KDB’s wife was reported to be in Naples looking for a place to live, indicating Napoli is the front runner.
We're 12 games in and things looks about like we all expected before the season. The lack of moves that would set us up for future success were not happening. What's worse (to me) was that while were were clearing the decks of previous misses, the few moves we made were not those to help set the stage nor even hold the line for the future. Perhaps these were just the result of bad evaluation, or lack of sufficient resources in scouting or something else. It's frustrating because I think DC United could have done better, even considering the bad position we were in. They managed to clear up money, they had Benteke who has done his part to try to hold the line, and they had the whole world to recruit from. But now our main starters are mostly mid-career players that are either underperforming or not playing a role that suits them (so makes them look even more underperforming.) The ability to hold the ball is non-existent and the defense is a shambles (possible because our midfield is a sieve.) I'm a glutton for punishment. I'll be trying to get to more games for the rest of the year (can't go Wednesday, wish I could.) Unlike most normal people, I'll watch DC United no matter how bad they play. I'm weird that way. Go DC United! Get better ... please?
I’d like to see a change at winger. Someone slightly technical that can combine with Herrera and create some chemistry. Stroud and Murrell aren’t that guy. Let’s see Leal or Barajas get an extended run. As is, the right side is neutral at best and that’s a waste of Herrera’s offensive skills. I hope Peglow doesn’t have to start from scratch coming back from injury, he was starting to find his game and was becoming integral.
After watching the most recent mess and then watching Barca/RM today, it was like two different sports. It's not that DCU players should be Barca level talented, but they should be MLS level talented, and many are not. Watching clips of the Loudoun/Lexington match, the players were more fluid in movement, connected passes and just looked more cohesive. Not that the Loudoun players are MLS level, but they certainly are USL Championship level+. Given that Lesesne has to work with what he has, I think the MF should be Servania and Kijima. Peglow out left with Barajas on the right. Put Leal under Benteke. Subs can be (when healthy) Pirani for Leal, Stroud for Barajas and Fletcher for Peglow. Peltola and Enow for Servania/Kijima. Send Murrell out on loan to develop as a striker. Put Zouhir behind Turner on the depth chart. It really can't get any worse. At least there would be a few ball carrying players and a tighter spine so the back 3 won't get pulled apart.
Forget El Classico, LAFC vs Vancouver feels like a completely different sport to what we watched yesterday.
yeah. Both teams looked like ass. But at least one can see something that could be a nice ass given the right jeans.
Your suggested lineup is great for the most part but a) the team can't have 5 midfielders while still doing 3 CBs if both Schnegg and Herrera are to be on the field, and b) I think you'd need someone a bit more defensive next to Kijima than Servania (I'd suggest Peltola personally).
Something that might be nuts, but could work for the CBs is this. Use someone in the "Najar role" at CB. Use any two of Bartlett, Rowles and Tubbs and then use one of Schnegg or Herrera as the the third. I actually think Schnegg could play that role -- he's big, reasonably fast and good on the ball. The one thing that is clear is the current set up doesn't work so there must be changes.
That's an interesting solution to the dilemma. I'm not opposed! Regardless, Lesesne needs to do more to get his most talented players on the field. He relies too much on workhorse players, not enough on sheer talent.
Sheer talent is doing a ton of heavy lifting in your response. We have two actually talented players in the starting lineup - Benteke and Herrera. We have good role players in Shnegg and workhorses with raw ability like Kojima. There is potential in Barajas, Leal, etc. They should be on field to realize it.
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This…you can get the same feeling watching a match between any of maybe a dozen MLS teams. You don’t have to watch 2 of the super rich.
Neither LAFC or Vancouver are among the "super rich" teams. Watching MLS this season the quality of play across the league is lower than in the past. Basics like heading to a player, trapping and passing, give and gos are few and far between and midfield ping pong leading to fast breaks are what we end up watching. Just because DC is substantially worse our league relies on mistakes from defenses to create scoring opportunities.
LAFC certainly is super-rich. And when Bradley was there, they played like it. Cherundulo coaches as if his team has no money and no hope...defend with an industrial grade low-block and hope for a goal on the counter or a corner kick. But they still have far more talent than almost anybody else in the league. Bouanga is absolutely one of the three best players in the league and they have Olivier Giroud coming off the bench. Vancouver isn't super-rich. They're not even middle-class. Their big-name players are Ryan Gauld and Andrés Cubas.
1. I was referring to Barca and Real Madrid. 2. I think you’re right. It’s subjective as hell, but I’m seeing the same thing. Personally, I think it’s because more teams are emphasizing counter pressing, which means choosing work rate players over technical players. Defending is better and tighter AND technical ability is stagnant at best. It makes for choppy matches. Also, MLS managers are asking their GKs and central defenders to play with a level of technique they just don’t have. OTOH, the top end talent seems at an all time high. Each week there are a handful of world class goals. Diego Luna is a fun watch. Anyway, the moves MLS has made over the last 6-8 years to get more young stars on their way from South America to Europe IMO is paying off on highlight reels. The minute by minute action not so much.
https://www.directv.com/insider/mls-payrolls/ According to that link, LAFC has the 5th highest payroll and Vancouver the 11th. Looks like the Caps have spent and spent well. No one is in Miami's class or Toronto's. Even if there are cracks in the facade at Team Geritol, at least they win, unlike Toronto.
Check out the videos of the top 5 goals last week. There’s a lot of beauty in here. https://www.si.com/soccer/mls-goals-of-the-week-moreno-mothers-day-celebration-insigne-header