and can cover for and support an attack minded Zak and Freddie.
Because Zach is getting exposed far to much and will become a weak point in the defense. In my opinion he has been either out of position or flat out, out huustled far to often in the last few matches. I think it is only a matter of time before other teams start exploiting this. Maybe I am wrong and only seeing things in the replay when I can sit and think about it, but it is worrisome.
I disagree that Scott has been exploited. Outside backs are going to get beat in more obvious ways than other players on the field. The main goal is containment. The whole back line plays as a unit, so if Scott can contain the opposing player long enough and/or push him wide enough, the players in the middle have an easier time cleaning up. How many goals so far this season are the back line's fault? The KC goal was against a tired team, and Jaqua could have stepped to Arnaud but didn't. Ljungberg practically gifted the ball to Chivas off his chest and didn't track the player. Alonso let the Chivas player glide into the middle of the box and receive the pass for the goal. And even if LB needed an upgrade (which is doesn't, imho), Le Toux is not the choice, especially with Zakuani in front of him.
I don't totally disagree, but this isn't the best logic. Just because he didn't directly contribute to any of the three goals doesn't mean he hasn't been the weak point. 3 goals is way too small a sample size. (Besides, had he been a step quicker he might have stopped the second Chivas goal, but that really doesn't matter.) Scott was passable vs NY, a bit of a problem vs RSL and got torn to pieces in the second half of the KC game. If you have the match recorded, take a look at the 10 minutes leading up to the KC goal. Relentless Wizards pressure, almost all of it coming down their right side. They figured out that Scott was a weak point and went right at him. And other teams will start to do this as well. If any position needs an upgrade, I think it's at left back. But I do agree that Le Toux at defender is probably not the best idea... he got cut from FC Dallas while on trial as a defender, if I remember correctly.
Sure, I wouldn't be surprised if they think "aha, this guy came up from USL, made the team at the last minute, and we don't know anything about him, so let's go after him." Also, we were a man down against KC, with Brad "i like to pinch into the middle" Evans in front of him. They probably also read message board posts where some Sounders fans are dogging him. I think he's done well against the onslaught. They can keep trying to go down that side, but notice that nothing ever comes of it. That's not to say that Scott is shutting them down by himself, but the back line as a unit is doing it together. Sounders win with chemistry and team work. That's the "Seattle way". Also, Scott played LB for 7 prior seasons for successful Sounders teams under the tutelage of Brian Schmetzer, our current top assistant coach.
I actually came home from work at lunchtime to rewatch this after reading your comment. I can't see how you could possibly point out Alonso on this play. Both Marshall and Scott, whom you spend a lot of time sticking up for, were between Alonso, Chijindu and the goal. Somehow Alonso is being blamed for not marking a striker when two defenders were between he and the striker and the goal on that counter-attack? That's nuts man. If it's Alonso's job to mark the striker, then what exactly are Marshall and Scott's reponsibilities?
we may say Freddie L on a wing at some point this season, but for fitness reasons this probably will not happen any time soon so you can expect to see him starting in the same place he has the last 2 games. I personally think our offense is playing fine, with one issue.....Finishing. I really don't think we need to change out formations and lineups (with the exception of Zak and Seba) too much. In both losses we could have had the game bagged early on by simply finishing on our goal scoring oppertunities. But they were there, there wasn't a lack of production in that department that merritts a complete rethinking of our line-up. Actually something as small of a confidence booster as having Keller back in between the pipes may be all this team needs. Trust me the sooner we get a goal the better off we will be. After Freddy Missed the chipper at Chivas he began to press too much and reminded us all that he is still only 21. One goal and the flood gates may open and we will get that swagger back.
Alonso did not track Chijindu as he made a run from midfield. Look at him lazily watching the play develop. Doesn't matter if Chijindu is a "striker" or not. Was he even playing that position? Marshall stepped to the player with the ball to prevent a shot, and Scott was running in from the wrong side of the play to help out. Alonso should be on Chijindu's left blocking the passing lane. Keep in mind that I did not refer to Alonso's mistake until someone else called out Zach Scott for being "exploited" too easily. I think Alonso is a good player and I'm not asking to bench him.
I say we're still a few weeks ago from pulling out of this slump. I think we've lost our chemistry a little, and we're now going through what all expansion teams go through at first. A little patience, we'll work through this, but I don't think this is the week this happens, hopefully I am wrong. No Alonso this week, will hurt us, make no mistake. Also Le Toux's days as a starter are numbered, he may start this week; but he will not finish the game. Rightly so, Le Toux's efforts these last two games, show that the team is passing him by. Let's hope Le Toux is reading the writing on the wall and delivers a sharp performance as a result. As for score prediction, I'll go 1-1. I say we're largely outplayed, but some poor luck for the Quakes prevent them from dominating. We get a cheap goal late, on a miscue, and walk away with a shoddy draw. I'll point to the Galaxy game on "ham station" Mother's day...as the game we truly coalesce into real form. Hey ma, why not come to a soccer game with me? We can eat pork from a "ham station" that's been mass-broiled to serve 500 people. What on Earth could be greater than that Ma? Oh yeah, here's an acrylic lime-green scarf and a stadium full of drunken beer-bellied men singing dirty limericks. Unbelievable what marketing comes up with sometimes. Mass produced pork from "ham stations" at a grubby sports stadium. That just has bochelism written all over it, oh and class...such awesome class.
I read in the Times that Osvaldo Alonso suffer some kind of injury during practice, he should be able to go on saturday. Hopefully it is nothing that will pop up again later on and that he is able to be 100% for the match because he has by far been our best and most consistent player. BTW is Huckerby playing? or is he injured? The report on Alonso by Romero in the times says he should be available to go Saturday, even though it seems that Romero does think there is also a chance he might not play.