2-0 to the Crew. By far their best game all year. They looked like a <gasp!> soccer team. Martino with his best game of the year in this one. My MOTM.
Crew v KC :: Post Game (R) 2-0 CREW! Another great effort against a better team than Wed. night. KMart really was on a roll and Ft. Knox scores 2. Good team D against an excellent KC team and BoB shows he can swing his subs and play when ahead. FtKnox will get MOTM, but my vote goes to KMart! Yes I vote for KMart... All that talent finally met enthusiasm and effort playing in a position he can excell in. A great evening...
Other than Knox and KMart (yes, I've changed my mind on him), excellent games by Glenn, Henderson, Testo (good D on Klein),and Marshall. These guys laid it all out we are substantially outplaying other teams on the wings. Vasquez seemed to be a busy defender and the daring duo (Sutton and Storey) never got in the game. Good subbing, IMO, bringing in Woly for Knox after Garcia gave him a league review forearm to the face. Knox was gassed and Wolly had some great effort and excellent situational awareness when he was closed out. Loco needs game time, but Testo played, IMO, an excellent game shutting down Klein. DannyZ had some good mins. to close out the game including a nice long diagonal to my 3 place MOTM - Cornell Glenn. Cornell worked his butt off and owned Shaver. This team had excellent shape on D and appeared more patient on offense.
Just got back. Looks like a decent sized crowd as well, maybe we're back to about 18k or so (gate). It was good to see big K get a pair. They just had Cameron and Martino on News Center, after some Buckeye **********. Both were complimentary with their interviews. Martino mentioned that some bench players are getting a chance and are doing great. The only problems I had with the performance were way too many reckless tackles and the substitution of Wolyniec. The Crew could have easily had a couple of cautions early. I'm not sure if they were trying to dictate the type of play early or were letting youth get the better of them. It looked sloppy and I wouldn't be surprised if Bob has a chat with them. Substitutions were necessary. Knox looked slow and Testo got hit in front of the goal and couldn't make it back (cramped?) to his position. Correct me if I'm wrong but I did not see one positive play by Wolyniec, who looked out of sync. I dunno if Bob is trying to get him some time but I might have considered someone a little faster to make runs against a tired KC defense. Still, my family and I had a great time. Two clean sheets in a row and only one goal in three games under Warzycha. Things are starting to look up.
I thought the total opposite. The one thing that lacks from Vasquez and his game, is his ability to play defense. He seemed gassed the last 20 minutes or so and was just launching himself at folks with no real effort. Knox admitted after the game he was totally "woosey" after that elbow to the fact by Garcia and wasn't quite right, in fact, in the locker room he even said that he still felt a little dizzy -- lets hope he gets over that real quick.
I love this game. I didn't think the Crew played all that well, certainly not as well as the last two games. The Crew had about a good 30 minute stretch. Klien was all over the Crew early in both halfs, but KC couldn't do anything with it. Still came away with a 2-0 win. But hey that's soccer, gotta love it. Knox Cameron kind of made me laugh today. It's like he read all the stupid things said about his touch and linking play on the boards and decided to show everyone exactly what bad touch and linking play from him actually looked like. I hope those people got a good look at the examples because I hope he never has to display that demonstration for ya'll again. Worst game I've seen from this kid so far.....and he scores two goals. I love soccer. That Simon Elliott sure is crap, never does anything right and only plays back passes. Any takers this week? Anyone, Anyone, Anyone? Cornell Glen is about the most useless pile of dung I've every seen in a Crew kit. Honestly he must have the weakest shot in MLS. Apart from holding the ball in the corner at the end, I can't think of one thing he did right all game. Can't pass, can't shot, can't cross. I guess he makes good runs, but a lot that does the Crew if he can't do anything with the ball after he gets it. A lot of flash, no danger. After the all-star break see if Buddle is ready to go and see what he can offer in that spot. If he can't go, get Sutton out there. Glen is a waste of space. Better stuff from Testo this game getting forward, still not what I want to see from him. He's capaple of a lot more. Klien took advantage of him earlier. I don't know, I want him to succeed, but I just don't think he can get it done unless he's in a 4-4-2 with some defensive cover. He doesn't have the motor or the defensive skills necasarry to cover a wing by himself. Vasquez continues to play well. A little less active this game, but that might be from fatique. Still the one thing negative I've really seen out of his attacking play is he needs to get the ball off just a second or two earlier on his through balls. There was a couple times he had Cameron or Glen, but that extra second or two on the ball gave the defense time to recover. Also he really needs to stop flailing at players and improve on defense. Martino plays a second straight good game. Amazing stuff from him today. This is exactly the way people expect him to play and what he sould expect of himself. If Martino continues to play like this, ladies and gentleman we might have a very interesting second half of the season. It'd be a hell of a lot more interesting if Buddle can get it going as well. Speaking of Buddle: What makes you think they are exclusive. Buddle isn't the same type of player Knox is, no matter how much the other guy tried to shoe horn him in that role. I think Buddle would benifit from not having to be the target/linking forward. It gives him more of an opportunity to get to goal and Edson can be really good in front of goal.
I'm gonna agree with myshap is we didn't look nearly as good tonight as we have, but we still managed to get the 3 points over a conference foe. I thought we reverted a lot to the long ball trying to hit the home run. Our best stretches came when we built up, and it lead quite directly to both goals. Rather than going right for it, we showed a good bit of patience and got the goals. Glen is a guy that was perfect for "the last guy's" "system". He runs, but doens't do much with it. Cameron should never have scored that first goal if Glen does his job and buries Martino's cross. Fortunately for us Knox was there to clean up the mess. The silence in 106 tonight in regards to Testo was great (except for the loud mouth behind me that feels the urge to yell ever chance he gets). I thought when Testo got matche dup with Klein, he absolutely owned him. I can't really recall any situation where Klein got the better of him and was at all dangerous. And just one more comment with regard to the 106 treatment of Testo. The woman behind me that yelled "it's ok, it's only Testo" after he took that ball off the face can rot in hell. You don't have to like every player on your team, but comments like that are just ********. A solid overall effort tonight though. What's it say when we play a relatively average game (IMO) and still get what seemed to be a pretty easy 3 points. Too bad the All Star break is coming when it is though. Hopefully we carry this momentum into the stretch run.
Well, as I said after the last match, I make no bones about my lack of technical expertise and acumen for judging what's going on on the pitch. I thought we looked awesome tonight, the best we have all year. Plow, where are you in 106? Sounds like you must be right behind me -- we're in row 2, seats 19-22, I've always got my 11 year-old with me, tonight we both had the current black jersey and scarves, but had our buds sitting in between us. I heard the woman's comment as well, and thought more or less the same thing.
When I'm in 106, I'm in row 5, seats 10 and 11. I actually spent a half there, and a half with a few friends across the way in the first row at midfield in the upper deck.
One of the differences, IMO, was the quality of KC play was far superior to the mutts. KC had most of a lineup that won the MLS Cup out there most of the game, while the Mutts had some significant mids out for the Gold Cup. KC looke organized and had some excellent shots go just wide (good D or bad shooting?). The long diagonals to Glenn mostly worked as he OWNED Shaver. Knox was taking too long to disperse the ball and took some "instruction" from Bob about it 3-4 times (in game coaching - novel). I agree with Glenn needing to get better at finishing, but he's pretty young and creates a lot of opportunities for others from his side - I'm willing to be patient.
hell i should stay out of town more often. i've been gone for three weeks ,and during that time we got rid of the coach and have actually gotten a few results.
I agree on Glenn. He chases down ball after ball into the corner, but never seems to make anything of it. His touch seems to be really poor lately (or maybe always, I don't know.) On top of that, he looked completely gassed by the 60th, and it looked to me like he was limping. As far as the All-star break, I don't think it's going to be as much of a negative as everybody thinks. Yeah, it disrupts the momentum a bit, but it also gives the guys a chance to rest and heal after 3 games in a week, and give them their first real chance to do some training and practice under Robert. If the team has shown this kind of improvement with only a couple practices, I'm looking forward to seeing them after two weeks of training on Robert's new system. In the press conference, he said he is looking forward to the break as a chance to work on midfield shape and tactics.
1) KC was never in that game, and they're a much better side than the Metrostars. WHat the hell do you people want? No, the Crew didn't roll over them like an elderly opossum on the Interstate. They just kicked their asses 2 - 0. 2) I think the break is a GREAT thing. They can feel good about their direction, get some rest and Robert can get some more work done with everybody positive and focused. Couldn't come at a better time. You're all a bunch of negative nellies looking for stuff to worry about. Take a chill. 3) The "long balls" were attempts to isolate Glen over on the left while at the same time switching the attack. They were in no way similar to the "dump it up" style previously in vogue at One Black and Gold. Pay closer attention. 4) Frankly, to say they didn't play as well tonight is utter nonsense. They played BETTER tonight than they did against New Jersey. A LOT better. Sometimes I wonder what game you guys are watching.
Good game but I think the team came out a little flat which was probably due to 3 games in 7 days. Martino played his a** off and is looking great these last two games. As for Glen being the worst player to ever wear the crew jersey, thats just crazy, how can one forget Eric F'n Denton. And I think Woly is worse and looks to have as much skill as a donkey but hey thats just my opinion. I sit in 106 too where ar these people bashing Testo? I hear people yelling at Buddle for walking around when he plays more than anything.
IMHO the reason some get on Buddle's case is that when he started out a few years ago, he showed promise with his talent. Then under GA, he lost some kind of drive, effort at times. For example, why do I see some matches where forwards pressure opposing defenders, when NOT ON THE BALL? I personally think that he has plenty of gifts to use on the field, if only he'd give it a little more than the last time. That's all most fans expect, just show us that you are balls to the wall with your game. It's one thing to know that a forward doesn't have that good of skill, thus getting scolded for that, but when there's a forward like Buddle, he has to utilize his gifts. Maybe having Andrulis out will help that effort.
Denton actually had a sweet goal and an assist vs. the Chits last night. I think Wolyniec has skills to bring to the table but I don't think he showed them last night. I'm glad someone brought up that Testo was covering Chris Klein most of the night because my brain glossed over that point. I guess that's a good thing, I remember Klein being dangerous no more than three times. Klein is usually the Crew killer, always has been. I will also agree that our forwards walk a little too much. I saw Martino pressuring but it seemed like we were pulling our lines back and defending deep, which allowed KC far too much time to work the channels. Far too many times they were given space right up the gut (Elliot?) and we were lucky that KC did not bury about three of four wide open looks at goal. Watching the scum vs. LA yesterday was an eye opener; the scum kept forwards active and pressuring the ball at all times and LA had no answer and struggled for a good 45 minutes in the second half looking for options. There were times yesterday when Knox and Glenn were less than 5 feet from the ball are were just standing there; usually after they went 1v1 or 1v3 and got picked clean. Personally, I think a little luck featured in this one. KC missed some very strong chances to score. I would agree to a "we beat them 2 - 0" but I don't think that was a dominant ass-kicking at all. KC still had way too much possesion in the central midfield towards the final 3rd. Still a positive result. And things are looking good going forward. The rough spots will be ironed out and we're optimistic from this point.
While Ft. Knox got some balls to hold and distribute (Don't dribble it Knox), many of the other balls came from Elliott and Vasquez into space on the wings as a field switch or breakout tactic. Both KMart and Glenn can win the ball in space and take on their defenders 1v1. We transition the ball much better now as these balls come from the dmids vs. backs. Both Elliott and Vasquez layed out some beautiful balls for team mates. IMO, we dramatically stretch the field in both directions and increase the pace of play with these balls. At times last night we had to learn to be patient as we had transitioned in the offensive end so rapidly that we had few targets to cross to in the box - and we waited vs. a raw dump to some 1v3 forward. As strange as this sounds for a guy who has bitched incessantly for OFFENSIVELY skilled wings, when we were up 2 in the 70th + I hoped we would be a little more patient in the offensive half vs. 3-5 passes and a go at the box or goal. We gave up possesion pretty quickly when could have worked the ball 20-35 yards out for a better shot and to wear down KC. This may be where we miss a more game savvy veteran a Dmid with Elliott (Mais, Bob, Lagos) to help the younger guys control pace. Perhaps this is a Bob work in progress over the next two weeks as we now can play at a 2-3 gears higher pace when we want to push hard - how and when do you down shift, even with Jamal and Marcus in the game. Right now we seem to have the advantage of newness of tactics and form, but the other teams will adjust as the season progresses. I doubt you'll see a lot of the power backs playing outside vs. KMart and Glenn after we blew away Goose and Shaver. NEE gave teams a chance to play with outside power because we had less technical talent and speed to guard. I thought Gansler actually had Stephenson marking the outside when he pulled Shaver Thomas in the 65th. Testo was a great size and speed match v. "I own the Crew" Klein. I don't think Loco could have handled him for 90. Pick this apart all you want freely (my interest is greater than coaching chops), but I was looking forward to seeing the Bob & Co. vs. Gansler/Bliss tactical moves. I couldn't figure the Jewsbury move except that Arnaud had been ineffective, but I don't know Jewsbury's strengths v. Arnaud. Preki was obvious...
But the point is that they're a class side, well coached. Truth is that, IMO, with the Crew having decent coaching from the get-go, the Mutts are the bottom of the division. They look decent because we're so far down looking up and it's tough to point at a team and sya "they suck" when you're as far off the pace as we are. But they're lousy, and beating them wasn't much of an accomplishment for a decent team, which I feel that we are. Beating KC however, even with the absences they have, is an accomplishment. Of course they're going to look good some of the time. Of course they're going to get some shots. Of course they're going to have some posession. But really, when was Walker even tested? When did our defense look like it was going to break down? KC came out cranking and we were a little back on our heels, most likely a byproduct of fatigue, but how close did they really come to breaking through? What's more we wethered the early pressure. changed some things up and off we went. And I'm sorry but both our goals were well-earned, not flukes, and since they weren't even coming close while we hit for two I most certainly CAN say we kicked their ass.
Frankly, I DON'T think we played as well as we did Wednesday. We had more possession and more dangerous attacking plays Wednesday. The two most dangerous chances we had against KC are the ones we buried (both very good goals in terms of build-up). But I attribute this to two things. (1) Having played a midweek game, and (2) KC playing a better match than MetroStars did. Defensively, we had a great match last night. The only dangerous chance the Wizards had before garbage time was the one that went off the post right after Cameron made it 2-0. Other than that, the Wizards had nothing. I saw the same hustle last night that I did on Wednesday, but the energy wasn't quite there, and the passing, while good, wasn't AS good. But again, that's not a knock -- that's to be expected, having played a midweek match. Kyle Martino is my MOTM as well. I was bagging on this guy as much as anyone before, but since the coaching change, 3 matches, 3 assists. Knox: Made the right runs and put away two sitters. Marshall: Solid effort in the back. And wasn't he the one who sprang Martino on the through ball that led to the first goal? Good work, Chad. Fraser: This guy isn't human. Way too much energy for someone his age. God***n. I'm impressed with what we've done recently. The true test is going to be getting this done on the road.
I guess I didn't think they were as sharp on the ball as the last two games. Knox certainly wasn't very sharpe and I'd like to see more play go through Vazquez. Play was also a lot slower then the last two games, although that could have been as much KC's style and fatique as anything else. I thought the defensive shape was much better this game. Wingert expecially; amazing how picking a spot for him and sticking with it helps a guy out isn't it? I wonder how or if Hejduk factors in with the Crew when he gets back. I can't see him displacing any of the defenders and I don't think RM would be a good idea. I don't agree that KC was never in that game. They had some really good chances that just missed and for about 15 minutes in both halfs they had the run of play I thought. Good to see Ryan Pore get some minutes. He looked ok in sperts, I still can't wait till he's a 20 goal man in MLS and I can laugh at all those naysayers. Perhaps Gansler would like to make a trade. Glen for Pore Bob, come on do it do it do it. Oh and Justin P, Woly is indeed a no talent hack that shouldn't be playing co-ed rec league. Why people want to see him in the lineup, I have no idea. Denton was indeed ********, but Glen has that something special that makes him even more useless though.
Honestly I'm thrilled with the performances this last week. I however, don't think the Crew are close to playing to their full potential. I'm really looking forward to seeing if it's better with 2 weeks of practice with Warz.