The Fullback Files

Blame Canada

2013-06-07T13:54:00.000-04:00

A curious thing occurred to me when news of United’s acquisition of Alain Rochat dropped, accompanied as it was by mentions of his being Swiss by upbringing, but Canadian by birth. Even if you discount Rochat’s Canadian-ness, doesn’t it seem strange that D.C. United has so many Canadians on the roster? De Rosario is the captain, Jakovic[1] is a key member of the defense, and Porter has been seeing significant time on the flank by dint of an injury rash in midfield.

Again, ignoring Rochat for the time being, that’s three Canadians getting major minutes for the club. And that made me think (1) why so many Canadians, and (2) what about the actual Canadian clubs in MLS?

Consider…

Outside of Nana Attakora getting minutes as center back cover in San Jose, I can’t think of any Canadian picking up major minutes for an American MLS side (outside United, of course). But maybe that’s because the Canadian MLS sides are hoarding the limited supply of native talent?

Not so.

Vancouver, outside of the recently dealt Rochat (who, for the purposes of this post we’ll class as Swiss), has exactly one Canadian player (Teibert) who has featured even semi-regularly. Indeed, they only have three Canadians on their entire MLS roster.

Montreal? Bernier is a key cog in their midfield, but he’s one of just four Canadians on their MLS roster, and the other three are bench-fodder at best.

Of course, there’s always Toronto, the first bulwark in Canada’s MLS invasion. They do have a handful of Canucks (think Morgan, Osorio, Henry, Dunfield) in and around the game-day roster, but even then, only Morgan is among the top 15 on the roster in minutes played.

All of which begs the question: why does D.C. United, of all teams, feature what is likely the most significant Canadian playing presence in MLS?

And, sadly, the follow-up: is it any coincidence that the two teams which most feature Canadian players are the two teams that haven’t yet reached double digits in points and sit at the foot of the table?

Blame Canada[2].

An inverted-Rochat, if you will; Jakovic was born in the former Yugoslavia but raised (and received his soccer “education”) in Canada. ↩
I’m being flippant, of course, and probably subconsciously channelling some of the furore surrounding the Sydney Leroux vs. Canadian fans nonsense, but still… ↩

FM Scouting: The Sedan Trialists

2013-06-04T22:26:00.001-04:00

No screenshots or in-depth examinations on offer here, but a quick dive into the FM 2013 Editor gives us a decent scouting report on the two CS Sedan players currently on trial with United. Based on the (admittedly) rough measure of current/potential ability, both are in the “not quite indispensable, but certain MLS starters if fit and on form” category (think Jakovic). Both are also low-controversy, ambitious professionals., which can’t hurt.

Mamadou Diallo

Positionally best as a striker, but also capable on playing on the right flank, Diallo fits the Benny striker mold in that he’s a hard worker with good strength and reasonable, if not great, technical quality. While strong, he’s not an aerial powerhouse, relying more on above average speed and movement, preferring to exploit the channels between defenders.

Sadly, while he’s rated as one with a flair for the big occasion, he’s not exactly going to set the world on fire with his finishing. His playing history backs this up as he’s never been what you’d call prolific.

Assessment: Don’t see much difference here between Diallo and the current stable of attackers.

Habib Bellaid

Bellaid is a center back who can also do spot duty on the flanks. He’s a smart, consistent, and determined player who reads the game well and is reasonably technical. He’s fast and strong, but maybe not the quickest over short distances, and prefers to play his way out of trouble rather than hoofing it.

It looks like he was a regular Ligue 1 and Bundesliga starter a few years ago, but has been bouncing around of late further down the tiers in Germany and France.

Assessment: His playing stats indicate a blend of Jakovic and McDonald. Couldn’t hurt to have another quality option in the middle, though I think I’d rather see Shanosky and White get blooded more at center back since this season is pretty much a wash minus a possible cup run.

#DigDeep

2013-06-03T20:41:00.000-04:00

So what’s up with this #DigDeep hashtag that I see following #dcu around the Twitterverse? Possible meanings that I can come up with off the top of my head?

A none-too-subtle message to the ownership to loosen the purse strings and #DigDeep in the moneybags for some filthy lucre to be splashed on reliable finishing.
A hint to the fan-base that if they want a stadium, they’ll need to #DigDeep foundations themselves.
To get a big enough hole to bury the frustrated ambitions, hopes, and dreams of the supporters, we all need to #DigDeep.
To plumb new depths in the MLS records for futility you’ve got to #DigDeep.
It’s all part of some elaborate PR stunt encouraging us to #Dig somebody named #Deep. Wait…Deep could be a nickname for Sandeep, and a casual Google search reveals plenty of Sandeeps in Indonesia. Hmmm. Now who do we know in Indonesia?

Any other suggestions?

Toe the Line, Don't Ask Questions!

2013-03-21T12:54:00.000-04:00

In case you missed it, MLSsoccer.com senior editor Simon Borg decided that the kerfuffle over Klinsmann-gate (see yesterday's post) is all on the players. Apparently, we should all put our trust in Klinsmann because of his vast experience and not bother to challenge his reign or methods at all. If you were smart, you stopped reading at paragraph #4...

Because in the end, what serious soccer professional would try to publicly undermine their coach and their team in that fashion?

Honestly? Does Borg even pay attention to the sport he supposedly covers? You'd think a passing familiarity with the game and its history on the larger scale would be a requirement for a "senior editor," wouldn't you?

Oh wait: here's a nugget from the last paragraph (yes, I survived the slog through it so you won't have to)...

As someone commented to me yesterday: That story about Klinsmann could be any soccer coach out there.

Uh-huh. So which is it?

Herculez Gomez has a much better take, also on MLSsoccer.com...

Gomez [...] even hailed Straus' work, which called into question several key aspects of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's stewardship of the squad.

“I love it – I love it,” he said. “It's about time. It's about damn time you guys took some interest and you guys started asking some tough questions. I think that shows us growing as a footballing nation, I really do.

Right on, Herc.

What's That Caked on Your Fan?

2013-03-20T09:17:00.000-04:00

Oh dear...

In conversation after conversation, the same themes emerged:

— Klinsmann and chief assistant Martin Vasquez either lack the tactical acumen and game-day chops to successfully lead the team or fail to communicate their wishes effectively.

— Too much time and too many resources are spent on initiatives that don’t translate to the field.

— Constant lineup changes and building resentment over the perceived importance and attitude of the German-born players are harming team chemistry.

Read the whole, damning thing, I'll wait.

I'm beginning to think that my Klinsmann : USMNT :: Sven : El Tri analogy is going to bear some nasty fruit and my suspicions upon Klinsmann's appointment in 2011 are about to be proved valid...

It’s all about rolling the dice. Sticking with Bradley would have resulted in qualification and early dismissal in Brazil. Results with Klinsmann depend on delegation. The whole thing might click wonderfully or explode in our faces.

Given solid, experienced heads around him, he can focus on what he does best: being the motivational figurehead. That leads to Germany in 2006. If instead he thinks he’s the next Rinus Michels, we get the Bayern abomination.

Are You Lionard Pajoy in Disguise?

2013-03-12T10:33:00.000-04:00

(via World of Sport)

Lesser of Two Evils? | a D.C. United Match Reaction

2013-03-09T22:27:00.000-05:00

An uninspiring win to say the least. I’ll hold back on loosing with both bores until De Rosario gets back on the field. Indeed, rather than delving into minutiae, let’s just have a look at the biggest point I took away from the match, shall we?

Full credit to Pajoy. Despite the obvious handicap of his ridiculous hair[1], he did manage the only goal of the game. He also ran his socks off chasing balls and harrying defenders.

But.

And there’s always a but, isn’t there?

Carlos Ruiz (and you can count me with those who think Rico Clark was entirely justified for booting the Little Fish while he flopped about on the turf [viz], but I digress). Carlos Ruiz had just over ten minutes on the field. In those ten minutes he had three chances and did something that Pajoy, for all his effort, just doesn’t do very well.

He combined with the rest of the attack. Directly and quickly.

Balls forward were knocked into space with one touch or held with consideration and an eye for runners. Contrast, if you will, with Pajoy’s penchant for dribbling or holding until he loses possession or picking passes that don’t lead runners but stop them in their tracks.

Pajoy’s wastefulness in front of net has been the focal point of much of the ire directed against him, but for me the number of attacks he kills by dallying on the ball or failing to bring others into the play is the far greater sin. And for all the many sins piled at his feet, Ruiz isn’t guilty of this one.

And this match certainly had its fair share, didn’t it? I’d say Valasquez shaded the title for Most Absurd Coif though. Quite a feat when Beckerman’s around. ↩

Horses for Courses

2013-02-21T10:01:00.000-05:00

Color me both uninspired and unsurprised by the Ruiz acquisition.

I grew up in the same neck of the woods as Ben Olsen, and though I'm a touch older than he is, I know (and am related to) folks who have shared a field with him. They're all pretty consistent in both (a) detesting Ben as an opponent and (b) being ready with an anecdote about how he bent or plain broke the rules in pursuit of winning, even when the game was meaningless.

So in that context, Ruiz makes sense. He also makes sense when you look at the kind of forward Ben wants leading his line. Still...

I'd be lying if I said I was overjoyed, but I'd also be lying if I said I was disgusted. In fact, I'm having a hard time getting past yawning indifference. Yes, the roster being assembled is deep, it's competitive, it matches both Ben's personality and the tactics he wants to employ. It's increasingly looking like a horse well-suited for the oft-brutal slog of the MLS course. I won't be surprised in the least if it's successful where results are concerned.

And I'll watch. Of course I'll watch. And cheer. And groan. And ride the roller coaster of highs and lows as any fanatico is wont to do. I'm just not sure there will be much to enjoy beyond results.

Lionard Pajoy and the Left Flank

2013-02-10T10:29:00.001-05:00

I only caught the second half of D.C. United's 4-0 pre-season romp over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. That means I only really got to see the "first" team for 10-15 minutes before Olsen did a full swap of reserves and trialists. But what I did see was intriguing.

Sure there were the predictable gaps at the back and the Rowdies really didn't look up to much, but United's possession and general play were good. What particularly intrigued me was the play of Lionard Pajoy, often maligned in these very pixels for the majority of his time at United. The frustration for most United fans has been his lack of goals, but my particular bugbear has been his tendency to slow the attack down and try to do too much on the dribble.

Not so last night.

Pajoy did manage a couple of quality finishes with the two good chances he was presented: first a classic center forward's goal (back post header directed across the face of goal) followed by a good run, jink, and chip from the edge of the box. Now maybe this is why Olsen played him so much last year. Maybe he's the kind of player that shines in practice but gets a case of the excessive dribbles and loses composure in front of net when the big crowd is making noise.

But what gave me the most positive impression was that he was much more direct than last year. Instead of pulling wide to get the ball and then dwelling on it with pretty little touches, he took off down the flank, usually the left. That's particularly intriguing because Pontius has a natural tendency to play as an inverted winger on the left, cutting inside at every opportunity. I can see a pattern of Pajoy pulling wide, dribbling down the flank while De Rosario, Pontius, and DeLeon pile into the box with a midfielder trailing to pounce on scraps. Or Pontius dribbling inside with Pajoy pulling left for a ball laid through or Woolard steaming into space to hit a first-time cross.

Of course, MLS right flanks will almost certainly be better defended than Tampa Bay could manage last night. Still...

The combination play looked pretty good considering the lack of match practice. This was especially noticeable between Woolard and Pontius down the left, a pattern that continued with Kemp and whoever the viking trialing at left back was when the wave of subs came on. There was a fair share of one- and two-touch stuff and a decided tendency towards the Hollywood-ball switch from flank to flank to open space.

Some other quick observations...

* Hamid looked confident playing sweeper-keeper and commanding his box.

* I'd take a pass on Nane. He committed too many fouls and might have been sent off if this weren't pre-season. Also, he too often failed to cycle possession in favor of trying to shove balls into gaps that didn't exist.

* Seaton looked like a beast in the Altidore mold. Quick, making good runs, very big and very strong. MLS is probably a bridge to far, but I bet Richmond's coach was salivating at the sight of him causing fits for a lower-division defense.

I'll be interested to see how United fare against MLS opposition on Wednesday and whether the patterns of play on display last night can carry over against higher-quality opposition. It's still very early and there are real gaps in the roster that need to be addressed, but I like what I've seen thus far.

Sting in the Tail

2013-01-31T20:54:00.001-05:00

Deadline day got you down? Missing Andy Najar already? How about a reminder of why you love the game?

(HT to the Guardian. And yes, I'll admit, I was watching their deadline day ticker...sigh.)

FM Scouting | Syamsir Alam

2013-01-26T13:40:00.000-05:00

Once again we're given a name and some YouTube footage of a new signing (not to mention some healthy levels of skepticism regarding why he was signed) but precious little else. Time to fire up the FM 2013 Editor!

First things first: there aren't going to be any screenshots here or detailed comparisons to existing players because Alam in the FM database isn't a complete picture of a player. He's a rough sketch that lets the game engine fill in the gaps. But that rough sketch should give us some clues as to the sort of player he is.

Let's start with general ability levels. The game rates him at a 70 for current ability (out of 200 and compared to the low to mid 80's ratings for the likes of Rozeboom, Shanosky, or Tan), lending weight to the current supposition that he'll be trying to find games with our affiliates in Richmond. That said, most of the current Kickers players in the database are in the 80's or 90's for current ability, so he might struggle to get time there as well.

As for potential, Alam garners a -6 from the database; the same as Willis and Korb on the current United roster. The database also has him as right-footed and a natural right winger who is accomplished playing in the #10 spot and can do spot duty up top or in a deeper right midfield position. He's rated mentally as highly consistent and determined, with reasonable levels of creativity and decision-making. The barest bones of a physical sketch have him with decent strength and stamina, and his technical ratings show good technique and finishing, but only adequate dribbling and crossing skill.

Note that most of his attributes are left blank for the game to populate given his current/potential ability ratings as a guide, but you can get a decent picture of the type of player he is. To further flesh out the skeleton, he has preferred moves that indicate a preference for dribbling down the right, getting forward whenever possible, and getting into the opposition area.

It's not hard to argue that theoretically this type of player fills a hole in the roster. Assuming Najar is either destined for Belgium or the right fullback spot, we've got Pontius and DeLeon on the wings with Neal and maybe a trialist or draftee auditioning for cover. A young, technical wide midfielder geared to attack, attack, attack would certainly fit the bill. Unfortunately (and the database isn't infallible, but long-time players of the game will trust in its repute), both his most recent level of employment and the numbers in the game would seem to indicate that he's just not good enough for United and likely will never be.

Luciano Emilio's Golf Cart

2013-01-15T22:15:00.001-05:00

Odd photo choice to accompany the Supporters' Shield entry on Wikipedia.

Is this supposed to imply some twisted version of the "he put the team on his back and carried them" sports cliché? "Luciano Emilio put the team on his golf cart and drove them to back-to-back Supporters' Shields." Or is it a subtle dig at his limited mobility?

Video Blast From the (Recent) Past

2013-01-15T21:29:00.001-05:00

The Blizzard (What, you don't subscribe? Fix that. I'll wait...) folks take questions from Twitter.

To which Philippe Auclair of France Football (and Football Weekly! Again, subscription is mandatory, but this one doesn't cost a pence) replies....

Mais oui!

Great Fulham Goals #1 - Clint Dempsey from Fulham FC on Vimeo.

FM Scouting: Rafael

2013-01-03T21:34:00.000-05:00

Ah, it's that time of year again, isn't it? When we all huddle round our laptops trying to read the digital tea leaves swirling in pixelated YouTube clips. But we have a better resource available to assess guys who are little more than names, nationalities, and positions, don't we? We have Football Manager and the Sacred Database.

Welcome to my wheelhouse.

Initial Impressions

Here's our boy...

click to enlarge

At first blush he seems to be a pretty decent all-around forward -- not excellent at any one thing, but decent across the board. Good levels of fitness and determination will endear him to Benny, while yours truly likes the look of that generous flair rating combined with reasonable physical characteristics, good off the ball movement, and fair finishing.

All in all, a pretty balanced player, though he doesn't look like he's up to much when it comes to defending or leadership. But you'd hope those wouldn't be characteristics you're looking for in a 20 year old forward, right?

Consult the Coaches!

So what do the coaches at his current club think of him in the virtual world?

click to enlarge

Current ability wouldn't get him much of a look with his current top-flight Brazilian side, but he's got the potential to be a starter and a key member of the squad. As per the first impressions, he's an athletic player, but the coaches don't seem to be particularly impressed with his ability to read the game. Of course, that's probably a significant weakness for most 20 year olds without first-team experience.

A quick peak beneath the hood (to the FM Editor we go!) reveals a current/potential ability split of 107/140. That puts him firmly in MLS starter territory right now with the potential to be an All Star down the line. I know that Goff has characterized this as a minor signing, but if these ratings are at all accurate, his current ability puts him in the same territory with the likes of Pajoy, Najar, and DeLeon and his upside is higher than Pontius.

Comparison Shopping

But what about direct comparison with the guys he'll either be competing with for playing time or replacing? Here's a look at how Rafael stacks up against Santos, Salihi, and Pajoy.

click to enlarge

Save for his inability to defend (also a weakness identified in "real life" when it comes to our other loanee Brazilian), he stacks up pretty well against Santos and Pajoy, though he's a fair shout short of Salihi's technical and tactical qualities.

The other thing the sharp-eyed amongst you might have noted from these screenshots is this dude's size. Santos is a pretty beefy forward at 6'1", 174 lbs, but Rafael is listed at 6', 185 lbs. Why is that significant? Simple. MLS is a physical league, and Rafael doesn't look like he'll be easy to push around. Couple that with a bit of flair and technical ability and this virtual first look seems promising.

Conclusions

A bit more poking around in the editor reveals a relatively high level of professionalism as well, which leaves me pretty optimistic in general about this signing. If the FM database researchers can be believed (and yes, I'm taking this all with a heavy dose of salt, thank you very much), Rafael will be challenging for minutes immediately and looks a pretty competent replacement for Santos with the added benefit of probably being younger/hungrier and having a higher ceiling.

He's not a poacher or a guy who's going to unlock defenses with pace, but seems to fit the mold of an Olsen forward: determined, physical, technically solid, with a splash of guile to boot.

Going Deep Catalog

2012-12-30T20:36:00.000-05:00

So there’s me, venturing down the snowy slopes from my mountain lair for a family outing to watch the Harrisburg Heat host the Ohio Vortex (PASL indoor, for those keeping score at home) and perking up when the Vortex introduced the “special” uniform used to denote a keeper playing in the field during a power play[1]…

“Hey, that’s an Akron Summit Assault shirt.”

Blank stares from the relations.

“That shirt. Akron. Summit Assault. They play in the PDL.”

Strained half-smiles.

“Premier Development League? Mostly amateur with some semi-pro teams involved. Lots of college kids. Shares the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid with the NPSL?”

Placating muttering all around, heads turning back to the game in progress with more eagerness then is strictly necessary with the Heat enjoying a 5 or 6 goal cushion.

Sigh.

Such are the perils of having access to the deep catalog of the bowels of American soccer.

Yes, yes. Power plays and blue cards and line changes, oh my! ↩

Where Does He Dig These Up?

2012-12-11T21:18:00.000-05:00

"Heleno de Freitas was clearly a gypsy," the Uruguayan poet Eduardo Galeano wrote. "He had Rudolph Valentino's face and the temper of a mad dog. On the playing field he sparkled. One night, in a casino, he lost all his money. Another night, who knows where, he lost all his desire to live."
(via)

Another J-Wil special from deep in the archives...

Running the Rule Over the Roster

2012-11-28T13:11:00.001-05:00

Time to play virtual Director of Football for a moment and assess D.C. United's current playing roster...

GOALKEEPERS

Between Hamid and Willis, United are pretty well set between the posts. While Hamid's temperament and occasional rash decisions probably leave him on the outside in any conversation about elite MLS goalkeepers, he's edging into that territory. Besides the raw physical and shot-shopping ability, he's beginning to really command his box; tutelage at the hands of Onstad is clearly paying benefits.

In Willis, United have a capable backup. The concern will be if he's ready to be the #1 should Hamid bolt for more lucrative Euro-pastures. Willis is solid, but isn't the game-changer that Hamid can be. Still, if United can keep hold of Hamid, Willis should be numbered amongst the best of the backups in the league.

Assessment: Solid. No need for help unless Hamid heads abroad.

CENTRAL DEFENSE

This is a tough one. While the pairing of McDonald and Jakovic is relatively capable and still not yet in their prime, they look vulnerable when not shielded by two holding mids. On paper, matching the brawn and vocal leadership of McDonald with the quiet class of Jakovic should be a win-win, but they're too often caught out making bad decisions on the ball, losing marks, or being poorly positioned.

Dudar promised much coming into the season, but the commanding aerial presence and generally good distribution were marred by alarmingly regular brain-farts and a series of niggling injuries. Given that United have two quality young prospects returning from loan spells in Shanosky and White and with Russell and Woolard both capable of the odd spell in the middle, is Dudar an unnecessary luxury?

Assessment: Reasonably good. If a can't miss upgrade becomes available, take it, but that should't be a priority.

FULLBACKS

Three-quarters of the way through the season, I would have pinpointed fullback as a prime target for an upgrade or two. I had come to a grudging acceptance of Woolard as a decent enough left back, but saw little to impress elsewhere. But that was before Najar and Korb turned in some surprisingly good efforts on the defensive flanks and Robbie Russell also had some quality outings (perhaps his poor early season form was due to niggling injuries?).

Still, there's more than a hint of need here. Were Russell's playoff performances as an attacking right back indicative of what he still can bring or is he past his sell-by date? Did Korb turn some career corner and suddenly become a viable MLS fullback or was his brief flourish a flash in the pan? Given United's history with concussions, is counting on having Woolard back a reasonable expectation? Has anybody seen Mike Chabala? And, most importantly, is Andy Najar a right back? While I like him coming from deep positions to terrorize defenses, I wonder if that's the most effective use of his talents. Also, you want to get both DeLeon and Pontius on the field, but both seem most effective coming in from the left flank onto their stronger right feet.

Assessment: The need isn't desperate, but it could become so if Woolard can't go and/or Najar is more needed/effective at right midfield.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

Another conundrum wrapped in an enigma made marginally easier to assess with the departure of Boskovic. Does Benny go back to the diamond with De Rosario in midfield, or does he stick with the system that proved so effective down the stretch and rely on two holders? Given how much more solid the defense looked with two holders (and how much more involved the fullbacks were allowed to become offensively -- particularly important if Najar projects as a right back) and my own preference for De Rosario operating as a trequartista between the forward and midfield lines, I'd lean towards the latter option.

If that's the case, there's shopping to be done. Kitchen is only going to get better, but he needs a better partner than Saragosa in the long term, preferably one that carries an attacking threat that doesn't allow opposition midfields to sit deep, clogging the area De Rosario and Pontius and DeLeon want to exploit.

While Kitchen did show up in the attack from time to time in the two-holder system, that's not his strength. Nor is it Saragosa's. With all due respect to Lewis Neal and Stephen King, I don't see them as potential answers either, save in the capacity of providing depth. My preference would be to look for a deep-lying string-puller who can pick passes to our dangerous wide men to initiate attacks or find De Rosario drifting between the lines, but that's a big ask on an MLS budget. More likely would be a box-to-box guy who can cover serious acreage defensively and make late runs into the box to take advantage of crosses or loose balls. Either of these types of players carrying the threat of a cannon-shot from distance would be a bonus.

Assessment: The need is clear. Even if Olsen sees De Rosario still in a midfield role, we'd need another quality option with Boskovic gone.

WINGS

Assuming Najar won't be starting all season at right-back, we've got good options here. Pontius is amongst the best wide men in the league, and Najar and DeLeon are two of the most exciting wing prospects around. With Pontius, Neal, and DeLeon all strongest on the left flank, it's the right that might need to be addressed. True, it's Najar's natural position and both Pontius and DeLeon can do a job there, but if Najar is playing left back and DeLeon is needed on the left (more on this in the next section), what are your options?

Assessment: Depth on the right flank might need to be addressed, but isn't a massive priority. Re-entry or SuperDraft?

FORWARDS

Frankly, not having a reliable danger-man up top is probably the number one factor in why United didn't make it to the MLS Cup final. It's been said elsewhere, but all of United's options are half-solutions. Salihi can finish, but doesn't fit Olsen's system. If United were to become a team that created chances for a forward rather than relying on the forward foraging more for themselves, he might be worth giving a shot (zing!), but I just don't see him being a good fit for the hectic pace and physical nature of this league.

Likewise, Pajoy has some really intriguing qualities (committed defensive effort, good in possession, great movement, reasonably strong) but is (1) not a great finisher and (2) too in love with putzing about with the ball, thus killing attacks and allowing defenses to push up, knowing he won't punish them for doing so. Santos is a decent target man and can blast them from distance, but is terribly streaky and spent long stretches on the treatment table to boot.

Given that De Rosario probably has a stranglehold on one of the forward (or hybrid forward/mid) positions, what would you need in a partner, and can any of those currently on the roster provide such? Salihi and Pajoy both seem better fits for other leagues, ones that play a slower game with more intricate and patient build-up. Santos has proven chemistry with De Rosario, but struggles with injury and form and probably isn't the guy you want to be relying on when the stakes are high.

Of course, De Rosario is (or was) that clutch player. Who knows what type of impact he might have had in the post-season if healthy? But how much does he have left in the tank, and can he be the key cog with a revolving cast of forwards and wingers chipping in enough goals to make a designated goal-getter unnecessary? Perhaps. I also wonder if it might not be worth trying Pontius up top with De Rosario. True, Pontius is better when he has room to gather the ball and run at defenders, but he could do that by pulling wide from a forward position, allowing De Leon of drift inside from the left midfield spot and Najar to overlap wide right. The speed to stretch defenses, creating more room for De Rosario to operate, would be a useful option none of our current crop of forwards provide.

Assessment: Finding a dynamic, reliable finisher up top should be high on the acquisition chart, but it isn't necessarily the end of the world if that doesn't come to pass. Better if it does though.

CONCLUSIONS

The immediate response to what United so obviously needed down the stretch is that forward should be priority numero uno. I'd certainly be actively scouting for one, but my first priority would be to find a partner for Kitchen in midfield.

Everything about this team (fragility of defense without two shielding mids, the extra cover allowing attack-minded fullbacks to bomb forward, De Rosario dropping off the forward line, Pontius and DeLeon drifting in from the flanks) points to a two-deep system being the best midfield fit for the current roster. Add in that De Rosario's aging legs would probably be better served by a less physically demanding role than central midfield, and I think the priority should be a central midfielder in one of the two molds I identified above: deep-lying playmaker or box-to-box guy that makes late runs into the box.

After that, obviously I think you look to bolster the forward options and address the depth at either right midfield or fullback depending upon where Najar is projected to play.

At least that's how I'd play the offseason if this were my FM save...

Pick Your Jaw Up Off the Floor

2012-11-14T22:06:00.002-05:00

Jebus.

Ibra may be an ass of the highest order, but how can you hate a guy who can do something like that?

Unbelievable.

Still Enjoying the Ride

2012-11-09T09:40:00.002-05:00

I'm sure any nocturnal creatures in the woods out back of the Clan Fullback mountain hideway last night were endlessly entertained staring in through the lighted window at the strange man prancing about his living room, pumping his fists and miming jubilant shouts (so as not to wake the baby...as you do).

Even after watching the highlights with my daughter over breakfast this morning (confirming that last night was not, in fact, a hallucination brought on by sleep deprivation), I'm still a little in shock.

See, when Cooper went flying and Hamid saw red, it only seemed inevitable, the only ending possible after several sequences where the Metrodonkeys should have taken the lead (isn't it fun being a pessimist?). When Cooper finished, I buried my head in my hands.

Everything that happened thereafter still doesn't seem real...

The Karma Police Geigers the Bulls.
Cooper, predictably (assuming you watch much soccer), chokes on his second helping of PK pie.
Backe (I still can't believe he's kept this job as long as he has, still can't believe he didn't attack with the man advantage in the first leg) doesn't do the obvious and make the precautionary sub to get Marquez (already carrying a yellow, borderline red) off the field.
Marquez makes a ridiculous and unnecessary tackle miles from goal to get sent off and level the teams at 10 apiece.
Robbie Russell (card-carrying member of the Right Fullbacks Union!) turns up in the front four of a United attack to dish to the rookie DeLeon.
DeLeon doesn't look, just hits it with everything he's got and prompts delirium on the field, in the upper deck, and in the living room of Yours Truly.
Henry, one of the best finishers I've seen play in the flesh, stands over a free kick to deliver the inevitable (again with the pessimism!) dagger-blow to send things to extra time.
Roy freakin' Miller, a fullback (they giveth...and they taketh away) just subbed into the game, takes the kick instead and sends the ball into orbit.

Up until that point, I was seeing the game as a microcosm of United's season. Start well, hit the wall and sink back into mediocrity, suffer the seemingly fatal blow (De Rosario injury, Hamid red), refuse to die. But fatalism or pessimism wouldn't let me admit United might somehow continue their remarkable run.

Of course, I had forgotten something. I had forgotten Metro Playoff Failure™...

The faces may change, but the stench of Metro Playoff Failure™ remains.

Unfortunately, Houston, waiting for United in the conference final, historically represent the polar opposite of MPF™...And they've already disposed of two higher seeds and will host United on an extra day's rest...And United never do well in Houston...And, just look at what the Dynamo did to Sporting KC on their own patch to essentially knot up the series! Look at the bones!

Ugh.

Here comes that creeping pessimism again. There's a school of thought that might go something like: "You think you'd have learned by now," and prompt a little faith in the little United Engine That Could. I can't quite bring myself to attend that school yet, but I can hear the more fortunate kids shouting on the playground across the way and acknowledge that they might have a point.

Of course, Houston's supporters are probably feeling (and perhaps with more justification) much the same...

I Want To Believe...

2012-10-29T10:57:00.000-04:00

Pinch me.

DC United's gritty response to De Rosario's loss? Amassing points against a series of cellar dwellers with unlovely, grind-it-out performances? Those I can just about reconcile with my mortally wounded expectations round about the beginning of September.

But how to cope with coming back twice and then beating Columbus, a rival in the fight for playoff places, to guarantee a post-season appearance for the first time in years? How especially to put in perspective coming back for a critical, first-round-bye-providing draw against Chicago, a long-term bogie team for United, on the road, while playing some nice possession stuff to boot? True, there was a fair amount of luck being ridden, but...

I've admitted before to having extreme doubts about United's MLS Cup ambitions. During the run against the hapless also-rans, the little demon of doubt on my shoulder kept saying, "Yeah, but what about when we play some real teams? Ones with playoff hopes of their own? What can United do against contenders?"

Even with De Rosario, United were a long shot to challenge for the Cup. But De Rosario provides the unexpected that can so often provide the difference in knock-out scenarios. Without that option, I figured Ben's boys were just about good enough to stumble into the playoffs in unimpressive fashion, but that's where the run would end.

But what to think after back-to-back critical results against similarly hot teams pushing for the playoffs?

Part of me looks at the Metrodonkeys, considers the current form of United and the regular season meetings, and thinks we match up pretty well with them. Part of me is peeking through my fingers at the sort of imperious performances Henry has been turning in for them as they approach the post-season.

So do I honestly believe United might have a shot at another MLS Cup?

Sadly, not so much.

The second place finish in the East after a tremendous late-season surge is both stunning and pleasing, and the results in what amounted to two "playoff" matches to end the season are undoubtedly impressive. But for all the points hauled in of late, there's never really been anything particularly convincing or dominant about United's play that suggests they'll be able to get it done against the truly elite sides.

That said, it's a funny old game, and there's a nagging, "maybe, just maybe" itch that this pessimist, for one, can't shake.

Trying to Enjoy the Ride

2012-10-10T22:09:00.001-04:00

A month or so back, my family gathered for my dad's birthday the weekend after De Rosario got injured. I caught my brother's eye, nodded at the United away jersey his younger son was wearing and asked, "Shouldn't he be sporting a black armband on that for United's playoff hopes?"

I should explain that my brother is a United fan, but not a fanatic, so he hadn't yet heard about De Rosario's season-ending injury yet. Instead, he arched an eyebrow, said something about United's form being uneven but that they would probably have enough about them to make the playoffs.

"DeRo did his knee on Canada duty," I interrupted. "Done for the season."

"Ah."

No need for further explanation. We've been here before.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Last year wasn't exactly the same picture, but you'd be forgiven for ignoring the minor differences. That United was looking likely to make the post-season when Pontius went down in the midst of a dominating performance against Chivas USA. From that point, 2011 United imploded, losing 6 of 9 matches down the stretch and only claiming a single victory during the same run.

Bye, bye playoffs.

So you'd have been forgiven for expecting much of the same when De Rosario went down in early September this time around. But United have responded by going 3-1-1 since that time, solidifying their hold on a playoff spot.

If it walks like a duck...

If you've been around these parts for a while, you'll know that I'm not a "results-first" kind of appreciator of the beautiful game. I like moments of individual skill and daring, the transcendent geometries of a well-worked passing sequence, and demonstrations of fierce grit and bravery.

I suppose that was the promise of the Olsen Era for United. Could his characteristics as a player: tenacity, determination, the youthful flair giving way to scarred-veteran guile, be translated to his team? Olsen was always clever, courageous, and ready to kick your ass. There have been flashes from his United, sure, but what I've seen over the last month hasn't inspired. The games are ugly, the performances too often uneven and, more frustratingly, uninspired.

A results business

But the results are there. True, they've come at the expense of the league bottom-feeders in less-than-dominating performances (contrast, if you will, having only three of those final nine disastrous 2011 matches against non-playoff sides). But those results look to be enough for United to plant a flag in the post-season for the first time in years.

But is that really enough?

Most of us came into this season expecting to scrape into the playoffs, and that looks to be on the current menu. But do you honestly expect the team you've seen over the last month to be capable of anything other than meekly bowing out at the first hurdle? Granted, you can't wave a magic wand and replace a guy with the big-game x-factor qualities of De Rosario. But you'd expect maybe a little more fire, a little more chutzpa from a team that's eager to take some scalps. There is enough quality remaining on this roster to post more than pedestrian results against relegation-fodder.

Instead, I'm left scratching my head, wondering if, robbed of the type of moments that make me love the game, robbed of any degree of optimism that United can do anything more than simply qualify for the post-season (do you really harbor MLS Cup ambitions still?), if I can simply sit back and enjoy the ride while it lasts.

The majority of my lack of posting of late has to with the new baby sucking up huge amounts of attention, concentration, and waking hours. But I've still managed to catch most of the games. I'm simply reaching the end of those games and staring at the keyboard, feeling little in the way of inspiration, be it positive or negative.

So pardon me while I closet the ennui and try to enjoy the ride (all the while hoping that inspiration strikes -- not just me, but United to boot).

It's Coming

2012-09-28T08:56:00.002-04:00

MLS gets a little academy love in FM 2013. That might make MLS-based games have more long-term interest. Some vague mention of making the competition rules closer to the real deal, but we'll have to wait and see what exactly that entails. Intriguing...

Football. Futbol. Whatever.

2012-09-12T12:50:00.000-04:00

Ten to fifteen years ago, my cheat sheet would have looked a lot like the one on the left, with the notable replacement of May baseball with Champions' League finales and summer baseball getting bumped by a burgeoning interest in MLS and rather more fervid interest in international soccer tournaments.

Now?

Guess I'm non-US. Not sure if it was boredom with US sports, better soccer coverage on TV, or simply that fatherhood forced me to prune some of my casual sporting interests in favor of one I could really sink my metaphorical teeth into.

There's something deeper to explore here about the internet granting exposure to niches and whether that provokes intense focus or perpetual distraction as the next shiny object bounces along, but my sleep-deprived brain reels at the prospect of getting too deep in the weeds and not being able to work my way out...

Half of a Solid Effort | a USA Match Reaction

2012-09-12T09:51:00.000-04:00

This was pretty much a must win for the USMNT – a decisive moment in the Klinsmann Epoch. Which made the starting midfield selection a bit…puzzling. Granted, Jones would start regardless of who’s healthy, though he’s also a potential time-bomb of petulance and rash action. But Zusi? In just his fourth cap and first competitive appearance? Torres, who has never failed to disappoint in a US shirt? And Williams playing d-mid for the first time with the USMNT[1]?

That’s either supreme confidence, chutzpah, or suicidal bravery on Klinsmann’s part.

Thing was, for the first half, it worked. The US played fluid, one- and two-touch stuff, pinging the ball around and creating a handful of good chances. Only the frame of the goal, some last-ditch blocks, a touch of wasteful finishing, and heroics from the Jamaican goalkeeper kept the sheet clean.

All well and good, but that second half…

Yes, the US managed to score on a goalkeeping flub and make that goal stand up, but the second half performance was worrying in the extreme. Even before the goal, all of the slick, quick passing evaporated in a rash of aimless long balls and cheaply conceded possession. Assured defense gave way to marginal tackles and confusion in the ranks. Jamaica had chances – not great ones – but chances that could have put paid to US qualification hopes. Sure, the US had at least as many of their own, but they looked miles away from the dominating side from the first half.

Isn’t Klinsmann’s supposed strength managing the psychology of the side? It certainly isn’t the tactics[2]. And for all the bravery of his midfield selection from the start, why Clint Dempsey went 90 minutes is beyond me. He was looking increasingly gassed and giving the ball away while trying to do too much in bad areas.

In the end, the job that needed to be done got done, but not in a manner that leaves me with any degree of confidence going forward. Sure, we should make it comfortably to the Hex now, and maybe the US will fare better against teams less inclined to pack things in so much, but I’m more than a little concerned. Maybe the return of Bradley from injury and a match-fit Dempsey make all the difference[3]. We shall see.

And yes, I know that he prefers to play d-mid and plays there for Hoffenheim, but still… ↩
More than a little surprised the US didn’t go 4–5–1 to lock things down, leaving Gomez and Shea on the flanks to pin back the Jamaican fullbacks while Altidore occupied the center backs. Three in the middle would have shored up possession and probably limited all those aimless long balls as well. ↩
No, I’m not ignoring the missing Landon Donovan. He’s a quality player and I’ll be happy to have him back (my long history of complaints about his various disappearing acts and petulance aside), but I’m not sure he’s a difference-maker at the level of Dempsey of Bradley anymore. ↩

Thanks a Heap

2012-09-06T08:01:00.000-04:00

It galls me to say this, but here goes..."Thank you, Revs." And not just for ending Columbus' hot streak but for providing a timely reminder to United. The schedule-radar is congested with low hanging fruit, but this is precisely the time of year when teams with the pressure of post-season contention off their shoulders love to play the role of spoiler.

Also, I know Chad Marshall has limited mobility, but if this were Italy, I'd be taking a serious look at both his bank book and the effort (or lack thereof) he makes to get back and save his own blushes.