Was he the one who pressed a Villarreal player on the sideline and won the ball, then drove to the box and passed to Kubo, who lost it?
I saw the last 15. Hoppe was playing CF mostly. I got excited when he finished his only chance in the ‘83 but it was ruled out for offside. Wasn’t immediately apparent to me but upon review he was offside.
He looked like someone who should get more minutes. Had the goal that was offside and generally looked aggressive and active. Seemed to be directing his teammates a bit on a few occasions which I consider a good sign. Gotta think with more minutes he can make some things happen at this level. Even though he was off, that was a really nice finish on his chance.
1439954653811200002 is not a valid tweet id Thought he looked really bright, hoppe he gets a start or two before next window.
Great to get feet wet. Too bad dude didn't release ball to him earlier on the goal called back. A better level player would have played ball earlier, and he would have had his goal. He looks active for sure. Had a nice flick in defensive 1/3 (although needs to be careful in future). His sprinting style is interesting. He's fast, but runs almost entirely with a straight upper body. Looks really uptight, but hey it worked for Michael Johnson. I wonder what he was thinking when he tugged at the shoulder of that defender who was chasing his teammate with the ball. I hope he scores in the next couple games on the pitch, otherwise the negative Nellys will come here and point out he's only scored 1 goal in his last 20 club appearances (if he doesn't score in next couple games)
A bit much to criticize the guys level. One could easily say the same for Hoppe and it wouldn’t necessarily right, if he’s more patient and stays in line with the defender he also gets his goal. You can tell by his body language how eager he was, and I bet on another day not amped up by a club debut, more often than not he has the composer to hold his position better there. Great finish though.
I have to disagree. I think Hoppe did what an attacker would expect (just play the damn ball man, the play is 'on'- what are waiting for?) The passer took 2 short touches deciding what to do. The touches were not good enough where he could cross the ball quickly- they were merely to buy himself time to decide what to do. He still had to shuffle his feet to get the cross in. The problem is in the final 1/3, you are usually punished for taking too long on the ball. Spaces close, options get limited. The same cross he made, he could have made earlier. What he should have done in any case was to take a first bigger touch forward (which would allow him to cross) and/or to see if one of the those defenders would approach. (and maybe he goes around him). He had the space to do so. It might have forced defenders to react off that. Honestly, one that one particular play- he looked to me like MLS-level, touches and decision-making to me. So much space! (like MLS). In comparison, Look how Bruno Fernandez plays balls early so that his teammates remain on sides and the defenders + goalkeepers can not get to his passes (and also Bruno puts in the perfect spot). The pass should have been driven early, with pace and height in the air (to avoid defender) to far post in the air, play the angle and let Hoppe run onto it far post.. If you play back the tape and count the seconds, 33-36, the guy crossing the ball literally took 1 touch too many and 1 second too long to make the right play.
I noticed this in the gold cup and the game this weekend that he has a tendency to put his teammates in tough spots with little passes in the defensive third. They are not bad passes per se and are the types of passes made by top possession oriented teams but some coaches may not like the risk. Could easily lead to a goal if his teammate has a sloppy touch or isn't expecting a pass.
I've heard Spanish commentators pronounce it close to "happy." So it'd fit the pun. Sunday, Monday, Hoppe Days: Matthew @ Mallorca