2016 Matchday #18: Dynamo v Union, July 2, 2016 p/d/p (R)

They've pretty much crumbled without Nogueira.

 

I feel like people are underestimating how tough it is to play with little rotation (more injury than anything else), cross-country travel, 6 games in 18 days, and 90 degree Texas heat.

We looked exhausted, yea no shit, lol.

 

The coaching staff has to understand that going into the season. There's a lot outside their control, but if they're not taking the steps to get fitness up, or developing a game plan around where they know their capabilities are, then that's their problem. I'll give you the lack of rotation being the biggest problem, but if its not addressed appropriately we're still at square one.

 

Nexus in full throat tonight!!! JFC.............relax. It's a blip. You try playing in Texas Heat and Humidity on your third game in a week.

They actually played well tonight all things considered. They lost because of three poor decisions and a great free kick by Chaco. Poor decision #1............well that was the ref with that BS foul and yellow. Poor decision #2 was Tribbett needlessly hoofing a ball up field back to Houston instead of maintaining possession in added time. Poor decision #3 was Creavalle needlessly fouling Garcia at the end when he had 4 teammates behind him for cover!!!

The Union will be fine. They might not win the east, but they'll make the playoffs. EVERY team goes through a rough patch during the season. LA, Seattle, RBNY, NER.......EVERY F'N team has a poor stretch each season.

 

The Union's stretch just happens to coincide with the exit of a starting player they let walk for nothing.

But that was the nice thing to do, so nothing to worry about.

Hopefully CJ turns things around.

 

No, we aren't .................

but Coach said that's so European. They don't use everybody they have, so you can't fall back on that excuse. Heat yes, little rotation no.

 

The fanbase plays a part as well. We can't prioritize both the Open Cup and the MLS season. Pick one and do well at it. Only the biggest Euro teams can do that (where the bench could start anywhere else).

Just like meaningless USMNT friendlies: pray that no Union players get called up.

However, speaking of exhaustion, how much did Fernandes play Wednesday? He played like he had already put in 90 from his first minute on the field. Way too sluggish and poor play.

 

This is the one the team had the most control over. It was calm and deliberate and by a player.

Alberg as false 9 wasn't a great choice either. Why not Pontius as an actual 9 if you've already got him on the field? They played about 25 minutes of pretty good soccer with CJ in there and I don't know how much of that was CJ's unique skill set and how much was just having an actual forward. Alberg's been scoring goals by sneaking in late and picking up rebounds. So not only do they not have an actual forward out there for the first 60, they effectively removed Alberg as a threat.

No panic yet, but this is a 2 game MLS losing streak.

 

It's been a while, thanks for that.

 

They lost because they did not create chances and score. Referee sucked and certainly didn't help. But that is not why they lost.

 

Taking off Alberg was the wrong move by the manager. What needed to be done (in order to actually create some chances) was to sub off Creavalle for CJ, and slide Alberg back into his midfield role.

The Nogs departure is looming larger by the game; please solve the issue, Earnie with this transfer window.

 

Well, Alberg was scoring goals, so why not put him up front so he can score more goals? That's Curtin think for you. Nevermind the positions where he was scoring the goals and where everyone else was playing to allow that to happen.

 

I have no doubt that he has several candidates already lined up