MLS - February 24 - Charlotte (Away)

[ZYanksRule]

I have high hopes for Jovan but I still would have liked to have signed a proven older striker. Benteke had a hat trick tonight against ( ok a ten man) New England but I feel like someone of that profile could really thrive in our system with our midfield .

No one is going to thrive in our system if they don't get service. It felt like Jovan and Bakrar barely got on the ball. We need our midfield to take part in the progression, especially when our fullbacks are O'Toole and Ilenic. We can't depend on those guys to progress the ball all night, it's never going to work.

One positive -- I Really liked what I saw from Wolf tonight. Feels like he's going to be a really impactful player for us. Felt like he and Santi were on the same page.

 

[Kenny]

I will say this: I'd like to see a lot more give-and-go. We get jammed up too much, especially in the area. We need to move people around more.

We haven't really replaced Maxi, Taty, and Tinnerholm. The hope is that Jovan is the new Taty and... maybe Wolf is the new Maxi? That then unlocks the best of Santi and the rest. I had high hopes for Ilenic after his first appearances but for whatever reason he seems to have dropped off in effectiveness. Maybe he finds his mojo again, or maybe Macfarlane will be the answer there.

 

[KevinJRogers]

We haven't really replaced Maxi, Taty, and Tinnerholm. The hope is that Jovan is the new Taty and... maybe Wolf is the new Maxi? That then unlocks the best of Santi and the rest. I had high hopes for Ilenic after his first appearances but for whatever reason he seems to have dropped off in effectiveness. Maybe he finds his mojo again, or maybe Macfarlane will be the answer there.

We miss Boom a lot. Ilenic has the raw talent to fill the role of attacking fullback, but I think you're right: he's plateaued. Hopefully, it's just a natural stage of development and he hasn't actually hit a ceiling. There's been a lot of turmoil, too. It's something we shouldn't discount when assessing the young guys.

Wolf impressed, and Jovan showed enough in his debut to give me a lot of confidence. I don't think he'll be another Taty, but we may never see another Taty -- anywhere. I mean, how many strikers lead their league in fouls? Dude was a wildman.

Maxi will no doubt mentor Wolf, so we'll have to see how Hannes progresses. I'm not sure if being the regular 10 is his thing, but maybe it is. And over time Maximo Carrizo will benefit from Maxi's influence as he works his way up, so we'll have even more options in the medium term.

Anyway, for this season, I saw enough tonight to convince me we're in a lot better shape than the first three quarters of last year. That alone is reason for optimism. If half of last year's draws were wins, that's 14 more points and we're right there with New England and the Union. Just four more wins and we're right there with Nashville.

 

[ZYanksRule]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1761621653040341413

Four of our first six games are on the road. Including Miami and Cincinnati. We need to understand that it's not going to look great for the first month of the season because of these road games. We'll be lucky to win one of those first 4 road games (St. Louis is the best chance, really). Hopefully we can do damage in those two home games against Portland and Toronto.

 

[KevinJRogers]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1761621653040341413

Four of our first six games are on the road. Including Miami and Cincinnati. We need to understand that it's not going to look great for the first month of the season because of these road games. We'll be lucky to win one of those first 4 road games (St. Louis is the best chance, really). Hopefully we can do damage in those two home games against Portland and Toronto.

The Timbers just finished hammering Colorado, 4-1. But statistically, the Rapids dominated with an xG of 1.22 to Portland's 0.54 and a 59-41 time of possession advantage. They were better everywhere else, too.

Which is why, as much as I love statistics, I think it's important to remember their limitations. The numbers can quantify what happened, but not when or why or tell you what it means. And the official MLS stats differed from Fotmob, so a lot depends on the source.

The statistic which really matters is the final score. The thing I want most is for us to win. Right behind that, play good football. "The ambition should always be to play an elegant game." (Pele)

 

[moogoo]

just finished watching the replay....

first what i liked:

1) the black kits popped. looked clean and fun. kinda looked like our guys has neon signs on their backs.
2) freese is our #1. period. dude was amazing today and i can't wait to see him get even better.
3) clear intent to press higher from our guys.
4) hard work from bakrar and wolfe.

what i didn't like

1) clear intent to press but we still looked a bit lost. not really pressing as a team yet but hopefully that improves.
2) no attacking patterns. we had zero ideas. after charlotte scored, they were happy to sit back in a low block and let us have the ball for most of the game, while looking for counter opportunities.
3) no intensity/purpose/urgency. for the most part, everyone kinda looked like they were in pre-season mode. some very bad, lack of focus, type mistakes.

I'm not gonna jump on any particular player for a poor performance and there were some really poor performances. it is the first game of the season so it is what it is. but as a team, we did not go there ready to prove we are better than 2023 showed. when we were given the ball, we had no ideas. we played slow and predictable. no clear attacking patterns is a big indictment on cushing.

I'm still optimistic things will get better but for all the talk on wanting to get more goals, we are definitely not aggressive in the attack. not enough balls served into dangerous areas. not enough guys willing to take on players and cause some chaos (do we even have these kind of guys anymore?)

onto the next.

anybody else notice how often we got stuck on the artificial surface? the ball bounce was ridiculously unnatural as well. our guys were definitely unable to adapt well enough in the short time they had on it.

 

[FootyLovin]

anybody else notice how often we got stuck on the artificial surface? the ball bounce was ridiculously unnatural as well. our guys were definitely unable to adapt well enough in the short time they had on it.

Very much this.

 

[mgarbowski]

The poor roll and bounce effects of the fake grass were definitely remarked upon during the game.
Yes NYCFC almost never wins Opening Day, and yes that's largely because they never open at home. And 4 of the first 6 games this year are Away. But from 2016-2022 NYCFC earned the most Away points in MLS. Last year they tied for 25th. The team needs to start winning Away again. That doesn't mean a winning record but at least 3-5 more than the 1 Away win they got all of last season.
Re the sub of Gray for Ilenic that drew a lot of eyerolls. I don't think it was tactical. Mitja is 19, listed at 157 pounds, last year he played 90 minutes just 3 times, and the season just started. I'd like to think a professional athlete in a D1 league can always go 90, but my guess is he was just done. Whether it was the physio data, or something the staff saw, I don't know.
Late in the game Bakrar had a nice play when he went down the right side, then did very well to avoid an aggressive tackle while maintaining both balance and possession, and sent a cross into the box. Then it happened almost exactly the same way again a few minutes later and I thought it was a replay but it was live.
NYC had more shots but half as many on target. CLT blocked 4 of our shots and none the other way. When they weren't blocked our players mostly missed. I expected Charlotte to bunker, counter and attack set pieces regardless but the early goal really let them lean into it.

3) no intensity/purpose/urgency. for the most part, everyone kinda looked like they were in pre-season mode. some very bad, lack of focus, type mistakes.

I thought the same, especially in the early going. Charlotte was playing full speed and NYC was still in preseason mode.

 

[mgarbowski]

Does anyone know (not mostly know but know for sure) how the rule works on penalty kicks and the spot? Because the ball was kind of barely on the spot, and my guess is that's enough. I don't think it has to be centered, as almost nothing in the sport works that way (eg corner kicks can go with the ball barely overlapping the circle). But I don't know.

 

[moogoo]

Does anyone know (not mostly know but know for sure) how the rule works on penalty kicks and the spot? Because the ball was kind of barely on the spot, and my guess is that's enough. I don't think it has to be centered, as almost nothing in the sport works that way. But I don't know.

It's just like any other line on the field. As long as part of the ball is over it, then it's on the spot. Same as corners and out of bounds, etc.

 

[JCMore]

Does anyone know (not mostly know but know for sure) how the rule works on penalty kicks and the spot? Because the ball was kind of barely on the spot, and my guess is that's enough. I don't think it has to be centered, as almost nothing in the sport works that way (eg corner kicks can go with the ball barely overlapping the circle). But I don't know.

This is the only mention of ball placement in Ifab

 

[DeGrozz]

I want to start a counter for every time we work the ball into the deep right corner then have no idea what to do it.

Right now this team feels like it is built to play in the open, but is holding back in possession. If there is a game plan, it has no intention of utilizing this roster's strengths.

 

[moogoo]

I want to start a counter for every time we work the ball into the deep right corner then have no idea what to do it.

Right now this team feels like it is built to play in the open, but is holding back in possession. If there is a game plan, it has no intention of utilizing this roster's strengths.

We don't seem to have players who can unlock a defensive block..

Gaby used to do it on his own. Anton used to pair well with whoever was on the wing.

Our wingbacks aren't on the level we need. Mitja is so young and will take time. Otoole is slightly better but maybe already hit his ceiling.

Fernandez had no idea.. and Wolfe doesn't seem like a 1v1 kinda guy. We need those 1v1 specialists to play against low blocks. We need guys like Fernandez and Wolfe to run in behind when they are playing a high line and we need to make that pass.

We played too safe, too slow, too predictable. Fake grass be damned, we were not playing like a team wanting to prove a point

 

[ZYanksRule]

We don't seem to have players who can unlock a defensive block..

Gaby used to do it on his own. Anton used to pair well with whoever was on the wing.

Our wingbacks aren't on the level we need. Mitja is so young and will take time. Otoole is slightly better but maybe already hit his ceiling.

Fernandez had no idea.. and Wolfe doesn't seem like a 1v1 kinda guy. We need those 1v1 specialists to play against low blocks. We need guys like Fernandez and Wolfe to run in behind when they are playing a high line and we need to make that pass.

We played too safe, too slow, too predictable. Fake grass be damned, we were not playing like a team wanting to prove a point

I think, based on the video and scouting report, that Ojeda might be a guy who can do that.

It did get tiresome watching us take the ball into the corner -- or an overlapping run saw a pass that dragged him into the corner. Sometimes we look like we're being too careful, too scared to make a mistake, so we play the safest possible ball. I'd like to see us take a few more chances. Also the aimless crosses into the box are extremely tiresome to watch. That style of attack isn't working, we need to stop trying to do it.

 

[JCMore]

I’m glad the press is back after its hiatus last year. There were some very exciting passes in transitions that were just off that in mid season may be very exciting. So I liked seeing those glimpses. Running into the parked bus in front of Charlotte’s goal was just not fun. The next time I see Tayvon float a high weak cross into the box that no one is in, it will be all too soon

 

[gbservis]

The poor roll and bounce effects of the fake grass were definitely remarked upon during the game.
Yes NYCFC almost never wins Opening Day, and yes that's largely because they never open at home. And 4 of the first 6 games this year are Away. But from 2016-2022 NYCFC earned the most Away points in MLS. Last year they tied for 25th. The team needs to start winning Away again. That doesn't mean a winning record but at least 3-5 more than the 1 Away win they got all of last season.
Re the sub of Gray for Ilenic that drew a lot of eyerolls. I don't think it was tactical. Mitja is 19, listed at 157 pounds, last year he played 90 minutes just 3 times, and the season just started. I'd like to think a professional athlete in a D1 league can always go 90, but my guess is he was just done. Whether it was the physio data, or something the staff saw, I don't know.
Late in the game Bakrar had a nice play when he went down the right side, then did very well to avoid an aggressive tackle while maintaining both balance and possession, and sent a cross into the box. Then it happened almost exactly the same way again a few minutes later and I thought it was a replay but it was live.
NYC had more shots but half as many on target. CLT blocked 4 of our shots and none the other way. When they weren't blocked our players mostly missed. I expected Charlotte to bunker, counter and attack set pieces regardless but the early goal really let them lean into it.

I thought the same, especially in the early going. Charlotte was playing full speed and NYC was still in preseason mode.

Illenic was also on a yellow and we were entering that phase of the game where we have so many guys forward we have to foul aggressively to stop the break. I think your explanation that he was spent is the most likely reason but getting the guy on a yellow off may have factored into it as well.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Sometimes we look like we're being too careful, too scared to make a mistake, so we play the safest possible ball. I'd like to see us take a few more chances.

This, all day long.

 

[Jg65]

My thought on the game. As has been the story since last year. Lots of potential, and zero delivery. Again

I don’t care about the potential in three years, the time to win is now.

Yesterday’s game showed as they have in almost every game last year, they can Make opportunities, but they don’t capitalize on them. Bakrar has lots of potential, but seems to be always a step behind. Same with Magno.

I also don’t feel the team management has the right business focus. Seems they look to make money by investing in the unknown talent and getting good money when their skills are evident. This was evident when they sold Pereira, at a time they were looking to rebuild the team. They sold the only guy who was a threat.They need to look more like Miami that is investing heavily to make money not from each player (well Messi being an exception) but by hopefully crushing the league. By doing that ticket prices go up, merch sales go through the roof etc. NYCFC should be the same. Stop being small minded. This is NY we should not be accepting we will lose the first few games because they are away. The team should be looking to WIN.

Sorry for the rant, but am tired of making excuses, I realize now the only thing to do is hope they really did get some good talent that will start to deliver in the next few games.

But to me there was little promising about yesterday, just a repeat of the many games last year.

 

[ZYanksRule]

My thought on the game. As has been the story since last year. Lots of potential, and zero delivery. Again

I don’t care about the potential in three years, the time to win is now.

Yesterday’s game showed as they have in almost every game last year, they can Make opportunities, but they don’t capitalize on them. Bakrar has lots of potential, but seems to be always a step behind. Same with Magno.

I also don’t feel the team management has the right business focus. Seems they look to make money by investing in the unknown talent and getting good money when their skills are evident. This was evident when they sold Pereira, at a time they were looking to rebuild the team. They sold the only guy who was a threat.They need to look more like Miami that is investing heavily to make money not from each player (well Messi being an exception) but by hopefully crushing the league. By doing that ticket prices go up, merch sales go through the roof etc. NYCFC should be the same. Stop being small minded. This is NY we should not be accepting we will lose the first few games because they are away. The team should be looking to WIN.

Sorry for the rant, but am tired of making excuses, I realize now the only thing to do is hope they really did get some good talent that will start to deliver in the next few games.

But to me there was little promising about yesterday, just a repeat of the many games last year.

I just want to focus on this point.

This is the way it is in Major League Soccer. Road teams do very poorly. Only one road team won in Opening Week, with three games still to go. It's going to be even more dramatic on Opening Day when everyone is fired up and every building is sold out. We're going to get that bump in two weeks when we host Portland.

Listen, I want to win every game -- but it's just not possible in this league. Road teams do very poorly in MLS, and the best we can hope for is probably to average around a point/game on the road. If we find a way to 17 points on the road this season and earn 35 points at home, that would have been good enough for 6th in the East (or 3rd in the West) last year.

 

[KevinJRogers]

I think we have a consensus. Although in my case, I think we looked a lot more dangerous than the start of last season. Not dangerous enough, just more dangerous.

And I'm folding my tent on the monogram crest. It looked a lot better on the pitch than I thought it would. That kit is fire.