Away - Orlando 08/28

[Ulrich]

One possible issue for us: Kries has been playing Shea back in an attacking position on the left. If they go into a high press and it's Shea coming after Hernandez we are going to be in trouble. We need RJ at RB. The continued reliance on Hernandez for his defensive presence is perplexing. Are RJ and Mata really so attacking minded that they are incapable of following this simple instruction of: if your partner on the other side joins the attack you stay back.

I've been wondering if PV has been playing Hernandez at RB for so long that teams won't prepare for an RJ/Mata lineup and then he springs it on them? Personally, I don't think PV thinks that strategically as he pretty much tells everybody we're playing 433 no matter what, but maybe he'll spring it on the one guy that knows our roster better than anybody else by game planning for an immobile Hernandez? I'd love to see the full-tilt physicality of RJ vs Shea since RJ never backs down.

 

[sbrylski]

One possible issue for us: Kries has been playing Shea back in an attacking position on the left. If they go into a high press and it's Shea coming after Hernandez we are going to be in trouble. We need RJ at RB. The continued reliance on Hernandez for his defensive presence is perplexing. Are RJ and Mata really so attacking minded that they are incapable of following this simple instruction of: if your partner on the other side joins the attack you stay back.

Isn't Allen the opposite of what we need if we are getting attacked down the wings? It seems like Vieira doesn't think Matarrita and Allen on the field at the same time is a good idea given how attack-minded they both are, and even more important, how poor they are on set-pieces. (Matarrita was completely exposed on set pieces in the Red Bull Wedding, I think his mark scored twice.)

Hernandez at RB hurts the attack, but I can at least see the logic as to why he's in there. Someone else suggested trying a back line of Matarrita - Mena - Brillant - Chanot, because Chanot is very comfortable playing right back. It would be awesome if we shed Hernandez in the expansion draft and pick up a new defensive-capable right back in the winter window. Having Allen and Mena on the bench every game would make for a very strong and deep defense.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Isn't Allen the opposite of what we need if we are getting attacked down the wings? It seems like Vieira doesn't think Matarrita and Allen on the field at the same time is a good idea given how attack-minded they both are, and even more important, how poor they are on set-pieces. (Matarrita was completely exposed on set pieces in the Red Bull Wedding, I think his mark scored twice.)

Hernandez at RB hurts the attack, but I can at least see the logic as to why he's in there. Someone else suggested trying a back line of Matarrita - Mena - Brillant - Chanot, because Chanot is very comfortable playing right back. It would be awesome if we shed Hernandez in the expansion draft and pick up a new defensive-capable right back in the winter window. Having Allen and Mena on the bench every game would make for a very strong and deep defense.

Very good points. I don't want to speak for gbservis but my worry with Hernandez there with Shea pressing him is Hernandez is vulnerable to turning the ball over as he is not very proficient with the ball at his feet.

I'm not yet certain I know what the "correct" answer is for this match, even though generally I'd like to see RJ at RB instead of Hernandez. Either way, this should be one of those cases where there could be an early tactical sub at RB if things aren't going well over there.

 

[Ulrich]

Very good points. I don't want to speak for gbservis but my worry with Hernandez there with Shea pressing him is Hernandez is vulnerable to turning the ball over as he is not very proficient with the ball at his feet.

I'm not yet certain I know what the "correct" answer is for this match, even though generally I'd like to see RJ at RB instead of Hernandez. Either way, this should be one of those cases where there could be an early tactical sub at RB if things aren't going well over there.

I think Shea is faster than Hernandez once he gets a head of steam, and that matchup is a shirt-tug foul waiting to happen.

I am intrigued by the Matta-Mena-Brillant-Chanot back line as it gets another tall body on the field for set pieces. My recollection is that Orlando is a big-bodied team, and we've had real problems matching up against them in the past. With those three plus Iraola & Lampard, I feel like we have enough height and/or defensive marking on set pieces to clear crossed balls.

 

[sonastride]

I feel like this is going to be an exciting game for us. With Kreis being the coach for OCSC and they don't make the playoffs and when we eventually do, it'll be glorious.

 

[LionNYC]

Wrote this on the Galaxy postgame...Considering we're talking about the subject now I'll repost it. The basis is if we're using Hernandez as our third man in an essential three man backline, why not upgrade to Mena who is better at defending and shown he can go forward (and shoot) at times...

Both of our notable outside backs were available yesterday (Matarrita and Allen). Matarrita started at LB but Hernandez started on RB.

Hernandez can't move forward as well as RJ but is a better defender as part of a three man backline. Matarrita is the best attacker of all three but lacks the defending skills.

Mataritta lines up on the left with McNamara and Hernandez lines up with Harrison on the right. Harrison is a better attacker than McNamara. So, McNamara gets the attacking support with the better attacking outside back and Harrison is left with Hernandez and only defensive support on the right.

With all this being said, I think that Vieira wants to balance attack and defense and will give up the promise of the Matarrita-McNamara and Allen-Harrison overlapping runs for the defense of Hernandez. It's not our best 11 in terms of talent but it's Vieira's best 11 for balance.

But I have to ask, when Chanot comes back, is Hernandez the best RB option? Assuming the Chanot-Brillant CB pairing, we've seen Mena with sparks of attacking runs and the ability to shoot. He's a better defender than Hernandez and has shown great defending ability 1v1 on the left and right sides of the field.

We all want to see Mataritta--Brillant--Chanot--Allen for great attacking football. But since we know how Vieira is lining up our backline is Matarrita--Brillant--Chanot--Mena the better option?

 

[NYdoesitEZ]

What's the story on Mix? He must have some value being a sub at least.

 

[SoupInNYC]

I think Shea is faster than Hernandez once he gets a head of steam, and that matchup is a shirt-tug foul waiting to happen.

I am intrigued by the Matta-Mena-Brillant-Chanot back line as it gets another tall body on the field for set pieces. My recollection is that Orlando is a big-bodied team, and we've had real problems matching up against them in the past. With those three plus Iraola & Lampard, I feel like we have enough height and/or defensive marking on set pieces to clear crossed balls.

Another reason I would like that is to get Mena on the field going against Larin. Larin has always frustrated us. Mena is our best 1v1 defender and has the size and speed to handle him.

Perhaps we go Mena-Chanot for this one?

 

[sbrylski]

Wrote this on the Galaxy postgame...Considering we're talking about the subject now I'll repost it. The basis is if we're using Hernandez as our third man in an essential three man backline, why not upgrade to Mena who is better at defending and shown he can go forward (and shoot) at times...

Both of our notable outside backs were available yesterday (Matarrita and Allen). Matarrita started at LB but Hernandez started on RB.

Hernandez can't move forward as well as RJ but is a better defender as part of a three man backline. Matarrita is the best attacker of all three but lacks the defending skills.

Mataritta lines up on the left with McNamara and Hernandez lines up with Harrison on the right. Harrison is a better attacker than McNamara. So, McNamara gets the attacking support with the better attacking outside back and Harrison is left with Hernandez and only defensive support on the right.

With all this being said, I think that Vieira wants to balance attack and defense and will give up the promise of the Matarrita-McNamara and Allen-Harrison overlapping runs for the defense of Hernandez. It's not our best 11 in terms of talent but it's Vieira's best 11 for balance.

But I have to ask, when Chanot comes back, is Hernandez the best RB option? Assuming the Chanot-Brillant CB pairing, we've seen Mena with sparks of attacking runs and the ability to shoot. He's a better defender than Hernandez and has shown great defending ability 1v1 on the left and right sides of the field.

We all want to see Mataritta--Brillant--Chanot--Allen for great attacking football. But since we know how Vieira is lining up our backline is Matarrita--Brillant--Chanot--Mena the better option?

I think the one time Mena played as a fullback, he was pulled at half time. That may have been when we were playing a 3-man backline though, so maybe not 100% relevant.

The Mena-Brillant partnership has found a bit of a groove lately. Even though Chanot is probably our best CB, I don't think I'd have a problem sticking with Mena-Brillant for now if Chanot also drastically improves the RB spot. It would also allow tons of flexibility, because we can play with all four staying back, three staying back, or two staying back with both Mata and Chanot pushing forward if we need a goal.

Either way, when Hernandez is on the field, it means a better player is on the bench, either Allen or Mena.

 

[Ulrich]

Another reason I would like that is to get Mena on the field going against Larin. Larin has always frustrated us. Mena is our best 1v1 defender and has the size and speed to handle him.

Perhaps we go Mena-Chanot for this one?

Not sure I want to sit Brillant though - he was an absolute rock last game. Gotta get Mena, Brillant, and Chanot on at the same time.

 

[LionNYC]

Chanot has played RB. Others have said that's the go to option: Matarrita--Mena--Brillant--Chanot. The only downside is that Chanot is the guy that would organize the backline and having him on the right negates that effect.

 

[Viewfrom226]

Chanot has played RB. Others have said that's the go to option: Matarrita--Mena--Brillant--Chanot. The only downside is that Chanot is the guy that would organize the backline and having him on the right negates that effect.

While that is perhaps the most talent, I think the trade-off of Mena for Chanot in terms of moving the ball is a real loss as you note. As well as Mena defended last match, he also made a total mess of the play where Gerrard closed him down, he ended up clearing the ball directly into the 18 and De Jong mercifully missed from dead center just past the penalty spot. He's generally slow in his decision making and imprecise in his passing. I wish it was a little bit better, because the guy can really defend and I love watching him.

I think Hernandez at RB is passable at home defensively, but on the bigger fields away he gets exposed badly in wide areas. I would go with Mata-Chanot-Brillant-Allen on Sunday. The two fullbacks need to be smart about who goes at a given time and Iraola also needs to drop back into the hole to the extent both get caught up field (which is how most good teams that push their FBs up the pitch mitigate the lack of cover).

 

[EganSoccerWords]

I've been wondering if PV has been playing Hernandez at RB for so long that teams won't prepare for an RJ/Mata lineup and then he springs it on them? Personally, I don't think PV thinks that strategically as he pretty much tells everybody we're playing 433 no matter what, but maybe he'll spring it on the one guy that knows our roster better than anybody else by game planning for an immobile Hernandez? I'd love to see the full-tilt physicality of RJ vs Shea since RJ never backs down.

Shea has been playing RM for Orlando the last couple of games but very interesting is that Molino has not been making the starting XI. I would think that he would be a tough matchup for Hernandez.

 

[mgarbowski]

Shea has been playing RM for Orlando the last couple of games but very interesting is that Molino has not been making the starting XI. I would think that he would be a tough matchup for Hernandez.

Molino has been out due to injury but is expected back against Toronto.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...will-be-ready-for-toronto-20160822-story.html

 

[itsaNYthin9]

Molino should be available for this weekend as well as some of their younger, quick defenders. NYCFC is so much better than Orlando but they should never be underestimated at home.

Anyway, does anyone know how to obtain tickets for Away Supporters seating? I live in Orlando and would love to go to the game this weekend. None of my non-supporter Orlando City friends are going and I rather not sit by myself lol

 

[engine46]

Anyway, does anyone know how to obtain tickets for Away Supporters seating? I live in Orlando and would love to go to the game this weekend. None of my non-supporter Orlando City friends are going and I rather not sit by myself lol

Third Rail should be making them available to non-members sometime this week.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Molino has been out due to injury but is expected back against Toronto.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...will-be-ready-for-toronto-20160822-story.html

Well hopefully he's back for Toronto but unavailable for us!

 

[21Architect]

Thinking about going to this one. Anyone else coming down here? Where can I get tix to sit with nycfc supporters/fans?

I live in Miami. I went up to O-Town last year. No Pirlo so therefore No Party. Was so bummed he didn't play.

NYC supporters were crammed up in the corner on the opposite side of the pitch from The Ruckus and Orlando's other supporters groups. I was sitting about 15 rows closer to the field than the away supporters

I really want to go again this year but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

The "feels like" temperature in Florida right now is BALLS HOT. Last year NYC played here in October when it's not nearly as humid. This will be a really tough match for NYC. A draw would be huge.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

While that is perhaps the most talent, I think the trade-off of Mena for Chanot in terms of moving the ball is a real loss as you note. As well as Mena defended last match, he also made a total mess of the play where Gerrard closed him down, he ended up clearing the ball directly into the 18 and De Jong mercifully missed from dead center just past the penalty spot. He's generally slow in his decision making and imprecise in his passing. I wish it was a little bit better, because the guy can really defend and I love watching him.

I think Hernandez at RB is passable at home defensively, but on the bigger fields away he gets exposed badly in wide areas. I would go with Mata-Chanot-Brillant-Allen on Sunday. The two fullbacks need to be smart about who goes at a given time and Iraola also needs to drop back into the hole to the extent both get caught up field (which is how most good teams that push their FBs up the pitch mitigate the lack of cover).

I feel like mena has one or two scary moments in possession per game, but otherwise looks fine. He's still young and I really hope they don't give up on him, he's really talented.

 

[Viewfrom226]

I feel like mena has one or two scary moments in possession per game, but otherwise looks fine. He's still young and I really hope they don't give up on him, he's really talented.

I don't really disagree with that, but one or two moments can be the difference and, setting aside the scary moments, he is still too ponderous on the ball. I'm absolutely not giving up on him -- just saying that I don't think he is in our best 11 right now as we make a serious run. I absolutely want to keep him into next year.

I do think he is a very credible MLS centerback who would be even better in a system that didn't require him to play the ball so much.