Let’s just say the team played to good fortune. I hope they didn’t use up all their good luck in one game. At the same time, the quality of the final shots was impressive. And Dallas was the gang that couldn’t shoot straight. MOM was Yarbrough. He was really on his game.
Dallas could have easily had 3 goals in the first half if they could finish. Rapids were really sloppy early.
Willie in goal - using a hockey term - stood on his head tonight. MOTM. His big paws were the reason this match wasn’t a draw. I take great comfort knowing he’s between the sticks. I haven’t had this much confidence and trust in a GK since the early Howard days.
Right before the half Rubio did his fall down and play dead schtick. My 9 year old daughter said "He falls easier than an overcooked piece of spaghetti!" I have never been a prouder father than at that moment.
What a wacky, beautiful game soccer is! --We were dominated by every statistical measure: time of possession, percentage of completed passes, shots, shots on goal. If there is a stat for winning second balls, we were killed in that area as well. Only a small hand full of times did we even manage to win our own goal kicks and throw ins. We won in fouls and yellow cards, though. --Bassett and Vines were unable to affect the offensive side at all. Rubio wasn't much better. His shot off the post was very nice; his PK, however, as our Scottish friends would say, was very "poo-er." --Rosenberry's goal was a rocket! Barrios continues to be a real joy to watch. That goal must have felt good indeed! Benizet was a real threat in limited minutes, and young Ollie had some pretty moments going forward. --Yarbrough MOTM --3 points are always a delight, but this kind of performance against even a mid-level team will not suffice going forward. --Now let's hope the coaching staff will come up with some way of combatting our terrible performances coming out of breaks that have plagued this team consistently for more than a year.
My advice to the team is the defenders should keep shooting and when you play Dallas attack on the left and cut in at the edge of the penalty area. Our attacks reminded me of the Bayern Munich teams with the Dutch Robin and the French Ribirie as inside out wingers. Fun night out and so glad to be back at the ballpark.
I would mostly agree with this. Vines had what, one cross? Not good enough. I disagree on Bassett’s contributions to the attack tho. He made a lot of good runs. There were several times where he actually had the better position in the box for a shot and Rubio, Lewis, and Benezet each all kept it themselves instead of laying it off. Had they made the pass, Cole could’ve had 2 goals last night. I also think his 60 yard bomb to assist Barrios should be pass of the week. I also completely agree with Yarbrough for MOTM. He bailed out the defense so many times last night.
Rep. for 'Hollywood FC'* reference also Robben & Ribéry -- not sure they still make engines that run that strong for so long. *A German exchange student I coached with told me they call them that -- but he was a Hamburger. Is Hamburg dangerous? Hamburg is generally a safe city and most visitors visit without encountering any problems. That said, Hamburg is also undeniably sleazy in parts. Red-light districts are found around the Hauptbahnhof and the Reeperbahn. Petty crime is rare but does occur in major tourist areas.
Thanks for the spelling corrections, that was desperately needed. Love Hamburg, I was there for the 2006 World Cup. Great city.