MLS Week 23 - 2018

Given NYCFC’s road form, they need to be lights out at home to have any chance of finishing 1-2. That’s probably not happening.

More likely is a 3 seed, winning a knockout game, and then getting close but not enough against either ATL or RBNY. Too many injuries, too much crap finishing to be a championship level team. Don’t see that changing any time soon.
I’m impressed with your positivity. Presuming we would win any match that mattered as a bad scenario is a step too far for me.
 
Tyler Miller of LAFC coughs up a cross and Royer scores. 1-0 NJ

Rossi gets himself the equalizer 1-1.

BWP is somehow onside on a through ball (I didn't go to video review), and slides the ball across to Royer. 2-1 NJ

NYCFC is now 3rd in the table with NJ having a game in hand. Level on points, behind on wins (and GD).

That tie to Vancouver is really kicking us in the ass right now.
I get BWP timing his run to beat the offside trap, but how the fuck do the 3 defenders let Royer run right past them so that he is 3 strides ahead to finish the play?
 
  • Like
Reactions: SoupInNYC
Here’s the other crazy thing about Atlanta - no ATL player other than Josef has scored since July 7th. It is literally a one man team.
Except that Martinez isn’t good enough to create his own goals. He is a poacher extraordinaire. He is great at getting the ball in a dangerous spot and a top notch finisher, but he is nothing without service. Fortunately for him and Atlanta, he has the best service in the league.
 
Except that Martinez isn’t good enough to create his own goals. He is a poacher extraordinaire. He is great at getting the ball in a dangerous spot and a top notch finisher, but he is nothing without service. Fortunately for him and Atlanta, he has the best service in the league.
Over the last few weeks I've gained a new appreciation for Martinez, which was never my intent. He makes great runs. He even does something I never saw anyone do before:* he makes great runs going offsides, which lulls the defense and creates open space for him, then he lets a teammate play the ball as he gets back onside, and he scores.

Also, Doyle's article this week has extensive quotes from Tata on the subject of how ATL is attacking the bunker by intentionally centering the entire attack on Matinez, sending ATL's other offensive pieces into spots to force the opponent to leave Martinez room.

*PS: I'm sure others have done it, and maybe even are famous for it, but I never noticed.
 
Last edited:
I get BWP timing his run to beat the offside trap, but how the fuck do the 3 defenders let Royer run right past them so that he is 3 strides ahead to finish the play?

Well Zimmerman came off right after that goal was scored citing cramping. He also jogged the entire way back to track back BWP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mgarbowski
I get BWP timing his run to beat the offside trap, but how the fuck do the 3 defenders let Royer run right past them so that he is 3 strides ahead to finish the play?

You forgot Ciman stopping and raising his hand instead of running. Come on. Entire back line fell asleep.

And unlike NYCFC, RBNY keeps the result at home instead of letting up late equalizers.

Also, the Philadelphia Union went cross country, also rested starters due to the Open Cup...Portland hammered them 3-0. Puts into context how bad this result was.

About as bad as that RSL game a few years ago where NYCFC lost 3-2 and RSL had two shots on target.
 
Over the last few weeks I've gained a new appreciation for Martinez, which was never my intent. He makes great runs. He even does something I never saw anyone do before:* he makes great runs going offsides, which lulls the defense and creates open space for him, then he gets lets a teammate play the ball as he gets back onside, and he scores.

Also, Doyle's article this week has extensive quotes from Tata on the subject of how ATL is attacking the bunker by intentionally centering the entire attack on Matinez, sending ATL's other offensive pieces into spots to force the opponent to leave Martinez room.

*PS: I'm sure others have done it, and maybe even are famous for it, but I never noticed.
Suarez notoriously stands in an offside position and will bend a run back when he sees the ball moving into attack. He’s the only one I can think of off the top of my head that widely noted for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mgarbowski
Suarez notoriously stands in an offside position and will bend a run back when he sees the ball moving into attack. He’s the only one I can think of off the top of my head that widely noted for it.
Martinez, as we all know, plays close to no defense. When the defense is playing a high line he just toys with them. He keeps moving back, further offside, and it drives CBs nuts. They know he's offside but they hate having him fade too far from their side vision. Too often, one of them moves back. The others don't realize it. Martinez moves back up onside but closer to one of the guys who didn't move back, so he thinks he's off.
 
Last edited:
Martinez, as we all know, plays close to no defense. When the defense is playing a high line he just toys with them. He keeps moving back, further offside, and it drives CBs nuts. They know he's offside but they hate having him fade too far from their side vision. Too often, one of them moves back. The others don't realize it. Martinez moves back up onside but closer to one of the guys who didn't move back, so he thinks he's off.
And then it’s a track meet
 
  • Like
Reactions: mgarbowski