So after several games we've seen some decent results as well as significant gaffs. Personally, I think the team has improved quite a bit in confidence and cohesion, but I can't honestly say that this is the reason for our decent results. We are still seeing defensive gaffs, long balls over the middle, and Mehdi's inconsistancy, but are these just "knocking of the rust" of the pre-season? So, it may be a bit early, but I put it to you all: have we improved markedly or are we just lucky? G'Day...Ron PS: I almost put a "Both" option, but decided it would be a cop-out!
Form what little we've seen of them, I think we're moving in a positive direction on the field. I think we're still missing a few pieces to the puzzle, but I think there is more cohesion and confidence in the team. Good teams are able to make their own luck, so we'll see how things play out.
Then I'm copping out. We've improved but we've been lucky to play some bad teams, or at least teams playing badly.
I'm really copping out! I've got 3 choices: Last year we were a little unlucky. (We were "in" just about every game and were better than several playoff teams including RSL & NY) This year we are a little better. (Confidence & maturity) This year we have been a little lucky. (A floundering LA & Banged up KC) All this adds up to a good start.
I would really like to see the defense tighten up. They seem to lose a bit of focus at times. The midfield is inconsistent as well. But they still look better which shows how bad they were the last few yrs. I'm enjoying it so far...Go Rapids!
Yep, another couple of games will be a better indicator. We've started pretty well in the past. In 2007, I think the Rapids were either 2-0-1 or 2-1-0 out of the gate, and we know how that turned out. Road wins are very positive, so at least the Rapids have one under their belts, but I'd like to see what they look like in a couple of weeks against opposition without the rotting stench of the Galaxy. Too early. 7 games would be a reasonable early checkpoint, I think. A balance of more than 1 or 2 home and road games, and a feeling for if this team is beginning to hit a groove.
I'd say both, but it does seem like we're creating more scoring chances this year and I go into games KNOWING we're going to have chances. Hasn't always been that way the past few years.
I am in the decided minority that clicked on the luck option. What ever happened to 'rather be lucky than good'? One loss in a match where we looked as if we had wasted the entire pre-season. One at home win against a disinterested 'B' side of what may end up being a mid-table team. And two road wins against what is probably the worst defense in the league and maybe the worst team overall. One of them against their 'B' side (with our 'B' version as well to be fair) that would have been a draw if it had been a regular league match. Gutting the draw out with 10 men away from home is something to be proud of but luck does rhyme with another word that decribes what LA does (right now anyway). To be even more objective sure we played with 10 men but they played with Jovan - that mystical place where attacks go to die. ;>)
Teamwork has improved and coaching has improved helping them win games. However, I disagree that we have seen enough to really tell. A 3-1 overall record with one scoreless draw ending in penalties isn't anything to jump for joy over. Lets revisit this after 10 games.
I'm copping out, too. But though luck and suck (the Gals) are definite factors, remember that these wins have come as a result of some timely goals in situations where last year's Rapids would have just floundered or folded. Let's see after the big road trip is over.
This is the disappointing thing about not being able to see the Galaxy game...we can't really form an opinion. I didn't think we were that great in either of the first two games. I'm looking for an excuse to get some season tix, but haven't found the evidence that I need yet.
Well, for an outside perspective, I think the Rapids have made a definite improvement on last season - and they're a lot more fun to watch than they've been in quite a while.
I think we've improved, but not drastically. The team works better together but still doesn't really look like a confident unit. I'll put our win at LA down to luck, but KC was a decent result.
After that game, and considering the 4 other games we have played...I'm gonna have to say Incredible Luck. We haven't had a midfield attack in any game save for the 30 minutes Cooke came on against KC. We've played teams that have started extremely slow or teams that do not appear to have a plan. And somehow, we're sitting on 7 points. I'll take it, considering 4 of those points are on the road and we got 14 points on the road all last season. But man, we have a lot of work to do to be able to say we've improved significantly over last year.
It's somewhere in between. Baseball's Branch Rickey once said that "luck is the residue of design." Most of the improvement on offense is Conor Casey's spectacular start, along with solid play by Colin Clark and Terry Cooke. The midfield has talent, but has not crystallized as a unit. The defense remains a train wreck, and can be counted on for at least one staggeringly awful play each game. Looking past the record, the GF/GA margin is negligible. The play has been inconsistent, with sharp first half / second half differences in the early games. Some fundamentals are lacking. The quality of opposition has not been the sharpest. That said, there are glimpses of marginal improvement. In the lone home match, starting a speedy lineup that used the whole pitch ground down KC's defense, making it vulnerable to a well-built late attack. Perkins and Burpo have handled duties in goal well. The three C's (Cooke, Clark, and Casey) surround Pablo (or his lesser replacements) with solid outlets for an attack. Some of the first touches have been better. Players are more under control, with fewer silly bookings and no sendoffs.
Frankly, I don't think Clark's been anything special this year. His shooting has been off and his decision-making has seemed to slip instead of improving. He's young so I'm not calling for his benching or anything, but I personally think that our offense's improvement has been all on Omar and Casey - just tons of great individual plays between them. Sigh Pickens. Otherwise, good post.
Not sure what to make of things so far this year. I do know I'm glad about the above picture long ago no longer being current.
d'oh. Guess you can tell where we were going for brunch today . . . Memo to self: NEVER post on an empty stomach.
I'm starting to like the coach move more and more. Using Ty Harden, Scott Palguta, Jordan Harvey, and Greg Dalby to get 4 points on the road?!? WTF?!? Even if we're lucky, the team is motivated to perform. What a complete shvte move it was to ever hire Fernando... Awfully early still...we'll see.