This just dropped, from the Forest beat reporter. Ben Olsen is quoted pretty extensively. A ‘simple’ player but ‘special talent’ in new role – how did Murphy end up as Forest CEO aged 35? via @TheAthletic https://t.co/a8NiFN3Hhj— Jay! (@JayRockerz) August 6, 2021 Thx, Jay!
No proof, but based on Pablo's article, he's not going to coach again. He doesn't want to leave DC where his kids have grown up or his tribe of arts community.
Doesn't mean he's leaving the area, of course, but Ben's house in the Shaw neighborhood of DC is for sale (a friend lives on his block). It might be as simple as just needing more space with the kids getting older, or they want to get them in a certain school district (have seen numerous friends leave the city or relocate within the city for such reasons).
I've been gone for a while - from posting, not from attending games. At some point last season I decided to practice the old saying, "if you can't say anything good....." Obviously the high press is working well thus far, but I'm also impressed by the offensive scheme. Others can better describe what they are doing, but they are making creative runs and connecting on unexpceted passes to penetrate the defense. So different from the previous pass it around the perimeter apprach.
Lost in the Abila/Sorga news is Goff saying that Flores and Canouse are back in training. Flores might be in uniform next week (either the Wednesday NE game or the Saturday Atlanta game); Canouse is a bit further away from being game ready.
Assuming we continue to play well, I wonder how Flores gets reintegrated. Likely as a sub at first, but who does he replace? I presume Canouse just gets into the rotation and Felipe and Moreno and Nyeman all just play fewer minutes. Moreno will surely need a break.
I would assume Paredes goes back to LWB to replace Mora and Flores would take the left spot in the front three where he started all season before the injury.
That makes sense. It gives in game tactical flexibility. If Flores needs to come out Paredes could move up the field and Mora could come in. Or Yow or Reyna or Asad or whoever could just straight up come in for Flores. We've got a LOT of multi-game weeks, so getting a few guys back is a really good thing. Doesn't sound like he's ready soon, but Pines coming back in will add some depth to a very thin back line.
I wouldn't bet on Parades sticking around if an offer comes in before the secondary window closes. Even if it is FTRB. We need more Yow. Now.
I've been a bit surprised about how little Yow has played this season. He seems to know what to do when he's on the pitch.
Until he actually shows something, I think Flores sits behind both Asad, Yow and Reyna on the depth chart. In his limited minutes here, Flores really hasn’t shown much and I seriously question whether or not he is a good fit in Losada’s system. I hope Losada makes him earn his way back to the pitch and he just isn’t given a sport because of his DP salary.
Losada was starting Flores every game before the injury and he was playing better as the team was slowly starting to gel. Did you know he's still 4th on the team in shots and 5th in shots on target, and he basically only played 6 games? As soon as he's fit to start a match, he'll be starting up top. He shouldn't be behind Asad, Yow, and Reyna on the depth chart.
Goff says Flores is traveling with the team to Nashville this weekend and will be on the gameday roster.
some MLS blowhards (and Charlie Davies) interviewed Losada for their podcast. Some interesting stuff. Mentions Yow and says his best position is Gressel's and that's why he not playing.
That was actually one of the most informative and interesting interviews I've ever seen with a DC United coach (and I'm a '96er).
I totally agree. I hadn't expected Losada to master English so quickly. He makes it clear he has a plan and works with his players to buy into it. And almost everyone on the roster has game-day playing experience. Sure, injuries are a big part of that but I'm confident that every player knows that at some point he will be called upon to contribute.
That was a really well done interview. Losada didn’t lapse into coach-speak and actually talked about his system and the players he has to implement it.