RSL vs. NE Revs [R] 6/24/06

Dadof3 · 06-25-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncsBomber

The finishing was terrible but I quite enjoyed the rest of the game.

Garlick was good with the few balls that went his way, he even grabbed a couple on crosses and long feeds.

Torres saved our hide a couple of times.

I thought the build up all day was awesome and we made the rev's defense look cobbled together which apparently is the situation. This is only their second game even attempting 4 on the backline and we exploited that well, aside from the finishing.

We also came out inspired and attacking to start the game. They pressured for 90 minutes which is an improvement.

I like the lineup of Kreis on the left and Attiba and Cunny up top, that could be pretty dangerous if someone could remember to pass to Jason when he is open at the top of the box.

If the ball could have hit the back of the net a couple of times I would say this was one of the best games RSL has played. They dominated but just could not finish.

I can't wait to see the lineup once we slide Eddie and Douglas back in and they get comfortable.

The tie was a letdown but there are some signs of hope. That was entertaining soccer. Now fill up the back of the net and it will be a lot more fun.

What he said...and well said it was. The question we all had coming into the game was whether a combination of Ballouchi and Talley could hold down the center midfield...the answer was a resounding yes.

Another issue was whether we could find a way to play to our players' feet...again, resounding yes...our D was obviously instructed to get the ball to Ballouchi whenever possible...they did...we dominated possession...we created chances, etc.

The problem is that Jeff and Klein are both playing with no confidence in the final third...if either was, we win that game easily. Klein's first touch was horrible and that itself broke up 3 or 4 chances...he chose not to shoot when he should've...and when he passed, it was to our other player who is not looking very good.

Jason looked ok on the outside half...his fitness is good enough...but he missed his golden chance also.

All in all, I will take a performance like that ANY day. 🕺

Now...our returning players...Pope takes over for Akwari (who actually looked kind of quick yesterday...or Twellman was really slow) and DS is in for a battle at d-mid. Right now there is no reason for coach to remove Talley, and I cannot see him moving anyone on the back line other than Akwari...and if he takes out Ballouchi...well, let's not even think about that.

BroncsBomber · 06-25-2006, 02:34 PM

I'd like to see something like this.

Atiba-----Cunningham
Kreis---Medhi---Klein
Talley-------Douglas
Forko--Pope--Torres
-------Garlick

Not that Novak has been doing bad it's just a lineup I'd rather see. (although he took some dangerous stabs at the ball and could have gotten beat yesterday, luckily the revs weren't able to capitalize.) I think it's a bummer for Akwari because I thought he has been reading the game extremely well.

Dadof3 · 06-25-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncsBomber

I'd like to see something like this.

Atiba-----Cunningham
Kreis---Medhi---Klein
Talley-------Douglas
Forko--Pope--Torres
-------Garlick

Not that Novak has been doing bad it's just a lineup I'd rather see. (although he took some dangerous stabs at the ball and could have gotten beat yesterday, luckily the revs weren't able to capitalize.) I think it's a bummer for Akwari because I thought he has been reading the game extremely well.

Sorry, I cannot see this happening...you are either counting on DS being a beast defensively, which he has not proven to be due to his tendancy to roam, or you will cause Ballouchi to have to play extremely defensively to cover up the massive hole in the middle. Unless it is late in the game and we need a goal, I don't see E going with a back 3...especially with how strong the back 4 have been.

Another point on DS...who would you rather have directing the offense...Ballouchi or DS. I'm guessing everyone says Ballouchi. So where do you play DS s o he doesn't screw up what we are doing in the mid? I think the only answer is in the back, where we have already been playing well. Long story short, we may not need DS until we get some injuries or suspensions.

I_Believe_In_Kreis · 06-25-2006, 06:58 PM

Wow, some of you need to step away from the ledge.......looking at the back 2/3, this might have been RSL's best performance ever. The outside backs were better than solid, Torres did such a nice job on Twellman I forgot he was even playing (BTW, how underrated is Torres?), and they were actually passing in the middle third, not just playing long ball. Klein worked his ass off and set up some sitters for a few people. Kreis was a lot more involved out there on the wing, and his tendency to track back on D helped us a lot. I only have three questions after what I saw.
1. Our finishing was bad, but I wonder why aren't we shooting more? I saw Harris, Klein, and Jeff pass up open 22 yard looks. I know 11 year olds who will try to hit from there.....why won't a pro striker do it?
2. Why is Cunningham blaming Klein for missing that sitter in the 28th (see Deseret News)? When in fact Cunningham tried to wrong foot it. Why did he try to finish with his right? All you've got to do is stick your left foot out - you don't even have to swing at it.

and the most disturbring thing.........

3. Why did we only use 1 sub? With 10 minutes to play we had two strikers and two mids so exhausted they were no longer doing anything worthwhile. I thought a Jamie Watson could have been very effective (considering N.E. had only used 1 sub as well). When the game ended, I saw Jamie walking off the pitch with an EXTREMELY pissed look on his face.....very un-Jamie-like. Is he in someone's doghouse? Anyone know?

fuegote · 06-26-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Believe_In_Kreis

1. Our finishing was bad, but I wonder why aren't we shooting more? I saw Harris, Klein, and Jeff pass up open 22 yard looks. I know 11 year olds who will try to hit from there.....why won't a pro striker do it?

Dear RSL players....You've been watching the world cup right? (I hope). Have you seen what the ball does if you strike it on frame from distance? It gives the world's best keepers fits. Give the ball a rip from distance every now and then.

Sincerely,

fuegote

rslfan · 06-26-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Believe_In_Kreis

Wow, some of you need to step away from the ledge.......looking at the back 2/3, this might have been RSL's best performance ever. The outside backs were better than solid, Torres did such a nice job on Twellman I forgot he was even playing (BTW, how underrated is Torres?), and they were actually passing in the middle third, not just playing long ball. Klein worked his ass off and set up some sitters for a few people. Kreis was a lot more involved out there on the wing, and his tendency to track back on D helped us a lot. I only have three questions after what I saw.
1. Our finishing was bad, but I wonder why aren't we shooting more? I saw Harris, Klein, and Jeff pass up open 22 yard looks. I know 11 year olds who will try to hit from there.....why won't a pro striker do it?
2. Why is Cunningham blaming Klein for missing that sitter in the 28th (see Deseret News)? When in fact Cunningham tried to wrong foot it. Why did he try to finish with his right? All you've got to do is stick your left foot out - you don't even have to swing at it.

and the most disturbring thing.........

3. Why did we only use 1 sub? With 10 minutes to play we had two strikers and two mids so exhausted they were no longer doing anything worthwhile. I thought a Jamie Watson could have been very effective (considering N.E. had only used 1 sub as well). When the game ended, I saw Jamie walking off the pitch with an EXTREMELY pissed look on his face.....very un-Jamie-like. Is he in someone's doghouse? Anyone know?

I've talked with other players and Jamie is not in the "doghouse"..would imagine he was disappointed with only using 1 sub (like the rest of us) when you have players on the bench... Subbing in players could have possible brought a win verses a tie...I say we put Watson back in as a spark off the bench...it worked before.

Deuce · 06-26-2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rslfan

I say we put Watson back in as a spark off the bench...it worked before.

I think that was what we were doing with Cunningham off the bench... that was working beautifully... why did coach change that?

Atiba Harris was out for 1 match and they stuck Jeff back in but once Atiba came back we should have gone back to what was working!

captkane · 06-26-2006, 10:49 AM

I guess i am the only one that thinks Atiba should not be playing? I mean his first touch on the ball is horrible. It always bounce 10 feet from him...

BroncsBomber · 06-26-2006, 01:09 PM

I think the reason Jamie wasn't put in was so that Kreis could move up top and put in one of those sitters. Thus Andy in for Atiba.

neophyte · 06-26-2006, 01:57 PM

It was nice to see Klein back in the flow of the game, with lots of touches, but WHY WOULDN"T HE SHOOT THE BALL? It seemed like he did everything possible to NOT shoot (like Landon against Ghana!).
Novak and Forko continue to be great offensive threats as well as playing some solid defense. Nelly made some nice stops and Danny gets better and better.
By the way, my kids just finished the MLS camps with those Brits dressed in purple jerseys. It was a fun camp for them and they learned a lot of new skills. We forked out an extra $50 for an hour lesson (really 90 minutes!) with Chris from Scotland and it was even better. Hope the guys have a good stay in SLC before heading back to England (& Scotland).