Crystal Palace 2009 -Post Season thread

Discussion in 'Baltimore' started by jakcfl, Oct 9, 2009.

  1. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    went by the UMBC soccer facility today and no new seats or lights have been added at this point. I also wonder how the seats will be added as there is a hill behind where the current bleachers are that would keep you from going too far back in that direction and there is fencing all the way around the field which makes it tight behind the side of the field opposing the hill. the field area itself is actually cut into a descending hill side but i'm not an architect or engineer so i'll leave figuring how to fit 5000 seats in to others. UMBC lacrosse, men or women, do not have home games for our first 2 match dates, 4/16 and 4/21 so we could probably use the UMBC Stadium if the soccer facility isn't ready by our first match.
     
  2. Lowecifer

    Lowecifer Member+

    Jan 11, 2000
    Baltimore, MD
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Belgium
    Friendly vs Loyola to benefit Haitian Relief on March 10 at the new stadium for Loyola



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  3. buzz99

    buzz99 Member

    Mar 29, 2007
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Roster is nearly complete with a few "surprises" in store. Training starts this week, friendlies next week.

    Loyola stadium cost $62 mill and project started several years ago. UMBC soccer stadium (grass) looks like it did last fall. What's up? If Palace plays on UMBC grass field, there's no seats, no locker room, no food/bathrooms as Pete/Jim promised. Will they end up back on the turf field, which is not bad but another faux pas for the dynamic duo.
     
  4. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    not really a faux pas, just bad luck. who was counting on this much snow? i don't know what the projected length of time for install would be but our schedule is rather back-weighted (only 4 home games before june 26) so perhaps it could be ready later in the year if they decide to proceed once the weather is more favorable.
     
  5. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Mathew Mbuta is back! Was a very good player with speed the first two years with us, showed the benefits of training with New York when he came back on loan last year and more of that bloodless instinct you need in a goal-scorer who will shoot whenever an opening presents itself rather then waiting for the perfect opportunity. With our goal-scoring totals of a year ago another viable threat up front is welcome, especially in the person of a fan favorite like Mathew.
     
  6. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Back from the Palace-UM match. Nice to see the team in action albeit with lots of new faces. They played 3 40 minute periods. Neither of our goalies were really tested often. Our offensive forays were sporadic and not terribly effective. Some of the new players were less then what I had hoped for, but again, its early. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake, was a foul-making machine. A lot of them from behind and pretty cheap. Corey Veeder played in the match and looked good. Too bad he probably won't be staying. We do have several returning players including Val, Larry Mark, Zach Flores, Mathew Mbuta, Andrew Marshall, Stephen Basso, Alex, Jordan Seabrook, Dan Lader and Paul Robson (DNP). I may be forgetting someone. It was a nice day to be out and it provides something to build on. In the least important stat of the day we won 2-1 on the strength of a late penalty kick. Maryland missed one early in the match which may have led the final result in a different direction.
     
  7. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    At least CPB is planning several more to get the team to gel. Sounds like they need it.
     
  8. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    definitely. lots of comunication issues, even in the back where three of the four players were holdovers from last season.
     
  9. buzz99

    buzz99 Member

    Mar 29, 2007
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Actually for first week of training as a unit, back line wasn't too shabby until subs began in 2nd period. Pejic looked a step slow but may need time to adjust to Palace mates. Basso, Marshall, Flores and later Robson looked capable and reasonably fit, although MD did get a few dangerous opportunities on which Harrison covered the nets nicely. Midfield showed signs of being able to hold the ball and get forward unlike past seasons. Mbuta showed signs of old form and Perez looked most dangerous and not being afraid to stretch defence with shots from distance. Lots of key players still playing indoors ('til April). Score could have easily been 4-1 or 4-2 if Palace converted several point blank opportunites. Next matches vs. Loyola and Richmond will be key to filling final 1-2 roster spots as well as establishing a suitable line up of compatible players. Look for Fusilier, Yoshitake, Nishimura, Patterson and Versailles to get more action. Team looks to be at 21 players currently with all international spots filled. One more key signing to be announced shortly! Looks like Shintara's days at Palace are over, barring a last minute change. Too bad.
     
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  10. buzz99

    buzz99 Member

    Mar 29, 2007
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Ok - forget about all the good things from last week, except that Palace maintained possession and control for much of the match. While stringing passes together nicely much of the time, lads made several key (translates to bad) errors. Central midfield looked sleepy at times, forwards never really broke down Loyola's packed defence, keepers a bit shaky on a couple of balls and back line misplayed several balls, leading to easy goals for the college boys and lots of shots but not much success for Palace. With Loyola playing direct and countering, 2 rugged and clever strikers looked more the professionals than did the Palace front. Not much subbing for Palace as team looking to start building player fitness for full 90. The J-leaguers looked to be quick, technically sound, a bit creative and respectable on defence. Mbuta was again dangerous, but not much help from center play. Back line was generally sound and able to get forward effectively, but miscommunication from keeper to center backs to center midfield resulted in 3 horrid miscues each adding a point to Loyolas account.
     
  11. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Won't be making it down to Richmond today for the exhibition with the Kickers, due to a variety of causes. Hopefully someone will be able to post some first hand thoughts on the contest. My only hope of seeing the game is a live shot from google earth :D
     
  12. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the reinroduction of Gary Brooks to the CPB line-up should add to an offense that looked to mostly be a slashing style attack in their first few pre-season matches. he always provided a good holding player up front for other to make runs off of or to turn and take on the defenses himself. i guess all old wounds that caused his initial departure have been salved.
     
  13. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Back from Germantown, Palace tie 1-1 with WVU. Gace up an early penalty kick goal and got the equalizer late from Mbuta as the ball slipped under the keeper. A better effort though communication still needs improvement. The breakdowns may be a byproduct of different player pairings. Mountaineers had the better offensive chances and we played very left-sided offensively for the majority of the match. The only meaningful runs down the right came from back Andrew Marshall and Jordan Seabrooke after he was subbed on late in the second stanza. All in all not bad and a great day to be outside :rolleyes:
     
  14. thisisstupid

    thisisstupid Member

    Oct 31, 2003
    How was the game itself?
     
  15. buzz99

    buzz99 Member

    Mar 29, 2007
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    WVA show as very good team (better than UMD or Loyola). Very organized and tactically sound, controlling central midfield and looking the better squad much of time. Palace a bit lackluster much of match - not putting pressure on ball until opponent penetrates their third of field. Despite several dangerous balls, defenders played better and more cohesively, but Jonke and Pejic still show a step slow requiring Marshall to slide in from outside to help clean up. Need more agressive play up top at times but shows ability to string passes together and get into scoring position. Need central midfield to push forward instead of drifting back. Mbuta always dangerous and Yoshi made several nice passes in traffic.

    SPEED KILLS! Played well with Mbuta and Santiago in center and Seabrook and Patterson on wings with Marshall pushing up from back and Basso stalling WVA attack from their right. Attacked quickly and fiercely last 10 - 15 minutes even after going down to 10 men, scoring once and sending several dangerous balls into box. WVA had difficulty in handling the speed, skill and strength of this group of attackers coming straight at them from inside and out.

    Palace need to step up play in preparation for Harrisburg and DC United. Indoor players may become available in another week or so.
     
  16. eastcoaster

    eastcoaster New Member

    Nov 23, 2009
    i know its only preseason but this is already looking like last year where they (coaches) don't know who to play where each game. It always changes like it did almost every game last year. Hope that doesn't stay that way in the regular season b/c this will be a lot harder then last year.
     
  17. eastcoaster

    eastcoaster New Member

    Nov 23, 2009
    We beat Harrisburg 1-0 according to web site. No article on it. anyone see it? interested to know lineup
     
  18. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    was wondering the same thing myself. i was hoping Brooks and Neto would be here by now, if not at least by Monday for DCU. Healey, Gonzaga and the Blast got spanked last nite in Monterrey if they can't turn things around Monday they may be available sooner as opposed to later.
     
  19. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Inaccurate statement about the Friday nite Blast game, it was close til a pair of empty net goals. Tonite the Blast couldn't pull out the win and Monterrey, with ex-Palace player Abe Kante, goes on to the final. On the bright side, the last two players we were waiting for are done indoors, Healey and Gonzaga, so we should have everyone in camp shortly and hopefully get everyone on the same page in terms of on-field communication by April 16.
     
  20. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Palace exhibition vs DC United rescheduled to Monday April 5. Alas, I will still be away. Somebody please post how we look with just about everyone in camp in what could be our last practice game before April 16 home opener with Tampa.
     
  21. buzz99

    buzz99 Member

    Mar 29, 2007
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    CP v. DC respectable 0-1 at half, but roof caved in as Jim/Pete began tinkering with lines and team lost focus. Ugly.

    One good note, everyone (24?) now in camp, healthy except 1 or 2 nursing minor injuries.

    Team needs to regain focus and light a fire in their collective belly to be ready for important home opener that could set the tone for the season, both in play and at the gate.

    Maybe team should play spirited intrasquad match on home turf to tune up.
     
  22. jakcfl

    jakcfl Member

    Mar 5, 2007
    Maryland
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Would be nice to have one more warm-up in the off-week before the season opener. If for no other reason then so i could see all of our players in action before April 16 :D

    Course it would also be nice to have a free match for me to try to drag friends to and give them a taste of what they'll get when they pay for admission.
     
  23. Heb 7:4

    Heb 7:4 New Member

    Apr 10, 2010
    Club:
    Crystal Palace FC
  24. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  25. mler1019

    mler1019 New Member

    May 15, 2010
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Which players for CPB have the best potiental? Who could end up playing for a top club or at least move far up the ranks?

    Veeder? possibly Vranis?
     

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