I guess Parke is the new scapegoat. I think the bigger problem is Wells personally. That was just a poor reaction, or rather no reaction on that goal. As for width, a lot of those problems are solved with Ward. Even though it's late width, it adds greatly to the attack, because of his pace up and down that flank. Let alone the fact that him and Guevara, when he played, looked extremely comfortable with each other. However, yesterday was not the match to analyze. We did what we had to do. We continued our tradition of playing down to our opponents, but we got the points.
Am I the only one who thought Guevara played like crap today? Other than the chip for the Gaven goal, he did practically nothing, especially in the first half (that was when the Metros were playing towards the goal on the side I was sitting on). Lots and lots of giveaways and horrible passes that got intercepted when they just didn't have to be. I hated hearing that he got the man of the match award tonight because as a whole I thought this was one of the worst games I had ever seen him play. Good to see Ibrahim back, but I was surprised to see him come on for Galvan Rey. Isn't Razov comming back from an injury? Galvan Rey was a lot more involved in the match that Razov also. I would have subed Ibrahim for Razov just to protect him. He wasn't too involved in the match at that point anyway.
I think they're both equally problematic, actually. They are not integral to whatever success the Metros have, and they have particularly stood out in the past few blowups as of late.
That was a stunning LA goal. The distance & angle surprised everyone. I watched the replays on MLS Wrap & there was a great direct view of the shot from the end line camera. The ball seemed to float, knuckle, swerve & dip, striking the base of the far goalpost. Give "Herculez" Gomez credit. http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/mls/sights/index.jsp?club=mls
Not really, Parke can be replaced. Wells as of right now can't. What's weird about Parke, is that he plays a relatively solid 89 minutes and 50 seconds, and then he seems to make one or two very stupid plays. Regan I thought yesterday made worse plays than Parke from teh d-mid spot in 15 minutes. The header back to goal from 40 yards out? The tackle, which allowed Kirovski to take a free kick? Poor decisions.
Sure it had a really weird dip. But that doesn't mean that Wells has to be caught out of position, again. I don't care if people score, I just care if it's because of poor positioning and boneheaded plays. Where the hell was Regan on that goal?
How is Parke the problem at all? He had a great game besides that one little mistake that led to a LA chance, but then he cleared the ball off the line anyway. (I dont care what Shep said, that ball didnt hit the post it went off Parkes foot.) Parke didnt get beat once, granted he was playing agaisnt two guys I have never heard of (one of which looked exactly like DJ Countess) while Zach Wells mistake almost cost us the win. Not only that, but he was bailed out AGAIN by a defender clearing the ball off the line. He didnt make one save this game, making his save percentage .000 for the day.
Shep, "I'm not sure that with a perfect dive he would have gotten to it." How many bases did Shep cover with that statement? I wouldn't fault Wells on that one as the ball was curled from left to right and it looked like it was going wide of the goal. Sometimes, you have to give credit to the shot taker, it was tremendous placement of the ball. Usually, we see a fast paced shot as well struck, but this was better, this ball had eyes. Too bad, our commentator, only states that which looks the most obvious to say. Regarding Regan, what a bonehead! His header back to Wells from 30 yards out with a Galaxian the only one in the PA. He also had another bonehead move on the foul 5 yards outside the PA in the last 5 minutes of the game. Parke's save along the touchline was another in a series of defensive blunders. In the end, BB may not be able to teach the things that these guys, as professionals, are supposed to know. Heck, U-13 players are supposed to know this stuff. For the Metros to have success this season, they are going to have to revamp that backline. Ward coming back will help alot. Leitch is solid enough. The CB positions are scary.
Guevara was the best player on the field last night. He was directly responsible for both goals. Beautiful passes. As a DC fan I don't like the guy, but I really respect him. He's damn good. If he, SGR, Gaven, and Razov can start to gel together this is a dangerous team. I got to watch this game on MSG last night from here in Syracuse. The collection of players that LA put on the field might have been the worst I've ever seen in MLS. How you guys didn't blow them out 5-1 is beyond me. One good part of that is getting to see a guy with Herculez on his jersey. Herculez Gomez must be the best name in MLS this year. Jeff Parke is a good player 95% of the game. He seems to be prone to brain farts which hurt the team. Is Bob thinking of replacing him with Suarez?
Wells was terrible last night. I think i remember him making one save, and he should've saved the goal. I think Agoos played pretty well last ngith, and so did Parke, except for his mistake. I thougth Leitch was good, but didn't think Regan had that great of a game. Guevarra was the reason for both goals. Just a great ball to Ante, and same with Gavens goal. Gaven was usual Gaven, dissappearing for most of the game, then having some brilliant moments. Lisi and Bradley were Lisi and Bradley. I wasnt' imrpessed with Ante last night, but his run on the first goal was perfectly timed. I thoguth Sgr had a very good game. And i actually thought Magee played very well. He hustled, and kept his mouth shut and played hard. Maybe moving SGR above him on the depth chart has motivated him a little bit.
That was Regan? Sorry, I attributed that to Parke in my mind. OK, I'll delay the bashing. Seriously, though, with trading off Pope and bringing in Agoos, I imagine that people expect the backline to be more than not embarrassing. That's where all my griping about the defense comes from. I didn't really like the retooling, but Bradley thought it was a good idea and it's certainly not working out that way.
We need Ward back very badly. That's all there is too it. Then Regan can go back to CB where he is comfortable. That change itself makes this team significantly better in the back. When that happens what do we do with Suarez, Parke, and Mendes. Seems like we will have 3 players of similar ability and none on the field. Maybe Bradley can deal one of these guys with Lisi or Magee for something else. I don't know. Fat Tony will be given a chance; just a matter of when. I'm not confident about beating NE in the playoffs with Wells in goal. Amazed to see Bradley taken out of the game. A lil more respect to Bob for this change. Trade Magee ASAP. A wasted talent; maybe can find form somewhere else. Not on this team. And yes, I still believe Gaven was offside. The replay is not 100% clear, but I think he was offside because Guevara took forever to release that ball. check it out for yourself.
These mentions are paid for by McDonalds and the profitability of the broadcast depends on doing these product placements. If it keeps metro on MSG, I'm fine if we see him eating freaking McDonalds during a halftime report!
am i the only one who is thoroughly entertained by shep and his mcdonalds comments? man i love that guy
"Quote: Originally Posted by ElMetrofan That was crazy. Who the hell heads back a ball that far towards the goalie when there are players behind you! Who was that? I think it was Magee, and it was pretty bad. EDIT: General consensus is that it was Regan--my bad." Berhalter did it in one of his fiirst games with the national team. I saw that and said Berhalter is a time bomb just waiting to go off. It never happened. I am sure he will be talked to about it. That is bad decision making, and other backs made a few mistakes like that, that you didn't notice. Hopefully, the coach noticed them.
Yes, you are the only one this guy can really play. Being able to hold the ball under pressure is very important. As good as our frenchman is and he is good he can't hold the ball against a lot of pressure. Armando can also fall back and get behind the ball on defense. Plus he can go 90 and he knows how to pace himself. I thought he was MOTM.
We seem to mentally give the other team/opponent every single chance we can to make them get back into the game.... That issue really needs to get adressed.. Props to Bob for starting to realize one can make subs before the final whistle blows ... Parke really ought to be focused on the game 100% ..seems to lose it too often, which for a defender is quite dangerous.... Same for Wells.... The more and more i think about it... Meola better be back to his old self once he heals.... otherwise...it could be a looooong season..... We get the needed 3 points.... which should work to calm the team down, one hopes....
oh, yeah and for Shep and his Chivas USA comment (not that it was not funny) but compared to our previous result on Monday... and looking at the scores yesterday....well... let's just not get too cocky ourselves....
Not the prettiest win, nor the most likely to inspire hope for the future but a win is a win. Metro outplayed LA completely the first half but then again we seem to lose focus. That said however, a win given the tight Eastern Conference, is always welcome.
I think you are the only one, at least I hope so. I cannot stand listening to him, incentive to get to the game.