Montreal - Postmatch

[Shwafta]

#1 this man is a tactical savant! When he explains the switch at the half to play two false 9s side by side after his 3 forward approach didn’t work in the first half and why, it’s somethng special.

#2 he finally explains why Jonah doesn’t start. Apparently he has issues defending deep. But they are working on it with him. Holy shit! We got an actual explanation about why a player isn’t getting the playing time we would expect based on performance!!!! I hope the club doesn’t pull him aside and tell him to stop being so forthcoming with information for the fan base. This man is a godsend. Bless the rains.

Actually, I heard Dome say something else regarding #2- I heard him say "He has trouble when they defend deep", not that he has trouble defending deep. Maybe I misheard? But that's what it sounded like to me- like he can't break the defense when they're a solid, deep defending team, as opposed to how he took apart RB who didn't defend deep.

 

[sundance]

Actually, I heard Dome say something else regarding #2- I heard him say "He has trouble when they defend deep", not that he has trouble defending deep. Maybe I misheard? But that's what it sounded like to me- like he can't break the defense when they're a solid, deep defending team, as opposed to how he took apart RB who didn't defend deep.

That matches some of Domè’s earlier comments, to the effect that Lewis is good when he has space but less effective in tight situations.

 

[LionNYC]

Lost in all of this is that Matarrita has looked fantastic as a RW.

I think we all knew this since 2016.

 

[SoupInNYC]

I think we all knew this since 2016.

When did he play RW?

 

[adam]

Actually, I heard Dome say something else regarding #2- I heard him say "He has trouble when they defend deep", not that he has trouble defending deep. Maybe I misheard? But that's what it sounded like to me- like he can't break the defense when they're a solid, deep defending team, as opposed to how he took apart RB who didn't defend deep.

I’ll go with your young ears over my trouble with his accent. Your interpretation is now forum canon.

 

[Shwafta]

I’ll go with your young ears over my trouble with his accent. Your interpretation is now forum canon.

these young ears are turning 21 on Sunday
As the games go on I'm sure we'll hear more from Dome regarding Lewis- the press loves to hound managers with the same question game-after-game.

 

[LionNYC]

When did he play RW?

He didn't. But I think we all thought we should be.

 

[gbservis]

I mentioned this earlier, but his (lack of) effort late in the game reflected poorly on him. Medina was chasing the game up 3-0 in the 85th minute and Lewis is walking around the pitch. Not a good look.

Lewis almost always walks on defense and puts in very little effort with the one exception being the man down Chicago game for some reason. The guy is amazing on offense so he certainly has a place in the rotation. There are plenty of star attackers that have super successful careers and are essentially allergic to defense in the way Lewis appears to be. But it's still hard to understand, Lewis is fast, and strong so you know he could play defense if he chose to. He can tackle the ball away from a CB when he wants to attack. He's not tired because he just subbed on but if the ball isn't in the attacking third he wants nothing to do with it. I don't think it will cost him appearances but it may keep him from starting and force him into the offensive spark of the bench role longer than his offensive talents warrant.

 

[gbservis]

I think we all knew this since 2016.

If he can put the injuries behind him, a big if, he'd be great to keep around as an attacking option. I think it was Midas Mulligan that mentioned it first but he clearly is a step above most MLS players in skill level when it comes to his touch on the ball and other nuanced things that set great players apart.

 

[Ulrich]

I mentioned this earlier, but his (lack of) effort late in the game reflected poorly on him. Medina was chasing the game up 3-0 in the 85th minute and Lewis is walking around the pitch. Not a good look.

Man, I already addressed this. Lewis was hugging the sideline at the outlet man, completely unmarked. There are times in a match where not everybody has to be, or should be, pressing. When the ball was near Lewis, he was a terrier nipping at the ball carrier, but when on the other side of the field, he was the outlet. That was a tactical decision.

 

[Kjbert]

Man, I already addressed this. Lewis was hugging the sideline at the outlet man, completely unmarked. There are times in a match where not everybody has to be, or should be, pressing. When the ball was near Lewis, he was a terrier nipping at the ball carrier, but when on the other side of the field, he was the outlet. That was a tactical decision.

Maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong. It looked like shit. But I'm willing to overlook it because you seem to have a better tactical understanding than I ever will.

 

[Ulrich]

Maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong. It looked like shit. But I'm willing to overlook it because you seem to have a better tactical understanding than I ever will.

The guy has 1g/1a (was almost 2g if not for the post & should have been a second assist the game before to Medina) in less than 90min of play this season. He’s a terrier when he has to (hence that steal/assist to Maxi) but he’s (I’m quoting Midas Mulligan ) a golden god for us on offense. I’ll be the first to criticize him, or anybody else I routinely praise, if they make obvious blunders or are tactically inept - I just don’t think that’s Lewis with regard to his defensive responsibilities.