Ok so I don't have any clever pictures but we are playing first place KC Sportingwizards. Hopefully, Rolfe will be able to get some playing time. Better hold up play by the Fire is paramount. Figuring we'll see Austin and Arne in the center. Gargan and Sega should be starting, but Anibaba may be too good to sit on the bench. Also, Jalil's speed may be necessary against the physical prowess of the Sportingwizards. I'd also like to see Robayo get more than 20 minutes for Pardo or Pause at the back of the diamond.
Rolfe isn't ready to play yet. He just started running during practice this week. I'd anticipate a few more weeks before he's recovered enough to get any minutes in a game. KC is on a 2 game losing streak, and I really don't think they're as good as their record indicates. They'll be desperate to get off to a good start, though, so we'll have to be careful and put away any early chances of our own.
Was there for the first half- sat in the pouring rain, it quit by the half, but by then we were wet, and took the poor feverish son in law home. First half, Sean had stopped three, one a really nice save, but the team as a whole did not look sharp. Friedrich came off hurt. KC scored. Should have stuck it out! Fire ended up winning it two to one.
Wiz played like shit besides their really cool run at ball like crazy strategy. Fire played well enough to beat a shite 10 man team.
Just got home from the game. I thought after the first half we would once again not make the opposing goalkeeper have to make a save. Yes one was a pk and we scored being a man up but a win is a win. Our offense needs help though. We can not have 2 defensive midfielders on the pitch at the same time.
Really you got that wet? My hat must have protected me from the rest because I could barely tell it was raining
That was basically two different 45 minute games. First 45 was completely dominated by KC and we were lucky not to be down by more than one by halftime. Johnson should have done better on the goal, but then he made a save he had no right to make. The 2nd 45 was much better offensively, though still not great. We dominated possession, both before and after the red card, but still struggled to transition from defense to offense. That said, Sega provided a couple of spectacular long passes from the back, one of which created the PK. Heads-up play by Nyarko to capitalize on Kamara's stupidity (juggling the ball in front of your own goal?) for Oduro's winner. Puppo should have had a goal, but he looked good on the ball and made all the right runs. Sounds like the Friedrich injury wasn't serious, and that the substitution was more precautionary than it looked (considering it was the 3rd game in 9 days). Still, Anibaba and Berry is not a bad CB pairing.
Nice showing by the traveling supporters from KC...(a lot of folks with Wiz on their shirts)... and I'm glad they could see first hand who has the better team... Even with a few more poor touches, and losing the ball consistently in a crowd, Oduro is my choice for MOTM...he earned the penalty, scored the game winner, and had 4 header clearances off KC corners. It's difficult to say who didn't have a good game due to the victory...Pause even had a forward pass that went about 15 yards forward across midfield...but unfortunately, I was caught off guard, and I didn't have my camera ready...
At the end of the first half, I was pretty pissed. Couple the whole Andrew thing with a half of soccer where we got flat out out-worked and I was wondering why I keep wasting my time. Frank clearly got them motivated at half time as the effort was 1000% better. I hope Arne isn't out long. With him and Berry in the middle and with Pause and Pardo in front of them, there is no reason that Oduro, Nyarko, Pappa and Grazzini shouldn't be coming in waves, especially on the counter. I thought Sean played well as did the defense generally. Both Pappa and Grazzini were not strong last night but then both almost changed the game with a couple of plays. Special shout out to Section 8. The pregame Harold Washington banner was soooooooooo appropriate and I hope did not go unnoticed by the intended audience. That Wilt banner was epic as well and I loved that you rolled that out after goals. By the way, as much as we bust on refs in here, I went back and watched the key plays in the match and they got them all right. I thought for sure the SKC goal was offside but I don't think it was. Not the best tv replay but it looked like a really well timed run and one defender (maybe Anibaba?) keeping him on. The penalty and red card where also correct calls.
And it was the Ref's first match to boot. Maybe we should get rid of all of them and bring in new guys.
Most of the younger refs have been really good, IMO. It's always a bit of a toss-up since you don't have anything to go off of, but 1 out of 10 seem to do a pretty good job. Anyway, good game - I mean, we did our best to give you three points, but you guys took them when lesser teams may not have...
I have to watch the broadcast today but while watching it at TP it seemed like we got dominated in the first half and then were the beneficiaries of a complete self-destruction by KC in the 2nd. I especially want to watch the broadcast to determine: 1. Was KC's goal offsides? 2. Was our PK really a PK? 3. What did Espinoza do to get a straight red? There were also some no-calls that all went KC's way in the first half that I'd like to see if they were caught by the TV cameras. I'm really becoming a fan of this Puppo kid. He reminds me of Rolfe when Rolfe first got here. If we put him up top in a 4-4-2, I think this kid could really shine. He's got the craftiness and skills to play off of Oduro's speed. Berry looked solid again as well. Aninbaba much less so. I think Austin has stolen Jalail's starting place at center back if old man Arne can play. I'm sorry, I know we won and Johnson had one spectacular save but he just doesn't look as good as Tornaghi. I now cringe whenever the ball comes into our penalty area whereas I did not when Paolo was in there. It was good to see the traveling KC support shut up after the PK and then especially after the red card. And getting 4 points against RSL and KC is super sweet.