MLS - May 25 - Chicago (YS)

[Marito]

I agree. If not for the lucky breaks (both questionable calls involving reds) we get at most 1 point, if any, today.
I think O'Neill is going to end up being the best overseas addition in the post cup era. Sadly, that bar is low, but I'm pretty impressed with what he's shown so far despite having such little time with the team.

I cannot say I agree. We had the clearest chances while it was 11 v 11, and they only scored off of a low percentage chance. Other than that Freese wasn't under any real pressure (except maybe 10 minutes between 70-80). I have no idea about the offside goal, because the TV angle was not trustworthy, but I feel we created much more clear danger than we usually create, so it didn't feel flukey. Our team is not great, but I feel this win was deserved. It would have been pretty even 11 v 11 IMHO. Not our best, but I think this was one of our good games, not putrid like against Montreal. Pascal is getting a lot out of this roster.

 

[LionNYC]

Above all else, the craziest part of the match was when there were two balls on the field being actively played and play wasn't stopped at all by the referee.

 

[CCMore]

Pascal is getting a lot out of this roster.

Could not agree more. These players are not to the level that we expect here at our club. But damn is our coach figuring out every way to get as much out of them as he can. I think if we replace Julian with an actual quality winger this summer we will be cooking with gas. Like truly it relieves pressure on all the other players in attack to be more fluid. I think our defensive shape (as odd as it is) really works for this crew. If we can get some of wolf, maxi Julian, & Ojeda, (bakrar?) scoring more than just the past two games, then the opponents will have to watch out for more than just Alonso and I think we hit a higher echelon in this league. We will be so much better than the sum of our parts.

 

[Revfugee]

I cannot say I agree. We had the clearest chances while it was 11 v 11, and they only scored off of a low percentage chance. Other than that Freese wasn't under any real pressure (except maybe 10 minutes between 70-80). I have no idea about the offside goal, because the TV angle was not trustworthy, but I feel we created much more clear danger than we usually create, so it didn't feel flukey. Our team is not great, but I feel this win was deserved. It would have been pretty even 11 v 11 IMHO. Not our best, but I think this was one of our good games, not putrid like against Montreal. Pascal is getting a lot out of this roster.

Yeah, the first goal was against the run of play. We were looking pretty solid IMHO (remember this is not the Chicago we are used to — they have improved).

I also don’t think we “squeak” into he playoffs and go one and out, assuming we fill some depth out in the summer window. There is so much parity now that outside the top 2 it’s anyone’s race and we have stacked up pretty well against the toughest squads while sometimes playing down to poor opposition.


Our attack needs work but our D has been very good (#2 in the east on Goals allowed and ahead of every team above us in that respect.)


Pascal deserves a ton of credit. We just need more firepower up top and some depth at wing and #10 in particular(and maybe at CB. Central midfield is now pretty solid other than a lack of like for like Maxi depth.

I was a little surprised that Wolf has four goals now.

Also it feels like Fernandez and Ojeda are progressing .

I still want more depth and more goals but I don’t have a huge problem with how the players we have are performing relative to expectations. my expectation for this squad barring key injuries would be 4-6 in the East even without reinforcements.

 

[Brooklyn Blue]

That referee was overmatched - it was as if we were watching a high school official handle an NFL game. He had no sense of play, was card happy, reset free kicks without purpose or effect, and (as noted) allowed play to continue with two balls on the pitch. Please send him back to the USL.


Unrelated - and too late now - but it baffles me that we never signed someone with a long throw over the last ten years.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Imagine what Pascal's coaching will look like when we have a full roster.

I just watched the highlights - can anyone explain why our first goal wasn't called back for a clear handball on Haak in the buildup? I was surprised to see that goal stand.

The penalty call, if that went against us we'd be completely outraged. Nice to see us get a break at least.

 

[engine46]

What is it with this social media/stat team? Where’s the second yellow + red?

 

[ZYanksRule]

By the way, for as much as we're doubting this team and upset at David Lee's roster strategy we are only six points out of 1st place in the East.

Are we better than we think we are?

 

[gbservis]

Glad we got the win, Bakrar's positioning on his goal was perfect. Risa's long-distance shot was impressive. Wolf made a gritty play to score his goal. But there is still a lot to work on before we are going to be serious contenders:

• After Mantinez hit the crossbar in the 23' Fernandez's decision-making was horrific. He's moving away from the goal with Oniell charging in on a perfectly timed run, with the shot lined up, and Ferenadez pulls it away from him. He then has Shore wide open at the top of the box but instead of passing and letting Shore shoot from a better position, Ferandez tries a crappy no look, no power, turn around shot.
• Martinez, Wofl, and Maxi all missed good chances 1:1 with the keeper. Our inability to beat keepers 1:1 is starting to look like a pattern.
• Ojeda got bailed out on the PK, took a horrible touch in the box, and was in the process of totally blowing a breakaway when he got fouled.

 

[twsj91]

I also don’t think we “squeak” into he playoffs and go one and out, assuming we fill some depth out in the summer window.

I really hope I eat my words, but that is a BOLD assumption based on what we’ve seen recently… lol

 

[Revfugee]

I really hope I eat my words, but that is a BOLD assumption based on what we’ve seen recently… lol

Considering that we are in sixth with 2/3rd of a roster I don’t think it’s bold at all. I’m just looking at results. We have taken points off of every team (ETA: in the East) above us that we have played. We have beaten Cincy and Orlando and Philly and we drew Miami and Columbus. Not sure why nobody seems to take that into account.

 

[mgarbowski]

I just watched the highlights - can anyone explain why our first goal wasn't called back for a clear handball on Haak in the buildup? I was surprised to see that goal stand.

I also only watched parts of the game and wondered the same. His arm was close to his body and it was inadvertent but he also gained an advantage by diverting the ball back in front of him. It’s at least a controversial judgment call.

 

[Gotham Gator]

We are NOT family friendly at times.

I sat in this section for the 2nd half and can confirm.

 

[gbservis]

By the way, for as much as we're doubting this team and upset at David Lee's roster strategy we are only six points out of 1st place in the East.

Are we better than we think we are?

We have no backup CAM and heading into heavy schedule congestion with leagues cup we are one Maxi injury away from being reminded how reckless Lee has been with this roster.

Jovan sucked out in Belgium. Ojeda can't break into the starting line up 1.5 seasons in. If we had another winger of Wolf's quality or better Fernandez would be on the bench next to Ojeda instead of starting every week and reminding us that he's the most tactically clueless player in all of MLS. There is no redemption arc for Lee, they guy spent over $20M in fees and still has nothing to show for it.

Pascal on the other hand should be the front runner for coach of the year. His willingness to play the young guys unlocked Shore and likely saved the season and this new Risa/Haak set up is a tactical masterclass. The guy is squeezing every ounce of quality out of this mess of a roster Lee handed him.

 

[Gotham Gator]

On the Bakrar goal, he shows up in an open pocket at the top of the six and basically sits there without being marked for six seconds. Credit to him for finding and holding the space, but woof! Bad defense!

 

[FootyLovin]

this new Risa/Haak set up is a tactical masterclass

This.

 

[FootyLovin]

Anyone else think the field was particularly dodgy yesterday? It seemed the ball never just rolled. It was constantly hopping off the grass.

 

[BxLio91]

We have no backup CAM and heading into heavy schedule congestion with leagues cup we are one Maxi injury away from being reminded how reckless Lee has been with this roster.

Jovan sucked out in Belgium. Ojeda can't break into the starting line up 1.5 seasons in. If we had another winger of Wolf's quality or better Fernandez would be on the bench next to Ojeda instead of starting every week and reminding us that he's the most tactically clueless player in all of MLS. There is no redemption arc for Lee, they guy spent over $20M in fees and still has nothing to show for it.

Pascal on the other hand should be the front runner for coach of the year. His willingness to play the young guys unlocked Shore and likely saved the season and this new Risa/Haak set up is a tactical masterclass. The guy is squeezing every ounce of quality out of this mess of a roster Lee handed him.

Who will Jovan blame for sucking in a "league closer to his ability"?

 

[Gotham Gator]

The Chicago goal is interesting.

It starts off with a promising counter - basically 4-on-4.



Then, their #9 makes a diagonal dummy run out of the middle to the top of the box.



Haak follows this run, leaving a gap in the center of the pitch. O’Neill is in position to fill the space, but he is slow to react, and Chicago’s RB gets there first.



That leaves him open to play it first time into the lower corner.

 

[ZYanksRule]

We have no backup CAM and heading into heavy schedule congestion with leagues cup we are one Maxi injury away from being reminded how reckless Lee has been with this roster.

Jovan sucked out in Belgium. Ojeda can't break into the starting line up 1.5 seasons in. If we had another winger of Wolf's quality or better Fernandez would be on the bench next to Ojeda instead of starting every week and reminding us that he's the most tactically clueless player in all of MLS. There is no redemption arc for Lee, they guy spent over $20M in fees and still has nothing to show for it.

Pascal on the other hand should be the front runner for coach of the year. His willingness to play the young guys unlocked Shore and likely saved the season and this new Risa/Haak set up is a tactical masterclass. The guy is squeezing every ounce of quality out of this mess of a roster Lee handed him.

I agree with all of this. I think my belief on this team is that our XI is good enough to play with most teams in MLS, but we have no depth. O'Neill certainly helps our midfield and seems to be a stabilizing presence, but we have no attacking depth and dodgy depth in the back. It's such an odd roster, but maybe it's not as bad as we think it is.

Or maybe Pascal is just punching way above our weight. He should absolutely be the coach of the year right now. He's been brilliant. This fanbase being in love with the coach is reason enough. That doesn't happen around these parts.