Reading the comments the last few games, I would have thought we were in last place in the league with a team not worthy of playing in the local rec league. When I check the standings though, it looks like we are doing pretty well and still in contention for some hardware. I just think maybe we need to step back from the ledge and and maybe spray a little air freshener until we can get back on track. I'm not ready to fire Garson or bring in a whole new team yet.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Calling for the whole team to be trashed is ridiculous, however, if you do not think there are massive problems, I dare say you are either smoking something and/or just living in a fantasy world. This team has only won twice since May, both against struggling teams that we should have no problems defeating. Any other team of worth has defeated us, and in same cases just crushed us.
For me the biggest three problems this year have been 1) our defense hasnt been healthy and when they are they havent playing as well as they have in years past. Remember when Borchers and Olave as our backs were the best central pairing in the league? they just are the same players anymore. Could they return to that form? possibly. Also Beltran hasnt been playing anywhere near as well as years gone bye. 2) Javi has been hurt and when hes back the other teams just hack him to death. 3) we just dont have the depth we used to. (which to be fair a lot of that has to do with having expansion drafts EVERY year. just my two cents
It's sad because I don't think any of us really saw this coming (barring speed giving us fits). But for whatever reason our defense isn't what it's been in years past, and our midfield just isn't getting it done. I really hope this is an injury issue and if we can get guys 100% the problem takes care of itself, but I have a feeling that this isn't fully the case. I hope we can right the ship because what was looking like our best regular season ever has been steadily heading downwards over the last couple months.
I agree that we have some problems. It just isn't as bad as some claim IMO. To me the difficulty has been injuries as much as anything. We really haven't been able to have much consistency lately because we usually are replacing two of our regular backline with one of those out being Olave or Borchers. We just can't afford that. In addition, I'm not sure Javi has had a chance to really get his form back because he has had to miss. Add the other injuries and it is just hard to gel as a team.
We can certainly afford to sit either Borchers or Olave; we just can't afford not having Schuler be the player who replaces one of them.
This post is absolutely 100% right on the money. Most of this team's issue is injury-related. RSL do have some problems, but it's not as bad as some are making it out to be. One thing I learned years ago about Bigsoccer is that the extremes of emotion are on display here. By definition, these are the team's most die-hard fans, hence we are the most emotionally invested. That also means were are prone to overreaction and mood swings of biblical proportions. Just last week we had people saying that RSL is back after beating Portland 3-0. This week, after dropping a 5-0 to San Jose, the same people are talking about blowing up the team. It's just the nature of hardcore fandom. Fortunately the team has a much more even keel. For me, the losing streak has more to do with injuries and the schedule. The LA game on 6/20 is the only one that really pissed me off, and even that's not totally unexplainable as their offense is a machine (Portland, one of the best home defenses in the league, just had 5 hung on them by LA at Jen-Weld). Columbus on the road is usually a loss. Two losses to SJE hurt, but that's the best team in the league. My opinion: RSL is embarrassed by their performance in SJ and will take it out on Colorado. And next Monday, those of us on Bigsoccer will be talking about championships again.
I too think it's a little premature to call us a bust. Injuries and age are catching up to us...I forsee an overhaul in the next year or two. How about some cheaky bids for players like Bocanegro (I know he's getting old too) might shake things up...I see our new signings sticking around a few years and will probably right the ship...sure I might be a homer, but I see no need for panic ATM.
The sky is falling, Jason is losing it, we will lose to Colorado, I will jump off a cliff! And Sabo sucks!. Having said that, We will beat Colorado, Jason will make the needed adjustments and coach his best match, the cliff I jump off will be 8 feet high into a pool of water, and Sabo will get another hat trick.