So after today's game, how much is Dome redeemed? Did he just stumble into a 3-man backline blindly? Did the lack of a 9 like Heber really hold back the offense that much? Are the visiting CFG staff whispering in his ear?
One win is nothing to get excited about, especially when it’s only 5 in the last 24/25 matches. And we were damn lucky today.
Any other day and Rooney buries that free header at the very beginning. DC was supremely unlucky to not score on 2 dangerous set pieces - they were there and Johnson redeemed himself from last match.
Mitrita’s goal was a pure deflection but Heber scored a beauty - refreshing that somebody isn’t afraid of a 1-touch shot.
Personally don’t think that was a PK with it being shoulder to shoulder contact. And Maxi is just horrible at them - is he even better than 50/50 when taking them?
We still have no discernible style.
Thought the ref was extremely generous to NYCFC today - could have easily had 3-4 persistent infringement yellows and Maxi was lucky not to get a red, and before anybody waves at the Durken foul, they were different - Durken had the ball and was a bit out of control after evading the first tackle; whereas Maxi was purely playing defense and lunged at a guy on the sideline who was flat footed and not going anywhere. One was a result of the ongoing play, the other created the “play.”
Sands is a beast. Should never play anything other than CB again. Has the composure, tenacity, and grit of Miazga but with far better technical ability.
Heber isn’t that fast as was evident getting caught on that break, but at least he makes great runs and has a nice shot.
Mitrita goes to the deck too easily. Not convinced of him.
Medina is a pure joke. Offers nothing.
Tinny always seems to be about to get in to a fight - at least once a match and sometimes more. Is getting a bit old as his schtick.
Mata had a pretty good match, although he lost his mark a number of times allowing crosses. Still can’t shoot worth a damn.
DC didn’t look like they had a plan other than send a long ball to Rooney, who didn’t win a single hold-up header, or play down the wings where they had a bit more success. They really just looked out of sync from earlier in the year. But damn did they have dangerous set pieces.
Twellman is a little man with his commentary. His scathing review of Lewis was ridiculous as his kick, leading to the yellow, away was no different than what any other player did after a foul other than that iffy PK award where the ball was kicked to midfield, and after dressing him down over that lack of maturity, Twellman later gushes over Lewis’ skills in the box. He’s becoming more and more like Lalas in that he ridicules for things he did as a player.