Just got back from Gingers...an exciting match, result notwithstanding. We should have scored at least 4 additional goals, 3 by Ante. Not his day, today, oh well. I felt like there was one team attacking today. And the other side cynically playing calcio italiano. If we (read: ante) could have made our chances, we would've made 'em pay for that 10-men behind the ball and couterattack. Oh well, WE STILL LOVE YOU FIRE!!!!
Overall it was poor finishing...Beasley made up for his first half with the goal in the second...He needs to shoot first more often...Razov and Curtin probably had their worst games...at least that I have seen. I think Sj played well and when they had their chances, they scored...They played well. I would rather lose to them then any other team...Its hard to really hate a team like them...Apart from Agoos.
no they didn't play defensively... yes they counterattacked with a vengeance. wish we could have done the same. i love razov... when he's on he's on... but when he's off he can miss goals I could score with my shoelaces tied together. we still got 2 of 3. we still got concacaf champions cup for next year. and if we can hold on to the team we put on the field today i'd count this season a success. if bease and bocanegra go it will be a very bitter loss indeed.
2 Keys (note them here) 1. Razov's lack of finishing. 2. The inability of the core of the D (Curtin, Boca and Zach) to have a solid game. Result: 4-2 Quakes
How on earth were the Fire playing defensive minded soccer when they completely outshot their opponents, and had countless opportunities to score? Both teams were very offensive minded. I feel very bad for Razov. He seemed to step up a lot this year for the Fire. It would have been nice for him if he had been able to finish off a superb season with a couple of goals in LA. Also, Thornton was horrendous today. Boca looked stunned on one of the Landon goals. He didn't anticapate the pass, he just sat there, and only reacted when Landon went by him.
Razov wanted to win. Sure he didnt get it done, but I cant feel too mad at him. Am I the only one who didnt notice Ralph at all today?
Watching this game, I was a neutral fan (really!) But arguments such as this one, considering the way you guys won the US Open Cup sound a bit hollow....Razov could not capitalize today on his chances, and that was the game....
Although I will never be mistaken for a Razov fan, I cannot lay the blame for this loss solely at his feet. Granted, he shot on goal like a AYSO U-7 reserve defender, and granted he takes PKs like an offensive lineman, but this loss was not entirely his fault. I'd divvy it up this way: 10% blame each to Thornton, Curtin, and Bocanegra [he really thinks he can play overseas?] for failing to cut out passes that led to goals 10% blame to Ralph for failing to finish 1/2 chances, and 60% blame to the heartless wonder who flubs at open nets and PKs, Razov. This team REALLY needs to look into picking up a player who can take free kicks, corners, and PKs better than this joker. He had a fine season, but unlike young Mr. Donovan, Razov wilters under the lights of big matches. Cheers!
Question for Fire fans. Is Ralph unable to strike the ball with his left foot? I saw several chances he had this year--including one today-- on the left side of the box, and each time he would play the ball back to his right foot instead of shooting.
Well, I was at the match, and have a different viewpoint. Armas was solid today. In the second half, he and Beasley made some very good attacking runs. If anyone in the midfield had a poor game, it was Williams, IMO. Marsh was decent at times, but gave the ball away too much. Ante missing the penalty was the key moment in the game. If he converts, it's 3-3, and the is NO WAY the Quakes carve open our Defense like they did on their fourth goal. They may have won the game anyway after it was 3-3, but not with such an easy finish. Donovan made a great run, and Curtin was late getting there. After the match, in the few minutes before the teams got their medals, Ante sat on the field, head in his hands, as many Fire players consoled him. He looked like he was hurting, and thinking "What if?" As well he should. Whitfield was atrocious in the first half, Section 8, although admittedly sometimes harsh, was all over him. He was better in the second, but played more central in the three man back line. Ralph is such a strong SOB, it's so difficult to disposess him. With his back to goal, he was superb, and drew the penalty with a good dribbling run. Without knowing the numbers, Chicago certainly attacked more, and created more chances (see corner kick #'s) but the San Jose countered well, and certainly finished well. Once we started to press forward, they were very dangerous on the counterattack. I did not see them playing defensively, in fact, many of the best passing moves of the game belonged to the Quakes. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but the end of the ride sucked.
ante had the flu this week and most likely wasn't fully recovered yet... which goes a long way in explaining how he didn't hook up with ralph's incredible feed
wow... a missed PK poor finishing and the sickness excuse... Guess Ante really did pull a clint mathis. (eye roll)
Obviously, Ante Razov did not have a good match. Before you lay the match at his feet,......San Jose scored 4 on the Fire today! Great season. Best wishes to all of the Fire fans and the Fire players.
We were still singing Fire chants and high fiving at Gingers when Mulrooney--that's right: Mulrooney--got the third. That shut us up good. So how on earth did they attack so quickly that a d-mid gets a breakaway off the kickoff?
thronton was backing up to his line on the mulrooney goal. i think that hurt his chances of stopping it.
Do you think that anyone knows better that Ante should have scored than Ante? It's easy to point fingers but I hope no one thinks that anyone wanted to win more than Razov.
Here's my short analysis on the game: San Jose finished their chances, the Fire did not. The end... I'm not surprised on the defensive break downs by the Fire today. In all their losses except one, they've had major let downs like the one they had today. The Fire really need to work on their corners, as many of us have been saying all year. I hate to pinpoint the missed PK as the one defining play, but you must convert them. It's hard enough to even earn a call in this type of game. Razov in general didn't have a great game, but you certainly can't blame your forward for four goals given up... Boca defender of the year?? Personally, I think Curtin deserved that award (although, after today's game, neither one of them deserve anything). Well, I'm a bit disappointed, but life goes on. It wasn't like I expected them to get this far when the season started.
Ante, Ante, Ante.... Razov became a leader this year and helped carry this team to MLS Cup. I KNOW how badly he wanted this game but...... He just has to put those easy ones away. At least one of them. That PK was a back breaker. Reminded me of the huge Kubik miss in that ineternational competition a few years back. It gave me a same sinking feeling. Hopefully this game is the catlyst for a 20 goal season next year!
ante being sick is no excuse for not finishing a pk and and empty netter that my 17 month old godson couldn'y miss. i don't hate him but i don't feel bad for him. the whole squad wanted to win and so did it's supporters. san jose did the damned thing the way they were supposed to. nuff respect. i'm over it. what the hell... we still had a pretty rockin' season.