Disagree. I have not seen the defense sit back for Findley any more than other players. He is fast but not dangerous.
Findley is in a funk as of late. We can all see that. Espindola has played better of late. We can all also see that. Otherwise, let's not act as if it is a "fact" that one is better than the other. RF and FE are similar statistically, with RF playing some 250+ minutes less than FE. This debate truly is a matter of opinion. Regardless, I am sure RSL will need both players to be in excellent form to win hardware this year. It is irrelevant for Thursday's game, anyway. Espindola is not likely to play. Lil' Wing will show you haters wassup.
How can you say that when their goals scored #s and team goals scored #s when either is on the field are so similar? https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1532658 I'm fine with not relying on the statistics completely, but ignoring them entirely is pretty indefensible.
One thing that gets overlooked with Findley is the incredible chances he creates with speed. Yes, he misses quite a few, but these are shots other players do not create. I'd like to see Findley stop making moves. Just cut right or left and barrel forward. The control will come, when he stops and thinks he's his own worst enemy. But don't undervalue his ability to create shot situations with his pace.
I've seen strikers in the EPL do the same thing. It happens. I think part of the problem with Findley compared to Espindola is that Findley gets loads more chances for one-on-one drives towards the goal, collects balls in front of the goal, etc. So, our expectations for each of those chances is pretty high. We see him has having more chances, he may even have more actual chances. Espindola, however, tends to collect the ball on the wings. So, his drives towards the goal do not take on the appearance of opportunity to score until somewhat later in his individual possession. We don't see him having so many opportunities as Findley. When he loses the ball near the corner flag, it doesn't look like so much of a lost chance. I think are perceptions are somewhat colored by where these guys ply their trade.
defenses, especially lately, have actually been playing a high line on us because of Findley's complete lack of a touch. They believe that if Findley does get in behind them on a through ball, they can still catch up. To be perfectly honest, they are correct. Look at the NY game. They played a pretty high line that burned them once... and it wasnt Findley that burned them
I hope they keep it up. It's only a matter of time before Findley scores another three or four goals if that's how he's being defended.
Oh I know it happens all the time, I was simply just pointing out that Espindola did not have the worst miss this season. Overall though I prefer Espindola over Findley. You can argue that he is creating more chances, but what is that going to do for you if you arent putting them away? I cant think of any goals he scored this season that he created. One was the penalty kick against Chicago. I suppose you could say he created it even though he just got fouled. Two were heads that were created more by good crosses. One was against New England, and honestly who didnt score against them. I cant remember the last one. Anyway when I think back to Espindolas goals (the two I can remember) those are goals Espindola created and scored on. All Findley really did was be on the recieving end of a cross.
If you push Findley to a wing, its actually incredibly effective as he doesnt have the skill to take the ball in at an angle. He consistently cuts back and waits for another attacker. If I'm the Seattle D, I leave the wing open for Findley to run into. He doesnt seem to work well once out there
Guys with a complete lack of a touch don't play in MLS with the nats. I'm not going to say RF10 is Berkamp but come on, if you don't think his touch has improved since 08 spend more time with the DVR.
Who's the opponent again? Portcouver Soundcaps? They wear green, right? Not that knowing they wear green helps.
I'd say his touch has def gotten better since his time w/ the Nats. That being said his confidence and willingness to take a chance early has diminished to almost nil as well. As I watch him he waits for that "perfect shot" which is why I believe he's blowing a lot of chances for a goal. Granted I think timing is everything w/ a forward so sometimes waiting for that shot is smart, but its evident that Findley just needs to fire off a few on the crossbar to build up some confidence because thats what he seriously lacks. Get that back and we're having a different conversation entirely. Anyone else thinks Findley sucking is this year's fire Kreis thread?
sure, he has improved his touch... its not like it could have got much worse FOR A PROFESSIONAL. Go to the DVR, watch how many attacks the fast guy slows down because he doesnt have the proper touch
Referee: Paul WARD Official MLS Stats: 20 games, 3.3 Y/g, 6 R MLS 2010: 7 games, 2.7 Y/g, 1 R Assistant Referees: Peter MANIKOWSKI and Anthony VASOLI Fourth Official: David GANTAR All-time Real Salt Lake matches with Ward as referee: Code: 8/16/2008 Houston Dynamo 4 - 3 Real Salt Lake YELLOW: B. Ching, C. Mathis, N. Borchers RED: NONE 9/27/2008 San Jose Earthquakes 2 - 3 Real Salt Lake YELLOW: J. Olave, R. Findley, N. Borchers, N. Garcia RED: NONE 8/15/2009 Real Salt Lake 0 - 0 Houston Dynamo YELLOW: T. Beltran, C. Mathis, A. Hainault, J. Olave, W. Barrett, K. Beckerman RED: A. Hainault (2CT), C. Mathis (2CT) 8/7/2010 Kansas City Wizards 1 - 1 Real Salt Lake YELLOW: J. Morales, R. Smith, W. Johnson, N. Borchers, N. Grabavoy, T. Bunbury RED: NONE OVERALL RECORD: 1-1-2 1.250 PPG
I got the very tail end of Garth on the radio yesterday, and they were talking injuries. It didn't sound good. Olave is obviously not making the trip because of cards, Espindola did not make the trip because of his hammy and he made it sound like it could be a more than one game injury. Also said that Grabavoy picked up a knock similar to his injury earlier in the year, and could be doubtful for this game. He said he expected Johnson not to get the start, and possibly sit out entirely after his international duty for Canada playing 2 games in three days with little rest and then flying across the country to get to Seattle. We could be really hurting for this game. Getting points looks harder and harder.
if he did, then the guy isnt bad at all in my opinion. We are not winning this game, I can guranatee you that. Without Johnson and Grabavoy our midfield's work rate is not what it needs to be. The best we can hope for is a draw... and if Sabo cant go, its going to be a nightmare scoring. [LINEUP-4-4-2]Campos, Findley, Gonzo, Javi, KB, Andy, Wingert, Borchers, McKenzie, Beltran, Nicky[/LINEUP-4-4-2] That lineup is good defensively, alright in the middle, and horrible up top.
I still think our biggest concern is CB. I agree that maybe we should have picked up another striker, but our defense takes a huge drop when Olave or Borchers is out. If Will is on the bench for this one (I dont think he has a choice given the injuries/suspensions) then maybe we could see him go up top. Bench: Reynish, Russell, Alexandre, Johnson, Warner, Schuler, Sabo/Grabavoy?
I think the other 3 can help him out... but you are right, the defense in this one is going to be just as shaky as the strikers probably