I noticed the same thing... no smoke, no puto chant... but damnit they doubled the number of Hey Baby's!!!
Nycfc V Montreal Motm & Post-game
- Thread starter Falastur
- Start date
Defense killed us today. Hernandez and Mena can't deal with Oduro and Piatti, and Angelino doesn't play defense.
Maybe next transfer window we'll focus on defense, like we have been crying about.
But wait, I think I'll just blame old man Grabavoy, it's easier. Yeah, he was completely the reason we lost.
Maybe next transfer window we'll focus on defense, like we have been crying about.
But wait, I think I'll just blame old man Grabavoy, it's easier. Yeah, he was completely the reason we lost.
Your the most overrated poster on this forum bar none.
Pretty horrible game today. Subway was a nightmare, so only got to the game 20 minutes in, by which point we were already a goal down, so that was a nice way to set up the afternoon.
Saunders - 5
The guy is a replacement level keeper, nothing more, nothing less. His knack for showy saves has endeared him to the fans, but his distribution is awful, and he has at least one moment of madness a game where he decides he wants to forfeit use of his arms and use his legs instead. Half the time it'll end up in a goal, half the time it'll be a big save. Today it ended in a good point-blank save and some more Saunders chants from behind the goal, but I have almost no confidence in the guy.
Iraola - 6
Forgive me for being thoroughly underwhelmed with this guy so far. He doesn't get forward as much as I would like, and his aerial ability leaves a little to be desired. Thought he improved a lot when Mix came on, and they had some nice link-up play down the right. That cute flick right at the end racing into the area deserved better - if only he'd been more advanced for the previous 93 minutes.
Mena - 5
Honestly, I don't see how he's an upgrade from KWS or any of the other clownshoes at this point. Perhaps he's lacking fitness, but he was constantly caught out of position today, and it cost us with that sloppy Impact goal.
Hernandez - 6
Being generous here, because he looked more confident on the ball than Mena did, but his positioning is still poor. It's terrifying how vulnerable we look on the counterattack. Which brings me on nicely to young #69...
Angelino - 5
Really not his day today. His quality on the ball is undeniable, he shows some really nice touches, and is always looking to bomb forward, but he was outmatched by Oyongo in one-on-one situations, and left us vulnerable on the counter too many times by giving the ball away when he was in their final third. He just didn't get much joy going forward, and the question marks about him defensively means that he has to make an impact further down the field if he's going to be a positive influence. Still, he's young.
McNamara - 7
Probably the best of a bad bunch for us today. Plenty of industry, worked hard, looked forward and took his goal very well. He's exceeded my expectations this year.
Jacobson - 5
His distribution is just not good enough, plain and simple. I counted at least three occasions where he killed momentum through a misplaced pass - if he's going to fit into a midfield containing players like Pirlo, where possession is everything, it's just not going to work. Didn't really offer much protection to the back line, and is certainly not going to be stepping up into any kind of 'destroyer' role anytime soon.
Pirlo - 6
Massive disappointment for me today. Couldn't make it to the game last week, so this was my first glimpse of him in the flesh, but nothing really came off for him. Is not quite on the same wavelength as Villa just yet, although you get the feeling it could be deadly once they are. Am desperately hoping that he doesn't fall into what I'm calling the "Villa Trap", of mistrusting his teammates and trying to do it all. He's going to be far less effective if he adopts that mentality. Props to the bro behind me who watched him get robbed near the halfway line and said "He needs to learn to look behind him once in a while". If anyone's able to relay this priceless advice to the World Cup-winning, three-time Serie A player of the year, then please let me know - we can only get better from here.
Grabavoy - 4
At the start of the season, as I was getting to know our roster, and MLS, a little better, I couldn't quite work out Grabavoy's role. He seemed confident enough on the ball at times. He never really pushed forward, or tracked back. So six months later, I see him in the lineup - ahead of players who have done really, really well in recent weeks - and ask myself: what IS Ned Grabavoy? I'll take "Anonymous Playmakers" for $200. I'll take "Momentum Killers" for $800, please. I'll take "Time Wasters" for $1000, please. Congratulations, that's your Daily Double! Get him the fuck out of the starting XI, get him the fuck off the bench, and get him the fuck off the payroll.
Calle - 6
Absolutely astounded he didn't get sent off for that stupid, stupid two-footed challenge in the first half. He's clearly pressing right now - he hustled and bustled down the left, without much end product. I think there's more to come from him, but whether it's on the left wing or at left back I'm not sure.
Villa - 6
Looked horribly isolated without Mullins or Poku to feed off. Montreal did a good job of restricting him outside the area, and his trademark frustration seemed to take hold by the second half, as some of his shots were a little premature. Once again looked like our only viable attacking outlet. Took his penalty well too.
Poku - 6
Came on and immediately showed what he brings to this team (which also, Jason, happens to be precisely the thing this team needs), which is some hustle and some direction. However, after his initial burst he seemed to fade, and seemed to get bypassed by Pirlo and Lampard, who were clearly more focused on stretching the play. He needs to start, there's no denying it.
Mix - 6
Also needs to start. There needs to be a good reason as to why Mix was sitting on the bench today, because he gave us an impetus that was sorely lacking once he came on. Has the quality on the ball, and the vision to make a difference - more minutes on the pitch today might have delivered more results.
Lampard - 6
I'll give Kreis the benefit of the doubt and not subscribe to any conspiracy theories about the timing of this substitution (no-one's going to get booed right after we've got back into the game). I gave him what my girlfriend described as a "mild booing", but the majority of the stadium seemed glad he was there. He undeniably looked off the pace, that's for sure. Maybe - gasp! - he was carrying an injury! I'll leave the conspiracy theorists to debate that one, but I was encouraged by a couple of things. First - the direct passing. No other player seems confident or capable enough to spray the ball across the field, or try a long cross-field pass to someone in space - that ball over the top to Poku nearly paid dividends. Secondly, and most importantly - he was by far and away the most vocal player on the field once he came on. He was constantly offering instructions and encouragement to the rest of the midfield and the defense, adjusting the shape of the backline and directing the play. No-one else on the team offers that, and his experience will be invaluable. I think we all know that had it not been for the CFG shitshow of last autumn, Lampard would have been the captain from day one, but that's obviously never going to happen now - hopefully he can still be a positive influence.
The referee was fucking heinous. I'll have to watch the replays, but from where I was standing he got both penalty decisions wrong.
Atmosphere seemed flat. Kind of lame that things didn't pick up until the (woeful) Third Rail drummers turned up 35 minutes late. Seriously, we need a Kickstarter to buy those guys a Metrocard and some drum lessons, they're dreadful. Interesting thing was that before they showed up, there seemed to be a little bit of organic discontent rumbling among the fans after the second Montreal goal - the "Where the fuck is Lampard" chant was the first time I've heard a genuinely negative chant, and that was kind of encouraging to me. Then, right on cue, the drummers showed up, and the first "Hey Baby" of the afternoon struck up, and we were back to robotic cheering, regardless of the dogshit performance before us. Saw plenty of folk celebrating outside the Dugout after the game as usual - good job, guys, glad you enjoyed yourselves.
That said, before anyone accuses me of jumping on the anti-"Hey Baby" bandwagon, may I be the first person to point out that "Come On You Boys In Blue" is now being over-used far, far more than Hey Baby ever was. We've got a lot of work to do, folks - on and off the field.
Saunders - 5
The guy is a replacement level keeper, nothing more, nothing less. His knack for showy saves has endeared him to the fans, but his distribution is awful, and he has at least one moment of madness a game where he decides he wants to forfeit use of his arms and use his legs instead. Half the time it'll end up in a goal, half the time it'll be a big save. Today it ended in a good point-blank save and some more Saunders chants from behind the goal, but I have almost no confidence in the guy.
Iraola - 6
Forgive me for being thoroughly underwhelmed with this guy so far. He doesn't get forward as much as I would like, and his aerial ability leaves a little to be desired. Thought he improved a lot when Mix came on, and they had some nice link-up play down the right. That cute flick right at the end racing into the area deserved better - if only he'd been more advanced for the previous 93 minutes.
Mena - 5
Honestly, I don't see how he's an upgrade from KWS or any of the other clownshoes at this point. Perhaps he's lacking fitness, but he was constantly caught out of position today, and it cost us with that sloppy Impact goal.
Hernandez - 6
Being generous here, because he looked more confident on the ball than Mena did, but his positioning is still poor. It's terrifying how vulnerable we look on the counterattack. Which brings me on nicely to young #69...
Angelino - 5
Really not his day today. His quality on the ball is undeniable, he shows some really nice touches, and is always looking to bomb forward, but he was outmatched by Oyongo in one-on-one situations, and left us vulnerable on the counter too many times by giving the ball away when he was in their final third. He just didn't get much joy going forward, and the question marks about him defensively means that he has to make an impact further down the field if he's going to be a positive influence. Still, he's young.
McNamara - 7
Probably the best of a bad bunch for us today. Plenty of industry, worked hard, looked forward and took his goal very well. He's exceeded my expectations this year.
Jacobson - 5
His distribution is just not good enough, plain and simple. I counted at least three occasions where he killed momentum through a misplaced pass - if he's going to fit into a midfield containing players like Pirlo, where possession is everything, it's just not going to work. Didn't really offer much protection to the back line, and is certainly not going to be stepping up into any kind of 'destroyer' role anytime soon.
Pirlo - 6
Massive disappointment for me today. Couldn't make it to the game last week, so this was my first glimpse of him in the flesh, but nothing really came off for him. Is not quite on the same wavelength as Villa just yet, although you get the feeling it could be deadly once they are. Am desperately hoping that he doesn't fall into what I'm calling the "Villa Trap", of mistrusting his teammates and trying to do it all. He's going to be far less effective if he adopts that mentality. Props to the bro behind me who watched him get robbed near the halfway line and said "He needs to learn to look behind him once in a while". If anyone's able to relay this priceless advice to the World Cup-winning, three-time Serie A player of the year, then please let me know - we can only get better from here.
Grabavoy - 4
At the start of the season, as I was getting to know our roster, and MLS, a little better, I couldn't quite work out Grabavoy's role. He seemed confident enough on the ball at times. He never really pushed forward, or tracked back. So six months later, I see him in the lineup - ahead of players who have done really, really well in recent weeks - and ask myself: what IS Ned Grabavoy? I'll take "Anonymous Playmakers" for $200. I'll take "Momentum Killers" for $800, please. I'll take "Time Wasters" for $1000, please. Congratulations, that's your Daily Double! Get him the fuck out of the starting XI, get him the fuck off the bench, and get him the fuck off the payroll.
Calle - 6
Absolutely astounded he didn't get sent off for that stupid, stupid two-footed challenge in the first half. He's clearly pressing right now - he hustled and bustled down the left, without much end product. I think there's more to come from him, but whether it's on the left wing or at left back I'm not sure.
Villa - 6
Looked horribly isolated without Mullins or Poku to feed off. Montreal did a good job of restricting him outside the area, and his trademark frustration seemed to take hold by the second half, as some of his shots were a little premature. Once again looked like our only viable attacking outlet. Took his penalty well too.
Poku - 6
Came on and immediately showed what he brings to this team (which also, Jason, happens to be precisely the thing this team needs), which is some hustle and some direction. However, after his initial burst he seemed to fade, and seemed to get bypassed by Pirlo and Lampard, who were clearly more focused on stretching the play. He needs to start, there's no denying it.
Mix - 6
Also needs to start. There needs to be a good reason as to why Mix was sitting on the bench today, because he gave us an impetus that was sorely lacking once he came on. Has the quality on the ball, and the vision to make a difference - more minutes on the pitch today might have delivered more results.
Lampard - 6
I'll give Kreis the benefit of the doubt and not subscribe to any conspiracy theories about the timing of this substitution (no-one's going to get booed right after we've got back into the game). I gave him what my girlfriend described as a "mild booing", but the majority of the stadium seemed glad he was there. He undeniably looked off the pace, that's for sure. Maybe - gasp! - he was carrying an injury! I'll leave the conspiracy theorists to debate that one, but I was encouraged by a couple of things. First - the direct passing. No other player seems confident or capable enough to spray the ball across the field, or try a long cross-field pass to someone in space - that ball over the top to Poku nearly paid dividends. Secondly, and most importantly - he was by far and away the most vocal player on the field once he came on. He was constantly offering instructions and encouragement to the rest of the midfield and the defense, adjusting the shape of the backline and directing the play. No-one else on the team offers that, and his experience will be invaluable. I think we all know that had it not been for the CFG shitshow of last autumn, Lampard would have been the captain from day one, but that's obviously never going to happen now - hopefully he can still be a positive influence.
The referee was fucking heinous. I'll have to watch the replays, but from where I was standing he got both penalty decisions wrong.
Atmosphere seemed flat. Kind of lame that things didn't pick up until the (woeful) Third Rail drummers turned up 35 minutes late. Seriously, we need a Kickstarter to buy those guys a Metrocard and some drum lessons, they're dreadful. Interesting thing was that before they showed up, there seemed to be a little bit of organic discontent rumbling among the fans after the second Montreal goal - the "Where the fuck is Lampard" chant was the first time I've heard a genuinely negative chant, and that was kind of encouraging to me. Then, right on cue, the drummers showed up, and the first "Hey Baby" of the afternoon struck up, and we were back to robotic cheering, regardless of the dogshit performance before us. Saw plenty of folk celebrating outside the Dugout after the game as usual - good job, guys, glad you enjoyed yourselves.
That said, before anyone accuses me of jumping on the anti-"Hey Baby" bandwagon, may I be the first person to point out that "Come On You Boys In Blue" is now being over-used far, far more than Hey Baby ever was. We've got a lot of work to do, folks - on and off the field.
What a letdown game. It was there for the taking, but we weren't really given a great chance from the get-go. Montreal, a fast team, vs. a line-up with the two slowest CBs and the slowest midfield in MLS. Bravo, Kreis.
It was hard to watch at times, as the ball stuck on one side of the field too often. There was no player like Poku or Mix in the lineup to come back and turn and get the ball up-field. Mac was the only player to do that, but his pace really negates some of the heady plays he makes. I hope Kreis learns from this and values athleticism from hereon out.
Villa was working hard, and was all over the place. It's really amazing to see -- he's like a little bulldog, and you can understand his frustration when his holdup play warrants 3 defenders and he's got no options on top of that.
We need to play fast. We have enough athletes to utilize Pirlo, Lamps (jumping the gun, maybe) and Mix' distribution to play a 3-man game. That's going to win us games, once we have 3v3s or 4v4s in the attacking end. Calle and Ned don't allow for that whatsoever. They're either a little too clunky with the ball at their feet or too slow to keep pace with the game -- or not looking to make that kind of run.
Haven't rewatched the highlights or anything, yet, but I thought the PK was questionable, and Villa seemed to be onside before scoring in the first half. Weird game and probably a fluke. We need to learn from this. We being Kreis.
It was hard to watch at times, as the ball stuck on one side of the field too often. There was no player like Poku or Mix in the lineup to come back and turn and get the ball up-field. Mac was the only player to do that, but his pace really negates some of the heady plays he makes. I hope Kreis learns from this and values athleticism from hereon out.
Villa was working hard, and was all over the place. It's really amazing to see -- he's like a little bulldog, and you can understand his frustration when his holdup play warrants 3 defenders and he's got no options on top of that.
We need to play fast. We have enough athletes to utilize Pirlo, Lamps (jumping the gun, maybe) and Mix' distribution to play a 3-man game. That's going to win us games, once we have 3v3s or 4v4s in the attacking end. Calle and Ned don't allow for that whatsoever. They're either a little too clunky with the ball at their feet or too slow to keep pace with the game -- or not looking to make that kind of run.
Haven't rewatched the highlights or anything, yet, but I thought the PK was questionable, and Villa seemed to be onside before scoring in the first half. Weird game and probably a fluke. We need to learn from this. We being Kreis.
To point out, I don't think I said to fire him. I said he was indefensible. It is.
If he were charged with intentionally sabotaging the team in a court of law, you'd have a hell of a time getting an acquittal.
I think you're making good points. I'm honestly too upset right now to truly rant about shit play in my normal way. It's become too serious for that.
One thing I will nitpick on about your post is how Saunders completely gave the first goal away. I didn't see the PK - it was on the other end. But he didn't cover himself in glory on the second. Frankly, he had a really bad game. Salvaged a bit by some good one on one saves (or really, poor shots). I gave him a 4.
Other than him, Calle and Grabavoy stood out as poor. I haven't been the biggest fan of either. Calle could be criticized as a selection. Grabavoy is untenable at this point. There's just no excuse. I respect your opinion about things, man. But that rests solely with one man. There's no person in the entire country other than Kreis and NG's family that thinks he still deserves minutes. How can it be okay to set our team up to fail? WE HAD OPTIONS!!!! It's really so infuriating that I can't even express my level of outrage. It's like stabbing me with a bayonet and then asking if a pin prick hurts. He sloshed his beer on the kindling of our excitement, and then he pissed on it for good measure. He can't be defended right now. It's sad. But it's true.
I am truly hurt today. Not by our effort, but by the fact that I don't see how us as fans or his players can keep,confidence in him. He doesn't deserve it at this point. His runway has run out. His performance no longer affords the benefit of the doubt. He's made his own bed, and all he can seemingly do is shit in the sheets. It's saddening. I expected better from him.
I'm really, really disappointed. I thought we had a real chance to build momentum and push for an exciting playoff run. I have put those apparent fantasies to bed now. I have never wanted to leave a game so bad as I did when we came out with the same lineup in the first half but I didn't. Nor did very many of our "plastic" fans (my wife was the smart one, she said fuck it). That won't hold up if he keeps it up. He needs to man up. He needs to give a real interview. He needs to answer for his apparent idiocy. Yes, we deserve it. We show up every game. We spend our money. We come home hoarse and dejected because our manager doesn't give our boys the best chance to win.
I can suffer losing. Hell, I'm no stranger to living through tough losses in soccer or several other sports. Bu I can't even figure out what the proper emotional response is to something only explicable by blatant nepotism or self-sabotage. My fandom brain doesn't compute that. All I can do is sit here, befuddled, disappointed and dejected. It fucking hurts.
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Quick shower after the subway home and I'm back. Kreis still sucks. I made sure to tell him I will be at every game and he will hear me if he plays grabavoy again.
We started a where is mix chant. Mix turned s round and gave is a thumbs up. We chanted take out grabavoy and a grabavoy sucks chant. And a poku chant. Section 103 is the place to be.
I didn't mind the high line we played. Saunders could have done much better. Jacobson at times driffed up the field past pirlo. That should not happen. Grabavoy and Iraola had some horrendous passes. Frank look fat and rusty. Villa cannot play by him self up top.
Need a 4-4-2, 3-5-2 or a 4-3-3.
We started a where is mix chant. Mix turned s round and gave is a thumbs up. We chanted take out grabavoy and a grabavoy sucks chant. And a poku chant. Section 103 is the place to be.
I didn't mind the high line we played. Saunders could have done much better. Jacobson at times driffed up the field past pirlo. That should not happen. Grabavoy and Iraola had some horrendous passes. Frank look fat and rusty. Villa cannot play by him self up top.
Need a 4-4-2, 3-5-2 or a 4-3-3.
Ironically, the Lampard sub was the wrong move. The guy we needed was Mullins with that sub, but Lampard had to be introduced today.
Lampard came in and played the 8 in a 4-2-3-1. Will be interesting to see if that is our lineup moving forward. Jacobsen is useless playing with Pirlo. U fortunately Pirlo has 0 defensive work rate.
The starting 11 was garbage. Kreis said after the game he wanted to give Calle and McNamara another start after how great they looked last week. And he said Poku had a great second half last week, impkying he wasn't happy with his first half last week.
Unless he is injured, there is no reason for Mix to EVER not feature. Reyna must not be happy. Real easy way to alienate a USMNT player.
And Facey needed to play today. We lack pace back there.
Saunders continues to fall apart. Time to see Meara or Johannsen challenge
Lampard came in and played the 8 in a 4-2-3-1. Will be interesting to see if that is our lineup moving forward. Jacobsen is useless playing with Pirlo. U fortunately Pirlo has 0 defensive work rate.
The starting 11 was garbage. Kreis said after the game he wanted to give Calle and McNamara another start after how great they looked last week. And he said Poku had a great second half last week, impkying he wasn't happy with his first half last week.
Unless he is injured, there is no reason for Mix to EVER not feature. Reyna must not be happy. Real easy way to alienate a USMNT player.
And Facey needed to play today. We lack pace back there.
Saunders continues to fall apart. Time to see Meara or Johannsen challenge
Notice how both our goals were scored after all substitutions were made with 2 of the 3 subs that should have started. Unless Mix picked up a knock that we are unaware of which it doesn't appear that way, there is no reason to start Grabavoy over him. If he is a good coach, he will find a way to make a midfield that consists of Mix, Pirlo, Lampard, Poku, and either Calle or MacNamara. Like Midas said, it is inexcusable to leave Mix and mothereffin Poku out of the lineup after he had three assists.
No team in MLS currently has more talent than NYC besides maybe the Galaxy. Pirlo, Villa, Lampard, Iraola, and Mix . 5 players of that talent in MLS on the same team was unheard of until recently. If NYC doesn't make the playoffs, it is 100% Kreis's fault and he deserves to be fired. No excuses.
No team in MLS currently has more talent than NYC besides maybe the Galaxy. Pirlo, Villa, Lampard, Iraola, and Mix . 5 players of that talent in MLS on the same team was unheard of until recently. If NYC doesn't make the playoffs, it is 100% Kreis's fault and he deserves to be fired. No excuses.
The manager said after the game he selected Calle and McNamara over Poku and Mix because he thought Calle and McNamara deserved it more than the other two after last week.
Your manager everyone, Jason Kreis!
Such a clown. I am not even that mad so much at Calle and MacNamara, but he can't even acknowledge Grabavoy in that decision??? I'd give him a break if Calle and MacNamara started with Mix or Poku instead of Grabavoy. There is literally no logical defense for Kreis's decision making this past game.
I mostly agree. The only point I'd change is your last. I think he can. He can't with the setup we had today, however.
It's so unfair to us to be left with trying to judge our team when Kreis handicaps us for 2/3s of the match.
Someone talk me down. Please. I'm heartbroken, and I was from the time I saw the lineup. It's just not okay. Our biggest problem is the man making the decisions. He really has to improve.
I'm sticking with the hashtag I came up with because I think it's inarguable: #kreisis. We are truly in the midst of a #kreisis right now. Let's hope his boys retire. Or else Soriano shoves some more decisions down his throat. He's not proven himself capable of making any decent ones since he's gotten here. FFS, the man was too nervous to make the proper calls on obvious choices during the draft priority selection. I think he may well be out of his depth.
Let's ride it out this year. But another day like today indicates to me he doesn't deserve, nor does he really want, another year at the helm of a NY club with the aspirations we and CFG have for us.
Edited to make clear I meant ride it out the rest of this year. I don't think he is justifiable for another year unless he changes dramatically.
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I couldn't agree with this more, but in light of the reception Lampard received when he was subbed in, I wonder what the reaction would have been had Kreis not played Lampard.
He's pointing out the obvious. Grabavoy didn't give up any of those goals. But there was no reason he should of started with who we had on the bench. But that's another argument. The defense has SERIOUS issues.
Of course, based on what you're saying, he still presumes Grabavoy a fixture?
God help me. I am going to up my life insurance. My blood pressure can't take this shit.
I think the defense's biggest issue with the centerbacks is that there has been no consistent pairing all year. When Hernandez and Facey were paired for weeks straight, they were actually pretty good. Communication is certainly lacking. Give Mena and Facey or whoever back there time to gel and I think the defense will be at least serviceable
