MLS has finally decided that DC United merits a big name import, and it has transformed us into a dangerous side with ambition. The brand new Audi Field will be the venue for eight of our last ten games. Before Rooney's arrival, we were mired at the bottom of the MLS standings. Now, we're six points from the last playoff (what is it about Americans and playoffs?) spot with three games in hand.
DC United was the premier MLS team in its first decade. We won the MLS Cup four times (including three of the first four years), the CONCACAF Champions League, three US Open Cups, and four Supporters' Shields (best regular season record). But as the rest of the league moved into soccer-only stadiums, we were still playing in funky old RFK; and the league concentrated on building up the New York and LA franchises at the expense of the rest of the teams. We were pretty awful for quite a while. The one triumph was an unlikely US Open Cup in 2013, a year we finished dead last in the league.
There's nothing wrong with coach Ben Olsen, local hero. We just didn't have enough good players. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid is top class, and I'm delighted he returned from a disappointing European stint. Luciano Acosta is excellent. Most of the rest of the players had to be replaced, though, and that's what happened. Still, it was not clicking for United until Audi Field became Wayne's World. He's provided leadership, a damned near perfect example, incredible effort, and sublime skill in driving us to pick up points and climb the table. He's gotten five assists and four goals in (about) ten games, and has rejuvenated the play of Acosta, who now looks like one of the most dangerous players in the league. Here's a really nice blog post from PlanetFootball with clips. The one from the Orlando game is incredible--check it out if you have not already seen it. The stuff of dreams!
Rooney is 32 years old. He's a Manchester United and England legend. But he's already well on the way to becoming a DC United legend as well.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Cardiff 2 - 3 Arsenal
For the neutrals, this was a fantastic game. For me, it was torture--but with a happy ending. All five goals were very well taken, though it's fair to say that poor control, dodgy refereeing, and lax defense were present in the buildups, though that takes away nothing from the goals and assists. Mustafi's header was excellent, and so was the header that made it 2-2 for the Welsh side. You just can't strike a ball better than Laca and Auba did for their goals, and the Camarasa chance was not easy but he buried it.
So, defense. What defense? If Warnock's men were trying to prevent chances, it did not work. Laca hit the post, and several great Arsenal chances were spurned, blocked, or saved. For our part, it's becoming increasingly clear that our system is not catering to our defensive abilities. Had Emery not impressed on the men how important it was to snuff out counters with intentional fouls, it may have been worse. As it was, we were in danger of going down to ten men when both fullbacks picked up early yellows.
I liked the way we moved the ball. Maybe Ozil was greasing the gears. I haven't seen any player ratings, but Xhaka seemed off the pace to me, and exhibited some bad judgement, most spectacularly for the stupid cross-field giveaway just before halftime that led to the (first) tying goal. Gwendouzi looked good, I thought, and Ramsey was lively. I love Lacazette, though. He works really hard on O and D and has good vision. Bellerin did his job and so did Nacho, but I think they're being asked to do an awful lot. Sokratis and Mustafi are not good, fast, or disciplined enough to be able to deal with counters without help, but our fullbacks are always way up the field when we lose the ball. Torreira helps in that regard but he's not the complete answer. Cech seems to me to be very uncomfortable back there. He's asked to play out of the back and he's not terribly good at it; and he never knows what he's going to get from his CBs on corners and crosses. He's supposed to be the secure option, but aside from his still excellent reading of the game and decent shot-stopping abilities, he appears to be the risky option in the early going.
This was a very necessary three points when we could easily have dropped two or three. Cardiff had just three shots on goal, but missed some glorious chances by skying them when a good shot would have scored. After the break, we have to shore things up in the back somehow. We can't just wait for an aging Kos to get healthy again. I will never understand the decision to farm out Chambers, but Holding and Mavrapanos are still on the squad and from what I've seen they can't do much worse than the guys Emery keeps sending out.
So, defense. What defense? If Warnock's men were trying to prevent chances, it did not work. Laca hit the post, and several great Arsenal chances were spurned, blocked, or saved. For our part, it's becoming increasingly clear that our system is not catering to our defensive abilities. Had Emery not impressed on the men how important it was to snuff out counters with intentional fouls, it may have been worse. As it was, we were in danger of going down to ten men when both fullbacks picked up early yellows.
I liked the way we moved the ball. Maybe Ozil was greasing the gears. I haven't seen any player ratings, but Xhaka seemed off the pace to me, and exhibited some bad judgement, most spectacularly for the stupid cross-field giveaway just before halftime that led to the (first) tying goal. Gwendouzi looked good, I thought, and Ramsey was lively. I love Lacazette, though. He works really hard on O and D and has good vision. Bellerin did his job and so did Nacho, but I think they're being asked to do an awful lot. Sokratis and Mustafi are not good, fast, or disciplined enough to be able to deal with counters without help, but our fullbacks are always way up the field when we lose the ball. Torreira helps in that regard but he's not the complete answer. Cech seems to me to be very uncomfortable back there. He's asked to play out of the back and he's not terribly good at it; and he never knows what he's going to get from his CBs on corners and crosses. He's supposed to be the secure option, but aside from his still excellent reading of the game and decent shot-stopping abilities, he appears to be the risky option in the early going.
This was a very necessary three points when we could easily have dropped two or three. Cardiff had just three shots on goal, but missed some glorious chances by skying them when a good shot would have scored. After the break, we have to shore things up in the back somehow. We can't just wait for an aging Kos to get healthy again. I will never understand the decision to farm out Chambers, but Holding and Mavrapanos are still on the squad and from what I've seen they can't do much worse than the guys Emery keeps sending out.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Arsenal 3 - 1 West Ham
I've been on vacation and missed the first two games, which means they don't count, right?
After our unfortunate failure to snatch a point or three at the Bridge, I'm going to take the three points earned today as our due. It could have been very different had the Hammers taken their chances. On the other hand, Fabianski (I always liked him and wish he were still with us) saved a goal or two with some stellar reflex saves. We were on top most of the game.
Both defenses looked pretty bad, I thought. I was screaming at the TV as West Ham players simply dribbled 40 yards upfield without a challenge. To be fair, Emery's system has Bellerin (and sometimes Monreal) way out of position when we lose the ball, Mkhi wasn't covering well, Xhaka is next to useless in these situations, and I certainly don't want Mustafi or Sokratis diving in as the last defender. The Hammers could have had five or six, if they finished a whole lot better than they seem capable of. West Ham's defenders just looked befuddled, as the ten men they kept behind the ball seemed unable to prevent several great opportunities that might have put this game out of sight with a half hour to spare. Lukas bailed them out (and Cech had a very good game too).
Jack's return to the Emirates did not result in anything that looked like a statement, unless it was "Yeah, this really is what I've become." Lucas Perez had his chance to put a dagger in our hearts but his attempted cross was way too far in front of the shadow-of-his-former-self Chicharito.
I was a bit surprised it was Guendouzi making way for Torreira, but the tactical move proved to be the right one. Laca also was a shot in the arm--I love the way he plays defense from the front. Ramsey, Mkhi, and Iwobi were disappointing, but not awful. Auba was closest to that for us, but we saw flashes and I think he'll come good soon.
Why did we loan out Chambers? Is Emery expecting Kos to come back and be the CB he was years ago? Unless Torreira is another Kante, we're always going to ship a cheap goal with Mustakratis. I expect to see Mavrapanos sooner rather than later unless those two start clicking.
Who does not love Nacho? Rhetorical question; everyone loves Nacho. Welbeck is another guy who has once again proven useful in a clutch situation. Kudos to Emery for putting him in for PEA.
I don't know anything about the Ozil situation. I expect it'll get sorted out easily enough. Aaron needs to decide what he wants to do. I wish he'd have done that a month ago.
At least we aren't bottom of the table!
After our unfortunate failure to snatch a point or three at the Bridge, I'm going to take the three points earned today as our due. It could have been very different had the Hammers taken their chances. On the other hand, Fabianski (I always liked him and wish he were still with us) saved a goal or two with some stellar reflex saves. We were on top most of the game.
Both defenses looked pretty bad, I thought. I was screaming at the TV as West Ham players simply dribbled 40 yards upfield without a challenge. To be fair, Emery's system has Bellerin (and sometimes Monreal) way out of position when we lose the ball, Mkhi wasn't covering well, Xhaka is next to useless in these situations, and I certainly don't want Mustafi or Sokratis diving in as the last defender. The Hammers could have had five or six, if they finished a whole lot better than they seem capable of. West Ham's defenders just looked befuddled, as the ten men they kept behind the ball seemed unable to prevent several great opportunities that might have put this game out of sight with a half hour to spare. Lukas bailed them out (and Cech had a very good game too).
Jack's return to the Emirates did not result in anything that looked like a statement, unless it was "Yeah, this really is what I've become." Lucas Perez had his chance to put a dagger in our hearts but his attempted cross was way too far in front of the shadow-of-his-former-self Chicharito.
I was a bit surprised it was Guendouzi making way for Torreira, but the tactical move proved to be the right one. Laca also was a shot in the arm--I love the way he plays defense from the front. Ramsey, Mkhi, and Iwobi were disappointing, but not awful. Auba was closest to that for us, but we saw flashes and I think he'll come good soon.
Why did we loan out Chambers? Is Emery expecting Kos to come back and be the CB he was years ago? Unless Torreira is another Kante, we're always going to ship a cheap goal with Mustakratis. I expect to see Mavrapanos sooner rather than later unless those two start clicking.
Who does not love Nacho? Rhetorical question; everyone loves Nacho. Welbeck is another guy who has once again proven useful in a clutch situation. Kudos to Emery for putting him in for PEA.
I don't know anything about the Ozil situation. I expect it'll get sorted out easily enough. Aaron needs to decide what he wants to do. I wish he'd have done that a month ago.
At least we aren't bottom of the table!
Sunday, July 29, 2018
DC United 2 - 1 Colorado
Wayne Rooney scores his first MLS goal, gets his nose broken, and wins me over completely. What a warrior, and what a force. OK, we were at home against a poor team that almost stole a point from us, but I liked what I saw from the squad last night. They showed some belief, and they justified it. It should have been 4-1, really, but chances went begging. The playoffs are almost certainly out of reach for us, but most of our games the rest of the way are at Audi Field and we should climb in the standings. I have to go to a game.
Congratulations, France. Now, Back to Club Football!
Nice WC. France were deserving winners. Croatia won me over with their heart and skill. England overachieved, Belgium was impressive. OK, that happened.
Arsenal's preseason is going about how I expected. Emery is finding out some things members of his squad do well and not so well. About that:
What happened to Mkhitaryan? He really looked poor in the ICC games. Unless he recaptures his old form, Lucas Perez could rise above him in the pecking order.
Kolasinac looks like a guy every winger in the EPL will want to play against. That's not what i'd have expected after his first few games for us.
I hate to say it, but Aaron Ramsey is talking like a guy who loves his football but would rather be doing it for someone else. He's still got the skills and the engine; I just wish he'd commit to us so Emery could instill the discipline he's lacking.
Gwendouzi has really announced himself. Emery wouldn't have given him so many minutes if he weren't considering him as a first team regular. he looks the part; time will tell.
Leno seems solid enough. Cech cost us points last season, and we can't afford that. Martinez does not convince me, but I want him to stay and improve.
Bellerin is still excellent. I can't believe anyone is criticizing him.
I'm perplexed about the center back situation. All of them have weaknesses. Unless Torreia can provide lots better protection than Xhaka and Elneny and Ramsey did, we're going to ship a lot of preventable goals again. The upside is that we have a lot of decent (though not great) CBs, so we're not an injury away from a bigger problem. Maybe a three-back system is a tactical option in some games. Mustafi has to break his habit of diving in to try to win balls in the attacking half, or get better at it.
Smith-Rowe may have sold Emery on keeping him on the first team. He looks like an Arsenal player. Nelson showed well, I thought.
Auba and Lacazette looked as dangerous as ever. Both are going to score plenty of goals for us. There's no Giroud-flavored Plan B now, but maybe that's just something we have to accept. I miss the big lug, but I'll get over it.
All our rivals have plenty of talent and (except for Spuds) have bought more of it. If we crack the top four at the end of the season, it will be because Emery gets more out of his squad than anyone has a right to expect. You never know; maybe City is jaded, United has Jose fatigue, Spuds tear themselves apart, and Chelsea keeps fading. Liverpool is the top six team that seems surest to improve in the standings. I'm not going to worry about West Ham or the other teams that are trying to climb the table this season. I have to believe we're better.
And there's always the cup competitions, which I hope Emery takes very seriously.
Arsenal's preseason is going about how I expected. Emery is finding out some things members of his squad do well and not so well. About that:
What happened to Mkhitaryan? He really looked poor in the ICC games. Unless he recaptures his old form, Lucas Perez could rise above him in the pecking order.
Kolasinac looks like a guy every winger in the EPL will want to play against. That's not what i'd have expected after his first few games for us.
I hate to say it, but Aaron Ramsey is talking like a guy who loves his football but would rather be doing it for someone else. He's still got the skills and the engine; I just wish he'd commit to us so Emery could instill the discipline he's lacking.
Gwendouzi has really announced himself. Emery wouldn't have given him so many minutes if he weren't considering him as a first team regular. he looks the part; time will tell.
Leno seems solid enough. Cech cost us points last season, and we can't afford that. Martinez does not convince me, but I want him to stay and improve.
Bellerin is still excellent. I can't believe anyone is criticizing him.
I'm perplexed about the center back situation. All of them have weaknesses. Unless Torreia can provide lots better protection than Xhaka and Elneny and Ramsey did, we're going to ship a lot of preventable goals again. The upside is that we have a lot of decent (though not great) CBs, so we're not an injury away from a bigger problem. Maybe a three-back system is a tactical option in some games. Mustafi has to break his habit of diving in to try to win balls in the attacking half, or get better at it.
Smith-Rowe may have sold Emery on keeping him on the first team. He looks like an Arsenal player. Nelson showed well, I thought.
Auba and Lacazette looked as dangerous as ever. Both are going to score plenty of goals for us. There's no Giroud-flavored Plan B now, but maybe that's just something we have to accept. I miss the big lug, but I'll get over it.
All our rivals have plenty of talent and (except for Spuds) have bought more of it. If we crack the top four at the end of the season, it will be because Emery gets more out of his squad than anyone has a right to expect. You never know; maybe City is jaded, United has Jose fatigue, Spuds tear themselves apart, and Chelsea keeps fading. Liverpool is the top six team that seems surest to improve in the standings. I'm not going to worry about West Ham or the other teams that are trying to climb the table this season. I have to believe we're better.
And there's always the cup competitions, which I hope Emery takes very seriously.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Not Watch World Cup? Like That Would Happen.
I tried not to tune in, but of course I failed. Fox is doing its best to drive me away. Their coverage stinks. Derek Rae is the only decent play by play guy, and the color commentators are pretty bad. Warren Barton is fine in the studio, but he gets really annoying in my ear for 90 minutes. Aly Wagner is decent; Tony Meola OK. Everyone else goes on mute. Actually, that's how I usually watch this WC.
Now that Messi and Ronaldo are going home, the only player left that Fox acknowledges is Neymar. It's as though no one at Fox follows football beyond reading gossip magazines.
OK, the games:
I was delighted that Germany crashed out and Mexico moved on. Play was uneven and many games were not exactly thrilling, but most were at least close. There were plenty of late goals. VAR is a success as far as I'm concerned. There was the usual excitement and drama in most of the groups for the third group game. In the knockouts, France 4 - 3 Argentina was really good, I thought. The two games today that were decided via kicks-from-the-spot were fairly dour affairs, especially the Russia win over Spain, which was terrible. In 120 minutes, Spain completed over a thousand passes to Russia's 200, but never tested Akinfeev. Their only score was an own-goal; Russia got a PK after the aptly named Pique intentionally blocked a header with his arm. DaGea was shockingly bad this WC, and he looked awful in the shootout. I'm thinking Belgium has as good a chance as any team to win it all, and if Mexico can't do it, I'll be rooting for them. But if England or Switzerland can be champion, great. I can't get behind Russia; I hate the way they play.
Now that Messi and Ronaldo are going home, the only player left that Fox acknowledges is Neymar. It's as though no one at Fox follows football beyond reading gossip magazines.
OK, the games:
I was delighted that Germany crashed out and Mexico moved on. Play was uneven and many games were not exactly thrilling, but most were at least close. There were plenty of late goals. VAR is a success as far as I'm concerned. There was the usual excitement and drama in most of the groups for the third group game. In the knockouts, France 4 - 3 Argentina was really good, I thought. The two games today that were decided via kicks-from-the-spot were fairly dour affairs, especially the Russia win over Spain, which was terrible. In 120 minutes, Spain completed over a thousand passes to Russia's 200, but never tested Akinfeev. Their only score was an own-goal; Russia got a PK after the aptly named Pique intentionally blocked a header with his arm. DaGea was shockingly bad this WC, and he looked awful in the shootout. I'm thinking Belgium has as good a chance as any team to win it all, and if Mexico can't do it, I'll be rooting for them. But if England or Switzerland can be champion, great. I can't get behind Russia; I hate the way they play.
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Miscellaneous
The first set of transfers--Papastathopoulos, Leichsteiner, some teenagers--are underwhelming. We shall see if we get a good CM. Emery is probably going to have to get more out of the guys already on staff. Let's hope Ramsey is one of them, and Jack would be helpful too.
The Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 44 year history. The Wizards were bounced in the first playoff round. DC United is awful again. The Nationals are pretty good again.
I will try to resist the World Cup. It's in Russia for one thing, and of course the absence of the US and Italy takes a lot of the interest out of it for me. Qatar is probably going to be a complete mess that discredits FIFA entirely. I can't believe they didn't do that selection over again.
The Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 44 year history. The Wizards were bounced in the first playoff round. DC United is awful again. The Nationals are pretty good again.
I will try to resist the World Cup. It's in Russia for one thing, and of course the absence of the US and Italy takes a lot of the interest out of it for me. Qatar is probably going to be a complete mess that discredits FIFA entirely. I can't believe they didn't do that selection over again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)