In between finals this week, and sometimes durring, I was thinking about the best formation for the Fire next year. I was thinking 4-3-3 but people heard at S8 fest tonight that the team is thinking 3-4-3. I'm just wondering how we would line up, maybe this: ----------------GK--------------- ------Brown--Curtain--Cabellero-- --------Marsch-----Armas-------- -Jaqua---------------------Mapp---------Ralph-------Herron------- --------------Razov-------------- Strengths/weaknesses?
I was thinking more: ----------Thornton------------ ----Brown--Curtin--Caballero--- ------Marsch-----Armas------- -Jaqua-------------------Mapp -----------Razov-------------- -------Ralph-------Herron Although maybe Capano in their for Razov?
I think everyone has given it consideration of how we are going to deal with having three very accomplished (for MLS standards) strikers on the team. I just kind of figured between international duty for Herron, injuries, and rest we could just work out some kid of rotation starting two of them with one coming off the bench. I don't particularly like the idea of playing either Ante or Damani in the hole. I'm not sure either of them have enough playmaking in them to fit that role effectively. I honestly have no idea if Herron can do it, I just didn't see enough of him, but what I did see I wasn't convinced he could play the role either. Personally I'd probably just go 3-5-2 with the priorly mentioned rotation and see if either Capano or the mythical allocation (preferably Capano) can fill the A-Mid role. The one plus that I see about playing someone in the hole would be with Ralph. One of the biggest problems I've seen in his game is the tendency to float in and out of it. This is especially evident at the higher level of the international setting as he was a complete non-entity against the US in the two WC Qualies they played. Perhaps playing him in the hole would allow him to stay more active in the game and get more touches. He certainly seems to have quality ball control and dribbling skills, I just question his ability to read the game and make a crucial pass to the forwards in that position. But hey, there are a lot of reasons that Dave's the coach and I'm not, just my $.02
We better use one of those allocations to get a midfielder who can actually make a pass to teammates or we will be sitting home during the playoffs again.
If any of the three forwards (Razov, Ralph & Herron) would be in the hole, it would be Herron. He's the only one of the three who has proven he can actually pass the ball.
Going with three forwards (Razov, Ralph, Herron) in 2005 will either be a tremendous gain (ie: killing every opponent we play by a 10-0 scoreline), or it will relegate the Fire to back-to-back last place finishes. Andy Herron, although impressive in the few games we have seen him, has only seen time in just that... a few games. I think there is too much hype around him now, and the pressure might get to him... then again, with two OTHER forwards on the field with him at the same time couldn`t be bad at all. The four midfielders should be Armas, Jaqua, Mapp, and either Marsch or Capano, depending on youth nats call ups for Capano, and injuuries for Marsch. Those four mids will already have at least 3 years together on the same team, and they know each other well. No doubt the Fire will be strong in the midfield in 2005. In defense, I believe Kelly Gray is still a good option, even though he didn`t have a good 2004 showing. Besides him, Curtin is a definite (duh) in the central role, and I suppose either Brown or Caballero (maybe...) could fill the third defensive role. As for the goalkeeper situation.... I am stumped. Ring did not have a stellar campaign in 2004, but showed that he is a good keeper. Thornton, however, is still an excellent option. For opening day, I say go with Zach. Dipsy will be, again, a KEY forward reserve, and Evan Whitfield and Logan Pause should provide enough depth in the midfield reserves. Denny Clanton is also a good defender who will only get better with experience. Hope this formula leads to an ass-kicking performance in MLS Cup 2005.
If we get another solid defender, there truly will be better play ahead for this team. (1) Thornton in goal (2) with Curtin, Brown/Gray/Whitfield and solid defender on defense (3) with Marsch, Armas, Mapp, Jaqua/Pause/Capano at midfield and (4) with Herron, Ralph and Razov at forward. Sweet team!!! Others off the bench: Goalie -- Ring would be awesome. Others -- Dipsy (F), Buete (M) and Clanton (D) are nice, very nice. That leaves room for another great player in the midfield or to replace an injured player and three other drafted players to fill out the roster. (I think we are allowed 24 this next year.) I still can't believe the expansion teams took Countess and Perez off our hands. Losing Williams hurt the most, but he can be replaced. As sad as I was with last year's season, I am excited about the possibilities of a team like this already together on day 1 at training camp.
-Countess, although he never played, was a solid keeper... but I'm not sad to see him go. -Williams will be missed. When he played, he really played. -Orlando Perez. Ah yes, Orlando Perez. The single reason Chivas USA will not make the playoffs.