RSL vs. The Dying FC of Dallas- 9/18 [R]

clarette · 09-18-2005, 12:26 PM

@#$%. Yay for useless vertical balls.

prk166 · 09-18-2005, 02:24 PM

Painful

FCD 2
RSL 1

RSL1 · 09-18-2005, 04:06 PM

Well, I believe we saw two sides, RSL past and RSL future, in this match. Those of the future were clearly night-and-day to those of the past in terms of their contributions to this match. That is a positive. The negative, 2-1, season seems to be done now.

RSL of the Past:

Trembly is an awful hack that seems willing to kick the $hit out of everything in his way. Stupid fouls and dumb turnovers. Unfortunately for him, tough defense isn't necessarily good defense - it just results in a lot of poor tactical defensive play through the midfield. Ibid Cutler. Can either of these guys find a pass to feet? Further, the midfielders are there to link the defense with the attack. Well, the defense kept knocking the ball around the back because they had no place to play forward except over the top. So obviously a result of the central players not showing for the ball and getting open. Kamler is clearly a substitute roll at this point so I can't really give him a hard time.

Eddie Pope looked awfuly slow out there. At one point in the first half he dribbled out of the back and got completely stripped of the ball (cleanly) giving 1v1 to Dallas, but the referee fortunately called a foul. I imagine this foul was whistled out of respect for Eddie and his reputation - the referee likely can't imagine Eddie Pope making such a stupid decision let alone losing the ball there. He did. He also made some terrible decisions in the defensive third including standing like a tree and stepping out of the way on Mina's second goal.

No Mathis. We should probably get use to this. Likely gone next year given recent reports from Deuce et al regarding chemistry issues.

No Kreis. Will he back next year? Will he be 100%? Who knows. Could be without him too.

Dunseth put the team in a bad position. They say he was fighting the flu, but he just looked atrocious today. He has for several weeks. I'm legitimately scared with him back there these days. That first goal by Mina was an outrageous display of marking. The guy ran right by him. Thought process is slow. Could it just be that it's been a long season and these guys are on auto now?

RSL of the future:

I'm starting with Watson. Fine, he makes mistakes. BUT, it should be undeniable at this point that he creates dangerous opportunities for RSL in a way that nobody else can do on that team. Further, he's willing to get stuck in on bigger, tougher guys. This kid will be good if Ellinger shows him some faith and gives him a chance to prove himself over a series of games rather than moonlighting performances in matches where they're behind. Player of RSL starting 11 next year.

Tarley looks like he could be a good strike partner for a more creative forward. He definitely needs to work on his receiving touch with his back to the goal. As a big forward, he has to learn this skill. Too many times he would check back to the ball and let his dead foot rebound it back towards the passer for three or four yards. I presume some of this is nerves and some not being used to the higher pressure MLS game. For that matter, he gets that one skill down and he'll be really helpful.

Scarlett looks to have become less involved in recent weeks. It's likely the prevailing attitude in the clubhouse. That said, if he get insert himself in the match more and really learn how to cut inside rather than move north-south on the flank, he's going to be very good. Look what happened the one time he cut in - he almost put one in. He's got speed. Great. He absolutely has to learn how to play the game now, however. I think he'll figure it out soon enough because he won't be successful here if he just runs out patterns up and down the wing. If he eventually gets it, he'll be very dangerous. This will be the difference between Scarlett being a success or failure here: his ability to add elements of tactical play to his game. His athletic talent is undeniable, his read on the game is still questionable in my mind. He's still more useful than most other players with RSL right now, however. Clearly.

Cabrera worked hard and gave a good effort for RSL. Did some good things, but certainly had some rough moments too. I've seen him have much better matches, to be honest. He did some good things today, including tracking back and getting stuck in on challenges when it was necessary. I can think of a few crucial tackles he made in or on top of the box as well as head clearances that stemmed any more blood letting. He made some nice combination passes with the midfield too. There were, however, a few times where he should have shown much better discretion and timing on his challenges. The one that sticks out to me is when Mina entered the box and shook him one way to get a clean and uncontested shot off towardsthe far post. He needed to make a play on that and instead was waiting for Mina to make a move. That could have been ugly if it had gone in. Otherwise, OK game for his MLS debut, especially one where there was not relief from attacking pressure by the midfield. I would like to see more from him in coordinating the defense in the future. He is certainly an upgrade from everything that we've had this year and from watching him with the Guate team, I have to believe better things are yet to come from him.

Gregorio looked like he had concrete in his boots. He didn't get involved and came out after 45. Not sure if he went out partying last night but the jury is still out on this kid because he did nothing in the time that he had. That said, he's got a pedigree that many don't, so we have to give him a shot.

So here's my opinion. You know what we get from the old guys. Very little. We see the potential contributions from the new breed. Ride out the season with the newer players (yes, coach, that means actually playing Watson) and throw in Eddie and Andy Williams. Even Tiger should get a shot. I really believe that we need to see more of this:

DJ
Cabrera, Akwari, Pope, Broome
Gregorio, Andy Williams, Tiger, Scarlett
Tarley, Watson

This is the lineup we should test for the rest of '05. We have nothing to lose. With Mathis and Kreis seemingly out for the year, it opens up doors to see this formation. With the other guys just simply underperforming, leaves no other option.

These are my opinions and certainly not meant to be assertions, so I hope that I didn't insult.

RSL1 · 09-18-2005, 04:07 PM

Woah, that was long. Sorry.

RSL Supporter · 09-18-2005, 04:49 PM

Good synopsis RSL 1. I agree.

RSL reserves won 4-2.

Hiddnfox · 09-18-2005, 05:51 PM

yea, i think Scarlett has been less involved because he's been playing Defensive Wing. once he gets back up to an attacking position (with a healthy Pierce perhaps) , then i think we'll see his awesome crosses again

Braveheart · 09-18-2005, 06:05 PM

full game video for download

http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33846

Remus · 09-18-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braveheart

full game video for download

http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33846

Registration has been disabled by the admin. Unless you already have a login, you won't be able to get to the files section.

clarette · 09-18-2005, 08:09 PM

I like that proposed lineup.

The 4-5-1 must DIE DIE DIE.

HibaIssa · 09-18-2005, 09:07 PM

I thought the 4-5-1 was long gone, I guess I was wrong.

I enjoyed this though, Jamie sure has his way with the goalkeepers. A friend of mine from Dallas took this pic today, she said that Jamie was really driving everyone nuts today. He scored in the reserve game it looks like too.

Anyway, I have to look at the good parts of the game or I would go crazy.