#MLSisBack - August 1 - Portland (Postgame)

[canchon]

Give credit to Portland for excellent defensive shape. They simply packed the middle and forced NYCFC to create from the wing and/or try to combine through the middle where it was easy to have numbers and intercept. Useless possession.

Meanwhile, NYCFC gave free reign to the Timbers in zone 14. The Timbers were so much more dangerous combining in and around the 18.

 

[moogoo]

That wasn't the problem. He didn't anticipate the cutback and give himself enough space to react, and then he just sort of half-heartedly flicked his foot at the ball when he got burned. After the cut inside he was too far from Polo to bring him down even if he wanted to. That whole goal came from poor defensive awareness and bad technique.

Ring had never been a good 1v1 defender. His talent was reading the game and making big tackles in open field during a build up (I use the word talent loosely). He's guilty of picking up yellows for poor defensive technique all the time. I agree something is up with him. He didn't play with his usual vigor. Maybe he just wants to see his wife and kids.

irks me that Ronnie's take on the game was we weren't good enough defending the counter. Um... that is portland's entire game. how do you not prepare to DEFEND THE COUNTER? was there even a plan? doesn't sound like it.

 

[NYCFC_Dan]

It’s no wonder people have lost interest in this team. We went from a club with stars and an identity to mediocre talent and no consistency. No fans in the stands might be the best thing to happen to NYCFC this year. Something tells me attendance would be sparse.

 

[Davo15]

IMO our problems go much deeper than Delia. The ownership is frustrating and embarrassing . Yes the lack of a stadium (which is also on them) is a hindrance but in the New York market and with their money and reach there is no excuse not be competing with the LA clubs and Atlanta in recruiting. Mitri and Medina aren't good enough and frankly while I love Maxi and he's great with their money/global scouting he should be our 3rd best player tops. Villa should have been replaced like for like with someone who's a difference maker. Wowing us with on field talent was supposed to be the reward that made paying the price of the stigma of being someone else's satellite club worth it.

 

[NYCFC_Dan]

IMO our problems go much deeper than Delia. The ownership is frustrating and embarrassing . Yes the lack of a stadium (which is also on them) is a hindrance but in the New York market and with their money and reach there is no excuse not be competing with the LA clubs and Atlanta in recruiting. Mitri and Medina aren't good enough and frankly while I love Maxi and he's great with their money/global scouting he should be our 3rd best player tops. Villa should have been replaced like for like with someone who's a difference maker. Wowing us with on field talent was supposed to be the reward that made paying the price of the stigma of being someone else's satellite club worth it.

It’ll be at least another year before we get a big name here. No one is going to leave their home and family with Covid going on. We’re stuck with this team.

 

[Annagram]

IMO our problems go much deeper than Delia. The ownership is frustrating and embarrassing . Yes the lack of a stadium (which is also on them) is a hindrance but in the New York market and with their money and reach there is no excuse not be competing with the LA clubs and Atlanta in recruiting. Mitri and Medina aren't good enough and frankly while I love Maxi and he's great with their money/global scouting he should be our 3rd best player tops. Villa should have been replaced like for like with someone who's a difference maker. Wowing us with on field talent was supposed to be the reward that made paying the price of the stigma of being someone else's satellite club worth it.

Strange things indeed are going on in the club. It doesn't look like a proper stadium is very high on their list of important matters. They also let one of the best coaches leave just like that, and the team hasn't been strengthened at all. This is even more amazing when we know that the club's best season (2019) ended abruptly because the team doesn't have a LB worth mentioning. Also the nearly complete misuse of the DP system is a great puzzle.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Strange things indeed are going on in the club. It doesn't look like a proper stadium is very high on their list of important matters. They also let one of the best coaches leave just like that, and the team hasn't been strengthened at all. This is even more amazing when we know that the club's best season (2019) ended abruptly because the team doesn't have a LB worth mentioning. Also the nearly complete misuse of the DP system is a great puzzle.

I'm confused by the stadium comment. In the Before Times when the world wasn't ending, we seemed to be on the verge of getting the stadium over the finish line. They've put that on the backburner during the pandemic for obvious reasons, but it's not like they're no longer interested in it.

This past offseason was a poor one, there is no question. But I feel like we are all overreacting to what amounts to a preseason tournament played in Orlando in the middle of the summer. Yes, we were bad. No, it doesn't really particularly matter.

 

[moogoo]

I'm confused by the stadium comment. In the Before Times when the world wasn't ending, we seemed to be on the verge of getting the stadium over the finish line. They've put that on the backburner during the pandemic for obvious reasons, but it's not like they're no longer interested in it.

This past offseason was a poor one, there is no question. But I feel like we are all overreacting to what amounts to a preseason tournament played in Orlando in the middle of the summer. Yes, we were bad. No, it doesn't really particularly matter.

not sure i agree that the tournament doesn't particularly matter. it was a CCL spot on the line, which definitely matters. We were there to test our meddle against other teams in similar situations. Yea - we had a bit less time to prepare than other teams due to covid restrictions, but i don't think this tournament didn't matter.

I hope we take this time off and really look inside as a team. i hope the front office really sits down and thinks about where they want to take this team and how they're going to do it and start making commitments. I don't mind having a bad year, or even 2 bad seasons where we don't even make the playoffs if I can see they are trying to move the pieces to build a trophy winning team. Right now, we have a lot of talent, but I don't think we ever look like a championship squad. We can look like a team that can play with the best of them at times, but we always fall short when it counts. There's gotta be something to that.

Yea - it could be the 4 coaches in 6 years. It could be the lack of superstar power. It could be a lot of things. But I hope the club takes this time to figure it out. We need big players who show up in big moments. We need a coach who's invested and committed and truly has the backing of all the players to lead us into war. I'm not sure we have all that right now. but I digress... Maybe i'm overreacting from the disappointment...

 

[ZYanksRule]

not sure i agree that the tournament doesn't particularly matter. it was a CCL spot on the line, which definitely matters. We were there to test our meddle against other teams in similar situations. Yea - we had a bit less time to prepare than other teams due to covid restrictions, but i don't think this tournament didn't matter.

I hope we take this time off and really look inside as a team. i hope the front office really sits down and thinks about where they want to take this team and how they're going to do it and start making commitments. I don't mind having a bad year, or even 2 bad seasons where we don't even make the playoffs if I can see they are trying to move the pieces to build a trophy winning team. Right now, we have a lot of talent, but I don't think we ever look like a championship squad. We can look like a team that can play with the best of them at times, but we always fall short when it counts. There's gotta be something to that.

Yea - it could be the 4 coaches in 6 years. It could be the lack of superstar power. It could be a lot of things. But I hope the club takes this time to figure it out. We need big players who show up in big moments. We need a coach who's invested and committed and truly has the backing of all the players to lead us into war. I'm not sure we have all that right now. but I digress... Maybe i'm overreacting from the disappointment...

That's fair, you're right. The tournament mattered, that was the wrong way to put it. I think considering all the weirdness of the restart situation, while the games mattered I am extremely hesitant to make major generalizations about the team off the tournament. Guys are worried about their families back home, they weren't match fit until at least the third or fourth game, there was a limited training camp before the restart, games with unfit players were played in the Orlando heat in the summer ... it's really hard to be too critical of results. Yes it mattered, but as for results, it's hard to make major decisions off this tournament with all the weird factors associated with it.

I will agree with you, though, that a longstanding problem in big games with this team is the lack of a killer instinct. We are better on paper than almost every team in the league, but we don't play like that in big moments. We are passive instead of playing with the swagger of a good team.

 

[Antidote P. Smiley]

That's fair, you're right. The tournament mattered, that was the wrong way to put it. I think considering all the weirdness of the restart situation, while the games mattered I am extremely hesitant to make major generalizations about the team off the tournament. Guys are worried about their families back home, they weren't match fit until at least the third or fourth game, there was a limited training camp before the restart, games with unfit players were played in the Orlando heat in the summer ... it's really hard to be too critical of results. Yes it mattered, but as for results, it's hard to make major decisions off this tournament with all the weird factors associated with it.

I will agree with you, though, that a longstanding problem in big games with this team is the lack of a killer instinct. We are better on paper than almost every team in the league, but we don't play like that in big moments. We are passive instead of playing with the swagger of a good team.

this team certainly does not have the killer instinct.
It has talent but is there anyone you would really rely on in big moments?
I think Blanco and Valeri showed us the kind of players we are missing on this team.
I think someone may have put it as close to perfect when they said Maxi should be our “3rd” DP. He’s good and lovable but not 1 DP status. Medina would be a nice player on the roster if he wasn’t taking up a DP spot. Same goes for Mitrita. This is not news to anyone. We’re just banging our heads against the wall... the team is good but it’s not championship good.

 

[DeGrozz]

this team certainly does not have the killer instinct.
It has talent but is there anyone you would really rely on in big moments?
I think Blanco and Valeri showed us the kind of players we are missing on this team.
I think someone may have put it as close to perfect when they said Maxi should be our “3rd” DP. He’s good and lovable but not 1 DP status. Medina would be a nice player on the roster if he wasn’t taking up a DP spot. Same goes for Mitrita. This is not news to anyone. We’re just banging our heads against the wall... the team is good but it’s not championship good.

Maxi put up the second greatest assist season ever in MLS last season, tacked on another 7 goals, was a major reason that we had 3 of the top-25 goal scorers in the MLS last year, and finished top-5 in MVP voting. How is that not 1 DP status? Outside of Vela or maybe Diego Rossi, how many other DPs this year would you rather have started the season with than Maxi?

 

[Antidote P. Smiley]

Maxi put up the second greatest assist season ever in MLS last season, tacked on another 7 goals, was a major reason that we had 3 of the top-25 goal scorers in the MLS last year, and finished top-5 in MVP voting. How is that not 1 DP status? Outside of Vela or maybe Diego Rossi, how many other DPs this year would you rather have started the season with than Maxi?

Maxi is wonderful. Maybe there’s nothing more he can do by himself and in a way I’m expecting too much of him or not recognizing what he does do for the team. And maybe I was too quick to jump on the Maxi is not a no.1 DP wagon. I do have my doubts moving forward though.
It’s just not that surprising to me that Blanco and Valeri found a way to score in a win or go home situation and no one on NYCFC found the back of the net from open play.

Overall I don’t recall how Maxi performed in last years playoff game. He did provide the assist on ISI’s goal.
Who knows, If Matarita and Chanot don’t hand Pozuelo chances on the doorstep, the ref’s don’t let Toronto get away with what I thought we’re obvious fouls then maybe I’m feeling different about what I’m watching post 2019 playoff loss.

We very well might have to wait longer than we all wish to see where Maxi stands in the MLD DP pantheon. What will Maxi 2021 bring to the pitch?

 

[ZYanksRule]

Maxi put up the second greatest assist season ever in MLS last season, tacked on another 7 goals, was a major reason that we had 3 of the top-25 goal scorers in the MLS last year, and finished top-5 in MVP voting. How is that not 1 DP status? Outside of Vela or maybe Diego Rossi, how many other DPs this year would you rather have started the season with than Maxi?

Yeah, Maxi had a slow start to this season but he is outstanding. One of the best No. 10's in the league. But I know what everyone's saying. We don't have that guy who you know will show up in the biggest games. We don't have the Josef, the Vela. There aren't many of those guys in this league, but a team that wants to be championship worthy needs one. We don't have it. We are a damn good team, second best team in the league last year. But I think it's fair to wonder whether we are a championship team. Based on the way we always seem to play in knockouts, it's fair to say the answer is no.

 

[Davo15]

Maxi put up the second greatest assist season ever in MLS last season, tacked on another 7 goals, was a major reason that we had 3 of the top-25 goal scorers in the MLS last year, and finished top-5 in MVP voting. How is that not 1 DP status? Outside of Vela or maybe Diego Rossi, how many other DPs this year would you rather have started the season with than Maxi?

Because I want someone like David Villa who can create a goal out of nothing and take the team on his back when they need something. Elevating those around you is great but it's still overly reliant on the talent level around you.

 

[Annagram]

This past offseason was a poor one, there is no question. But I feel like we are all overreacting to what amounts to a preseason tournament played in Orlando in the middle of the summer. Yes, we were bad. No, it doesn't really particularly matter.

IMO it's not the end of the world if the team doesn't perform in a mickey mouse tournament where nobody wanted to be in the first place. I'm mostly confused because there doesn't seem to be a proper plan in the team building. When the RB situation was a glaring problem, it was solved by getting Tinnerholm. Not that he'd be perfect, but he was a clear upgrade from Ethan White and that other bruiser who was clearly playing the wrong sport. Was that the latest clear strengthening of a position? It was nearly three seasons ago.
The team has been screaming for a LB for years, but nothing is done to this. Replacing Villa like for like was (Heber is not that) impossible, because there wasn't a free DP spot - those were filled with mediocre players who were given long contracts. The team wasn't strengthened for this season (Acevedo might still turn out to be a good recruit, though), and when Maxi is out, there's nobody to organize the attack. To add to that, the very good coach left without telling the real reasons for his departure, and was replaced by an erratic guy with a possible drinking problem.
To me this club is a shambles at the moment, and we can't blame the virus.

 

[FredMertz]

Replacing Villa like for like was (Heber is not that) impossible, because there wasn't a free DP spot

Did Villa leaving not, by definition, free up the DP spot that was filled by Mitrita a few months later?

 

[Marito]

Did Villa leaving not, by definition, free up the DP spot that was filled by Mitrita a few months later?

Yes. And we have watched Mitrita play long enough at this point to label that a failure. I don't think his salary is high enough to rank it an egregious failure, but for once we pay a substantial transfer fee and get a dud, jeez.

 

[Annagram]

Did Villa leaving not, by definition, free up the DP spot that was filled by Mitrita a few months later?

Indeed, and when the club signed Villa’s replacement (Heber), the DP spot was already gone.

 

[FredMertz]

Indeed, and when the club signed Villa’s replacement (Heber), the DP spot was already gone.

It was possible -- they just chose not to do it.

 

[DeGrozz]

Yes. And we have watched Mitrita play long enough at this point to label that a failure. I don't think his salary is high enough to rank it an egregious failure, but for once we pay a substantial transfer fee and get a dud, jeez.

Anyone else remember when Mitrita scored 3 goals in 20 minutes last year in possibly our most important game of the season that essentially guaranteed us 1st place in the east and a slot in CCL?

I feel like we've decided to completely forget all the good this team has done, because:

1 - We lost a game to Tigres in CCL;
2 - We lost due to a freak red card on the road in our first game and to the eastern conference champion on the road in our second game (both teams have proven to be pretty good); and
3 - We went 2-3 in some slapped together tournament in the middle of a global pandemic when our three losses all came against tournament semi-finalists

And this is all with a new coach.

I understand this wouldn't be acceptable in a "normal" year 3 if Dome was still around, but we're under a new coach, in the middle of a global pandemic, and in possibly the worst part of the country to be in lock-down because we're sitting around in tiny apartments for months on end.

It also didn't allow the signing who was brought in to challenge our weakest position to be integrated into the team.

It's a weird year fellas -- I'm not giving up on this team yet.