From the MLS Magazine Italian Facebook page.... Un trio del genere neanche nei miglior cast di #Hollywood....
"Un trio del genere neanche nei miglior cast di #Hollywood" in English would translate as.... "Not even the best Hollywood cast is better than this trio".....
Ok, 3 bad games in a row, 2 of 3 against bottom dwellers in the standings and a game against someone you could meet in the playoffs and now they have swept you. What is going on? Too many roster moves in my opinion, depth is one thing, but to the point where you are putting out a different lineup almost every game to get players time. Look at Philadelphia and Austin, I don't see the constant shuffling and they are very consistent and very good. Not much time to end of regular season and all this talent brought it to "win trophies", the staff had better get course correction soon.
Making changes during the season was a risk, but not making changes would have been a risk too. It feels like 6 games left to unlock the goods is long enough. Tonight at least we generated chances. Hopefully they shake off the stink and start having fun again.
My thoughts - dare I say, fears - exactly. Adding talent is one thing… screwing with chemistry quite another. Just 11 players can take the pitch at any given moment. Who are the go-to starters that click with one another out-of-the-gate each match? Who are the super-subs who possess the talent, change-of-pace, and - most importantly - mindset to come in off the bench? Which combinations of players, positions, formations, and philosophies provides LAFC with the clearest and most successful path forward through the remainder of the regular season, the playoffs, and - hopefully - on to the MLS Cup Final? Only six regular season matches remain in which to “right the ship”, “solve the puzzle”, “find the groove”. Have Thorrington, Cherundolo & Company played this year’s transfer market like a Stradivarius, or will they be left plucking out “My Dog Has Fleas” on a second-hand ukulele come the post-season? Here’s to everything falling into glorious place.
This last game felt much different than the two losses before it. We had the chances and didn't take them. Almost unbelievable some of the saves and misses. We look much better with Arango and Opoku on the field and I think Vela and Bale swapping for each other shows the coaching staff sees that... really feels like a team that needed a kick in the ass after what felt like coasting to a shield. Hard to maintain our intensity through the summer grind especially with more midweek games. Hopefully Escobar and Segura are healthy and we play the same core with the newcomers having to force their way into the 11. Cifu needs to recover the form he had through 25 games, he looks distracted/gassed...
I’m sorry to ask but I don’t really follow LAFC other than when they lost to San Jose but what’s going on with them? Are they going through a crossroads after qualifying for the playoffs coupled with the departure of 7 players and the arrivals of Chiellini-Bale? I know MLS is not a league where superstars really shine but you would think they should be at least winning some games with the additions of those two. Is it really the summer grind or lack of cohesion among the players?
The timing of the transfers meant that we were integrating new guys and losing our depth right before a 3 game summer road trip with two games in TX heat. All our new guys (minus Mendez) are essentially in preseason fitness and need to build chemistry. Add on top of that, the conversation around the team evolving during the 7 game winning streak from "next game up" to "record setting, championships, rich get richer", seems like the team got a little complacent. I don't know that the summer moves are to blame necessarily (would B-Rod, Ginella or Musovski be better options?). Anyway the concern is that the team outsmarted itself again, and catching the wrong side of xG karma at the worst time.
I knew Danny Musovski from San Jose and coach Matias Almeyda didn't like him at all. I think he had gotten a little better with LAFC but not sure how much as he has been set to RSL as of August 3rd.
He was good depth and a decent pick up for RSL. Works his ass off (which we are lacking when Bale and Vela are on the field together...). He was injured and was going to be buried after Bouanga was signed. He was arguably the 7th attacking option after Arango, Vela, Bale, B-Rod (now Tello), Bouanga, Opoku.
I think when they signed Chiellini, Segura recovering from injury was uncertain. Segura and Murillo are generally a solid partnership and are less likely to be exposed in transition than Chiellini. I think he will play situationally though.
I read an Italian article where Chiellini said “I’m not sure why LAFC signed me because they already have a solid group”. With the exception of yesterdays 4-0 win, looking at the way Juventus has been playing lately, they could definitely have used him in games this season. I know he is older and his time as a player is about up but I’m wondering if he will leave come January or February?
He's signed through 2023. I think he wants to move into coaching and LAFC is amenable to that pathway. He might move on but I think they keep him as depth and leadership in the locker room.
Yeah he also establishes permanent residency in LA. From what I gathered, I think that’s what Alex Delpiero told him to do.
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