San Jose - Postmatch

[Gotham Gator]

Watching SJ's goal, Keaton stopped tracking the player who made the cross. Just to offer a bit of balance to the deserved accolades.

Yep, I noticed the same. But otherwise he was really good.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1172968490447384581

lol

I would have thought that his man-marking system would do better on a smaller field with tighter spaces.


On another note, what did people think about the non-call on the handball in stoppage time? It certainly hit the defender’s hand. I am okay living in a world where that play is not a handball. I am not okay living in a world where that’s not a handball, but the Ben Sweat play on Wednesday is a handball.

 

[Christopher Jee]

Yep, I noticed the same. But otherwise he was really good.


I would have thought that his man-marking system would do better on a smaller field with tighter spaces.


On another note, what did people think about the non-call on the handball in stoppage time? It certainly hit the defender’s hand. I am okay living in a world where that play is not a handball. I am not okay living in a world where that’s not a handball, but the Ben Sweat play on Wednesday is a handball.

And we are talking about taking subjectivity out of handball calls again lol

 

[The Toe]

These guys need to shoot more, which was (to me) an issue from last year, as well. We got too cheeky trying to walk the ball in again and had possession near the top of the box going towards goal and didn't get shots off. Maddening. So many good shooters, they need to have a go.

 

[Ulrich]

Doing my research on Crow Futures and right now looking like $2.67/lb for ground Crow and $5.28/lb for Crow wings - can’t decide if it’ll be better in a meat sauce or buffalo wings slathered with hot sauce. Gonna wait to purchase until after the playoffs, but a man of my word on this avian delicacy.

For me, the two keys to this turnaround: Heber and Parks. Heber created the scoring when there was none, and Parks has been the box-2-box Herrera replacement we were missing. I’m still not sure what style we play other than frenetic countering at light speed, but whatever, we’re scoring more than we’re giving up.

 

[Christopher Jee]

Doing my research on Crow Futures and right now looking like $2.67/lb for ground Crow and $5.28/lb for Crow wings - can’t decide if it’ll be better in a meat sauce or buffalo wings slathered with hot sauce. Gonna wait to purchase until after the playoffs, but a man of my word on this avian delicacy.

For me, the two keys to this turnaround: Heber and Parks. Heber created the scoring when there was none, and Parks has been the box-2-box Herrera replacement we were missing. I’m still not sure what style we play other than frenetic countering at light speed, but whatever, we’re scoring more than we’re giving up.

I think it's more about system than individuals, or at least they are of equal importance.

First win without Maxi!

 

[Ulrich]

I think it's more about system than individuals, or at least they are of equal importance.

First win without Maxi!

Perhaps, but when you look at what Parks does with the ball (looks for offensive thrust / through ball passes) versus Ofori (square and back passes), the team is able to put more pressure on the opponent. Plus, Parks will carry the ball forward and crash the box and his leg reach and height on headers allow for winning more 50/50 and dispossessing the opponent easier. Like Herrera, he’s a big physical body that can overpower the other midfield. Look back at the year and before he was playing, the club had a lot of ties - once he started playing (and Heber was also acquired) the team started winning. Don’t think it’s a coincidence - rather it’s a Matrix Merovingian situation.

 

[Christopher Jee]

Perhaps, but when you look at what Parks does with the ball (looks for offensive thrust / through ball passes) versus Ofori (square and back passes), the team is able to put more pressure on the opponent. Plus, Parks will carry the ball forward and crash the box and his leg reach and height on headers allow for winning more 50/50 and dispossessing the opponent easier. Like Herrera, he’s a big physical body that can overpower the other midfield. Look back at the year and before he was playing, the club had a lot of ties - once he started playing (and Heber was also acquired) the team started winning. Don’t think it’s a coincidence - rather it’s a Matrix Merovingian situation.

That's all true, but I think it's also true that Parks struggled having to be the link between Ibeagha, Sweat and the forward line against Toronto, and gave up the ball a lot in situations where we're used to seeing him very comfortable.

The time Keaton and Héber started to figure regularly in the lineup also coincides with shifting to 3ATB systems.

I feel like I end up leaning towards bringing up system type issues more often just because it seems like the loudest conversations are about individuals. But I'm not trying to disregard individual factors.

 

[SoupInNYC]

I wish we could play SJ every week. They are really fun to watch, with both their playing style when they attack, but also with what their playing style opens up to be exploited. Very entertaining.

Mitri had another great game, really finishing the season strong.

The first 20-25 minutes were rough, we had so many chances, but I felt that Alex Ring in that more forward position, was constantly making the wrong decision in the final pass.

The Keaton goal was great, but the best part of that whole sequence IMO was the way he carried the ball into the attacking third, and wonderful setup over to GMS who just couldn't finish.

I also loved the work Taty put in yesterday. Can't stand the flopping he does, but he works his damn ass off.

 

[moogoo]

I also loved the work Taty put in yesterday. Can't stand the flopping he does, but he works his damn ass off.

Agreed. I've always said I think his flopping is the weakest part of his game, followed by his 1v1 dribbling. he's only 20. i hope he removes this part of his game going forward. you'd think being argentinian, he'd want to mimic Messi or Aguero, who don't flop. but seems he's picking out di maria instead.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Also, I do think that yesterday's game was well officiated, but once again I'm going to rail on the lack of consistency for hands to the face and neck area. Based on when Callens was shown red in Columbus in the 2017 playoffs, Wondo should have seen red as well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1173301462228770816

 

[SFphoto]

Another fun NYC/SJ as expected. Always wide open games.

Go back and look at the Quakes goal to see why Wondo is the all time MLS leader. He takes three little stutter steps to put Callens off for the easy tap in. One of the “smartest” forwards you’ll ever see. Never relied on athleticism or flashy ness. Just incredible soccer sense knowing where to be long before the ball gets to him. My favorite MLS player of all time. Probably because I was the same kind of forward when I was younger.

I feel for SJ as they’ve lost two games in a row where they played well enough to win. Bad timing as the race in the West is insane. They’re at Atlanta next, so hopefully they can do us a favor and pull themselves up at the same time.

Anyway, thought we looked pretty good overall. Super happy for Keaton to get one. Well deserved from his play over this point streak. That second goal was pure class through and through. Really liked Mitri’s celly too. I feel like he usually holds back and seemed a lot happier after this one.

Johnson does not get nearly the respect he deserves in MLS. He’s just so damn reliable.

 

[mgarbowski]

Johnson does not get nearly the respect he deserves in MLS. He’s just so damn reliable.

Doyle has been trolling the Fire for months now about how many starting keepers they have gone through since they pushed SJ out 3 years ago.

 

[Gotham Gator]

The Keaton goal was great, but the best part of that whole sequence IMO was the way he carried the ball into the attacking third, and wonderful setup over to GMS who just couldn't finish.

This is worth endorsing. Parks made a great run, and it’s the kind of thing he does well. He so big it’s really hard for opponents to get him off the ball.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Turns out that Eddie Money is not dead.

He’s been coaching the San Jose Earthquakes.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Turns out that Eddie Money is not dead.

He’s been coaching the San Jose Earthquakes.

View attachment 10250

I tabbed him as more of a Fight Club kinda guy myself...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1172988931501113344

 

[Gotham Gator]

Not enough has been said about Mitri's sublime first touch on this goal. Took a long pass and positioned it perfectly for the strike.

And more should be said about Shradi's terrific run and pass.

 

[Ulrich]

Not enough has been said about Mitri's sublime first touch on this goal. Took a long pass and positioned it perfectly for the strike.

And more should be said about Shradi's terrific run and pass.

He basically took a PK in MLS 1.0 format.

 

[Antidote P. Smiley]

Great to have Shradi back. Great touch on the pass as well as Mitri setting up his strike.

Reome’s comment on San Jose.
I agree and thought their ball movement was really nice. I was wondering why we don’t move the ball around as well in the attack. Is it just the style?

 

[The Toe]

Somehow in that first half we had a ton of those long runs from the sideline in our half into about 25-30 yards from goal in the center.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Not enough has been said about Mitri's sublime first touch on this goal. Took a long pass and positioned it perfectly for the strike.

And more should be said about Shradi's terrific run and pass.

Oh man Gotham, you beat me to this. I had cut up some clips on this as well to make this point.

Wonderful touch to set himself up on his right foot with better body position.