With so many young players, there's also room for improvement just from their development. In addition to Brown, Serna and Eloundou definitely have growth potential. Serna could be key as he both has some quickness and shows creativity with the pass. Maybe Hairston, too (remembering his passes from center midfield during pre-season). Klute has room to grow. I think everyone would like to see him try taking on defenders more often when there's room in front of him. I hope Powers' knee problems don't become a lingering issue. It seems at this point the most common 3 threats on the attack are Powers' ability to protect the ball and find a pass, dribbles from the "shifty guy" Sanchez, and Brown using his speed to get open behind the line. It would stink if the first two options get limited by injuries. I would love to see the shifty guys like Sanchez and Serna better able to connect with players on one-two's. It's pretty tough to flat out beat a D on the dribble. The other team will just send 2 guys over.
So, does anyone know if there has ever been a successful team that does a large # of player rotations game in and game out? Can't say I agree with the excuse about MLS's travel and schedule being so difficult. I'm not talking 2-3 players inter-changing often or absences due to injury/suspension. Seems to me the best teams in the world don't make drastic changes every couple of games. In my eyes a team doesn't get the same chemistry out of practice as they do in games so continually changing lineups and formations just won't allow for this "in-game" gelling to cultivate. It has been my experience that even teams with a larger mix of not so talented players and just a few highly skilled players can do extremely well with the right chemistry and mentality. Again to form this type of chemistry I believe the best lessons come from real game experience.
Sigi's teams generally do, especially back when they were in the CCL and making deep Open cup runs. He was really good at rotating players, especially during the many 3 games in 7-9 days stretches they went through. Pablo said he was going to make a lot of changes for this 3 games in 8 days stretch to keep the players fresh. Despite questionable decisions (like the Wed lineup having no mids who've gone 90 yet, and lacking punch off the bench), you can see what he was trying to do--none of the outfield players started all 3. Does he really rotate willy-nilly? He seems to prefer a backline of Piermayr-O'Neill-Moor-Klute. He likes to have Jose Mari out there, with LaBrocca a close 2nd in central midfield. Prefers Powers as the forward center mid/a-mid. He has been rotating his wide guys a lot, but he has a lot of them. Rotates the strikers, probably because he's looking for someone to be effective. Has had to fill in for Powers and Sanchez injuries. Obviously something is wrong, but it doesn't seem like it's because he's rotating the starters too much.
Our complete lack in the final third outside of Sanchez, unless PK or Red card is given shows that rotation is not helping chemistry at all. I am now leaning away from needing a target forward to getting a top (I know a dream) #10 to control the attack. I think Brown and Torres can score a lot of goals if someone can get them the ball on the run.
Really you think we have blown tons of scoring chances? I see a total lack of creating them outside of Sanchez.
Brown has blown a ton all by himself. But yes, nothing has been created, we are starved of that creation.
Back to PM's squad rotation, couple of other teams played same schedule this week. My bet is those teams made less than 5 opening XI changes compared to Rapids 15.
The Rapids are not facing CCL or Open Cup yet so I don't think referring to Sigi's teams that were involved in all kinds of different tourneys makes the case for PM's changes. It's easy to test your youth and or fringe players in domestic cups or tourneys especially in the first rounds when you are more than likely playing weak or amateur teams. The only thing that makes sense to me is it's kind of early on and he is just trying to figure out what his best 11 -14 are. All quotes and talk from PM lead me to believe this is not the case though and this is just his philosophy. As far as offensive production I have to agree with COMtnGuy... I wouldn't say the Rapids have had tons of clear cut chances. I don't even think Brown has had all that many, but, yes the few he has had he misses the mark. I just feel that if we could keep our best attacking players out there together on a regular basis we would at least see more chances. Whether or not the Rapids capitalize on them is another story.
Ok, looked it up. Seattle had same 3 game schedule as us. They had 5 roster changes (2 due to injury- Evans returning and Remnick out) over these same period as Rapids. Evans, Pappa, Scott, Traore, Remick
I agree that there's a complete lack in the final third, and that there seem like fewer chances this year. Last year it seems we were often ruing poor finishing off good/decent chances. I just don't know that chemistry caused by player rotation is the issue. It seems that if the rotations are the issue, it has more to do with playing the wrong people.
LOL - harsh! It wasn't a response to anything - just a statement. I'm not saying anything about his responsibilities failures or successes - I was just pointing out you should apply the personalities/philosphies of MetGod and Cooke to the situation when looking at what's going on.
So I took a look at the lineup churn this season: http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2014/05/lineup-churn.html Overall conclusion? Pablo was doing fine until the last week, where 3 games in 8 days spooked him and he seemed to over-react. If he learns the lesson he should from this we should be OK.
Obviously 8 changes for the Chivas game should be considered an over-reaction, but I wonder if the cold temperatures exacerbated the number of changes. Take Drew Moor for example. I'd call him an ironman, but that's probably not complimentary enough. But say he had a slight muscle tweak from the previous two games - the guy is... 30? He's my age? Damn it, that makes me feel old... anyway, old enough to start feeling the aches and pains a bit more than when you're, say, 25 - do you risk him in 32 degree (23 degree wind chill) temperatures if he's sore after two games earlier in the week? I know these guys are professionals and should be able to handle it, and I agree that Pablo over-reacted, but I'm curious if the number of changes differs if the game was played at 7 PM the previous night (54 degrees) instead. Edit: TIL I'm older than Drew Moor by 3 months. I don't know why I hadn't realized that. Feels like he's been around for a lot longer than 2005.
Thanks... The CUSA loss reminds me of a midweek mostly reserve squad loss to then lowly DCU in 2010. Nothing more to add, I'm just enjoying the ride.
Interesting, Thanks for researching. Funny that even Rapids have put out a story that we will be using a more set line-up from here to WC (5 games). Chris Bianchi @Rapids_News ·19 hrs Mastroeni says next five games a chance for him to stabilize lineup before World Cup break. #Rapids96 Also got asked question in interview, I am not able to watch video where I'm at so someone will have to post if he says anything interesting about it. http://www.tout.com/m/9jrm0x?ref=tw5n2p3f
This discussion about playing minutes interested me in seeing how Colorado's roster compares to others. I haven't had time to look at every MLS team but so far I've compared those teams who've played 10 games, same as us; those being, Chivas, FSL, Kansas, City, New England, Portland, and Vancouver. Not only did I check how many starters and how many total players have logged minutes so far, but also how many players have logged over 270 minutes (3 complete games), as this would exempt many players who only see action during a usual starter's suspension or minor injury. (If anyone knows how to show one of those charts, lemme know for next time). RAPIDS: 22 starters, 23 total players used, 17 players @ 270+ minutes CHV: 20 starters, 26 players total, 14 players 270+ FSL: 17 starters, 23 total players, 13 players 270+ KC: 22 starters, 24 players, 14 players 270+ NE: 18 starters, 21 players 13 players 270+ POR: 16 starters, 19 players 14 players 270+ VAN: 16 starters, 21 players 11 players 270+ While we are above average in starters, we aren't in total number of players to see field time. Most interesting to me is how many players have seen substantial time for us, more than a token game or two. It also interested me that KC and Chivas have similar numbers to each other but very different results. Our numbers suggest testing our depth and some coaching "experimentation". Thus we've had more players playing long minutes despite having fewer injuries than KC, FSL, and Chivas.
I know for us we'd take out Mwanga's numbers, as it was his first start. We could also take Marvin Chavez's numbers from Chivas. Also, Vicente Sanchez is leading our team in scoring despite FOURTEEN players having played more minutes than him.
Quality over Quanitity Can we remove Buddle from list since he passes more to other team then to a Rapid player? it's like a 12 on 10 game with him in there.
Well done ~F8~. Based on comments here it seemed the Rapids would be leaps and bounds above the other teams. Personally, I don't follow the other teams so I really didn't have a clue. I can't say I'm surprised by your data, though. Is it me, or is there not a solid trend to be gleaned from the data?
Man I want to stay out of this, but only teams close to Rapids are having massive injury bug hitting like we did last couple of years, plus some had Champions league games congestioning schedule even more (Except SJ who had our game moved ). So not apples to apples to me but maybe others think differently.
Definitely no pattern I've seen, at least from these teams. I'll try to post some more soon...I was just curious if our massive rotation was truly much higher than average. Seeing that it isn't leads me to believe intangibles like what make a good coach, and what players each FO look for, are as much to account for success as how often "non-starters" fill in. I actually think Colorado have one of MLS's deepest rosters, along with maybe KC and Seattle. So definitely not apples to apples. Reminds me of that monthly federal jobs report, where they trumpet how many jobs were added if it's a high number, but are not so concrete if said job is full time, paying above minimum wage, or even if it went to a legal US citizen. Of those teams who've played 10 games like us, Chivas and KC have used similar numbers. Chivas have had more injuries, while KC have had CCL games.
FYI- FC Dallas is on a 2nd period of 3 games in 8 days but no way are they as deep as Rapids or other West teams, but injuries will force some additional players into line-up. Still will be interesting to see if they approach the number of changes Rapids have used.
I am actually good with the idea of some rotation. Just think that Pablo took it a bit too far against chivas. Even the worst mls team should be respected and points should be grabbed whenever possible. 3 points against chivas counts the same as 3 points against the gals. My guess is it was a learning experience and we will be good. Rod.