Was I watching a different match? [R]

Discussion in 'MLS: General' started by christopher d, Oct 21, 2002.

  1. christopher d

    christopher d New Member

    Jun 11, 2002
    Weehawken, NJ
    I was watching a soccer match on Sunday. There was tenacious, smothering defense from both teams, spectacular runs up and down the field, tremendously physical play, crisp passes (just because a pass is intercepted doesn't mean it's sloppy), and constant movement by all 22 men. Throughout the match I was convinced that one goal would win, and there were many chances (if not clear shots-on-goal) for both teams to score. A converted cross here, a better angle there...

    Overtime was spectacular, looking like rounds 14 and 15 of a prizefight. As the legs tired, the match became a matter of surviving more than winning. And the first defensive mistake resulted in the match's only goal.

    Apparently I wasn't watching MLS Cup '02 (although the Galaxy won the match I watched, too), beacuse according to many columnists, and a good number of the folks on this board, MLS cup was a boring, sloppy, plodding affair.

    Twice before watching sports have I been this impressed with the drama of a single game. 1)The 1991 World Series game 7, where Jack Morris pitched 10 shutout innings for a 1-0 (!) victory, and 2) the 1994 Wales conference finals (another deciding game, forget whether it was #6 or 7) between the Devils and Rangers (no sectarian undertones in this one, though), where Stephan Matteau scored in the 2nd OT, with the other skaters barely having the strength to stay on their skates.

    OK, so I dig a pitchers' duel. AND it was my team that won. But I was thrilled start to finish, and am amazed that other soccer fans don't feel the same. What did I miss?
     
  2. I thought it was a good game. I must admit that the game didn't look at smooth as a Premiereship game, but I would attribute a lot of that to the condition of the football field that they were playing on, and the intensity of the game. ANY team would have looked a bit rough in that situation at times, and any team would have been hard pressed to come out of there with a win. I might have called it a bit tighter, but you have to let the players play, and in the MLS things tend to get rough. As the skill level continues to improve, people will stop losing control of the ball so much which creates most of the 50/50 collisions. Our players also need to learn how to move off the ball to create options for players at all times. I am embarassed to see guys just booting the ball randomly up the field all the time because there is no one for them to pass to.
     
  3. Tejas

    Tejas Member+

    Jun 3, 2000
    Tejas
    No, you weren't watching a different game. I saw the game as you saw it. Just some vastly different perspectives I guess.
     
  4. christopher d

    christopher d New Member

    Jun 11, 2002
    Weehawken, NJ
    Clue me in, if you would...

    I'm watching a Princeton-Penn men's b-ball game. The score is 20-22 at the half. The announcers tell me that we've been watching a sloppy game, but I see nothing but D at its finest: Full court pressure from both teams, forced turnovers, etc. Allow me to submit that the reason there was no one for the backs/mids to pass to was the strength of the opposing D.

    Thoughts?
     
  5. cafrine

    cafrine New Member

    Oct 13, 2002
    is GONE
    thank you for posting, i agree completely. i enjoyed the match immensely and was surprised to see others call it "crap," and when i said i disagreed i was told i must not understand how the game is played. i thought it was ridiculous that people call themselves soccer fans yet are disappointed when they don't get a goal-fest/total offensive game. get real, what sport are you watching?
     
  6. snowfx2

    snowfx2 New Member

    Jul 28, 2001
    so cal
    Those announcers must not know Princeton basketball, they're average is about 50 points per game as they have great ball movement, don't shoot until there's about 5 seconds left on 35 second shot clock, and they play terrific defense.
     
  7. Jambon

    Jambon Member

    Mar 3, 2000
    Austin, TX
    I thought it was a little unspectacular until the last 10 minutes of regulation and overtime.

    The problem is mainly the revs style of play. They play unbelievable defense under Nicol, but their offense is Ralston and Twellman, nothing else. Leo Cullen in central midfield? That Nicol defensive intensity is what got them to the finals combined with plenty of heart and grit. But grit is not the most fluid and pleasing soccer.

    The galaxy's game is so tactically superior, but to the rev's credit was shut down most of the game by the relentless defensive pressure. But when players began to tire and space opened up, you could see the galaxy began to force their style on the game.

    I have great respect for the defensive prowess of the revs. I think they win this game if they play anyone but the #1 defense in the league in LA. But that doesn't make it the most attractive game. Defense wins championship as proven by this final matching the #1 and #2 defenses in the league. It's just not always the prettiest thing in the world.
     
  8. snowfx2

    snowfx2 New Member

    Jul 28, 2001
    so cal
    I thought things opened up even more when Vagenas came in for Cienfuegos, Pete had a very solid game. Hopefully he's healthy all of next year.
     
  9. kygunner

    kygunner New Member

    Aug 12, 2001
    Winchester KY USA
    I am not an MLS fan. Try as I might I cant get past the poor play that I see week in and week out. I am a fan of English football and most importantly Arsenal, the best team in Europe. After watching the MLS Cup final I will admit that I saw a fine match which entertained me more than the boring Arsenal- Everton match I taped. The crowd was inspiring and the play was joy to watch. 0-0 through 100 minutes does not discount a fabulous effort on the part of both teams and I am glad I watched it.
     
  10. Michael K.

    Michael K. Member

    Mar 3, 1999
    There or Thereabouts
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not to be critical, but why? What is your emotional connection?
     
  11. Michael K.

    Michael K. Member

    Mar 3, 1999
    There or Thereabouts
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree with the whole post basically - but if you're gonna compare this game to one from the 94 NHL playoffs, it's obviously got to be Devils v. Buffalo, Game 6.
    0-0 through 4 overtimes, and everyone knew throughout the game that any shot could be the winning shot, because the defenses were so tight and the goalies so good. Waiting for one team or the other to crack like that is absolutely nerve-wracking. That makes for good entertainment for me, anyway.

    Oh, and the Rangers fluked their way into the Cup Finals in Game 7.
     
  12. ne plus ultra

    ne plus ultra Member

    Jul 9, 2000
    Re: Re: Was I watching a different match? [R]

    I didn't think it was a defensive struggle. There was a lot of attacking. Yes, the revs did play a few long balls, but they had some chances.

    I only watched the game tonight (Monday) on tape. I accidentally learned the score yesterday, so I came on-line and read some of the comments before watching. Perhaps lowered expectations helped, but I thought it was a great game. And I'm not from Boston or LA.
     
  13. christopher d

    christopher d New Member

    Jun 11, 2002
    Weehawken, NJ
    I agree, sort of...

    There was much back and forth action, but every time the ball got closer than 11m, the defense closed up and denied the finish. That's why the goalies were uninvolved, because the defenders closed down all of the angles for good looks at the goal.

    BTW, as chippy and as cheap as it was, the Franchino hit on Cobi made the match for me. Slap a red white & blue jersey on that Franchino kid next time we play Germany, & then let's see who plays rough :)
     
  14. QuakeAttack

    QuakeAttack Member+

    Apr 10, 2002
    California - Bay Area
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good game, not great game...

    A great game would have both teams playing both offense and defense. Other than the first 15-20 minutes, NE decided to bunker and hope LA made a mistake. During regulation time, I remember only one real shot on goal which was Chacon's weak shot at the end. Also, I never have seen a great game where the keeper goes down for a save only to have the ball bounce off his face!

    The great part of the game was the intensit of both teams, but I expect that in a final game. Unless your team was in the finals and won the game, this was not a great game (same as last years final -- Good game, not great.)
     
  15. christopher d

    christopher d New Member

    Jun 11, 2002
    Weehawken, NJ
    Absolutely. 100%. I'm not a Devils' fan, though, so I didn't get quite the same visceral effect, but the drama in that game created the game I spoke of.

    Yeah, whatever... I got'cher 1940...
     
  16. Etienne_72772

    Etienne_72772 Member+

    Oct 14, 1999
    Chalk me up as another who enjoyed the game. I knew that the press would have a field day with this--since not a single goal was scored until the last overtime period. But there was plenty of drama on the field throughout the game. Was it the best game I ever saw? No. But it was pretty entertaining.

    Frankly, I'm tired of MLS having to live up to these grand expectations from everyone. I could watch 10 games, and 7 of them could be spectacular, yet people are always going to harp on the lousy ones (not that this one was lousy!)
     
  17. LoveFifa

    LoveFifa New Member

    Apr 23, 2001
    Detroit, Michigan
    I'm glad SObearCAL started this thread. I was starting to think I was the only one who thought this game was spectacular. I thought the defensive matchups in this game were unbelievable. The intensity and drama were overwhelming at times.

    I guess it's the difference between Mustang and Camero lovers. There's no bringing them together.
     
  18. IASocFan

    IASocFan Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 13, 2000
    IOWA
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I, too, thought it was a great game. LA controlled most of the game, so the Revs had to play good defense, and they were awesome. I was reffing and coaching all day so I didn't get to see the game live. I enjoyed the first 105 minutes after a relaxing dinner. Unfortunately, my taping plans didn't include overtime, so I rushed to the computer to check the final score. I still felt like I'd watched an awesome game.
     
  19. kopiteinkc

    kopiteinkc Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 1, 2000
    Shawnee
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    I didn't think it was a poor game at all.

    It wasn't "spectacular" but it was exciting. The atmosphere was great, both teams were trying to win, not holding back. In fact the more the game went on the more exciting it got.

    Yes, it was physical, but that's part of any cup final match. It did lack some in terms of creativity, especially from New England. And I was rooting for them.

    LA displayed a little more on the creative side and in the end deserved to win.

    I seriously think to enjoy a game more you have to be rooting for one team and not be a "neutral". Otherwise you don't really care when someone scores or misses and how much fun is that?

    I was really disappointed when Ruiz scored, but then quickly applauded LA's efforts for winning on the road in front of 61,000 fans rooting against them.
     
  20. Dr. Wankler

    Dr. Wankler Member+

    May 2, 2001
    The Electric City
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    I'm in the good game, not a great game group.

    But even if you argue that it featured the poorest play of any MLS Cup match (and one could), it was still better than 80% of the Super Bowls I've watched.


    And when one of the dickheads on ESPN News afterwards cracked "we'll have the highlight from MLS Cup..." while the other guffawed at his wit, well, that's pretty much what I expected from the sports network where the anchors think they're working for Comedy Central.
     
  21. TEConnor

    TEConnor New Member

    Feb 22, 1999
    Yes, indeed. You were watching a different match than myself and those that I have spoken to (mostly non bigsoccer posters).

    That was indeed one of the least spectacular matches that I have seen in MLS in a long time. However, it was truly the day that MLS went big-time in the world of soccer finals: a dull and nervous match with minimal opportunities and incredibly cynical tactics...partially redeemed by a good finish.

    By the way, Cullen, Ralston, and Twellman were about as 'nsync as those dudes in the Full Monty when they first got together.

    Tim
     
  22. owendylan

    owendylan Member

    May 30, 2001
    Virginia
    Club:
    DC United
    Then you obviously didn't watch the AstonVilla v. Southampton game. Not smooth by any stretch of the imagination. MLS Cup was good game. Not great but not awful. There was enough to keep someone interested but there wasn't much until overtime that really kept you riveted to the action. Overall an enjoyable game.
     
  23. FlashMan

    FlashMan Member

    Jan 6, 2000
    'diego
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It was a lousy game. The Revs didn't have a shot on goal until the 92nd minute. The Galayx only had a few 1/2 chances. The game didn't pick up 'til about the 80th minute (Ruiz' breakaway, which he muffed), when the legs started to tire and there was more space.

    The overtime saved this game (barely) and the joy, emotion and passion on Ruiz' face when he scored was absolutely pricelss and made it all worthwhile. Otherwise, the game did no one any favors.
     
  24. TEConnor

    TEConnor New Member

    Feb 22, 1999
    That's the game I saw. I would add that there were sequences in the game where the Galaxy looked as though they would walk the ball into goal with a series of excellent passes and possession only to have Kante stuff "whomever" like a seasoned pro. Ignoring Ruiz, Kante was the story of the game (outside of Franchino's deserved, but not received, Red Card).

    Tim
     
  25. christopher d

    christopher d New Member

    Jun 11, 2002
    Weehawken, NJ
    Flash, I must respectfully disagree. The simple statistic "shots-on-goal" is misleading in this case. No, NE did not have a shot-on-goal until injury time, but they had several chances taken from them by the Galaxy back line, instead of the keeper. Similarly, the few looks we were able to muster were at off angles because of the inspired play from NE's back line.

    I submit that we're debating matters of taste rather than individual performance. I would not have been impressed with an all-star-esque 8-6 match anymore than most of the last few posters were with this match.

    BTW: Kante was @#$%ing nails in this match. Same goes for Franchino. Same goes for Califf.
     

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