We felt like the better team for most of the game, which was a weird feeling. And then we made it official with a couple of great goals... We still have a lot of issues but I'm seeing a lot of heart and maybe some of the potential that Lee is investing in. Afrifa with an extra lovely goal.
Nate was wrong there, it was 2024, they beat Dallas and San Jose 7/7 and 7/13, with a USOC win over Dallas also sandwiched in between.
That said, I really dislike Jake at RB. It doesn't play to his strengths, and he also seems to get panicky and card-happy there. Makes me nervous every game.
This is a crazy turnaround since the Portland debacle. Well done gentleman. That shows a lot of heart. Have to hand it to the coaching staff for keeping the team together and fighting.
There's still a shakiness to our left sided defense. Mayer and Reid were okay, not good. Davis was an issue on the right. Austin were not good, and attacked way too often centrally, which was our strength. IMO, James was fabulous. LBJ was really good. Bassong is a difference maker. Capita and Harris are a really nice pairing, and do a ton of work on both sides of the field. Cleveland is an upgrade, which is a very nice surprise. Less nervous and more impressive each week. I think he must do a better job of organizing the defense, because we're so much more organized than we were with Pulskamp. Those at the games, is that the case? Is Cleveland doing more organizational work (off camera)? Also, lovely goals, both top shelf. Did anyone else share my belief that once we scored we were going to win? I find having Dejan up top gives me the belief that we really only ever need a single chance, and i suspect that kind of scares the opposing defense. So, the only place to play Manu, as a starter, in this 4-4-2 is in place of Taylor C, right? I'm loving Manu as a supersub, but he is a DP, and probably wants more time. But I get the sense that TaylorC's high defense (paired with excellent at everything Dejan) is a decent part of what is going right at the moment. Still, it's nice to have a champagne issue for once.
I was encouraged in the last game when they came away with a win. But LAG seemed uninspired or uninterested in winning that game while SKC kept going full throttle. They never fully controlled the game but gave an inspiring performance won it. This week, they actually were the better side all over the field and mostly enjoyable to watch. Even when they went down a goal, I sensed they would find a way back. We found out 1. They can win two games in a row, 2. They can win in Austin and 3. They can come back from being down and win a game. I have to give Wicky credit, he managed the game well by starting the same group from last game and making the right subs that got the win.
We're now tied for 27th in the SS! Still last in the west, though. I mean, kinda harsh to go on a mini winning streak and not move up a spot. That's what sucking for the opening third costs, i guess. This makes me think we are no longer the wooden spoon favorites. Somehow that's Philly
The absolutely wild thing about Philly is, despite the fact that they only have 7 points out of 14 games, 7 of their 9 losses have been one goal losses. The other two were two goal losses. Their total GD on the season is only -10. Their results have been atrocious, but literally every single game has been close. They definitely feel like a team that could look entirely different in the second half of the season with a couple key summer acquisitions.
Wow, so right now were THAT team. You know, the one if you have a bad loss to them, it's literally grounds for termination. Let's see how many scalps we can take.
To be fair there was a period when we were better where a number of coaches got canned after facing us. I don't remember most of them, I remember Sigi's final game with Seattle was in KC but I know there were more.
I like Pulskamp and still think he can play in this league with a better team around him. But having a "leader" in back just makes a difference and Cleveland shows that in this.
I didn't get to watch either game live last week. I guess that means for the good of the team I'm not allowed to watch for the rest of the season.
The problem is that better teams don't need to grab a Pulskamp as anything more than depth. He's not seen as a way to upgrade a good team. The sad reality for keepers is that young ones who find a place to play are usually on meh sides, and they get good reps because they elevate that side. Brady is doing that with Chicago. St Clair did that with Minnesota. Cleveland is elevating his team, which is impressive. But the role he played for Austin, backing up a really good keeper and therefore with no hope of regular playing time, is kind of what looks to be Pulskamp's career going forward.