You be the coach

soccerman · 07-17-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Umber

They still have a ways to go, but at least they don't need to be embarrassed of their performance last night.

I'd say they don't need to be AS embarrassed - but it still looked like a good HS team could have burned the defense for 2 or 3. Our defense is decidely somewhat less than optimal at this juncture (in that it seriously sucks).

Jim Umber · 07-17-2005, 10:48 AM

I disagree. The score was 3-2 and one of them was a (regretable) mistake by D.J. Countess. It could easily been a tie, or even a win, with just a LITTLE luck. They looked like they actually belonged on the field with KC. They DIDN'T look totally outclassed (which in the past they have). They played a RESPECTABLE game. SURE, it wasn't the outcome that we wanted. SURE, the defense has a tendency to let the attackers through while they watch the ball. SURE, Jason Kreis had to shut down attacks on several occasions (Jason Kreis, since when is he on the defense?).

But even the leaky defense played well for about about 80 minutes. It was just momentary lapses that let the attackers get through. Momentary lapses that we can't afford, but momentary just the same. Even the best teams have momentary lapses, or else they would never lose.

For much of the game they were passing well and attacking well, and yes even defending well. There was nothing to be embarrassed about.

Conclusion: they still have work to do, but they are getting there.

Stucki · 07-17-2005, 04:44 PM

I made a few comments about being the only one saying Cila needs to be on the field. I like Jamie, but I like him as a sub.

I am encouraged that we scored two goals on grass on the road. However, we need points.

The team has to give a good performance Sat. with the fireworks crowd.

utah_heretic · 07-17-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Umber

I disagree. The score was 3-2 and one of them was a (regretable) mistake by D.J. Countess. It could easily been a tie, or even a win, with just a LITTLE luck.

I thought we had quite a bit of luck as it was...Brown's goal was a total gift...I can't imagine what the defender was thinking, but he might as well have simply tripped over himself. Could we concievably have won or tied? Well, yes, but we certainly didn't deserve to...We flat out dodged 3 sure goals, including 2 by Preki who really ought to have been able to finish the shots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Umber

They looked like they actually belonged on the field with KC. They DIDN'T look totally outclassed (which in the past they have). They played a RESPECTABLE game. SURE, it wasn't the outcome that we wanted. SURE, the defense has a tendency to let the attackers through while they watch the ball. SURE, Jason Kreis had to shut down attacks on several occasions (Jason Kreis, since when is he on the defense?).

But even the leaky defense played well for about about 80 minutes. It was just momentary lapses that let the attackers get through. Momentary lapses that we can't afford, but momentary just the same. Even the best teams have momentary lapses, or else they would never lose.

We have played much better than this game this season. I can't share your perspective on this one...I have seen no substantive improvement in the back 4. This is something we are going to really have to address, since we will have Pope even less of the year next year. Dunny is a good stopper, but doesn't play well as a sweeper...Akwari repeatedly failed to mark his man in the box...we were often caught ball watching (on both ehds of the field). We are still giving the other team's midfield way too much space to receive the ball. And I won't even talk about Preki dribbling through 3 guys straight up the middl eof the field. Ellinger needs to get these guys on the same page defensively.

I know that Ruiz and Johnson aren't supposed to play next week, but unless Coach E can solve some of this, they won't really need them anyway.

I'm really starting to wonder what Ellinger can say in the locker room anymore. Nobody likes to lose this much, it's got to be really disheartening for the team right now.

soccerman · 07-23-2005, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utah_heretic

I'm really starting to wonder what Ellinger can say in the locker room anymore. Nobody likes to lose this much, it's got to be really disheartening for the team right now.

Well he sure must have come up with something good. 3-0 over FCD
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!

GO REAL

Rover · 07-24-2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerman

Well he sure must have come up with something good. 3-0 over FCD
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!

GO REAL

That was fun. Put the thing away early and just enjoy the second half.

I admit I didn't expect it against FCD, but with our two playoff-spot rivals holding serve this weekend, it couldn't have come at a better time.

And once again RSL fans show what loyalty really is. We have 20,218 show up for a team in a major slump. Fireworks can account for some of that, but the fact remains that this team and salt Lake soccer fans have made a statement with this kind of consistent support: RSL is here to stay.

Two weeks off and then back to work.

Jim Umber · 07-24-2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utah_heretic

I thought we had quite a bit of luck as it was...Brown's goal was a total gift...I can't imagine what the defender was thinking, but he might as well have simply tripped over himself. Could we concievably have won or tied? Well, yes, but we certainly didn't deserve to...We flat out dodged 3 sure goals, including 2 by Preki who really ought to have been able to finish the shots.

We have played much better than this game this season. I can't share your perspective on this one...I have seen no substantive improvement in the back 4. This is something we are going to really have to address, since we will have Pope even less of the year next year. Dunny is a good stopper, but doesn't play well as a sweeper...Akwari repeatedly failed to mark his man in the box...we were often caught ball watching (on both ehds of the field). We are still giving the other team's midfield way too much space to receive the ball. And I won't even talk about Preki dribbling through 3 guys straight up the middl eof the field. Ellinger needs to get these guys on the same page defensively.

I know that Ruiz and Johnson aren't supposed to play next week, but unless Coach E can solve some of this, they won't really need them anyway.

I'm really starting to wonder what Ellinger can say in the locker room anymore. Nobody likes to lose this much, it's got to be really disheartening for the team right now.

Some people see the glass as half empty, and others see it as half full. If you hadn't noticed, I'm a "half full" guy. I've been seeing improvement all along. And now I am really excited to have seen both an offence and a defense on the field AT THE SAME TIME! WOW!

Was the team playing perfectly? No. D.J. was WAY overworked (and did a really great job of saving the bacon...again). But this time it wasn't because the whole defense decided they'd rather be spectators.

Was our attack perfect? No. We still have a long way to go there, too. Those last two attempts (at the end of the game) are good examples. Both really should have been in the goal. But the good news is that the attempts were made! And they did get through the defense.

It isn't perfect. They have a long way to go. But they are going to get there. I feel like 🙂 and :signhohoh and 👍 all thrown together and mixed up.

montgjules · 07-24-2005, 07:56 AM

I think that was the team's :birthday: to me!

Mango Jam · 07-24-2005, 09:03 AM

Well, since yesterday was my birthday, let's share. 🕺

praxis · 07-24-2005, 11:30 AM

I think that Ellinger did a pretty good job of picking a starting lineup yesterday, and it showed it! Yesterday's game was sweet! It is s lot funner cheering for your team when they are whooping the best team in the division. I think that Cila was a good choice, and i am starting to come around to having Jamie be a sub. The 2nd half we had an brown out on the energy level, and Jamie came in and took care of it. Hopefully we can keep a starting lineup for more than one game so everyone can get used to playing with each other. All the same though: GO REAL!!!