Hernan Losada now holds an astounding 100% win rate with the club, leading all other coaches in the team's history. Ben Olsen could only dream of such a record.
That may be, but let's give them a little time to get used to the new offense before we write them off completely.
So great to be back at AF. Parked in the lot behind AF. As we pulled into our spot, the guy in the car next to us got out -- my daughter says that's Pines. Sure enough, jeebus but that guy is tall. Oh, he drives a Hyundai if you want to know. The match looked like the first one of the season. NYCFC had better possession, but only could unlock DCU once. Hine-Ike's shot was a golazo. Canouse's goal was really well taken -- Gressel put the ball right on his foot, and Canouse simply redirected the ball toward the goal. He didn't try to shoot it through Johnson, just made good solid contact -- both goals were really well taken. Mora also got off a rocket before that on a semi-breakaway. If part of Losada's system is shooting the ball when you have a half chance, I'm on board. Really great to see Andy Najar back on the field in a DCU kit. He got a standing O when he came on. Hope he stays healthy, he's only 28. Asad looks some much fitter than last year. The whole team just looks better. The roster still needs major work, but Gressel looked better and Flores had his moments. Sorga got no service, but he pressed hard and several times NYCFC coughed up the ball because of his pressure on Johnson of the CB. However, whether you play Sorga, Robertha, Kamara of the second coming of Messi up front, DCU needs to find a midfielder that can get them the ball. We'll see how things develop, but that was a major negative tonight, no one was trying or succeeding with the through ball that breaks defensive liines. Lots of fun and now I'm having a nice Scotch before retiring.
Agree, maybe when Rooney was here. Incidentally, last season Kamara was the SOG leader with 9 for the entire season. (23 games). In 2019 Rooney had 27 (34 games)
Very VERY much looking forward to seeing Arriola play in this system. Overall: There was energy, there were some well-taken goals, there were some new players who looked solid. Lots of questions remain, but of course they do -- it was game one. If we're starting here, and we improve through the season, I'll be pretty happy with the '21 campaign.
Ok. I was surprised we won. Happy but surprised. Here's what I liked and what I didn't. I will give Losada credit for his style and pattern of play. DC for the first time in a long time had a specific identity; DC played a high press used direct play at every opportunity. The style was very clear. This game was fun to watch. In contrast to the slow and almost pointless "buildup" from Olsen's teams, this aggressive style was fun. United frequently caused NYCFC problems with its press, causing turnovers high up the field. We also had few balls passed laterally or backward; the players constantly looked upfield and that put City further on their heels. We also had players willing to take shots on chances and half chances rather than feel compelled to walk the ball into the net. Hines-Ike if he continues to play like today is an absolute gem. I love his style. His positioning and tackling were excellent. He is strong technically and takes shots (perhaps he doesn't realize he's a center-back) and his goal was a beauty. Gressel and Asad played much much better than I have seen them play in a long time. Flores had moments, especially in the first half. Canouse also had a solid game and a very well-taken goal hitting the corner first time and steering the ball into the net. We scored 2 goals and got 3 points against a fairly good New York City team while missing a few starters. What concerns me after watching this game. First, I wonder if the high press is sustainable over the course of the game. During the first half, we took it to City and keep possession pretty equal. After the half, we clearly started to tire and our possession and control of the game dropped significantly. It's obvious that this system needs players who are very, very fit to implement the high press for long periods throughout the game. Second, our passing in the middle and final third was terrible. The lack of accurate passing meant there was very little service to Sorga or anyone else up top. I have doubts if we have players technically strong enough to pull off the passing required to service our forwards and hit other teams immediately following the loss of possession. Our possession percentage dropped from close to 50% down to 30s. The lack of scoring punch up front is glaring. I hope Robertha shows anything close to having the impact of Hines-Ike. Sorga is not up MLS level playing whatever system; he seems just too slow to make penetrating runs behind the defense. All in all, I still have lots of questions but it was a fun game.
Don't be fooled by the 3 points. United played ok at best. They got lucky from two very good shots on goal. You cannot sustain an entire season expecting goals like we scored in that game. You won't get those type of goals every week. The high press is in fact a different system but it did not create our two goals. They were outstanding individual efforts. I am happy we won but this is not the turn around story we have been sold yet. As many here have pointed out our passing is still poor, now the question is was the poor passing due to them still not knowing how and where to pass or are their legs too tired to make the passes they need to make. We will see. I am still in wait and see mode.