Away - 03/08 Orlando City SC
- Thread starter NYCFC_Dan
- Start date
Watched it late while caring for a sick little one so wasn't able to be as attentive as I usual am...
But I thought we did fairly well given we are a brand new team, still getting to know one another and the playing system, in a massive stadium (in England and Spain very few stadiums have that sort of capacity) filled almost entirely with purple shirts, against a team whose strategy seemed to be "kick the stuffing out of Villa and get the ball to Kaka if you aren't in a position to dive and win a freekick/penalty".
I've never seen a referee with so much courage to give three yellows in one match for diving—we're lucky to see one every 10 matches and half the time they are wrong (I'm thinking of a certain yellow on Aguero against Liverpool last season). The haste the Orlando players had to go down was appalling.
And that tackle on Villa was horrific. I read some comments on Twitter this morning that said Collin was only sent off because it was Villa and MLS want to protect one of the true marquees they have left after Beckham, Henry, and Donovan have departed. Many seemed to think it wasn't that bad a tackle. I think that perspective is utter tosh. Collin went high, over the ball, and if not for Villa's experience from years of getting hacked from every angle Collin could have snapped his leg in two. I am sure it is a 3 match ban but it should be more. He may not have meant to harm him but if he plays that recklessly, that often—as some tweets seemed to indicate: "Collin is red carded for a reckless challenge. Also, water is wet."—then they should throw the rule book at him.
Shelton certainly improved the team and gave Villa the space to roam he desperately needed, Saunders strangely looked more assured after his injury, and Mix had a great goal (though, an ok performance—statistics of course can be misleading). Jacobson looked a a little out of his depth at times and I'm not convinced either fullback is what is needed (especially giving frequent overlapping runs are a must for a targetman/dribbler combo up front) but that could be down to early days and nerves.
Overall I think it was a 7/10 performance given the various factors and that is not bad for our first ever competitive match.
But I thought we did fairly well given we are a brand new team, still getting to know one another and the playing system, in a massive stadium (in England and Spain very few stadiums have that sort of capacity) filled almost entirely with purple shirts, against a team whose strategy seemed to be "kick the stuffing out of Villa and get the ball to Kaka if you aren't in a position to dive and win a freekick/penalty".
I've never seen a referee with so much courage to give three yellows in one match for diving—we're lucky to see one every 10 matches and half the time they are wrong (I'm thinking of a certain yellow on Aguero against Liverpool last season). The haste the Orlando players had to go down was appalling.
And that tackle on Villa was horrific. I read some comments on Twitter this morning that said Collin was only sent off because it was Villa and MLS want to protect one of the true marquees they have left after Beckham, Henry, and Donovan have departed. Many seemed to think it wasn't that bad a tackle. I think that perspective is utter tosh. Collin went high, over the ball, and if not for Villa's experience from years of getting hacked from every angle Collin could have snapped his leg in two. I am sure it is a 3 match ban but it should be more. He may not have meant to harm him but if he plays that recklessly, that often—as some tweets seemed to indicate: "Collin is red carded for a reckless challenge. Also, water is wet."—then they should throw the rule book at him.
Shelton certainly improved the team and gave Villa the space to roam he desperately needed, Saunders strangely looked more assured after his injury, and Mix had a great goal (though, an ok performance—statistics of course can be misleading). Jacobson looked a a little out of his depth at times and I'm not convinced either fullback is what is needed (especially giving frequent overlapping runs are a must for a targetman/dribbler combo up front) but that could be down to early days and nerves.
Overall I think it was a 7/10 performance given the various factors and that is not bad for our first ever competitive match.
I have to say that ref did a good job I didn't have an issue with any of his calls. I hate Orlando they play like ass holes. That young forward is scary quick though.
I agree with most of that but Brovsky, Grabavoy and Ballouchy were no better than a 4.
Nemec held the ball up well at times, but his end product is what let him down. Also Villa got frustrated about lack of service and when he did get it he just tried to do it all on his own which was the wrong thing to do.
I can understand why Saunders was giving MOTM, but I agree that for me Mix was our best player.
Sorry I have to disagree with you.
I believe Facey needs to replace Brovsky with Wingert moving to left back. Poku in for Ballouchy allowing Mix to move forward. I would put Calle in fro Grabavoy for balance on the left and Shelton for Nemec to give us that pace up front. Would also have Taylor on the bench.
I believe the point was a good one but of course three would have been better.
Had a look at the tables and it is obvious the Eastern Conference is weaker than the Western Conference. That will give us a good chance of finishing high in the table.
It will be interesting how JK changes the formation for the next game, but I think he needs to omit Ballouchy and Grabavoy. Ballouchy was just too slow in his use of the ball and Grabavoy was constantly caught in possession and out muscled in the challenges.
I know it was only the first game but I do think changes are needed. Likewise Brovsky and Wingert struggled. I would bring Facey in and Brandt if he is fit, otherwise move Wingert to left back.
I am very sure that we will see a much better performance in the next game.
Had a look at the tables and it is obvious the Eastern Conference is weaker than the Western Conference. That will give us a good chance of finishing high in the table.
It will be interesting how JK changes the formation for the next game, but I think he needs to omit Ballouchy and Grabavoy. Ballouchy was just too slow in his use of the ball and Grabavoy was constantly caught in possession and out muscled in the challenges.
I know it was only the first game but I do think changes are needed. Likewise Brovsky and Wingert struggled. I would bring Facey in and Brandt if he is fit, otherwise move Wingert to left back.
I am very sure that we will see a much better performance in the next game.
Honestly, I feel bad for sounding like I'm beating on the guy after he had a good game, but Saunders really didn't do much more than you would expect from a keeper, any keeper. By contrast Mix already looks irreplaceable - I shudder to think how the game would've gone if HE had to come off in the first half. Tough players like Saunders deserve our praise (and probably a post-match beer too) but you don't just decide the MOTM award on who's scrappiest. Especially not when someone else on the team plays like Mix did.
I think most including myself (and I don't want to speak for others) feel like Saunders really kept the score at 1-1. It could have been 2-1 at the least. If that set hadn't deflected the end would have been 0-1. Mix goal was great, but best player on the pitch that game for me was Saunders. Maybe it should also be noted that many thought (and maybe still think) from the friendlies that he was one of the weakest on the team. It was a huge turn around in performance from him too.
Oh and on TV....
And finally as we walk out of the stadium (click on it):
And finally as we walk out of the stadium (click on it):
Clearly, Mix didn't get the memo about smiling...
It's alright. Everyone else missed the memo about scoring goals, so it balances out.
Can someone post the Villa/Kries post game video. For some reason when I play it on the NYCFC website it is saying not allowed for UK
It was hard to watch. Villa speaking spanish to spanish speaking reporters, then Kreis giving very little information, as is his wont.
Summary: Villa very happy to play here, refereeing is a hard job,
Kreis: everyone played hard we have a lot of work to do.
Thanks Tom
I am hoping that JK will look to be more offensive at home. I know it isn't easy as the team is just finding it's feet, but we need to show our fans that we will take it to the opposition when playing at home.
I was finally able to review the WhoScored.com analysis and there were some interesting points. Orlando had 15 shots (4 on target) compared to 8 shots (only 1 on target) for NYCFC. Orlando also had more possession (54/46) and more corners (6 to 1). All in all, we were fortunate not to be losing at halftime and were even more fortunate to find ourselves up 1 in goals and men on the field with a few minutes remaining. Orlando was equally fortunate to get that bullshit freekick goal from Kaká. All in all, I think a draw was the fair result. Among other things, we have to work on our spacing and possession. Grabavoy disappointed me because he's a veteran, played well in preseason and usually excels in those departments. I think he was the most to blame against Orlando for our poor spacing.
I also specifically compared Mix and Kaká because they seemed to be the most influential starters to me.
Kaká: 7.6 rating; 1 goal from 5 shots (2 on target); completed 82% of his only 44 passes but had 4 key passes (no NYCFC player had more than 1 key pass); completed only 3 of 11 crosses
Mix: 8.0 rating (MOTM according to WhoScored.com); 1 goal from 1 shot; completed 95% of his 76 passes (highest for either team); also led both teams in touches with 82
I also specifically compared Mix and Kaká because they seemed to be the most influential starters to me.
Kaká: 7.6 rating; 1 goal from 5 shots (2 on target); completed 82% of his only 44 passes but had 4 key passes (no NYCFC player had more than 1 key pass); completed only 3 of 11 crosses
Mix: 8.0 rating (MOTM according to WhoScored.com); 1 goal from 1 shot; completed 95% of his 76 passes (highest for either team); also led both teams in touches with 82
Interesting. I'm surprised that David Villa had the lowest NYCFC rating among starters, even lower than Mehdi Ballouchy, and Adam Nemec was 7th (given the opportunities he squandered). My eyes told me differently.
Villa may have had some trouble getting separation but he did not get a lot of service either; moreover, I'm unsure Mix would have scored without Villa's nifty move to draw defenders and making that well-executed pass that ultimately led to the goal.
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