Ok, Kellyn made a (simple) swing pass to wide open Bamba and then made a GnG unfollowed ‘run’ to get between the lines… Ball didn’t/couldn’t come right away…Bamba had to do some 1v1 to get it to where Acosta stood. Acosta received the pass in hold up play, and dished a simple pass to Gutman outwide. Gutman made a nice first touch to trap, turn, and then place a well weighted ball (the best skill part of the buildup) to space for Bamba (out running the defender). So, Acosta touched it twice, I guess that’s ‘integral’. For me, Gutman’s touch pass and Bamba’s work were the notable skill there. In retrospect, I hadn’t noticed all of Bamba’s off the ball movement…solid work. Thanks for recommending the rewatch Officially an own goal for New England. Unofficially a goal for Jonathan Bamba. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #cf97 pic.twitter.com/bgQGMiI7JN— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) May 21, 2025
My point wasn’t that Acosta is some super stellar star, just that he is technically and tactically solid. The defense is making goal saving tackles and get highlighted for it. Kellyn isn’t going to show up there. Same with attacking midfielders and forwards. Acosta isn’t showing up in those highlights either. But between those two lines (box to box) he’s simply a solid player. Good spacing. Nice one touch passing. Intelligent play. Protects the ball. I mention it because it’s easy to miss and it seems most people do, not that he’a worth max TAM.
Agree much of the box to box work is yeoman like… The last line is the issue…literally the most costly salary budget impact on the roster. Sergio starts over him and is making $89k KA ‘doesn’t suck’, Oregel is really good, but KA simply doesn’t contribute close enough to the level the club is paying. Imagine how much stronger we’d be with an additional $850k RCB and a $850k CDM on the squad…that’s roughly the amount of Acosta’s budget hit.
Same…it’s clear GGG has been straight with KA about the situation…came up in an interview. In the mean time KA needs to at least play better than Herbers did or it will be hard to not post critique.
Hmmmm…… Yet he keeps playing Barlow and expects him to score. Mueller- No. KDB-who? can’t find him on roster. MHS- no experience playing there, who plays winger to replace him?
US Open draw tomorrow. According to one posting, because Red Bulls won (PKs), the Fire will be in group with Minnesota, San Diego and Austin/Houston winner.
Barlow is kind of a false 9, creating opportunity and space (see Zinck’s goal last night) for others to get shots. Plus he’s a pesky hornet in a high press. Mueller is another GGG special project, in that he’s hitting the salary budget hard and isn’t going to start over Bamba or Zinck…or MHS. But he doesn’t contribute have a drive that puts the defense on their heels and kind of a nose for goal…if he’s fit and (willing to do the tactics) he can do more than Barlow. MHS has some CAM (aka 2nd striker) experience and as good around the box as anyone on the squad making $750k or less. I mention KDB because if we sign him he will create ‘a problem’…how do you make the most of him? How might a rotation be used to manage minutes? In general KDB is a CAM, but he’s played plenty of striker and winger. But…we shouldn’t expect a box to box 8 work rate. At the same time, he absolutely can be ‘the solution’ to a possibly Cuypers injury. Actually sounds like something that could be good for the squad and fun to watch…move KDB from attacking position to attacking position ‘releaving’ each of the attackers as needed (be it wear and tear or call ups). Side note: KDB puts a lot more pressure on KA and CM…where do they fit? At their cost level they gotta contribute…or be moved.
Not convinced that’s true…but that’s why I used that example. Reality, that bar is way too low…#1 salary budget impact (SBI1) should be starting and clearly one of the top 6 contributors…otherwise they are a liability to the roster.
Upon reflection, I should probably provide some explanation for my position. Your answer predicated on KDB signing, Not a done deal by any means, but we can go that route. Bamba, Zinck and MHS are needed as rotational/ late match wingers. Three are needed. KDB would be an excellent playmaker and occasional scorer. He will need a backup for him for rest days, hamstring issues, old age and late match purposes. Gutierrez will be the box-to-box offense/ defense midfielder and as backup for KDB. Cuypers is currently ( and likely to continue as) the most indispensable player. He leads the press, keys holdup play, excellent on set plays, underrated as passer and (critically) consistent scorer. Barlow performs some of these tasks but will be 30 shortly, is not improving and does not score (2 goals in last 42 matches). What in the world would happen if Cuypers had a 2 month injury? Barlow is fine, not ideal, when Fire are defending a lead but not when scoring is needed or a long term replacement for Cuypers is needed. I am also a big proponent of a starter CB.