North Carolina (U.S. Open Cup) - Postmatch

[sundance]

“When I decided to play with Justin, it’s not because I want to show our fans we have a new player,” Torrent said. “It’s because he deserved to play and he will be important player, similar to Jimmy [Sands] last year. It’s the same feeling. I think he’s ready to play.”

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/yo...eserve-additional-minutes-in-us-open-cup-win/

 

[Kjbert]

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough”

 

[SoupInNYC]

Re: Parks - I think our midfielders need to have the ability to drive the ball forward, especially because teams high press us so much. Either through the wingbacks or through a pass to the second level from Johnson, they need to turn and dribble into the final third often.

I don’t think he’s quick enough to do that. I think he is controlled on the ball. I think he is smart and can pass it. I liked his defensive work rate. I just think he’s running with cement shoes and too many times the NC players tracked him down.

His first goal was because he’s 6 inches taller than everyone else. The second one was a late run into the box on a counter. I thought he was just average beyond that.

I just don't see where he's not quick enough. His acceleration to top speed isn't great, but he can stride it out when he needs to, and has very quick feet in space.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1138253907287842821

The above not only shows his deadly passing ability and incredibly quick decision making, but the quick feet to turn past the defender into open space.

He also seems to have a knack at finding open space immediately after making a pass. I haven't rewatched last night's game yet, so haven't cut any of them up, but I remember seeing quite a few examples of this. The attached mp4 from the Cincy game shows this pretty well though.

 

[Jock]

Thought it was a decent performance on average. Good to see the young guys get a run out.

Haak was brilliant - such composure, positioning, and distribution for a young lad.

Thought Keaton "Poku" Parks looked like he had some dig and energy that bodes well for him.

JP Torres looked like he'll have something to offer, Taty unlucky not to score, Rocha pretty average.

Maxi was great, Tinnerboom decent enough, Ibeagha looked like he hasn't played a lot of matches, Stuver had some decent saves but still doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.

Thought Danny Bedoya was completely useless and showed why that will surely be the only 70-odd minutes he ever plays for us. No real ability to look for a forward pass, nervous, not great control, some underwhelming passes.

Medina, his goal and a few good minutes aside, was absolutely shocking. Looked like a man completely bereft of confidence. From his scuffed shot that went wide, to rarely closing players down, getting megged, getting the ball in the corner, having a couple of options and just kicking the ball straight out of play... Hoping he gets some confidence soon, but it's looking like a change of scenery and the loss of the pressure of being a DP might be best for him.

 

[Kjbert]

I’m not saying he sucks.

I’m saying that I’m not sold on us committing to him for the future. He’s 4 years older than Haak and 2 years older than Torres. If I have to give someone minutes, it’s not going to be him.

SoupInNYC where I do agree with you is his ability to find space. I thought he trailed well into the box last night. I actually thought his best minutes were when he was pushed highest up the field, right underneath the Striker. He didn’t have to run as much.

 

[SoupInNYC]

I’m not saying he sucks.

I’m saying that I’m not sold on us committing to him for the future. He’s 4 years older than Haak and 2 years older than Torres. If I have to give someone minutes, it’s not going to be him.

SoupInNYC where I do agree with you is his ability to find space. I thought he trailed well into the box last night. I actually thought his best minutes were when he was pushed highest up the field, right underneath the Striker. He didn’t have to run as much.

I know you're not saying that, but I still think you're not giving him nearly enough credit.

I also don't think he's going to be in our future plans, outside of maybe next season. I get the sense that Benfica really really likes him, but just don't have the space for him at the moment to give him good minutes.

 

[Shwafta]

One thing I'll say is: Torres was quite bad on defense, but then again he never really was supposed to be a defender, we just had no-one else. On offense, though, he was actually really good! The entire second half he was running up and down right next to us and he made some really good passes and nutmegs- but Rocha sometimes messed up Torres's rhythm. I'd love to see more of him at least as a substitute!

 

[Christopher Jee]

Only problem with our midfield depth is that we have a few 5'6" (Bedoya, JPT) players. I actually don't mind trying to make JPT into a right back, thought he played well filling in at RB. I don't think he's big or strong enough to be a midfielder to cover for Ring. I think Haak and Parks are more preferable than JPT in midfield. With Scally hurt, I think JPT should get some more time vs. MLS opponents as a RB.

Rocha didn't look too good for me. His first touch always seemed to let him down, but I will say he had a few decent crosses throughout the game. With all the space NC gave our outside backs, if Rocha even had a half decent first touch we'd have had even more offensive production.

Maxi was everywhere. Taty has surprised me with how far he's come in the past 2 months or so. Ever since the Minnesota game he's just taken off. Hope he continues to improve along this path.

Even though it was only a few moments, pleasure to meet you yesterday adam !

Maxi is our best midfielder and player and he's even shorter than 5'6" tbf

 

[Schwallacus]

Maxi is our best midfielder and player and he's even shorter than 5'6" tbf

I'm fine with one or two shorter players. I don't want a whole midfield of them. Opposing teams would just send the ball up to midfield and know they have a 95% chance of winning a header to start a break.

It was funny seeing the height difference between JPT, Maxi, and Bedoya vs. Haak and Parks. Almost like Ents and Hobbits.

 

[dummyrun]

Not as sold on Parks. He’s slow.

Uhhh

https://twitter.com/x/status/1138976912808824832

 

[Gotham Gator]

Uhhh

https://twitter.com/x/status/1138976912808824832

That little step back at the end to stay onside...

 

[Christopher Jee]

Re: Parks - I think our midfielders need to have the ability to drive the ball forward, especially because teams high press us so much. Either through the wingbacks or through a pass to the second level from Johnson, they need to turn and dribble into the final third often.

I don’t think he’s quick enough to do that. I think he is controlled on the ball. I think he is smart and can pass it. I liked his defensive work rate. I just think he’s running with cement shoes and too many times the NC players tracked him down.

His first goal was because he’s 6 inches taller than everyone else. The second one was a late run into the box on a counter. I thought he was just average beyond that.

I just don't see where he's not quick enough. His acceleration to top speed isn't great, but he can stride it out when he needs to, and has very quick feet in space.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1138253907287842821

The above not only shows his deadly passing ability and incredibly quick decision making, but the quick feet to turn past the defender into open space.

He also seems to have a knack at finding open space immediately after making a pass. I haven't rewatched last night's game yet, so haven't cut any of them up, but I remember seeing quite a few examples of this. The attached mp4 from the Cincy game shows this pretty well though.

Also thought he had long marauding run forward with the ball, that led to one of the goals, but haven't rewatched.

 

[Kjbert]

Also thought he had long marauding run forward with the ball, that led to one of the goals, but haven't rewatched.

To bring this full circle, that was the little flash of Poku that I mentioned.

He used to make a 2/3 field run with the ball at his feet and guys would just bounce off of him.

 

[Keith Putnam]

FootyLovin and I made a half-hearted attempt to get a "Keaton Parks! / doo doo doo doo doo doo" (Baby Shark) chant going after his goals, but it didn't really take.

 

[Gotham Gator]

FootyLovin and I made a half-hearted attempt to get a "Keaton Parks! / doo doo doo doo doo doo" (Baby Shark) chant going after his goals, but it didn't really take.

That's too bad.

 

[Kjbert]

Third Rail should try it. When I was in England in October, I heard 3 variations of that in 6 days. One of which was at Millwall. Falastur can confirm but I think we had one at the City match too.

 

[Kangaroo Jack]

Third Rail should try it. When I was in England in October, I heard 3 variations of that in 6 days. One of which was at Millwall. Falastur can confirm but I think we had one at the City match too.

ill try to get it going for next match

 

[LionNYC]

FootyLovin and I made a half-hearted attempt to get a "Keaton Parks! / doo doo doo doo doo doo" (Baby Shark) chant going after his goals, but it didn't really take.

I was singing along. Not too many Baby Shark fans in the supporters' section.

 

[Kjbert]

I was singing along. Not too many Baby Shark fans in the supporters' section.

They sound like a bunch of communists

 

[Falastur]

Third Rail should try it. When I was in England in October, I heard 3 variations of that in 6 days. One of which was at Millwall. Falastur can confirm but I think we had one at the City match too.

I actually don't remember that - I'm pretty sure I would remember if I had heard it as I'd have been laughing my head off for about five seconds before going "oh no, make it stop". Guess I got lucky and went to one of the 3/6 games you saw that didn't have it.