I am just wondering about our 3 goals last game....I never saw those shots when Bradley was coaching....I am glad that we changed coaches....I like those shots, that is a an EPL staple....more long shots that the Keeper isn't ready for....Not many teams in MLS shoot from that far out.... dj-arsonist
I don't think it can be attributed to Bradley leaving, I mean the guy is the winningest coach in MLS history and did get all but one of those wins with the Fire. He was a great coach, and here's to hoping Sacharan can make a run at the mark set by BB, but I believe the shots from a distance are more the players opening up in a 0-2 situation. That being said, Sacharan may have a different style that incorporates longer shots that might surprise keepers...you never really know.
Thus far this season, and I sure hope I don't jinx it, a major improvements seems to be the ability to close out games. We haven't allowed a late goal yet. Perhaps the ability to go the full 90 (or 100) is due to the enhanced fitness training Sarachan stresses. I'm not wild about the single front-runner used in the first 2 1/2 games, but the stability in the back is fantastic.
Somebody probably has to state the obvious. The single front runner may have been a stop-gap that is now history with the emergence of damani ralph and the return of ante razov.
Thanks. Did you notice the fraction? My point was not just that one forward was ineffective, it was that the player selected to be that one forward was ineffective.
Sorry Hattrix, actually I didn't and was thinking of bringing up something along the same line's about Faria's ineffectiveness. But the option now exists of using Razov with a variety of possibilities other than Faria, and Faria himself might be more effective paired with Ante
This is the one thing I found very odd about Saturday's Friendly. Faria never saw the field, but Ante was on the whole time.
Dave S. has reportedly been putting more emphasis on sharpening individual skills and conditioning. After the three goals, the thought had run through my mind that maybe that emphasis did play a role in the crispness of the strikes. On the FSN telecast, Kenny S. did bring up the point that the field was in superb condition. Jack E. confirmed that he had examined the pitch. He said it was uniformly smooth and cut to a 1" height. He also said it was almost perfect for striking the ball. So that could have helped also. Nonetheless, it's great to see some quality strikes out of our forwards/midfielders.
Another reason why the Fire can close out games more effectively this year is the return of Chris Armas. And with the armband, Armas seems to be more of a factor emotionally as well.