I'd agree with @John L that we're trying to play him out of the slump. while there may be better options on the bench, none of them are going to set the world on fire if they could get him on track, no that I think that's going to happen. At one point Taxi was bossing the midfield on the NYC side of the half and handed the ball off to Flores and everything stopped. The energy died and he lost the ball. I saw him pull up on a couple of balls and looks like he just doesn't GAF. I'd like to see us get something out of him, but I am not sure it's there anymore. Its also not in this club's DNA to buy a guy out and send him packing. I also feel that there might be a sense that even at this early point, it's a lost season. The failure to capture that 3rd DP in the off season, the heavy prevalence of kids in the 11 & 18, the relative incompleteness of this roster, Chad being an interim. What's the ceiling for this team? One & done in the playoffs? I wonder if the young guys are being evaluated as well as being showcased to a potential new coach, although I have to wonder who would take this job. While Losada turned out to be a special kind of asshole, he was also under supported by the FO which should come as a surprise to no one. You've got Chad vs a high risk unknown candidate. No one established or who has choices is coming here. This club is more lost today than they were after Rooney & Lucho left even if we're only 8 pts out of first and 2 out of a playoff spot. I just don't see us making up ground over the next 2 mos that it's going to take to bring in that 2nd DP and get visas sorted.
seriously, I thought we out played them the first half - we were unfortunate not to have score THREE goals in the first half - then NYCFC weathered the storm and relieved pressure by quick passing - but I never saw them dominate and overwhelmingly threaten us that half - like Ray said using a different analogy, possession doesn't equate to dominance also, the Corner Kick goal looked like a set play (not Dominance), and the PK was a bogus call (not Dominance)
This quote is so depressing: “If we score that first goal, that can change the game,” Djeffal said. “It’s definitely frustrating, but it’s also a positive thing: We are able to create chances against big teams, against teams that are going to play for the MLS Cup by the end of the year.” Levien has destroyed this club. Nothing will change until we have an owner with sporting ambitions.
The PK call was legit, but I thought harsh. Even though it was ball to hand, DC still gained an advantage and it was right to be called. The Penalty kick itself was indeed a bogus call, allowing it to stand. Unless the rules have changed again, the kicker is not allowed to stop, and start again, after beginning their run to the ball. Castellanos full-stopped on his way to the ball, and his kick should have been nullified.
Levien didn't become majority owner until 2018 and wasn't involved at all until 2012 and I remember the mediocrity beginning before this. Even though he is not the killer of the club, it won't recover under his control.
Once again the poor rotation cost the team a chance at points. Ashton needs to start Taxi and Gressel and then sub them out later, not bring them in down 2-0. Give yourself a chance for points with the starters, and whether it works or not, pull them in the second half and save them for Saturday. Must win on Saturday, that's what all this is about, right? Better get all three points or the rotation is a total failure.
its not depressing - its realistic - actually I agree with Djeffal - it is a positive that a middle of the pack team like us did so well against a powerhouse team - NYCFC was definitely more efficient with their few chances than we were and from now on in our scouting and in our Academy in in the Loudon team, we must emphasize ball skills and ball control
It's a fine line between being realistic and accepting mediocrity, but there is a line there. What's depressing to me about that quote is that it seems that Djeffal just accepts that simply creating chances against "big teams" is something to be crow about. To be fair it's just one quote and it might be out of context but it does fit with a narrative that many of us fear has taken root throughout the organization – that we are a "middle of the pack" club and merely have some good chances against "big teams" is OK. It's not OK. Just ask Etcheverry.
It was good seeing Marco and the slightly stupid thought went through my mind that I'd like to see him playing now.
Even with a win against a poor Toronto team it's crazy how much he rotated guys on Wednesday. After rotating basically the whole team the week before in the Open Cup. I thought the point of resting guys in the Open cup was so that a handful of regular starters would be there for three games in a week. But hey, maybe this means we can start a game WITHOUT Flores today.