you mean that was the ref ... i thought it was some mentally challenged guy they let on the field ... he kept giving the thumbs up
Actually, I think the most obvious instance came when Cooper waved at Mina (a forward) in frustration. Kenny was making a run toward the far post as Mina had the ball on the right wing. But instead of attempting a pass to Kenny, Roberto tried to duplicate his golazzo of a few weeks ago with a sputtering result. After Mina's "shot", Kenny stood near the far post and continued waving his hands above his head until he caught Mina's eye and appeared to mime "Why the hell didn't you look up from your feet and pass me the ball?"
anyone care to describe when Ngwenya hit the crossbar for LA? the reports say he had an open net with no one on him in the 6 yard box.
There were many instances of suc demonstrations after "missing": Ruiz waving at O'Brien Ruiz waving at Mina Mina waving right back Ruiz O'Brien waving at everybody
- How does O'Brien screw up that one breakaway? That could have been heartbreaking. - Anyone else notice that we had ZERO possession the first 20 minutes of the second half, and then once Mulrooney came in, all of a sudden we could pass the ball? Part of that was O'Brien working hard outside, but there was a big difference between Mulrooney and O'Brien in the middle. ROB is not comfortable in there, and in tight spaces, hoofs the ball upfield. He is more guilty of it than any other player on FCD. Mulrooney in the middle, he almost thrives in tight space. Finds someone close by to give it to, whether square, forward, or back. Only goes long if the wing is wide open. Doesn't ever try to play Ruiz direct unless Ruiz is checking back for the ball. - Both teams were horrible before the red card. Neither team showed up to play tonight. Once FCD got the red, something clicked and they began to concentrate a bit more. LA never got into it with any urgency at all. LA's main problem is that they only have one player willing to move for the ball - Donovan. When he isn't active (he was already in NC last night), nobody else moves. Their midfield was very static - players on the outside stay on the outside, Nagamura nd Vagenas staying put in the middle. Very stagnant and nobody moved open for the ball. So, their defense would win the ball, knock it around back and forth, and then just have to resort to hitting it long or up the wing because nobody was moving. I am not sure if 1) SS is a control freak and harps so much on positioning that nobody plays with freedom or 2) They want SS fired. Neither says much about Sampson. The only player for LAG who showed anything aggressive was Enfield. Fast, tried to be clever with the ball. The others just looked like they had dinner with Tottenham last night.
Mulrooney is a game changer in the middle for this team. He's not flashy, but he's definitely a class player.
If there was only one game so far this year that wouldn't be on TV, this was the one you'd want. It was a pretty dull and ininspired affair in general although it had its moments. Some of the high points that haven't already been mentioned: -Rhine gets another goal line clearance in the first half -Ronnie O'brien was definitely right about Donovan. He was just going through the motions. If forgot he was even playing for long stretches of the game. -Sala completely saved our asses late on the most dangerous late chance LA had when the cross cleared our entire defense and landed at the feet of an LA player 8 yards out. Sala charged out and dove right into his feet to snuff out a sure goal while 3 defenders were still trying to figure out if their jump was going to be high enough for the header. -As mentioned, Goodson looked very sharp. I would even say dominant in the time he was in against tired attackers. -Mulrooney can actually make a pass to one of our own players. How refreshing. -Before Rhine got sent off, I thought we were actually making an attempt as a team to play the ball on the ground through the midfield. We weren't any good at it, but at least trying is a start. -The Ruiz goal is as clear a demonstration as you can get of why we need buildup in the attacking third instead of this "longball to the lone stiker" crap. Cooper bulls his way into possession in a dangerous area and dishes to Nunez whose cross is deflected to Ruiz who takes one touch and places it in the corner of the net. Amazing what sometimes happens when you have more than 1 player in the attacking third, huh Colin? -Vanney was torched multiple times again on the dribble out wide, this time by Cobi Jones. What the hell is Clarke thinking? -No Gbandi on the bench. Even Wagenfahr came in as a sub. As usual the announcers introduce him as Wagen"fuhrer" a la Adolf Hitler. -Apparently an ambassadorial contingent of the Inferno alighted in section 109 and drew quite a few smiles with some amusing chants like: "Referee! L-S-D! You're tripping!" and "Yights who say Yi!" presumably in honor of Alex.
108, and they've been there all season, but they are getting more and more comfortable each game being rowdy. I'm sure the smaller crowd helped make their presence more obvious.
The internet feed went in and out. It was in for most of the second half, though, and was pretty good near the end. I liked hearing Shawn and Ray at about the 85th minute saying "It's over. The Galaxy doesn't care." CC's tactics seemed sound. With a 1-0 lead, and down a man for the entire second half, you do not need fowards. You need defense, and that is exacly what he did. Long ballas are a great way to kill time. Nice to beat El Lay, as always. Houston is the acid test. Even without Ching, Dallas needs to find a way to beat them. Consistently. If, on the off chance, Onstad and DeRo and the rest are not enough to keep up wioth the league, all they have to do is make the playoffs, and Ching will be back. Ching can not be an excuse; FCD needs to be able to beat them no matter who they send out. Here is the bad thing. I am begeiing to believe. Expect the collaps to start soon. Dead but dreaming, Scipio Diabolus, vox fatum. Contra. Staying on.
I'm really rooting for Mulrooney (fellow Memphian). I can't believe it's been so long and I still haven't got to see him play yet (no TV last night). Was he playing attacking midfield or more defensive midfield?
He was playing a defensive midfield role. However, his excellent ball distribution skills make the FCD attack much more potent than when, for instance, Valakari and Wilson are paired up as d-mids.
HEY - I waved!!!!!!!!! Surprisingly 108 did come alive last night but everyone forgot the confetti......oops!
I think he is supposed to play two-way mid. If Dallas could find another (McCarty?) then CC would have his preffered lineup. At least I hope that then the long balls to nowhere and miss hit switches would taper off. With Simo and King Richard I believe Simo would tend toward defense leaving Mulrooney more freedom to attack. His back and forth and circling moves reminded me of Oscar. Joy!
Yup, flat four in theory. Simo just doesn't have that game, ad neither really does Ramon, although he is getting better. CC is the comparison they made when I talked to the staff about him. They believe in two years he could be that good. that's the idea that I get when I ask as well.
Memphisto would sound a lot cooler. You should "volunteer" that change to your state senate. Rock me!