Away - September 22 - Dallas

[moogoo]

But then who is our 3rd CB?

Or are you suggesting we ditch playing him in a 3-man backline and just go 4-3-3?

i was thinking 4-3-3. i think we're the most dangerous in this formation to be honest. focusing more on a defensive 5 man back line at the beginning of our transition to success was a good foundation. but now that we're more drilled and comfortable changing formations, i think 4-3-3 is our best formation with a 4-2-2-2 being better in certain situations.

but as mentioned above, callens may not be the best option for a wing back, but i feel like giving up one of our attackers would be worse than losing a bit of width. he's shown that he likes to dribble and get forward at times and it's not like our Mata/Sweat are delivering incredible crosses either. In order to get our best attackers on the field, it might be an option. At the very least, we'll be more solid defensively on the left side.

 

[Ulrich]

But then who is our 3rd CB?

Or are you suggesting we ditch playing him in a 3-man backline and just go 4-3-3?

We’ve been playing better with 4 at the back.

 

[adam]

Exactly. This has really been key - we can switch between a back 3 and a back 4 without any subs.

To be fair, Ring gives the same kind of flexibility, but having Sands brings the other benefit of letting Ring roam farther up the pitch as an 8 (ideally) or a 10.

When Sands is back, however, we will have the hard choice of deciding who comes off to make room for him. If we play Ring and Maxi as the other two center mids, then Keaton will go to the bench. If we play Ring and Keaton, with Maxi at right wing, then someone like Isi, Taty or Mitri will sit.

Decisions... decisions...

Wait till Heber gets back!

 

[Annagram]

When Sands is back, however, we will have the hard choice of deciding who comes off to make room for him. If we play Ring and Maxi as the other two center mids, then Keaton will go to the bench. If we play Ring and Keaton, with Maxi at right wing, then someone like Isi, Taty or Mitri will sit.

From what I've seen, Isi is the one who's done the least to warrant a place in the opening XI this season. Tbh, this season has been qutie really disappointing for him. I just hope that he can find his feet in the playoffs and chip in with some valuable goals. The ability is there, we know that.

 

[mgarbowski]

From what I've seen, Isi is the one who's done the least to warrant a place in the opening XI this season. Tbh, this season has been qutie really disappointing for him. I just hope that he can find his feet in the playoffs and chip in with some valuable goals. The ability is there, we know that.

Well he missed 11 straight games in the second half of the season with an injury and has only played 777 minutes. In that very limited time his G+A/90 is third on the club behind only Heber and Moralez, so he has produced when able and when called upon. But his main problem has been showing up.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Well he missed 11 straight games in the second half of the season with an injury and has only played 777 minutes. In that very limited time his G+A/90 is third on the club behind only Heber and Moralez, so he has produced when able and when called upon. But his main problem has been showing up.

And Isi's play against San Jose was quite good. I think he is Starting XI right now. The question is what happens when Heber and Sands return.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Bench: TheJesus, GMS, Rocha, JPT, Makem Sweat, Ibby, Stoove

 

[Brooklyn Blue]

And Isi's play against San Jose was quite good. I think he is Starting XI right now. The question is what happens when Heber and Sands return.

I like Sands and hope we can keep him next year, avoiding a transfer to Europe. Moving forward, however, I prefer him as a bench option for the remainder of the season:

1) The team historically plays better pushing for goals rather than holding fast to stop them. Sands is playing for 1-0. Parks is a play for 3-2. Give me the latter.

2) In the playoffs we are likely to match up with Jozy and Josef. Sands is on an upward path, but currently he is a thin 19 year old. Give me Chanot and Callens and Ring against those two physical forwards, especially in a one and done playoff game.

 

[SoupInNYC]

I like Sands and hope we can keep him next year, avoiding a transfer to Europe. Moving forward, however, I prefer him as a bench option for the remainder of the season:

1) The team historically plays better pushing for goals rather than holding fast to stop them. Sands is playing for 1-0. Parks is a play for 3-2. Give me the latter.

2) In the playoffs we are likely to match up with Jozy and Josef. Sands is on an upward path, but currently he is a thin 19 year old. Give me Chanot and Callens and Ring against those two physical forwards, especially in a one and done playoff game.

I'm not sure I quite understand #1. I don't think its a Sands vs. Parks thing. They aren't similar players and play different positions.

Sands is much more defensive minded, and most of the time he has played as a CB, so of course he's playing for 1-0 rather than 3-2.

 

[Brooklyn Blue]

I'm not sure I quite understand #1. I don't think its a Sands vs. Parks thing. They aren't similar players and play different positions.

Sands is much more defensive minded, and most of the time he has played as a CB, so of course he's playing for 1-0 rather than 3-2.

Coincidence or not, Parks began receiving regular minutes after Sands was injured the first time (week 15). For the season, they really only played two full games together - Colorado and SKC - both of which saw NYCFC up a man after a red card. It is difficult to fully assess how they would play together, but in my memory the team didn't look especially great in either of those matches.

Most of the lineups circulated for discussion with both Parks and Sands appear to move Taty to the bench. I am not sure why anyone would want to separate the Taty and Heber partnership - the two of them have thrived together, perhaps more than any pair outside of Chanot and Callens. If Taty starts, then the clearest choice appears to be between Parks and Sands.

The following appear to be the most realistic options:

A (no Sands)
Mitrita - Taty - Heber
Parks - Maxi - Ring
Mata - Callens - Chanot - Tinnerholm

B (no Parks)
Taty - Heber
Mitrita - Maxi - Ring
Mata - Callens - Sands - Chanot - Tinnerholm

C (Parks and Sands)
Mitrita - Heber
Parks - Maxi - Ring
Mata - Callens - Sands - Chanot - Tinnerholm

Give me A for the playoffs. B would be fine depending on the matchup. C is playing not to lose (which means, lose).

 

[moogoo]

injury report is out.. as expected, the only players OUT are Heber and Sands.

Even Scally is technically available now. Great news even though it's unlikely we'll see him this season.

 

[Ulrich]

I'm not sure I quite understand #1. I don't think its a Sands vs. Parks thing. They aren't similar players and play different positions.

Sands is much more defensive minded, and most of the time he has played as a CB, so of course he's playing for 1-0 rather than 3-2.

For Sands to play in the back, it’s a 343 alongside Callens/Chanot with two of the MF players being the wingbacks and the other two being Ring and Maxi (unless Maxi is asked to play a forward wing thus screwing with the chemistry up front). Parks is the odd man out in the midfield.

For Parks to play, he’s part of a 3 man midfield with Ring and Maxi so that leaves 4ATB with two CB and two outside backs. Sands would have to displace either Callens or Chanot and he’s not at the level to do that baring and injury to them.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Coincidence or not, Parks began receiving regular minutes after Sands was injured the first time (week 15). For the season, they really only played two full games together - Colorado and SKC - both of which saw NYCFC up a man after a red card. It is difficult to fully assess how they would play together, but in my memory the team didn't look especially great in either of those matches.

Most of the lineups circulated for discussion with both Parks and Sands appear to move Taty to the bench. I am not sure why anyone would want to separate the Taty and Heber partnership - the two of them have thrived together, perhaps more than any pair outside of Chanot and Callens. If Taty starts, then the clearest choice appears to be between Parks and Sands.

The following appear to be the most realistic options:

A (no Sands)
Mitrita - Taty - Heber
Parks - Maxi - Ring
Mata - Callens - Chanot - Tinnerholm

B (no Parks)
Taty - Heber
Mitrita - Maxi - Ring
Mata - Callens - Sands - Chanot - Tinnerholm

C (Parks and Sands)
Mitrita - Heber
Parks - Maxi - Ring
Mata - Callens - Sands - Chanot - Tinnerholm

Give me A for the playoffs. B would be fine depending on the matchup. C is playing not to lose (which means, lose).

That's fair. I guess I interpreted your previous comment as to comparing Parks and Sands playing the same position in different manners.

I know this will never happen, but I think I'd prefer A with Sands in for Ring. The ways in which that formation would be able to morph would be incredible.

 

[Ulrich]

That's fair. I guess I interpreted your previous comment as to comparing Parks and Sands playing the same position in different manners.

I know this will never happen, but I think I'd prefer A with Sands in for Ring. The ways in which that formation would be able to morph would be incredible.

Ring has been incredibly active in the attack as of late, and dare I say pretty effective with both his press and in-box runs/passing? Not sure I’d want to take that away when Sands cannot recreate it.

 

[Marito]

Quick question: anybody has any experience with the Twitter broadcast? I have Hulu and it doesn't carry Unimas (I think). Has anybody watched via twitter? Is it free or is part of any package? Thanks!

 

[ZYanksRule]

Quick question: anybody has any experience with the Twitter broadcast? I have Hulu and it doesn't carry Unimas (I think). Has anybody watched via twitter? Is it free or is part of any package? Thanks!

Free on Twitter. Just go to the MLS Twitter page around the time of the broadcast and you can watch it there. The only negative is that I don't think you can cast it to your TV. So you either have to watch on your computer/iPad or phone.

 

[Marito]

Free on Twitter. Just go to the MLS Twitter page around the time of the broadcast and you can watch it there. The only negative is that I don't think you can cast it to your TV. So you either have to watch on your computer/iPad or phone.

Great! Thanks!

 

[LionNYC]

Free on Twitter. Just go to the MLS Twitter page around the time of the broadcast and you can watch it there. The only negative is that I don't think you can cast it to your TV. So you either have to watch on your computer/iPad or phone.

Twitter has an app on several TVs, Apple TV. I've watched on that and it's been good. There is a lag though compared to Unimas/Univision.

 

[moogoo]

Great! Thanks!

If you watch using chrome you can cast the tab to Chromecast and it will optimize and cast the video itself. It works well. The stream itself is laggy at times though and the commentators for unimas are the worst ones I've ever heard.

I know some people like them but I find them both to be very annoying with their overpronunciation of names, strange commentary and exaggerated goal announcing with golazo and goooooaaaaaaallllllll... Sometimes I just mute them for my sanity. /EndRant

 

[ZYanksRule]

If you watch using chrome you can cast the tab to Chromecast and it will optimize and cast the video itself. It works well. The stream itself is laggy at times though and the commentators for unimas are the worst ones I've ever heard.

I know some people like them but I find them both to be very annoying with their overpronunciation of names, strange commentary and exaggerated goal announcing with golazo and goooooaaaaaaallllllll... Sometimes I just mute them for my sanity. /EndRant

Everything about UniMas games is brutal, and I hope MLS doesn't partner with them when the next set of TV rights agreements is up.