ok, given the webcast i'm not gonna feel too definitive here but some good things and some not so good it sounds. glad to hear stoksie--the only player on the team to be honoray barra--played well. sounded like we had lots of chances...but few goals.
Lots of chances - even against a D3 team I like the sound of that. It's been too long since we've had that.
For those of us dealing with Volleyball issues tonight, can someone give me a thumbnail of who started, scored and at least "sounded" good from the webcast.. Thank you in advance.. Mr Ice on his knees right now..
Anything I say about this game will be based on the weakest possible information--I can only go off what I read in the AIM chat (no radio access). But one thing that concerned me was that while DC seemed to dominate the second half, they also seemed to slack a lot in the second half. Wilmington got a few breakaways, a handful of corners, etc. No real chances that I heard of, and the seemed steady on the corners and breakaways (Stokes espeically) but I was hoping United would keep up the pressure and bust out for some more goals. One practical implication of not taking it to them in the second half is that we're now behind CBus on GD, which means that unless we beat the Crew, they win the Cup. Not the end of the world, but it would be a good confidence builder to finish the preseason on a victorious note. But if we can't beat the Crew then we don't deserve the damn trophy.
While I'm happy about the win, scoring only 1 goal, and having it come on a PK, against a third division team, is not a good sign. It's no secret that this team has struggled to score goals and it probably will for much of the season, but it would seem like adding a proven goal-scoring forward - preferably one with some size who plays up top - should be a priority on this team. BTW, with the PK, Jaime now has two goals to become United's leading scorer in preseason!
Per Sandon above, Jaime Moreno with a PK in the 11th minute, after Convey was pulled down in the box. Lots of chances, no more goals. Adu played the last 18-or-so minutes.
A quick post tonight and I'll fill in more tomorrow. The team started out in a 3-5-2 with Olsen, Kovalenko, and Carroll controlling the middle. Stewart and Convey were on the wings and were able to roam up and down the sidelines pretty much without problem. They dominated the first 30 minutes of the game with a vast majority of play in the Wilmington half. Surprisingly there were several shots from the outside and one-timers, a definite change from the past. Unfortunately the finishing leaves something to be desired, or else the score could've easily been 3-0 or 4-0 at half-time. In the second half they went to a 4-4-2. Not such a pretty half because of the lack of concise passing and general lack of continuity in the attack. Also, you've got to give Wilmington some credit in the second half in that they didn't give up and pressed very well throughout. Nelsen didn't play because of a ding. Likewise, the team is limiting Adu's time because of a sore ankle. The status on Moreno is still up in the air, but neither Curalic or Shekenko are impressive.
Hammerhead fan point of view I know you want wins and you want goals, but your team was so much better than Cbus, much more flowing in attack, created many more opportunities, simply just much more entertaining to watch play. DCU fans should hang in there, I think you are in for a much better season than last, and I think you will also return to being proud of how your team plays. For those that may remember, "coach Irving has a knack of teams that play for each other, yad, yada, yada." Last night was a perfect example. I have watched Irving for a few years as an opponent (the Dynamo was my team till they dropped down to the PDL this year) and I can tell you the performance by the Hammers against the Crew and DCU was no fluke. I know the Hammers are 3rd division and you would have liked more goals and domination the whole game, but don't underestimate what the Hammers bring to the table. Sorry I didn't get to see Nellie play (read my tag and do a little history), but got to say hello. He is in good spirits and I can tell you he is very high on where DCU can go this year. Good luck.
Re: Hammerhead fan point of view Having now watched both of you, I concur. Our scoreline against the Yellow Bus flatters them. I also concur with the poster that said if you can't beat them, you don't deserve the trophy.
Re: Hammerhead fan point of view This being the preseason, both teams made wholesale substitutions in the second half. I believe DCU subbed 7 players. It showed, they didn't seem to have the same cohesion they had in the first half. I'm a DCU and a Hammerheads fan, so this game was great and terrible for me at the same time. Does anyone know who #27 was for DCU? No names on the shirts for preseason and I can't find him on the roster. He came on in the 2nd half and played up top. He seemed to have a bad night from what I could tell. By the way. The moves put on by Convey to earn the PK were outstanding. He looked great.
A win against CBus. A loss and they end up second with six points, a tie and they end up even with CBus with seven points, but would lose out on goal difference. DC is at +2, while CBus is at +4. I'm encouraged by the folks who saw the game and think the Crew's better scorelines don't reflect greater quality.
I’ll wait for Dicseon’s full report, but I find it interesting that Bobby played on the wing. If I recall the reports from the Charleston game correctly, he was moved to the wing in the second half after a not great first half in the center. And no, I do not intend this to be the first “end of Bobby in the center” post.
Glad to see you support DC and Boro. Me to, my friend is from Thornaby, Teeside. Nice to see you here. D
You all have to have patience with this team. New coach, new players, new system, so give it time. Believe me, have low expectations.
A few impressions of what I saw Wednesday night: - Adu and Novak seem to have good rapport. The pair stood and talked together at midfield for a spell, and my read of their body language was that Adu felt comfortable to joke and teeze while the coach responded in a kind, avuncular way. - The Adu buzz follows him everywhere. I heard some spectators mention that they had heard a report earlier in the day that Adu would not play, and they speculated how that kept attendance down (although 3,000 plus is darn good for a preseaon match anywhere in the US). When Adu finally came in late in the second, applause came from the pro-Wilmington crowd and even some fans moved to the opposite side to see him better. - Adu got muscled off the ball pretty easily which could be a problem in the regular season. We have to remember he's a rookie and has an opportunity to learn in real match play. - Convey showed awesome speed that killed his defenders down the wing, and had some success in feeding the ball into the box. If he's to be a winger, that is an area for improvement. - Esky tried to release up the center but always his defender stayed with him. He has the speed and ballhandling -- but is there something in soccer as having (or not having) a good first step? Maybe the coach can teach him some tricks on eluding your defender. - I was sceptical about Jaime Moreno's return until last night. He played very well. (Note to team: watch how Jaime always, and I mean always, looks around just prior to receiving the ball, and how that never leaves him at a loss for options.) An early-season pairing of Cerritos and Moreno up top could be interesting. - Dema's retains his knack for being in the right place at opportune moments although his shot was shaky. As described in the match report, he was the second option on a cross into the box. He sprung onto the ball but launched his shot more upwards than forwards. It didn't stop rising until it reached the beach. Nevertheless, look for Dema to poach some nice goals this year. - Wilmington has a good thing going with the Hammerheads. This being my second trip there, I remain pleased with the facilities, the quality of play (the Hammerheads won their title based on having very good talent), and the size, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the crowd. Raleigh-Durham soccer fans, you get to a Hammerheads game by leaving just after work and returning home about 11:30. Big city fans would call that a normal game commute. - And finally, what did I not see from United? No lame backpasses!! (Fanfare, please.)