MLS - March 1 - LAFC (Away)

[ZYanksRule]

Yeah I thought we played well. Taking Maxi out at 60' changes the game, but is probably necessary to manage his minutes so early in the season.

Obviously we don't want to have to rely on him so much, but it's hard not to when he's so damn good. He was MOTM for me. Just a virtuoso performance. Without Santi we don't have even a backup No. 10, and as soon as Maxi exits the game is over. We lose all control over the midfield and any idea of how to put together attacking moments.

Maxi is tremendous, but we really need someone who can deputize. Hard to find a player as good as the best player in Club history, but we've been trying to figure out Life After Maxi since 2021, and we're still looking.

 

[mgarbowski]

Maxi subbing out (which is understandable) completely changed the game.

Taking Maxi out at 60' changes the game, but is probably necessary to manage his minutes so early in the season.

We were offensively putrid even with Maxi in there. Sure we looked kind of interesting with movement, and we controlled the midfield much better, but the team created jack all. Three shots from inside the box, and all of them barely so.

In the final 30 minutes we had 1 shot in there (also barely) and on a 60-30 split, that's not all that disproportionate. So while the difference in midfield play was clear, the difference in the final 20 was negligible to zero, which is a valid description of our offensive threats generally.
Further, we had just 3 total shots, none in the box, in the first half.

I support the Bakrar as winger experiment, but he was as invisible there as Talles was in the striker spot.
Risa, Ilenic and Haak had 4 shots, which is the same total as Maxi, Bakrar, Ojeda, Wolf and Fernandez.
Putrid.

 

[mgarbowski]

LAFC was not much better than us offensively. Fewer shots, a bit more SOG and xG. We only outshot them because we took 7 shots from beyond the 18 yard box and they took 3.

The difference was that they had 4 players inside the box when their goal was scored by someone running hard at goal inside the box right after someone else crashed the goal. The first guy did not manage a shot but he did make contact and created the chaos that our defense could not handle. We had nothing that looked like that. The closest we came to that was Ilenic's shot on a recycle after a corner. We had 4-5 guys in the box, including Mitja, but his shot was on an angle from 20+ yards away and traveled maybe a yard before getting blocked and cleared.

 

[canchon]

We were offensively putrid even with Maxi in there. Sure we looked kind of interesting with movement, and we controlled the midfield much better, but the team created jack all. Three shots from inside the box, and all of them barely so.
View attachment 13769
In the final 30 minutes we had 1 shot in there (also barely) and on a 60-30 split, that's not all that disproportionate. So while the difference in midfield play was clear, the difference in the final 20 was negligible to zero, which is a valid description of our offensive threats generally.
Further, we had just 3 total shots, none in the box, in the first half.

I support the Bakrar as winger experiment, but he was as invisible there as Talles was in the striker spot.
Risa, Ilenic and Haak had 4 shots, which is the same total as Maxi, Bakrar, Ojeda, Wolf and Fernandez.
Putrid.

That shot total and quality screams Cushing “we had our chances” ball

 

[mgarbowski]

That shot total and quality screams Cushing “we had our chances” ball

We did legitimately have better movement with the ball than we saw most of 2023-2024. But my heuristic that "it's usually roster, not coaching" looks good at the moment.

 

[KevinJRogers]

LAFC was not much better than us offensively. Fewer shots, a bit more SOG and xG. We only outshot them because we took 7 shots from beyond the 18 yard box and they took 3.

The difference was that they had 4 players inside the box when their goal was scored by someone running hard at goal inside the box right after someone else crashed the goal. The first guy did not manage a shot but he did make contact and created the chaos that our defense could not handle. We had nothing that looked like that. The closest we came to that was Ilenic's shot on a recycle after a corner. We had 4-5 guys in the box, including Mitja, but his shot was on an angle from 20+ yards away and traveled maybe a yard before getting blocked and cleared.

There was that lightning through ball from Haak with no one there to pounce, too. And both Zo and Bakrar were in the area. Mounsef had stopped to stay onside and just didn't react. Martinez was much too late crashing the goal near the far post, and it whizzed past him.

But they were sort of there. We had a couple other moments where we should have put a better shot on goal and didn't: a couple scuffs, a couple rushed attempts with the shooter flailing, that kind of thing. Is it because our guys are just not that good -- the roster heuristic? Or is it a matter of confidence?

We'll find out soon enough. My only real takeaway from this one is, we were really good, for the most part, especially in the midfield. Haak and Parks were light years ahead of where they were in Miami. And the squad as a whole showed a remarkable improvement in just one week. It's a pretty clear sign they're buying what Pascal is selling.

That's two matches on the road against two of the best teams in the league without any starting DPs and no second No. 10 (I hesitate to say backup because Maxi might become the backup if we sign someone good enough). And even though we lost control of the match after Maxi came off, we responded really well after conceding and were the better side the rest of the way through.

I'll take this for a start. All we need now is for David Lee to burn that dry powder -- now is the time -- and fill out this roster and we're going to be a load, especially once Malachi is back and at 100 percent and we have Martins back at 100 percent.

 

[Revfugee]

LAFC was not much better than us offensively. Fewer shots, a bit more SOG and xG. We only outshot them because we took 7 shots from beyond the 18 yard box and they took 3.

The difference was that they had 4 players inside the box when their goal was scored by someone running hard at goal inside the box right after someone else crashed the goal. The first guy did not manage a shot but he did make contact and created the chaos that our defense could not handle. We had nothing that looked like that. The closest we came to that was Ilenic's shot on a recycle after a corner. We had 4-5 guys in the box, including Mitja, but his shot was on an angle from 20+ yards away and traveled maybe a yard before getting blocked and cleared.

The most damning instance of not getting anyone in the box was Haak’s excellent cross. No Pigeon there.

So far we have played well against top opposition and should have come away with a Point last night. Risa is definitely wearing the horns today. Honestly he was really the only putrid thing out there.

The problem with the way we are playing is that if we can’t get in the box and score, we are no more likely to beat Nashville than we are Miami.

But…gonna focus on a couple of positives:

Haak has really stepped up. Despite losing Messi in Match 1 (something the very best players in the world have done for years) he has consistently shut folks down and threaded some great balls through. I really didn't think he had this in him and it’s the most pleasant surprise of the year for me. I thought his destiny was to be a CB but he’s demonstrated real value at the 6.

Mitja too. He’s playing with a lot of confidence and he is no longer giving me the same routine defensive scares he has in the past.

Matty Ice just flat out stoned Giroud.

Keaton also looked solid tonight.

The “Julian sucks and is dumb as rocks” meme is premature. He showed some real talent on the ball last night and he probably has the best free kick power and accuracy on the club (his corners are lasers). I personally think he’d be much farther along if Nick hadn’t buried him last year. Same with Ojeda.

Good to see Martins back. He lends a calm to the backline that isn’t always appreciated around here. If he’s healthy and Risa can get his head screwed on straight again, I think we will be OK on defensive depth with Tanis, Haak and the new kids. And while I would like to see an upgrade over O’Toole, he is far from a liability. We are more than good at right fullback.

Lee should be laser focused on replacing Santi (and Taty).

 

[Revfugee]

There was that lightning through ball from Haak with no one there to pounce, too. And both Zo and Bakrar were in the area. Mounsef had stopped to stay onside and just didn't react. Martinez was much too late crashing the goal near the far post, and it whizzed past him.

But they were sort of there. We had a couple other moments where we should have put a better shot on goal and didn't: a couple scuffs, a couple rushed attempts with the shooter flailing, that kind of thing. Is it because our guys are just not that good -- the roster heuristic? Or is it a matter of confidence?

We'll find out soon enough. My only real takeaway from this one is, we were really good, for the most part, especially in the midfield. Haak and Parks were light years ahead of where they were in Miami. And the squad as a whole showed a remarkable improvement in just one week. It's a pretty clear sign they're buying what Pascal is selling.

That's two matches on the road against two of the best teams in the league without any starting DPs and no second No. 10 (I hesitate to say backup because Maxi might become the backup if we sign someone good enough). And even though we lost control of the match after Maxi came off, we responded really well after conceding and were the better side the rest of the way through.

I'll take this for a start. All we need now is for David Lee to burn that dry powder -- now is the time -- and fill out this roster and we're going to be a load, especially once Malachi is back and at 100 percent and we have Martins back at 100 percent.

Haha KevinJRogers. Great minds…

 

[moogoo]

Didn't get to see the game but saw gray came out early... What happened?

 

[ZYanksRule]

Didn't get to see the game but saw gray came out early... What happened?

Looked like he was grabbing his hamstring. Real questions to be asked of the medical staff who cleared him, only to see him go out five minutes in.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Haha KevinJRogers. Great minds…

Totally down with your first post too, Fugee. That's exactly how I see it.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Looked like he was grabbing his hamstring. Real questions to be asked of the medical staff who cleared him, only to see him go out five minutes in.

He landed a little funny after heading that ball away. He may have just caught his studs in the turf a little awkwardly.

 

[BC19]

The most damning instance of not getting anyone in the box was Haak’s excellent cross. No Pigeon there.

So far we have played well against top opposition and should have come away with a Point last night. Risa is definitely wearing the horns today. Honestly he was really the only putrid thing out there.

The problem with the way we are playing is that if we can’t get in the box and score, we are no more likely to beat Nashville than we are Miami.

But…gonna focus on a couple of positives:

Haak has really stepped up. Despite losing Messi in Match 1 (something the very best players in the world have done for years) he has consistently shut folks down and threaded some great balls through. I really didn't think he had this in him and it’s the most pleasant surprise of the year for me. I thought his destiny was to be a CB but he’s demonstrated real value at the 6.

Mitja too. He’s playing with a lot of confidence and he is no longer giving me the same routine defensive scares he has in the past.

Matty Ice just flat out stoned Giroud.

Keaton also looked solid tonight.

The “Julian sucks and is dumb as rocks” meme is premature. He showed some real talent on the ball last night and he probably has the best free kick power and accuracy on the club (his corners are lasers). I personally think he’d be much farther along if Nick hadn’t buried him last year. Same with Ojeda.

Good to see Martins back. He lends a calm to the backline that isn’t always appreciated around here. If he’s healthy and Risa can get his head screwed on straight again, I think we will be OK on defensive depth with Tanis, Haak and the new kids. And while I would like to see an upgrade over O’Toole, he is far from a liability. We are more than good at right fullback.

Lee should be laser focused on replacing Santi (and Taty).

Agreed, have to look at positives where we can find them. Haak and Mitja have been very good. Haak’s passing last in particular caught the eye. Fernandez looked good when he came on last night and maybe should get a start over Wolf eventually.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Agreed, have to look at positives where we can find them. Haak and Mitja have been very good. Haak’s passing last in particular caught the eye. Fernandez looked good when he came on last night and maybe should get a start over Wolf eventually.

Hannes got stuffed last night. I was a little surprised at that. Although credit where credit is due, he did get in one heck of a position to score and just blew the shot when he sliced instead of hooked. (He should have taken a page from my golf game.)

 

[KevinJRogers]

Nice clip here of Keaton. He talks about the loss of control after Maxi came off and how Perea needed to operate a little differently.

3/1/25 Keaton Parks LAFC Post-Match Press Conference

New York City FC's internet bleacher section.

substack.com

 

[BxLio91]

I'm ready to move on from Wolf. He never does anything where I can go: he works hard, he scores, he crosses well, he can shoot from distance. He kills attacks, he can't beat the defender 1 on 1, is he a crossing threat? He gets muscled off the ball everytime. There's players a lot more efficient in MLS who get payed a lot less that CFG wouldn't look at because they don't come from Europe.

 

[moogoo]

I'm ready to move on from Wolf. He never doesn't anything where I can go: he works hard, he scores, he crosses well, he can shoot from distance. He kills attacks, he can't beat the defender 1 on 1, is he a crossing threat? He gets muscled off the ball everytime. There's players a lot more efficient in MLS who get payed a lot less that CFG wouldn't look at because they don't come from Europe.

been saying this since last year. he was somewhat productive first third of the season or so last year, but then he fell off a cliff. was that productivity a fluke? sure seems like it. Sure, he works hard in attack, but like you said, the ball often just ends up dying there. He's the newest medina but doesn't work as hard ? Somehow I'd rather have medina back.

if he doesn't up his game soon, something has to change. Hoping Fernandez shuts us all up and develops into a monster and puts wolf on his ass. but with our luck, he'll get the #10 role as an experiment and we'll suck even more.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Hoping Fernandez shuts us all up and develops into a monster and puts wolf on his ass.

This might happen. The talent and physicality are there, but he needs it to click in. He's going to be a real test of Pascal's ability to develop players, because the raw materials are obviously in place, although with a very heavy emphasis on raw.

 

[gbservis]

been saying this since last year. he was somewhat productive first third of the season or so last year, but then he fell off a cliff. was that productivity a fluke? sure seems like it. Sure, he works hard in attack, but like you said, the ball often just ends up dying there. He's the newest medina but doesn't work as hard ? Somehow I'd rather have medina back.

if he doesn't up his game soon, something has to change. Hoping Fernandez shuts us all up and develops into a monster and puts wolf on his ass. but with our luck, he'll get the #10 role as an experiment and we'll suck even more.

Wolf played his best early in the season when Santi was the CAM. Santi would drift left or charge forward and Wolf would curl inside into the CAM spot to fill the space and join the link-up play. Wolf's best asset is as a secondary creator who is good at finding space and link up play. The problem is you don't need another creator out there with Maxi and Maxi occupies the same space Wolf likes to tuck into.

I think Wolf's struggles are a symptom of a much broader issue. Outside of Martinez none of our attackers are threats. We need at least one other attacker that the defense has to care about. Wolf and Maxi are creators who want to set up others. Ojeda and Fernadez show flashes but cannot consistently beat MLS defenders off the dribble or finish their chances when they occasionally do. We either need an elite CAM that can both score and create for others or our wingers need to figure it out.

 

[moogoo]

Wolf played his best early in the season when Santi was the CAM. Santi would drift left or charge forward and Wolf would curl inside into the CAM spot to fill the space and join the link-up play. Wolf's best asset is as a secondary creator who is good at finding space and link up play. The problem is you don't need another creator out there with Maxi and Maxi occupies the same space Wolf likes to tuck into.

I think Wolf's struggles are a symptom of a much broader issue. Outside of Martinez none of our attackers are threats. We need at least one other attacker that the defense has to care about. Wolf and Maxi are creators who want to set up others. Ojeda and Fernadez show flashes but cannot consistently beat MLS defenders off the dribble or finish their chances when they occasionally do. We either need an elite CAM that can both score and create for others or our wingers need to figure it out.

Getting an elite CAM would be a dream. Someone who is still in their peak or coming to the end of it at the highest level but would still dominate in MLS. Who could that be? CFG have to have some names right?

tick tock tick tock.... less than 2 months until the window closes.