How did Thorrington miss that open goal? What a nonchalant little chip shot he took. Typical of his offensive output or productive output in general (though, aside from the missed shot, he was yards better than he was v. the Union, in which he was the worst player on the pitch). Demerit made a terrible play on Wondo's first when the throw-in went beyond and behind Bonjour. Demerit did well to cover but then did very poorly not able to clear that ball. Jordan completely lost Wondo on the third goal off the free kick, basically through a lack of discipline and focus. Criminal to allow Wondo get so free, when basically Wondo was just standing there and not even making a decisive run through the box. Terrible play by Jordan. Offensively, for the first 60-65 minutes anyway, the team looked much sharper going forward. If Thorrington had buried his 100% chance (set up nicely by Hassli btw), Caps might have gotten up a couple of goals and had smooth sailing rather than how it went. Le Toux and Hassli seem to be gaining understanding and I thought it was Chiumiento's best game in a while as well.
At the first half I was swearing at the TV because we were the better team, but we were playing as if it didn't matter whether or not we scored goals. I turned to my buddy and said, "We have to score goals. We're not going to keep shutouts for a whole season!" We finally pot a goal, things look okay, then suddenly all hell breaks loose, and next thing you know those goals we didn't get (what, we didn't need them, John?) were the difference. It's a totally different game if we have the 2-0 lead before Wonddo gets that first goal. And, yeah, DeMerit, really blew it, first letting Wondo run, then not making contact with the ball when he got in front. And, honestly, I thought Cannon came out at a poor angle. (Easy for me to say, I know.)
Cannon did come out at a poor angle and, posisbly worse, went down too quickly leaving Wondo time for the easy chip. Cannon needed to hold his nerve just a second longer and you think with his experience he would've, but alas. Not an easy play for Cannon obviously and Wondo always had the advantage, but Cannon made it easier for him than it should have been.
what the hell???? another game and hassli has NO goals!! this is 14 MLS league games in a row he was paid a good chunk of $$$$$$$$$ for MLS standards and we have watched him come away empty handed-- he was signed and is being paid to score-- and for such a tall man, he has yet to score any with his head-- i'm beginning to see why Euro teams let him go to MLS and the Caps i'm beginning to think that the CopperSheik got it right when he said hassli would only score 4-5 times in 2012 and will go down as a wasted DP does he lack motivation or talent???
He set up the LeToux goal yesterday and looked like the most dangerous player for the Caps, in my opinion. I really feel like our problem is supply right now. We need Robson, yeah, but until then, even an operational Harris (allowing us to bench Thorringon or Koffie, and keeping Watson on the bench except in emergencies) is an upgrade and I believe could make a real difference to our ability to get shots on goal effectively. I still think it's too early in the season. Rennie has said he expects the offence to be clicking pretty quick here. I'm not worried yet.
hope u r right that robson can make that BIG an impact... but we have to wait until the season is half over! i'm a little bit suspicious as to why hassli, with his credentials and the first part of the 2011 season when he scored his 10 goals, has tailed off so noticeably is it confidence? pouting which was somewhat apparent in the last half of the 2011 season? lack of quality service? wants to get out of his contract and head back to Europe? doesn't train hard enough? too busy a social life? disinterested and lacking focus and drive? squeezing his boots too tight? unlucky? i'm not really interested in near misses, gets an assist, etc-- the man is being paid to score goals and he isn't doing the job! looks like another torres from chelsea at this point of his excessive MLS contract rennie needs to stop covering for him and start expecting more from hassli-- a coach who oversupports an underperforming player is just as weak as a coach who undersupports a player-- neither are very effective for the player or the team- maybe rennie needs to apply more psychological tools on Mr Eric and get the 'fire lit under his arse' if rennie isn't concerned about hassli not scoring, he should be IMO-- its time he started earning his big bucks... my patience is wearing out- 4 goals in 5 games for the team doesn't bode well and rennie will have to shake things up if it doesn't improve, including benching big eric- now that is a motivational tool that might be necessary if hassli doesn't score in another 2-3 games and the team looses good players make their goals happen-- it isn't always about service from others
I thought Hassli had a fine game on Saturday: he set up Le Toux for the goal, he set up Thorrington for what should have been a sure goal, he held up the ball well all game and brought his teammates into play all game long, and had a couple of near misses himself. I don't think he was the problem on Saturday by any stretch. I realize he didn't score a goal - and he's on a long run of goalless games - but he made more than enough of an offensive contribution on Saturday to justify his worth.
Hello - this post is off topic for this thread, so I apologize for that but I felt it would be more appropriate than starting a new thread in your forum. Could someone point me in the right direction of people who could help out the visiting Kansas City fans that are visiting Vancouver on April 18th? Our trip is fully planned but I have a couple of questions about the day of the game. If someone wants to PM me and delete this post that is fine. Just looking for some info from your fans. Thanks!
I agree. I thought Hassli had a better game Saturday, took many more shots, which will eventually result in goals. I think Hassli is playing a different role this year as opposed to last year. Rather than getting the ball and running people over collecting cards, he holds up the ball and distributes it back to the midfeild very well with one touch passing. Where we are missing the connections so far in my mind has been the overlapping runs by Le Toux/Camilo streaking down for the through ball from the midfield. Having Chiumento in the centre mid gives us a distributor who can make this happen. While our centre mids have been better this year, we're still struggling - I don't think Koffie has been nearly as good as last season, and while Davidson is an improvement on Vagenas, he is still not noticable. I haven't liked Thorrington's play, and his crossbar was a costly mistake. I thought our offense was much improved this game - and will continue to improve. SJ is a very good team right now, and we competed very well, and won 70 minutes of the game. Too bad it was the other 20 that really counted How we bounce back from our first loss, and a couple goals against will be telling in how our season goes. I think/hope the loss and Rennie will light a fire under some players arses.
and i will supply the fuel and zippo for mr. eric-- i have little patience for a high-priced player who consistently underperforms and then people-- coaches and fans- give him a lot of slack in order to stroke his ego-- he is a professional making professional wages-- i'm not interested in his ego and improved work ethic for a striker-- its all about results
An email thank you to Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation received April 8 from the executive director of Joe Cannon's favorite charity, Independent Peer Socialization Training Program, ("IPSTP"), devoted to autistic youth, who were our guests for the Quakes / Caps game in the SSV Kidzone: "Thank you so much for the tickets to yesterday's game. We were in the enviable position of being able to cheer both for the Quakes and for Joe Cannon...we couldn't lose! The game was very entertaining, the halftime show was great, the weather was perfect and we got hugs from Joe before he got on the bus. "Thank you! Jim [Spelman, Executive Director, IPSTP]"
Great. Then what are you complaining about? The Caps have 1 loss in 5 games, a far improvement on last year. If results are what matter why make judgement based on a single player. Who cares who gets paid what? Camilo bitched for an increase in his salary despite being signed, where are the complaints against him? The system from last year has changed, and so has Hassli's role. I agree he still needs to score goals for us to win, but if we're winning with him in the line up I'm not complaining. Our offense continues to be a work in progress. The players in the offense have recognized this, Hassli included. I think Hassli has the right attitude. It doesn't matter if he's scoring goals if the Whitecaps are getting results. Winless in 3 is just as easily brought up, and as I said, I hope to see a hungrier team next week. Long Tan isn't the answer, Mattocks is injured.
I'm judging Hassli by two things: 1) signs of improvement game after game as he--along with everyone else--gets used to a new philosophy, new team mates, new system etc; and 2) his attitude and approach on and off the field during the adjustment. For #1, I have seen improvements each game, for the most part. The DC United match was a low point for him, I think, as he let himself get frustrated and lost focus, making some truly awful passes. But I think the San Jose game was a great leap forward. He said before the game he wanted to get a ton more shots on goal--he did that. He said he wanted to keep working hard and keep contributing to team defence. He did that. And he helped set up Le Toux's goal with an intelligent pass, and nearly set up a second for Le Toux with an excellent cross. Had Le Toux decided to power through the defender instead of being tentative, the WC may well have been up 2-0 before Wondolowski scored his first (not to mention 3-0 if Thorrington had buried his chance). As for #2, he was quoted in either the Sun or Province before the game saying that he just wanted to contribute to make the team win, otherwise he doesn't care about himself. You could probably count on one hand the number of strikers in the world who are the highest salary earners on their teams and who would utter such a statement. There are hordes of polar opposites, whose attitudes harm their teams as much as their goals help them. I'll happily take a big, hard-working striker with proven talent and even more potential (he's using his head now) who can park his ego for the team and makes an effort to connect with fans.
I'm with you dehun. Hassli looked good versus the Quakes and I'm really excited to see how this new approach translates over the course of a season.