WFT happenned to our defense? Pretty much the same bunch as last year, vastly different results. Is Morrow to slow? Has Suarez lost his mind? Lack of help from the midfield? Gbandi over Broome, a defensive liability?
That has been one of the biggest missconceptions about last years team. Last year the team was not very good defensively especially towards the end of the season. Just check the facts on the goals given up by the Burn late lasy year: 10/2/02 - 2 (loss vs Rapids) 9/28/02 - 1 (loss vs Rapids) 9/25/02 - 2 (win vs Rapids) 9/19/02 - 3 (win vs DC) 9/14/02 - 2 (loss vs Revs) 9/5/02 - 3 (loss vs Metros) 9/1/02 - 3 (loss vs Rapids) That is a whopping 2.3 goals per game. If anything, so far this season statistically speaking the defense has improved giving up only 13 goals in 8 games (1.6 goals per game). Sad state of affairs in Burn land
Re: WFT happenned to our defense? And like Samson, if we cut his hair he will loose his special powers of insanity and will fulfill his promise.
Maybe we should try to work a trade for Kenny Arena and Tim Regan. The Metro defense has been pretty good this season.
God I hope that was a joke. Have you see Metro the last couple games since those guys started playing? Lee Morrison was better then Kena Arena.
I think Deering has continued to slow and thats allowing teams to get into our third with alot less work. Getting Stone and Salyer some time later in the game might keep the defense fresh.
Was DJ in the nets at the end of last year? It seems to me that he's made some amazing saves this year. Maybe that's the real reason your only averaging 1.6 per game?
On watching the game again, the problem was not Suarez. He gave just as many away as Gbandi. He just wasn't as useful in contributing to the offense. Has Morrow lost a step? I don't know. He sure seemed exposed vs. Mullan. Not so vs. Lagos. Perhaps the defense isn't getting enough support from the midfield. Deering can't do it alone.
I'd say that Deering is a big part of the problem, more so than the five guys playing behind him. Our midfield has gotten killed in every single game this season. They can't maintain possession and they can't stop opposing midfields at all.
This isn't meant as a slam against the Burn or any taunting. I'm only offering my perspective on this issue as an outsider (ie: non-Burn fan) for whatever that's worth. 1. I think Morrow may have lost a step but I'd find it hard to believe that would make such a difference for the entire. I do think Deering may have played his best year in MLS last season and he isn't matching that performance--and that's a huge drop-off. Gbandi is a fine player but Broome had an outstanding year last year. Countess has been man of the match a couple of games for you this year hasn't he--so you've probably upgraded at GK. Overall, I think the talent/performance on defense is probably a bit of a dip--a few guys better, a few guys worse and Deering with a big dropoff. 2. I think your attack has suffered a lot. Chivas was incredible last year and now he struggles for PT. Vaca hasn't impressed me as much this year when I've seen him as when I saw him last year. And you haven't scored as much this year (to this point) which puts a lot more pressure on the defense. And the defense can't afford to make any mistakes (I thought Peter Hirdt a couple of weeks ago pointed out that margin of victory and overall scoring in the league is much tighter) and faces more shots/chances b/c the offense isn't as productive. 3. I think the rest of the league improved a lot. I think Dallas improved it's bench and a deeper team got deeper. But with ROB out, I don't think your starting 11 is significantly better than last year's team. I don't mean that as an insult--it just seems that Jeffries either passed on opportunities to bring in big players or the deals didn't work out. So the assumption was made to improve internally. If you look at the rest of the league, Chicago appeared to get weaker but they mostly dealt/lost guys who have injury problems. San Jose lost a lot of depth and some fine frontline players. But I think every other team in MLS added substantially more talent (maybe they didn't become a better team, but they added some talent--like LA with Hong). Anyway, that's my take on things. And, I think Dallas is too talented of a team to stay where you're at. I think the next 2 months (especially with teams hit by Confed Cup and then Gold Cup callups), you can do some very quick climbing.
As much as our defense has been poor, the fact that we really aren't scaring anyone with our strikers allows the other team to press forward and put a lot of pressure on us. If our attack were more potent, some of the perceived defensive weaknesses would be put into perspective. I think we're a weak team overall, not just defensively. When are we going to get a decent replacement for ROB? Remember the days of "Team .500?" (sigh...)
WFT happenned to our defense? What effect has moving from the Cotton Bowl to the artificial surface had? I think it has effected morale and the amount of slide tackling for sure, plus there is a heat factor and maybe different dimensions.
I'm shocked not to see this mentioned, but moving T-Bone outside was the biggest problem with the defense. He constantly saved everybody's azz along the back line last season. Shifting him outside leaves nobody to save the bacon when there's a defensive breakdown, and unfortunately, the Burn defense breaks down a lot. Even with him moved back inside he hasn't had time to get settled in or rekindle the chemistry with Morrow. In addition to (1) T-Bone not being inside, there are 3 other reasons for the defensive woes. (2) The Burn wingbacks are so aggressive moving forward that the 442 often looks more like a 253 with only two central defenders along the back line. This further exposes Morrow's lack of speed. Having Suarez with him centrally is disasterous, because Suarez isn't as fast as the fans make him out to be. T-Bone is much faster, and reads the game much better. (3) Chad Deering isn't a true Dmid in a 442 formation. He doesn't close down the attacking mids very often, and is poor at destroying counter attacks. This exacerbates the central defense woes. Without Oscar in central midfield to help him for much of the season, he hasn't looked very good. (4) Oscar's absence also has affected the possession game. The Burn have turned the ball over in dangerous positions a lot which has put more strain on the defenders. IMHO, Jefferies was crazy to switch T-Bone and Suarez. With T-Bone back in central defense, the only major piece left is a quality Dmid. I wonder if Stone is really going to be the answer. Also, the Burn were a better finishing team last season, and getting the early goal allowed them to get some easy goals later when the other team was caught forward. -Digital
I think opposing teams are now going after Morrow. This will make T-Bone suspect, at times, so now I'm wondering if Thomas should get some starts.
Lets not leave out the part where our forwards don't make runs. Especially diagonal runs. They stand (oh excuse me, they post up) Then they stand some more (oh excuse me, post up) Then to not be predictable they really fool the defense by standing some more (oh excuse me, post up some more) Then, if that doesn't work they fuss at the midfielders for not getting them the ball and then stand some more (oh excuse me, they post up some more) I just DON'T understand why the midfield can't maintain possession and can't get the ball to the forwards! At least EJ runs some diagonals for 10 minutes before getting frustrated. And lo and behold, for those 10 minutes, we get the ball to him quite a bit. Maybe he will mature and keep making runs and diagonals for 15 minutes before getting frustrated! Kreis in the MAN, so if he wants to post up a lot then he has the right to. However, he would be more effective posting up if he would make some runs, and some of those diagonal. I don't see us letting two forwards just post up though. IMO, The 2nd forward candidates should be scoring, or running, or both, or sitting.
whatthef@#$%&#%^ i agree totally with joew. his analysis is right on the money. i think the field has something to do with it plus the lowering of morale and a seemingly prevalent belief on this team that if they get one score that's all they're going to get. we look almost afraid to do anything lest we get caught on the break-thus ensuring we allow our opponents to incresaingly dictate the run of play directly leading to the dreaded but self-fulfilling equalizer. we need someone in midfield who can stop the enemy buildup. and that somebody is not chad deering. i didn't like him that much last year with his half-passes and his disappearing acts. but now i think he has been exposed-bring on young master stone.it can't hurt
In other news: -I just realized I misspelled the title of this thread. Oh, and I'm the guy who picked the Burn to be first in the table and to win MLS Cup. Oh, and want to hear some of my fantasy MLS player picks: Eddie Johnson Jamie Moreno Edson Buddle Freddy Garcia Ronnie O'Brien Daouda Kante Scott Garlick But at least I'm not a Fire fan.
Why hasn't Stone seen any playing time this season? I have heard the knock on him is that his offense talents are not developed enought yet. Well heck, what has deering done offensively this season? I would also like to see Thomas get some playing time in the back. He was the 10th pick in the draft and supposedly the Burn's highest rated defender in the draft. It is just really frustrating to see all these rookies getting serious time on other teams but not here.
I agree. Im kind of upset that the younger guys are not playing. Stone has only played a few minutes this year and IMO he played pretty well. I cant understand why our young players cant get minutes, we are the worst team so far. I feel like Pareja and Morrow should get less PT as they will most likely not be here next year.
I think the experiment of Suarez inside and T-Bone outside messed with everyones confidence and communication. Moving them back messed with their confidence some more. They don't know whether they should hang back or go forward cause the move told both players they could do both. The communciation seems to be missing. Offensive players are roaming in the box with a 5 yard cushion and no one is picking them up or marking closer. But mostly we're losing / tying games because we're not scoring enough. 1 goal a game ain't enough. I think the team is doing badly more because the midfield is playing horribly and the offense is not scoring enough.