From what I've seen, despite the recent lack of results, the Crew seem to ping the ball around better than anybody. But I haven't seen the Metros much this year.
From what i have seen, the Crew are definately a good passing team. Though recently, the Metros and the Revs, have shown that they are able to mantain possession. I would give the advantage to the Metros however. Who can argue with five wins straight? With players like Clark who seems to never lose possession with a bad pass, a classy midfielder in Guevara who has been excellent, and Mathis(the name alone is enough), it's pretty hard to argue against them.
Well the metros can probally retain possesion the longest of anyone in the league, but the team that can string a couple of passes from the back together and all of a sudden have a scoring chance is defintily the CREW. Their style of play kind of reminds me of Arsenal.
Although they do absolutely nothing with it like MExico, DCU can knock it around very well. Just don't ask for a final through pass or a finish. Kevin
Thanks for the history lesson...now, back to today. I've seen every MLS game but two played so far. Paraphrasing Mel Brooks - It's good to have 2 VCR's. Anyway, I admit a bias. Still, I would say KC has the building from the back, on the counter, corners, and in the final third passing clicking pretty well. SJ and NE have been good also, CLB in spots; but on pure vollumn of quality passes, give the early nod to KC. The numbers back it up as only NE has more shots. At some point the quality of the pass will help determine if it can be scored. KC with 15 goals is hard to deny. I would also guess KC is near tops in assists. Those of us that have seen KC play know that if Brown or Fabbro could quit missing open nets and uncontested headers, KC might have 20 already. This is only important because neither guy can create his own chance. Simply, they require a good pass or 3. To Metros: No denying their great run of form. They do seem to score mainly from streaking middle men. The best MLS passing team should produce goals in varrying ways, no? SJ certainly has the highest quality of passing in MLS. Hard to beat Donovan's skill and vision. My $.02
For what it's worth, here are the current assist standings by team: 1. New England 13 2. Columbus 11 Kansas City 11 4. Metrostars 9 5. San Jose 8 6. Dallas 6 7. Los Angeles 4 8. Chicago 3 DC United 3 10. Colorado 2 The other stat that I would go by, if I could locate the numbers, would be time of possession. - HWM
You obviously mean Arsenal during it's EPL title-losing stretch when all the "pretty" soccer produced no results. Columbus seems to be playing without a spine these days. As for San Jose being the best at playing in tight space, they should be. Everywhere you go on the field at Spartan Stadium is tight space. Metros with the combo of Guevara-Clark-Clint and now Galvan, who also has considerable ball-holding abilities. Once Jaime Moreno returns from injury, the Metros will be able to hold the ball for seriously long stretches. And WizardsCharter, who said the best MLS passing team has to produce goals in varying ways? Is that because K.C. has been the best at that so far this year? The question was about passing and right now there doesn't seem to be anyone passing the ball better than Guevara and Clark for the Metros. What's scary is that team is still learning to play together. They won't play their best soccer until mid-August at the earliest with Clint and Pope leaving for the Confed and Gold Cups. I can't see the Wizards playing much better than they are now.
No, just logicly if a team can create in different dimensions they will be more dangerous long-term and against defenses with differing strengths. Maybe. Having watched KC every game, I would say they can play one heck of a lot better...on both sides of the ball. One thing on Metros, they are playing great, but against who? 4 of their wins are against teams with less than 4 points. When MET plays like that against better comp consistently, then maybe you have something. Simply, everyone is passing well v COL and DAL. MET @ struggling CLB for the third time this year already next Sat.
Watch the first 45 minutes of Saturday's Wizards/LA game. Admittedly, Bo is a handicap but at this point in the season nobody's moving like KC. I think the Metros are already playing well, and what they'll have now is depth.
No, it's definatly not the Gs. All I've seen so far are long balls from Hong hopeing and praying to spring Fish....only worked once (first match in Dallas)
yea i know...thats why i coughed... we been suckin' it up with the exception of the past 2 games. still not the best. i'd say columbus is the best in that department. SJ is greatly coached... eh, don't care bout no one else except the metros... but they are gonna get out of that funk and go back to their usual ways