Chicago Postmatch

[NickA]

It's nice to see Shelton going in a positive direction.

Villa has to be in the MVP running.

Our back lines positioning looks like that of a youth league. Not being sarcastic. They create lanes, don't stick with their mark, get bullied around.

Our playoff success is going to be dependent on the matchups.

 

[EganSoccerWords]

The most interesting part of rewatching the condensed game this morning was all of the different combinations we had at LW and Lampard's vacant RCM spot.

Beginning of the game: LW - T-Mac RCM - Mendoza
At some point before the Mendoza injury: LW: Mendoza RCM: T-Mac
After the Mendoza injury: LW: Harrison RCM: T-Mac
At some point before the T-Mac sub: LW: T-Mac RCM Harrison
After the T-Mac sub: LW: Harrison RCM: Bravo

I dont really know which combo was the best one, but I still like Mendoza alot more as a winger, but he probably needs to be on the right side so he can cut inside to his left, but that may be moot with his injury.

I would be interested to hear from Vieira why he does not play Shelton as an inverted winger like he does for T-Mac and Harrison. I think as a true winger keeping him on the right side with his right foot has worked out pretty well with all of the assists he has the last few games, but I think alot of his finishing problems have to do with the fact that he is cutting inside side and shooting with his weak foot or when he shoots on the right side with his right foot its at not the best angle.

 

[SoupInNYC]

As many have noted, Khiry had one hell of a game, he just has so much more confidence now. Even the shots he took that were saved, they weren't finished, but they were struck well. The shot Khiry had after David flicked him on was a great shot hard and low between Johnson's legs but Johnson made a great save.

I also think I'm going to start calling him "The Kraaken". There's really no reason for it other than when he's bombing down the sideline and I want someone to feed him the ball, I want to shout "release the Kraaken!"

 

[SoupInNYC]

I know on Chicago's goal, there were several flubs there. I'm not sure why Brillant was moving towards the ball, but Solignac moved directly in front of Hernandez's face and Hernandez didn't keep with him. Awful marking

 

[SoupInNYC]

One thing I saw from Iraola today and I want to see more of, and would like to see from Pirlo from time to time, is the willingness to take a chance with a log range shot.

Iraola's was well struck but did miss the target, but a few of those will draw the defense out a little and provide some more space for Pirlo to drop the ball in behind to David.

 

[Ulrich]

I know on Chicago's goal, there were several flubs there. I'm not sure why Brillant was moving towards the ball, but Solignac moved directly in front of Hernandez's face and Hernandez didn't keep with him. Awful marking

That cross was at the top of the 6yd box - Saunders needed to challenge for it. That's completely keeper territory

 

[SoupInNYC]

That cross was at the top of the 6yd box - Saunders needed to challenge for it. That's completely keeper territory

Agreed, but Hernandez HAS to stay with his man there.

 

[Ulrich]

Agreed, but Hernandez HAS to stay with his man there.

I won't deny Hernandez is worth a goal a game in poor positioning and crappy ball control/turnovers. He's the yin to Saunders' yang

 

[canchon]

I know on Chicago's goal, there were several flubs there. I'm not sure why Brillant was moving towards the ball, but Solignac moved directly in front of Hernandez's face and Hernandez didn't keep with him. Awful marking

It looked like a blown offside trap, Brilliant held his line but Hernandez went with Solignac and the other Chicago player. Miscommunication. Either Hernandez should have held with Brilliant or Brilliant should have tracked the run.

 

[gbservis]

I won't deny Hernandez is worth a goal a game in poor positioning and crappy ball control/turnovers. He's the yin to Saunders' yang

Last night seemed like an ideal time to start Allen, Hernandez didn't have the speed to keep up with Accam. Aside from getting caught flat footed by Accam just after coming on Allen's defense was strong as feisty as always. He looked determined to prove that he can be strong in defense.

 

[canchon]

Really impressed with the improvement in Khiry Shelton - although he showed again last night glimpses of that - "what do i do with it now?" after beating his man - mentality that plagued him until recently.

The guy sitting behind me kept saying "pass the ball, fool" when Khiry would beast down the sideline and then have his what now? moment. So true.

Splitting hairs, I know. He did have 3 assists. If Shelton can develop that quicker thinking, look out.

 

[canchon]

Speaking of which, I'm starting to think that Andoni is the most important player on the team and is the best "pure" CDM in the league. He's always relieving pressure, presenting himself to the ball, making the right pass, toe-poking the ball away on defense, cutting off runs, and his skill is incredible for someone in his role. It's really a joy to watch him out there, because he just does everything right, even with some physical limitations. As much as we loved Bravo earlier in the year in that role, AI is much, much better suited for the position in PV's philosophy.

Another thing I noticed that when Bravo come in, Iraola dropped deeper and split the CB's (aka Guardiola-ball) when playing out of the back, to give another strong passing option to hold against upfield turnovers.

Its funny that in a league that drools over the "strong" DM like Beckerman or Alonso that a more technical player like Iraola could play the position so well.

 

[LionNYC]

We should start referring to Andoni as the "Straw" or the "Special Sauce." He really is integral.

Chef Andoni, he gets the team cooking

 

[Midas Mulligan]

We should start referring to Andoni as the "Straw" or the "Special Sauce." He really is integral.

I'm hoping he extends. Surely he can play another 3 years in this role.

 

[LionNYC]

Another favorite moment of the match for me was when Iraola took the free kick near our goal instead of Saunders. Maybe the instruction came from Vieira, maybe Iraola decided for himself, but everyone knows Saunders accuracy in distribution is shit.

 

[Kjbert]

That cross was at the top of the 6yd box - Saunders needed to challenge for it. That's completely keeper territory

Hernandez was screaming at Saunders after that goal. Goalie needs to come out for it. Brillant gave Hernandez the death stare because he kept the player onside

 

[LionNYC]

Jefferson Mena has as many MLS goals as Andrea Pirlo.

Villa should take our free kicks.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Sidenote: next to 5-6 kids from Mendoza on the way home. They loved the match and experience. For anyone's criticism of YS/MLS, stop caring. We have a good environment and a fun league. These guys were asking me where to go buy shirts. Really cool stiff.

Granted NYCFC is the only professional soccer I've attended, but I've lately been really impressed with the environment there. I suppose our own stadium would be better, but Yankee Stadium is pretty good. It's not perfect, but it's probably a top-ten environment in the league, especially considering how quiet some stadiums seem to be regularly.

 

[adam]

Granted NYCFC is the only professional soccer I've attended, but I've lately been really impressed with the environment there. I suppose our own stadium would be better, but Yankee Stadium is pretty good. It's not perfect, but it's probably a top-ten environment in the league, especially considering how quiet some stadiums seem to be regularly.

I think we lucked out with the bleacher positioning in YS. We also actually have some really good sight lines from the 200 sections as well. It's not ideal and we need a SSS, but it's unique and can get real loud like in the DC match. We also have the supporters and chicken bucket section on opposite ends, which means there's no quiet part of the stadium. We'll be OK for the next decade till our stadium is built.

 

[Seven]

Probably says more about how bad Chicago was, but rewatching the game and realized Villa did the same back-heel flick for Shelton to run on to 3 different times in the game. Too bad Shelton couldn't score, because they would have been pretty goals.