I don’t particularly care for FotMob/SofaScore ratings. It has the veneer of being analytics based, but the algorithms themselves are extremely subjective and flawed. Despite the 7.7 this was Parks’ worst game as a starter this season. He helped shut down Columbus, but they were toothless anyway and he just didn’t have his normal magic on the ball. He’s going to lose ground in the Elo ranking although I don’t know how much yet. NYCFC felt like they were sleepwalking through large portions of the game. Still put up 2 goals despite never leaving 1st gear.
Of course, but the good ones are tested and explain their methodology. The 10 point ones don’t. Especially in MLS where there are freely available EPV models and high level advanced stats, they’re a relic
And it was some strike... CRISTIAN ROLDAN FROM DEEPWhat a hit! 😱 pic.twitter.com/Avakt1slyK— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2022
I think Williamson needs time with his club to try and regain the form he was in before his injury. Furthermore, like many of our cdm candidates (both foreign and domestic) I think I would be more comfortable with him playing in a double pivot. Acosta does an admiral job but he is a big step down from Adams. The single 6 is just such a difficult position to play.
I'm a Timbers fan, but haven't much advocated for Williamson heretofore. However, this play is pretty fantastic from start to finish---particularly his touch on the wall pass back to Blanco who then made an easy pass for an easier goal. EDIT: for whatever reason I can't seem to get the video to play at the specified time so skip to 4:18 to see the play in question.
An algorithm doesn't have to be explained to be useful. Williamson doesn't cover enough ground. He doesn't get on the ball enough. The team would have to be built around him. An MLS team could be built around him. He is an elite attacking passer from central midfield.
I happen to be watching the replay of the Timbers game on ESPN+, and came here to comment on Williamson -- only to see, to my surprise, Williamson being minimized. Williamson's passing in this game was absolutely exquisite, regarding that final pass. Over and over again, he found space, exploited it, and found the right man at precisely the right time. I hate to do this because I want all our guys to succeed, but I continue to be befuddled by those promoting Pomykal as the better option as an attacking ball progressor. It ain't even close. I take the Williamson I am watching right now over LDLT/Busio/Pomykal in a heartbeat, every single time. And no, you don't have to build a team around him for him to be successful. That is madness, as Portland is not built around him.
That’s fair. We’ve really avoided doing so under Berhalter and the 6 depth chart after Adams and Acosta is such a wasteland.
Williamson is an elite attacking passer. An MLS team could be built around him. That's not minimizing the player.
It certainly is, when we are talking about national team prospects and you insinuate that he could only be effective if the entire team were built around him (which we both know never happens, so you are saying he cant be successful for the team). Stand on your square, if you believe it. I dont agree with your take on him not covering enough ground. In the Gold Cup final against Mexico, dude busted his hump all over the field, against a team carrying possession, and still managed to look pretty decent on offense -- much better than Busio I might add, who (I think) got more playing time across the entire tournament. I was shocked Williamson was not called in for the 1st set of qualifiers, and then he immediately thereafter tore his ACL. Bottom line, we need better passers in midfield, as options. Nothing new from me, as you may have seen me write that going back to the first qualifying window. Williamson, when healthy (as you seem to concede) would be one of our best options from a pure passing perspective. Ergo, he needs to be called in for the next window to prove himself (again). This is not brain surgery.
Only a very small % of the Americans playing in good leagues will make the 26 for Qatar. So it's not minimizing a player when it is asserted that player is not a realistic contender. His numbers are what they are. They are also freely available on fbref.
Jesus Ferreira. If FCD keeps playing like this he has a legitimate shot at winning the scoring title and league MVP. We actually have four USMNT-eligible players still with a shot at the Golden Boot (Ferreira, Ebobisse, Mihailovic and Vasquez). Only one player has done it since 2010. Chris Wondolowski ten years ago. He had an outrageous goal-scoring rate that year. 27 goals in 32 games. Ferreira has 9 goals in 10 starts so far. I don't know why, but I'm still not convinced by FCD. Nico Estevez has taken one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and made them into one of the best. [The big difference is substituting Hollingshead for Marco Farfan. Hollingshead was great in attack, but a liability in defense at times.] But I'm still expecting some kind of defensive meltdown.
I'm really not sure why Williamson doesn't cover much ground, it's weird to me that he doesn't. Is it fitness? Is it because Portland basically surrender ground to avoid transitions? He's not a bad athlete in general. He's always been a good passer, but also a high risk/reward player without some of the consistency of other options. He's better than Pomykal but not better than the weird ideal Pomykal people have built in their heads.
Very different types of players. For his career at FCD since his debut in 2017, Pomykal has 4 goals and 4 assists across all competitions. That's it in ~5000 minutes. Pomykal is a strong defensive player. Better in the tackle, better at disrupting the opposition, better motor, etc. He's a little bowling ball of aggression. Look at his heat map. He's everywhere. Pomykal is thus arguably the better two-way player. If you're looking for the more potent offensive weapon of the two, its Williamson. What I'm trying to say is the two probably aren't competing for the same role on the USMNT. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
I don't think Williamson is better than Pomykal. But EW can certainly lay down some sweet attacking passes. If I were an MLS team, I'd have him in the single-pivot fronted by two bodyguards. Eryk Pirlbro. Except Andrea Pirlo had actually covered ground. If he and Jonathan Lewis could figure out how to move their rumps neither would be long for MLS.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the team’s main playmaker gets double the touches of a box to box mid in a game where possession and tilt are so strongly skewed one direction. What’s a real shame is that Venezia never made any effort to get Busio that level of usage
I like both players, but I think it is kind of ridiculous to claim this level of gap. Williamson is a more dynamic attacker. He has explosion in his dribble, and he's better at the sort of flashy small spaces passing in the final third that is very valuable (and people like). Pomykal is a far better defender. Williamson should be better -- he has the speed, and he has more size than Pomykal, but he's less disciplined, less aware and doesn't have the same level of defensive workrate. He's improved greatly, but he's far more likely to go off on an offensive romp leaving a giant hole behind him and not race back. This was what he had to phase into in the GC, and it's been a big part of his development at Portland. This also has an effect on offense -- Pomykal had a great interception this last game that either led to a goal or a great chance; I can't remember. Williamson just isn't as involved there. Pomykal is also better at the long switches and long ground passes. He's become very good at picking out the opposite side winger on the run. It's been a huge asset. Williamson is actually a ton like de la Torre. His strength is in his dribble. He's actually well behind most midfielders in passes; some of that is the Timbers, but a lot of it is his tendency to dribble, then pass. He makes some really great ones, but he's inherently a risk-taker there, which is great in the final third and less great if we get pushed back. I can see preference for one or the other -- and I'm not shocked at the preference for the more aggressive, dynamic-looking player. But I don't think it is not even close, and give me the more solid defensive player right now.
Busio played alongside Williamson. In terms of getting on the ball to make a pass, Bus simply had the superior motor. Early in the season with Venice, he had no problems getting on the ball. But he simply faded as the season wore on.
Williamson's final pass is nothing like de la Torre's. I have been pulling for Luca -- you know that, as I have advocated for him -- but you cant show me a single game in which he completed more great passes in space than Williamson did in his last game. He simply does not connect on those final passes, as his stats at Heracles emphatically show. There really cannot be a serious debate on that. As for preferring a defending option now -- I continue to ask, why? Our biggest problem is not defending. It is creating chances through the center of midfield. Williamson is far better than the players we are here comparing him to in that area of the game. And no, it is not even close. This is not some change of opinion for me, or fanboying for Williamson. I, from the 1st qualifying window (or was it early 2nd window?), posted here that I do not see the overwhelming evidence that the MMA midfield has the chops to create enough chances in the midfield. I posted that the 6 (Adams) is a needed specialist, so it cant be him who is deleted -- leaving Musah and McKennie (the latter who was struggling at that moment). I advocated trying ANYONE perceived to have more offensive chops (Busio, Luca, Reyna, Soñora). The situation has not changed. We need more creativity from the 8s, not an even more defensive 8 like Pomykal. It literally solves zero problems we have in midfield. I have not penned in Williamson to our World Cup roster. But for the next games, he should be next man up for a look in the 8 position. It would then be up to him to sink or swim.
He's sorta the one that starts moves that have good outcomes...........................but usually isn't the one with the final pass or goal. The king of the hockey assist. He actually is pretty deep-lying a lot of the time in his "free 8" role. I remember they had him playing the #6 on occasion in the academy. Even at the Dallas Cup against some high level competition. I'd be intrigued to see him at that position again. He's definitely not a #10, so folks shouldn't judge him by the metrics they judge #10s by. I don't know if he'll have a national team future, because the battle for midfield playing time is fierce, but he's an awfully good player. So, by the way, is Brandon Servania. Nico Estevez has performed a minor miracle at FCD. Its a really intriguing team that's dominated by USMNT-eligible players in all phases.
No, I agree on that. The similarity is that they both tend to drive and progress the ball through the dribble first; that's their strength. De la Torre is a better passer in those middle spaces, IMO, and the ball stays closer to his foot on those progressive dribbles which makes me think he can translate it better against better players. That said, Williamson is bigger and seemingly more explosive with them, and yes, he's a better passer in the final third. De la Torre isn't some insanely good defender, but he is conscientious and aware. That's always been Williamson's issue with club and for a short time with the US -- he's simply not as disciplined. Our biggest problem is not defending because we put out such strong defensive midfields. Our defense in central midfield is the key crux of our defense and probably the biggest differentiator our team has. We do not have an elite GK, elite CBs or defensive fullbacks. What we have is a hunter-killer midfield. On one hand, to your point, perhaps that means you can give a bit of that up and get some more offense. On the other hand, you can solve a problem but create a larger one behind you. If the trade-off creates a larger chance of conceding than of generating a goal, then it's not a good trade-off. I am all for seeing Williamson, but I don't know that this equation goes the way you think it does. It certainly doesn't when compared to say, Reyna in the midfield. Does it next to Musah or de la Torre? It's something to consider; I'm not dismissing it out of hand, but I think sometimes people think that by swapping defense for offense that the defense will be a-okay. I'm not so sure. I never said it was. I'd disagree here. Pomykal absolutely has the skillset to assist in several matters. He's not going to be a final third superstar, but he can bring a number of things to the table. One, he is not as good as Williamson, but he's quality on the turn, can progress the ball, and like de la Torre, will make the smart pass. He's also more capable than most on our team (other than McKennie) of playing the switch. He does it constantly for Dallas now -- the switch to a streaking far side winger. It's a valuable play. And he does that without giving up an inch defensively. I think he could do more on the dribble, but it is clear that that isn't the tactic. Which is part of why Dallas is one of the best defenses in MLS this year after sucking last year. I am honestly skeptical that Williamson is a step change on offense. I think Reyna could be; but Williamson is more a change in style than a massive unlock. I still think he should be in contention; I still like his game. It just comes with some negatives and he still needs to prove offensive impact at a higher level.