It's gotten to the point where I am actively hoping for the other team's announcers when I turn on an SKC game.
Okay, so fuming here because a certain sports networks video service isn't working well, at least from here, where I know it's not supposed to work from here, but i'm cheating really well and it just doesn't seem fair, so all i have are the highlights and the lovely, lovely numbers. The numbers, however, are quite lovely. this wasn't a top o' the SKC line performance, according to Audi, but it was a very solid outing. We didn't have anyone with a monster game but we had 9 players at or above (and several well above) what I believe is the average performer line in these things for MLS players. Tough to lose when you've got 9 positions clicking along at an above average pace. Of those, the lowest number, and maybe the most encouraging, was Felipe who at 273 was pretty much at the average, was among the most encouraging for me. Earlier this year he was turning in 500 to 1100 pt outings every week. He hasn't been as strong since coming back, but this was back to back performances where he was at least quite solid. He connected on 43 passes and missed on 10 others, but he didn't miss on a single pass in the final third. And he drew the PK with a solid play, and one that I believe without the foul would have been a goal. Gerson, beyond the goal, had a key pass (led to a shot), won 3 tackles and a take on, and forced a corner. He was our highest ranked player (669). Ilie was next, and was again quite involved. He was trailing his numbers from his great games, but with 69 complete passes this was a nice outing. He had 15 unsuccessful passes, but 8 of those were long balls and he completed 27 passes and missed on zero in the defensive half of the field. Rubio, Zusi, Melia, socred in the 400s and Besler, Opara were in the mid 300s. Solid nights. One question: Espinoza: His overall number of 62 was weak, but not because he was doing negative things, as is his norm on an off stats night, but because he wasn't very involved. Now, maybe this is simply flow of the game (I wouldn't know) stuff, but maybe it's a sign that he's wearing down right about now? At his age, and with his work rate, that has to be a concern.
LA were in a tough spot after 120 minutes Wed, rested a number of players, and we took advantage. Good to see that. An important 3 points to take.
It was very evident that Felipe is still not match fit as he could not run with any pace. However, he made a bigger impact on the game this week than he did in Houston connecting some good passes in the offensive third. Rubio was playing with purpose. He was all over the field and with Gerso, the best performers on the field for SKC. I was, like everyone else, anxious to see how Nemeth would do at striker. He really didn’t get much of a chance to show himself, but I liked his movement and attitude. It will be interesting to see if Rubio is rewarded for his hustle by getting the start vs Portland or if Nemeth gets the start.
Sounds like Pete did it right this time. Rubio started the year looking shattered in confidence. Vermes had clearly shown that he wanted Shelton to be the starting striker, which to lose your job to someone else just because they're more athletic has to be disheartening. But here, Rubio looks like he clearly sees that he has the opportunity for minutes every game, if not starts. That shows in his play ,that confidence and hope.
I understand LAFC were a bit shorthanded, but I thought SKC looked good. Salloi/Rubio/Gerso/Russell/Nemo are going to be difficult for other teams to deal with. Just need to the midfield to stay healthy.
When we put Salloi, Nemeth and Russell out there, we have an incredibly mobile and fluid front line, three people who can be dangerous from anywhere in the final third, three people who can beat good defenders with the ball at their feet or with a pass. three players with speed and great touch and great soccer smarts and great shots. Gerso is a half step back, better on the speed side, his touch fails him sometimes and he's a bit one footed, but as we saw this weekend, when he's confident, his speed unsettles teams, pulls them out of shape. He's quite dangerous when on form. Rubio, also a half step back, as his speed is only so-so, but especially against tiring legs, he's smart enough to look faster than he is and in the right moments can be a monster. I finally got to see the second half, and thought Nemeth was quite encouraging. he wasn't in sync with teammates he started playing with a couple days earlier, but his thought process was fantastic. He just has to get to know the others a bit better. Also, no one was giving SKC a pass when we were dealing with too many games while too injured. The test of a truly strong side is that it weathers bad injuries and game congestion. We almost pulled off a full two months of that, playing teenagers who came through. If LAFC can't pull off a couple weeks of that, they are not really challengers in the west But man o man, we are. I really do believe right now.
I remember thinking that we were a step quicker to everything, and they were surprisingly sloppy at times. The 120 minutes at Houston may have been a bigger factor than we want to believe.
We got no sympathy ( and deserved none) during our overcrowded spell. I chose to give all credit to SKC, and assume a Bob Bradley team is better than not being up for a must win game. We have to assume we got their best shot. If LAFC really is weak enough that they fold after a tough midweek, that's one less side we need to worry about.
Thank you, I noted this exact same thing in the MLS N&A pbp thread. So grating. He doesn't have to go full faux-Hispanic on us, but at least make an effort to get the pronunciation correct.