You guys have to widen the field next year after that display of excellent futbol on Chivas USA's big, wide field. RSL played much better in that game than they did at home, scoring the first goal on a cross from Morales from wide play and doing well in the extra space in midfield all night. In Morales, you have a guy who thrives with even a split second more time in midfield, which is what you'll get with a couple more yards each side. This doesn't even mention the fitness advantage you'll have at altitude and the fact that crappy teams (like Red Bull, should they win) will benefit by being able to contain and collide with your speedsters like Movsisyan and Findley on a smaller field. Your forwards will be able to track down diagonal balls that much more often, as well. I understand that Kreis's first instinct was to protect the team with a narrow field, but you guys have proven to be good enough that the opposite should be true--now you can punish guys with your passing and the speed up top and a wider field will help you do it.
Re: Widen the Field (R) This year they purposely made it narrow (70 yds) to match the 68yds (I think it was) at Rice Eccles. However, the play is to go wide next season so that the team can take more advantage of the youth/altitude we have going for us at home.
Re: Widen the Field (R) a) Why the field was narrow: The team transitioned with 2 home matches remaining from a narrow turf field to a grass field that could be much wider. The managers decided to only change one of the two possible variables, the one that was necessary, turf to grass and leave the other constant so that the team wouldn't need to deal with too much transition. b) The future: The team has already indicated it will widen the field for the future, for all the reasons you suggest. c) Quality of the two games against Chivas: Frankly, the team played excellently last week (Nov 1) from minute one to the final whistle. In last night's game (Nov 8) the team played fairly poorly for the first 20 minutes before finally adjusting to the wider pitch and speed of the game. From then on, they played well, with sporadic periods of losing control of the game. So, IMO, you are incorrect in your assessment that the team played better on the 8th. However, they did play very well, definitely good enough, and that is wonderful!
Re: Widen the Field (R) Isn't this another one of the questions that has been repeated ad nauseum, along with "Will There be Grass In the New Stadium" and "Why Your Team Name Sucks"?
Re: Widen the Field (R) I swear this wasn't a troll post about stadium, etc.--I really meant it as a compliment. But now that you ARE hosting Red Bull, and considering they play on a narrow field and just beat Houston on a narrow field...time to move it out to 72 or 74! Can the lines be adjusted on such short notice or does it have to wait until next year?
Re: Widen the Field (R) Actually that is really interesting. They also tied us in our home opener on a small pitch. It might be a good idea to widen the pitch for this game. Also for those of you freaking out about the pitch and what it looks like after the rugby match, it really didn't look that bad. There were a few spots most by the corner flags that are a bit worn, but all in all (and I looked long and hard knowing that people would want to know) the pitch still looks brand new.
The Pitch So knowing that a lot of fans are going to be a bit concerned about how the pitch was effected by the two rugby matches yesterday, I spent a good 15 min. looking at it after the last match (which by the way the US won big time) it had a couple of spots (most around the corner flags) that were a bit torn up. The center looked a bit worn down, but all in all the pitch still looked fairly new. Some TLC today and monday and it should be perfect for the match on saturday.
Re: Widen the Field (R) I am scared to death of Dane Richards. No thank you, not for this next match at least.
Re: Widen the Field (R) Ok I am really confused. When Russell came on i remember posts saying he would be the fastet player on the team. Last night on FSC Max said that RSL would miss Joys speed because Russell isn't the fastest guy on the team. So which is it? Fast or slow?
Re: Widen the Field (R) The guy is way fast. Remember Jason and Garth talking about how he ran faster then everyone else (even findley i believe) when he was doing his tryout. If you watch when he plays, he uses his speed at the right times on the offensive side and can close in on defense very well.
Re: Widen the Field (R) Well more like a LA lover, disliker (sp?) of all others...oh and hater of his former hometown of Miami.
Re: Widen the Field (R) I had asked someone with the team this question and was told that the league will not allow you to change the dimensions within a season. The adjustment will need to wait until next year.
Re: Widen the Field (R) To be fair, he did give Morales his vote for MVP, and had justification considering that Chivas has been there. I <3 Max Bretos. The fella is funner to hear during the goal than any of our constipated broadcasters. Again, people, DANE RICHARDS!
Re: Widen the Field (R) I hate his YEEEAAASS!, but loved his calls of Yura's near misses in this series: MOVSISYAN!!! Game 1, Game 2
Re: Widen the Field (R) OK, I'm a little bad at net speak/emoticons. What does that mean? It almost looks like you moon Max Bretos...
Re: Widen the Field (R) I suck at this stuff too but I think i figured this one out all by myself. <3 looks like a heart so it must mean I heart Bretos or I love Bretos. If I am wrong i give up I will never understand this stuff.