Alfaro MOTM, what a monster game. Created the turnover that led to the winner, and won every single challenge that came his way. He's been quite a find. That was frustrating, just not clicking, but it's all down to dead legs. I can't wait to see a rested, healthy United. They keep winning anyway. What a team!
DCU created and wasted a lot of chances early and looked a bit dazed and vulnerable after going down a goal. However, they regrouped and scored two quality goals. Then, they gutted it out for the win. Outstanding!
Just back from the match -- bolted out (well as fast as an old fart can "bolt") to get out of the lot before the endless slog began. Success! As for the match: That was the worst game I have seen Arriola play in a DCU shirt. I'm sure he would agree. Hard work, created some turnovers but then either turned it over right back or put a couple of Earnie Stewart Row Z shots on goal. Nyeman also had a poor game. He looked hesitant and confused for reasons I couldn't figure out. Relieved when Felipe came in for him, at least Felipe plays with certainty and aggression, something Nyeman did not do tonight. Agree that Alfaro had a fine match. His passing isn't the greatest, but he seldom puts a foot wrong -- a very good training camp pick up. Gressel needs a rest before he breaks. He was walking hands on hips before the end of the first half. The guy is just baked -- really impressive that he played hard to the end. Kamara now has 10 goals on the season in the minute equivalent of what 7 games? I thought he was a bust, I was wrong. That winning goal tonight reminded me of the Columbus goal, he took his time, measured the shot and then struck it. I mentioned earlier that I thought the Montreal goal was a mishit cross. Kempin was cheating for the cross and still almost tipped it over the bar. The Montreal player who scored showed nothing else all night, so I think it was an accidental goal. Anyway, I thought Columbus would be a slog, but it wasn't. This one was. 7 points in 3 games is impressive.
We kept heckling him every time he was near us. "You know that wasn't a shot!" "It's a good thing for you that you're so shitty at crossing!" etc etc
Losada is doing this primarily with last year's squad and three "walk ons" -- Najar, Alfaro and Kempin.
3 points Ideally he would have been in slightly better position that would have held up that long pass before the Montreal goal. Regardless, Kempin should have done better. I did not even like Kempin during drills. He wouldn't get behind balls. There were quite a few times when I wanted him to come out and get the ball. It was tough to feel any comfort watching him on set pieces into the box. It's going to be a long six weeks.
Idk about this Kamara guy I like forwards who score more than one goal a game. . Interesting to note that scoring play was caused by the third man pressing the play. You see each player close the space and put pressure until it finally pays off. Awesome.
@griffin1108, that's the 4th time since he's arrived that Kamara has done the curler from the left side of the penalty area to inside the far post. His first goal for United against Red Bulls in 2019 was that way, and now 3 this season (he did it in the away Miami game, too).
The difference in this game is that United beat another mid-table team while not playing all that well. United never won these sort of games before.
Not to mention a constantly changing lineups due to all the injuries and call-ups. 3 pts out of 2nd place is an amazing coaching performance. Thats the benefit of having a real philosophy and getting players to buy in and believe in it. Fun season!
The full Losada system was clearly evident from the opening whistle: we swarmed Montreal and were immediately threatening. That led to some scary moments on defense; i.e., their goal, but it was pretty clear that we were going to have plenty of shots.
You know what this now has in common with Olsen's MLS coach of the year team and the last Supporters Shield winning team? Chad Ashton.
re-watched the game on TV - got a better view of how the swarming occurs - plus Kamara also contributes on the swarming - he tracked back on the ball and helped steal the ball or intercept passes plus how well Arriola played throughout - yes, he could have had better shots - but his passing gave teammates three or four gimme shots that should have been easy goals - its one thing to get the ball back, but Arriola instantly started pressuring for a goal
Alfaro had an above average and quite good overall night but it's hard to tell how good. You could make an argument that Montreal kept screwing up and he intercepted "mistakes" and soft balls or you could say he was frequently in the right place at the right time to make it look easy. Who's to say and since we won I guess it doesn't matter
To me, Alfaro has been one of the defensive bright spots of the season, along with Hines-Ike. With Losada playing a backline of three "central defenders" Mora moved up a rank and the candidates for the back line were Birnbaum; Brillant; Hines-Ike; Najar; and Alfaro. Birnbaum was out for a long time and Hines-Ike is now out for weeks to come. Alfaro stepped right in and has looked comfortable.
Yea, he's definitely slow and people have busted by him, making him an occasional liability, but he's been better than a number of defenders we've used in the last decade.
Savvy acquisition, to be sure. Same with BHI and Najar. All three have just the right amount of aggression for this style.