It's been nice to see us still attacking for once. We've definitely slowed it down some but not like normal
Early comments show that they don't know what they're talking about. I wasn't so sure why Gozo was getting so much hype before the season started. He's certainly shown why. Would love to see him on the squad.
RSL definitely dodged a few bullets early as Houston looked to put a little pressure early but could not sustain. What I did like from RSL in the first half was the composure and patience. It looked like what they should have done against Dallas instead of trying to make things happen on an individual basis. The first half was kind of back and forth and a little sporadic but no harm no foul. I was surprised at the Luna sub at half but it did make the difference. Guilavogui needs to assert himself. he needs to make things happen and help direct the club out there. Marczuk is playing himself out of a spot from the looks of things. He was way too high at times and was not connecting or giving Yedlin any outlet. Yedlin was burned a couple times that should have been goals and maybe that was because he didn't have any place to play the ball. Will have to watch again. RSL doesn't know what to do with Olatunji. It's like they want him out there doing his own thing seperate from the rest of the team. Something has to click at some point with him but if Solans is going to come in and make a dynamic difference it's not really going to matter much. Early excitement aside I do think that, without another big player investment, this club wont finish in 10th but they could end up closer to 10th than first. I did have a little convo with someone before the game and they don't expect to see Luna and Gozo leave the team this season. That could change if Luna has a good WC or if Gozo gets a surprise call up. The reason being is that the rumored amount of 8 million for Gozo RSL wouldn't even pick up that call. And as noted, the number for Luna is not even half of that so unless things really change you could very well see both young guns stay with RSL through the end of the Season. Much better second half for RSL. I think you saw the change in the club with Caliskan coming in, Solans and Luna. I liked the more killer instinct they showed in the second half with an obviously tired Houston but that is what you should be doing, getting 5 goals when the field is tilted in your favor. Good win. Nicely done by Gozo who will probably not being doing the backflip celebration anymore. He noted that he almost killed himself on the first one. Sometimes it pays off to have been around from the start because I mentioned that what I see when he does a backflip is Fabian Espindola. I mentioned it to Trey and he pointed it out to Gozo that Fabian did the flip, broke his ankle, and the goal was disallowed. lol Quinton had a better night and I really like the kid. Deserves some props for stepping up.
It’s nice to see the clean sheet! We could easily have been down 0-2 at HT, but soccer is like that. I really enjoy watching this edition of RSL. It’s night and day compared to last year. I noticed something interesting in today’s Western Conference Standings. We play teams 6-9 consecutively. We were trashed by Dallas. We trashed Houston. Colorado and Minnesota are coming up. If we beat Colorado and either beat or draw Minnesota I’ll be feeling very good about where RSL is at going into the WC break.
It’s interesting how folks can watch the same game but have different reactions and takes. I’m not saying you’re wrong or I’m right (just implying it) but some counter points: 1. I thought the first half was boring. You call it patient. That may actually say more about me than anything… but I can’t stand long drawn out passing sequences that don’t lead to shots. Rsl didn’t register a shot on goal in the first half. At home. You can call that patient, I call that toothless. 2. Guilavogi isn’t that player. Maybe he can grow into it - I have doubts - but he feels much closer to a complimentary star than a standalone one. The dude has incredible vision and touch, he’s just not the guy to go out there and completely take over a game himself. In the past that was a no go for a DP. I think in current mls structure you can actually pull that off if you surround him with the right talent. Rsl has in a lot of places. Needs better in others. Expecting Guilavogi to be who he isn’t is a big big ask 3. I thought this was one of Marczuk best performances. By no means a high bar, but he did allow for Gozo to have the freedom he did and was influential. He was poor in crossing decisions, but got himself into spots he struggled to find for at least a year now. I view that as improvement. I also think he deserves some recognition for the first and second goal. He forced the throw in, with Luna, on the wicked own goal. And he pulled Houston’s left back wide to allow yedlin to make the run he did. I’m not going to pretend those are elite level things, but they’re also not bad. 4. I was calling for Olatunji to play more. I won’t anymore. You can say it’s because the club doesn’t know how to play to him. I do think there is some truth to that. But I also think he lacks some pretty fundamental abilities that kill the teams flow constantly. His touch is rough. His runs are poorly timed to when and where his teammates get the ball. And he’s kind of a bull in a china shop, at best. There is a place for that in the team, I guess, it’s just not what you rsl needs from its second striker 5. If Gozo and Luna stay through the year I don’t think it’ll be a bad thing. I think having them past the sprint season next year, though, would be a sign of failure by either the club, the players, or both. If they are here post World Cup then the team needs to chase to win now. We’re not massively far off, but this roster won’t win a trophy as is, either. 6. Luna and solans changed the game. Caliskan did not. He came in at the 75’ with it already 3-0. Not saying he was bad, but it’s harsh to Spierings to call out Caliskan, imo. Spierings was on fire in his distribution. He was a big part of the 3-0 romp. Caliskan just saw it out. Valuable, but not game changing. 7. Quinton is the lowest paid CB that’s getting time. Dude is overachieving massively for the club and def deserves recognition
1. I think it's due to the guys on the field not being the first choice AND a reaction to what Dallas did to them in a similar formation. It was probably precautionary and knew they could go their preferred way of play in the second half. It definitely wasn't fun to watch. 2. We should know after the Goncalves that you can't have a vet DP come to MLS and be something they haven't been before in their career. 3. I really want Marczuk to succeed. I just don't know if he can here if he's forced to be a wingback. Definitely his best game this year and I hope he has the confidence to keep it up with whatever other minutes he gets this season. 4. Ditto. So glad he's not a DP. That would just make things worse. 5. I think if they are here after the end of the summer window, they need to be here through the end of the sprint season (barring the correct offer coming through). The main point (maybe 1b) was to mainly transfer players in and out in the summer. This team has a DP spot and a ton of GAM to work with and talented players that aren't getting minutes that could provide a healthy return if traded or sold. 6. Agreed; a healthy, freed up Eneli would look so good next to Spierings. Caliskan is a huge success story for the club, but he's replaceable, see Dillon, Griffin (minus the free kicks). 7. Quinton was really improved, but it was against a rotated HOU that hasn't played well in their 3 man backline formation. I need to see more against better competition before I feel confident that he can more than adequately fill in for Glad. He's got some great tools to work with though.
1. Don't disagree that it was boring. It was. In Dallas RSL was trying to force the issue, the play, when it wasn't there. I will take a boring half and stay in the game over being down 2 goals. Which they arguably could have been against Houston. I thought in Dallas if they would have taken more time on the ball they might have faired better. 2. Agree. He may not be that player but I think he needs to give it a shot. The team could use a little more leadership or direction from him. That may not be who he is or what he brings but it would be beneficial. 3. True. It may have been his best game but to me, and my untrained eyes, there is still something a bit off and he hasn't gelled with the team just yet but that could definitely turn around. 4. Also true. With Solans kind of redefining the role it has really put pressure on Olatunji to perform. It could definitely be more about him than the team. 5. Agree 6. That's fair. I didn't write it but I did think that Spierings was fantastic. Nothing I like more than a line breaking through ball. Hell, even Dillon had one for Solans that he couldn't convert. Luna and Solans were game changes for sure. What I liked about Caliskan is that he came in and continued the pressure. I wanted RSL to really put this one to bed and I thought he did well to try and make that happen. Kudos to Stijn. He should be the starter and players like Caliskan, Dillon, etc, should rotate around him. 7. I love the kid. Houston was heavily rotated and I think that Quinton is better on the right in a back 3 but he hasn't cracked, a lot anyway, and has great vision and is good on the ball. I would still take another CB. Maybe that's Arias. We shall see. But I think RSL could use a CB with a larger presence in the air and in the middle. Justen is good, Philip is 6'5" but both are not in any way an intimidating or dominating presence back there. They are good but there is room for something with the CB group.
Guilavogi compliments Luna well. To a fault at times so far. Luna by and large wants to be that guy. He’s been given a free roaming 10 attacking role with specified defensive pressure responsibilities. Guilavogi, from my view, is there to balance out that roaming with passing and interchanging play. what was curious yesterday, though, and what I think could be interesting, was Gozo central as a 10 or forward. If they can find a way to do that with Luna, Gozo, and Guilavogi I think you can rotate solans in and out more frequently- especially as he will have off games at his age and stage in his career - and not have to play a guy like Olatunji who just doesn’t fit the build
By the way, sitting in the South End was the right choice last night - all Houston's action in the first half and all of ours in the second all happened at that goal. Bummer night sitting on the other end.