Metro vs. Rapids Pre/Post-Game Thread Geez, I forgot last week's game, does anyone remember it? Didn't think so . At Home vs. the New Joisey Metrostahrs, this Saturday. Can we just keep it simple? Goalie (I hope Garlick just to shake it up, nothing against Vallow) Fraser sweeps Stewart, Herdsman/Crawford, Rizo as markers... Pablo as defensive mid Beckerman as attacking mid Chung and Henderson on the wings ("there's no place like home...) Spencer/Carrieri on top runnin' around and Roberts way up top, back to the goal, taking balls at the 18, not the 35, like a big #9 should. Please? RLH
Shake things up - couldn't hurt Goal - Not sure it matters as long as he continues to have matadors in front of him Defenders - Rizo, Frasier, Stewart, Hart Midfield - Pablo, Beckerman, Henderson Forwards - Carrieri, Spencer and Schmidt Comments: What happened to Schmidt and why the committment to Roberts? Roberts goals have resulted from the work effort from Schmidt and a gift from Howard. If Kingsley is healthy, he replaces Henderson. The sniping after fouls has got to stop, some coaching is required here. What happened to Henderson and Chung? I view last years success as an exeception, time for a change. Spencer seems to be the only player on the team who displays consistent, basic ball skills.
The Rapids need confidence. I don't think they have any and frankly, neither do I. This oganization sucks. I need some love...
Pablo as defensive mid Beckerman as attacking mid Chung and Henderson on the wings ("there's no place like home...) _____________________________________________________________________________________ i agree. Noone plays like chung and henderson. they love to just run around-in and out of the middle, and changing sides. Yea if they would just stay home once in awhile they could run up and down on their sides and then maybe the rapids could get an offensive attack
Here's what I'd like. Garlick Stewart, Herdsman, Fraser, Rizo Henderson, Beckerman, Pablo, Chung Carrieri, Roberts I disagree about Spencer's ball handling and have grown from a firm supporter to being frustrated everytime he gets the ball. I'd like to keep this lineup for at least the next 3 games, regardless of the outcomes. The only exception being the inevitable cumalitive(sp?) yellow card suspension and the keeper. At this point I wanna see what both keepers can do and who is really the best. Until we can actually score a few goals, the quality of or keeper is the least of our problems.
Re: Shake things up - couldn't hurt Beckerman has a call up this week and I doubt he'll play in Saturday's game. This is what I see Hanki doing: Goalie: Garlick Defender: Rizo, Fraser, Hart, Stewart Midfield: Pablo, Zizi Wings: Chung, Henderson Front: Schmidt or Blake, CC The defense sucks so this would be my line up (certainly wouldn't do any worse than Hanki's picks) Goalie: Vallow Defender: Rizo, Frasier, Richie, Stewart Midfield: Pablo (Spencer), Hart Wings: Chung, Henderson Front: Zizi (Schmidt or Blake), CC Why Richie hasn't played I don't have a clue. He cranked out a great diving save last year during the playoffs.
Anyone know how Kingsley's ankle is doing? Garlick Hart Stewart Zizi Rizo Kingsley Pablo Chung Hendo Carrieri Schmidt I have no idea who'll start. I don't think it will ultimately matter. My only wish is that Hankinson determines the lineup today, Monday, and has the starters play against the Rapids Reserve team. After that game he should have them spend the week practicing as a unit.
The Rapids lineup for the game with the reserves was a 4-3-3. So are they looking for more offense? Or just giving some midfielders a rest (this early in the season, there's no reason for it) and are we going to see this lineup on Saturday if it works, and it should against the Rapids own reserve team, right?
Maybe they should go for a 5-0-5 that way no one would point the finger at the midfield GK#1 Scott Garlick D - Pablo Mastroeni D - Alberto Rizo D - Wes Hart D - Jeff Stewart D - Ritchie F - Zizi Roberts F - Casey Schmidt / Blake F - Chris Carrieri F - Chung F - Henderson
Even though it was great watching the team in that type of setting, it is becoming real clear that they have absolutely no chemistry out there. Something needs to happen quick, either a change at the top or switching back to last year's kit. Moving Pablo to the back line does nothing to help, he is far to aggressive to be in that position & there problems lie elsewhere. Anyway a little dissapointed in the turnout, the local clubs did a horrible job promoting the event, I took my team & they loved it..... much more should have been in attendance.
I went away on vacation and came back to see the team tail spinning out of control. I taped the games and watched what I could without becoming too depressed and agree with everyone that the team is completely disorganized and a mess. Then they can't even score against the Rapids Reserves. This is getting ugly at an exponential rate. I think this game will be interesting to see what Yoda does next. Will he continue to experiment wildly or try to stick with a lineup and tough it out? Will it matter if the team has quit on him? I give a best case scenario of 1-1 tie.
Too Late?! Sorry, but I think the team quit on him somewhere in the off season....I certainly didn't see this before now. Maybe you or others did.......I am stunned as I have been optimistic about the year, hoping we'd sign the extra player to take us over the top (MLS Cup). Now, signing another player just to avoid relagation to the A-league sounds OK. We cannot even beat Boulder (no slight intended, but even the inspired performance of Boulder should not have been enough for a pro team).......Yoda is just hanging on so he can get another job ("he showed professionalism!"). He built this team, and they won't play for him. We need a field guy, who will kick the ball around, let them get after people. A 'peer' of sorts, at whatever age. The over under is June 1st. Any takers? RLH
Check this out! I would like to preface this post with a disclaimer if you will: I realize that I have lived in CA for the last 9 months being here for college. I realize that I haven't followed the Rapids very much as well. I also would like to say that I attended two of the most disappointing/embarrasing loses last year here in LA when the Rapids lost to LA both times 4 or 5 to 0 I can't remember. However I think the team could use a little moral support no matter how bad the coaching maybe. It is only the beginning of the season and we have many games to go so let us as fans put on a happy face and go with the punches. The Rapids might just be able to follow suit. How 'bout it?
The team's had over 20,000 show up for each home game so far. Even though Saturday is an afternoon game, the giveaway should bring in at least 15,000. Most of us here are season ticket holders, in many cases plunking down solid hunks of cashola not just on tickets but on merchandise as well. Many of our tribe our unemployed, too. Then there's the issue of our choosing to spend our lives here, so that we can discuss the Rapids. I agree with the sentiment above, but we have been showing great support for the team this year -- physically, mentally, and financially. For most of us, the 2003 Rapids are simply same ************, different year. I, like other fans, are beginning to grow a bit tired of holding on to empty optimism during an rough opening to the season, only to watch the team coast through mediocrity. At this point it's not about winning. The Rapids need to show some fire, some passion against the Metro this weekend. Then maybe they'll begin to feel that back from the fans.
I feel for you guys, through the first part of the season, you are experiencing my time as a Metro supporter since 1996. I hope the ship rights itself for you and your team. Now, I expect Metro to line up with a 4-4-2 with the usual suspect Howard in the back, a backline of Ziadie, Pope, Jolley and your boy Digimarino (please welcome him back guys). A midfield of Richie Williams, Ricardo Clark (get a good look at him, you might see him in the mid with Mastroeni in 2006), Amado Gueverra and Mark Lisi. Up top will be Mathis and Magee. Metro has been playing very solidly as a defensive unit lately, and also at times playing keep away from the other team, a very European style of play, much like the Fire. I would appreciate any of your post game comments on how we played and looked. I hope you guys start winning, after this Saturday.
Not intending to jump down your throat, but aside from the brief orgasm of making it to MLS Cup 1997, we've been experiencing this since 1996 as well. Of course, we haven't wound up with the talent that Metro has had, nor coaching, nor resources. Thanks for Henry Zambrano, by the way. Cough.
To score, or not to score ... that is the question Predictions for Saturday's game? Rapido Torpedos: 0 Metrostars: 2
You make a very valid point! ANd I will continue to put in my little bit of support that I possibly can all the way out here in California! My hope is to make it to the LA vs. CO game on the 31st of May in Denver if all goes according to plan! Peace out!
The choice is easy for me, I just hope my employer doesn't mind. I think that this year is the worst because I had expectations. Under Mooch we knew we would have boring, grind it out, defensive soccer. But the win in the series against Dallas had me pumped. El Pibe was gone and the players were excited about the brave new world that lie ahead. I got the satellite, watched Fox Sports World to kill time before the season, educated myself a little, closely followed the preseason, and was ready to revel in the beautiful game that I love. Then on the very first night, Yoda kicked me in the nads and I feel I haven't recovered. His panic stricken, goofy lineup out of nowhere got the season off to a rolling start. Then while I hoped for things to settle down, it looks like they have only spiraled out of control. The players appear to have spiritually mutinied and the team's chances are looking bleak. With Mooch I knew we would win a few, lose a few, and maybe with the right player get lucky. Now, it is looking like a god-forsaken mess with no end in sight.
That's exactly the way I feel. Every Saturday I hope for some killer team in Black and Blue to suddenly appear and get things together. Then the game comes, the Rapids look just as pathetic (and sadly that isn't an exageration) and once again I'm disappointed and afraid to look at this website because I don't want to see that everyone feels the same. But nevertheless, I countinue to go to every home game and watch every away game and will do the same next year because I want to be there when it finally happens and everything comes together. Who knows, maybe Saturday will be that day, but it's getting harder to be so optimistic. Garrett
Limpar-to-JDV You know, you are right. Mooch's bunker defense with Limpars-to-Dely Valdes did, you know, work. Having a tight defense, some ball control, and waiting for the 82nd minute for Zizi to head one in for a 1-0 victory sounds really good right now....... Riccardo p.s. OK I am optimistic for a 2-0 win tomorrow. Call me psychotic...