Well, there were also the two chances early in the second half by Perez and Akindele that went just over and off the crossbar, so it's more or less a wash, IMHO. To me, the mistake that Mastroeni made was taking his foot off the gas in the home game. In this league, winning on the road is always a bit tougher, even with a full lineup, and conversely, winning at home is a bit easier. Yeah, I know, half of FCD's starters are currently on the injury list and their form wasn't that great, but you're still going into someone else's house when a lot of your starters have two days' rest and theirs have a full week. And oh yeah, it's going to be in the high 90s at kickoff, and their players have been training in that weather, while it's only hit 90 along the Front Range maybe once this year. The smarter play was always to try to lock in the three points at home on Wednesday night.
A couple of thoughts about the game (ignoring the scheduling question): 1) Klute looked terrible last night. Not sure why, but they clearly owned him. 2) I started counting back-passes. Even when down a goal, the vast majority of the passes were either back or from defender to defender. WTF. Seems like we should be able to mount an attack without building from the back and therefore letting the defense get set. Even times where there was clear space and open men in other spots, back went the ball. 3) Pablo should have subbed in a lot earlier. This is where OP's experience beat PM's experience. In hot weather like that, OP subbed early. PM waited until late in the game after legs had already been tired for too long. The "Ferrari's" clearly needed a little fuel toward the end of the game. 4) I can't wait for Sanchez to get better, Torres to pick it back up, and whatever rumored transfer takes place. Other teams talk about injuries, but we have had our best setup man (Sanchez) and what should be our best offensive weapon (Torres) out of action much of the season. That may make a big difference down the stretch. So, to sum up. Klute had a bad game, the Rapids are confused about which goal to head toward, and our coach made rookie mistakes (or was out-coached, take your pick). rod.
There are lot of variables to analyse to fully understand what's going on. I feel pretty comfortable, however, saying, whatever the strategy is, it seems to less then effective. Unless of course PM would argue that the it's a season long strategy which will only see it's rewards in October and November.
Sure, things didn't work out as Pablo had hoped, but let's look at the other option. Had he played a squad with more starters on Wednesday, just a few days after they played on Sunday, would that have been the best option? No matter if they won or not, those starters would most-likely not have played on Saturday at Dallas. Three games in seven games would not have been easy on their legs. The Rapids would have most-likely lost at Dallas with the squad full of reserve players. But would they for sure have won on Wednesday? It would have been a decent chance, but the players would be on two days rest from a game. The team Pablo fielded had a decent chance to win, and probably should have with the late subs. So by doing what Pablo did, he gave the team a decent chance to win both Wednesday and Saturday, instead of just a good chance to win Wednesday and no chance to win Saturday. It's easy to second guess the decision now. I'm frustrated that the Rapids only got one point in the two games, but I'm optimistic that the team is getting stronger.
_Ace_ - Regarding the strategy this week, I've said much the same thing as you. I'm not, however, as optimistic . I'll first need to see the transfer window result in impact players.
Well a third option is to rotate players but not make wholesale changes when doing so. I think that is a legitimate complaint for a team that has lacked offensive chemistry and occasionally defensive cohesion. I think that is what most people question. If the team is relatively deep players can be rotated in and out not in massive changes. In my opinion, Pablo definitely deserves some questions. Also, an overweight Torres is better than a fit Mwanga. Play him or trade him.
Finally had a chance to read the observations here. A lot of complaints about Klute and deservedly so. But Moor was just as poor. He continually gave ground all night, then missed the ball on the game-winning goal. As a whole, the Rapids defense has to do a better job of "stopping ball" before they hit the 18. Marvell was by far the best defender; I like him much better at FB. Hairston and Serna are in love with their footwork, but have to realize when to use it (i.e., the offensive end). They are so young, however, that mistakes are inevitable. The Rapids, as a whole, will continue to be inconsistent with this lineup.
Dammit, I can't stand losing to that sad excuse of a man Pareja. But, I would still take the trade of a point against Chicago and at least having a go against them, in their house, than losing heavily, which could have happened if we played the full squad on Wednesday. Yes, logic says win the home game but, it's a sport of passion not logic. Only funny part was Fleming's sudden, new, side swipe hair cut, we wondered if he was making a joke about D-Day, there can't be any other reason for it. It was hilarious. Bring on the home game......
Given previous reactions from TH I don't see how PM could of done anything differently this week. Some guys probably needed rest and couldn't got twice in 4 days (Chicago- game 2 of week) and I am sure TH demanded "best" team for FC Dallas. Wish it turned out better but I will not hang this one on PM doing something wrong. I will blame him for so late in his substitutions, especially Torres with ~2 mins left. If your down you make all 3 subs well before final 15 mins, especially for tired legs some had from games this week.
If this is true then yeah, PM gets off the hook. I think that's a big assumption to make though. Do you really think TH is dictating lineups to PM?
Given the way he went after you with HC "handling" post, and others on Twitter regarding PK wins including the SG's. Yes, I feel he he made it known he wanted a top line-up for Dallas over any other roster handling this week. No, I don't think he dictated names. Had to go look at his twitter and strangely no posts after game, thought he always sent a few.
If so then that exposes a bigger problem in the FO. There's no way TH should be influencing lineups. PB maybe, as Technical Director that's more in his area of responsibility, but not TH.
This is just pure speculation on my part, but I would be surprised if there was zero involvement. I also don't think it is that unusual in sports for this to happen, some things take on a personal note even in sports business or any business for that matter.
Not as big a fool anyone that thinks losing +30 games in two years qualifies as a "good" coach. They got a couple of lucky deflections and were coddled by the ref for their diving and time wasting. Big deal. The real story here was that Mari had a bad game and our transition play in the midfield was very poor. But hey...why focus in that when we can talk about their shit-tier coach that won't even get Dallas into the playoffs this year.
A couple of lucky deflections and two other shots that hit the woodwork. Let's not whitewash how bad our defense was in this game, especially the second half.
Not to defend OP, but he's expereince an injury run like his first year here, exception being his willing to play the young guys now then when it happened here. Now I will duck for cover Edit: DO love the Karma aspect to it all.
Disappointing but that will make the beat down when OP shows his face in Colorado again all that much sweeter
There were players that were practically begging to be subbed out - I was begging too. Don't understand why PM takes so long to change things up when some players are just obviously not playing well. Heard Torres dropped 10 lbs. Didn't matter. Though he didn't get many seconds out there. I thought the Rapids were the better team on the night and FCD just converted their few chances. Bad game by Klute and Irwin - though the deflections weren't Irwin's fault - he still didn't look good. Powers kinda sucked too.
It's one thing when you get a lucky deflection off of one shot, it's totally another when the defense gives up a number of uncontested shots and one or two are deflected. Then it's not so much bad luck as bad defense, which is what the Rapids had on Saturday. I thought Moor, Klute and O'Reilly were all rough on the back line. I didn't blame Irwin on any of them--no goalie can play a potential deflection.
The difference in the match was the lack defending by the Rapids. It was truly egregious at times, especially in the second half. How many times did FC Dallas get behind the Rapids' midfielders to find a lot of space to run at the back 4 without any challenge? Any team that plays allows their opponent to move the ball with that much freedom in the final 1/3 or so is asking to give up goals. OTOH, the Rapids did not give up and were able to get a second half equalizer. Unlike some others here, I feel Powers was fine in the match. He is calm in possession, even when he isn't supported by his teammates and has a knack for finding players in a position to get a shot on goal. Thus far he has been the Rapids most consistent field player.
I hate to give the obvious excuse but the heat really seemed to effect both teams but the Rapids in particular. The best description I have for their performance was "sluggish." There were sloppy passes, slow transitions to defense, etc. While Klute was the poster child, other players seemed to disappear. Just a bad day/bad game. My biggest complaint is that PM waited so long for substitutes ... but this wasn't the first match he did that.