Timbers Postmatch

[Ulrich]

I dunno, man. Every time they showed the replay it looked like the ball bounced up to and off of RJ's chest, then caromed into Adi (? Nagbe? I forget.) and bounced back onto RJ's arm. I feel like there's no justifiable way to call it intentional hand ball, but then I'd probably feel differently as a Portland fan.

Yeah, he never "played" the ball with his arm/hand, the ball played him. It was a non-call all the way. And Portland fans can just suck it, there is no way in hell that a supposed hand-ball in their offense half/our defensive half (and it wasn't even near the midfield line) should ever be blamed for a resulting goal. Their defense did not track Villa running into space on a curling through ball, and their keeper didn't come off his line in time. They should be hanging their heads in shame on that goal rather than trying to blame the ref. Or hell, maybe blame Adi for not playing good defense.

 

[mgarbowski]

I agree that RJ's touch probably wasn't a handball, but I have a tougher time when I look at Mataritta's play in the box. The initial tackle was a beauty, but the entanglement in part 2, although just a product of chaos, looks pretty bad.

 

[NYCFCfan]

We finally cut out that trying to lose beautifully crap. Played ugly but also very smart.

Shows that Vieira is learning.

Key point right here. I was getting critical of Vieira myself after his insistence on doing things his way, the W-M, Saunders, playing out the back.

But he finally realized he doesn't have the players to do that and adapted his game plan. That's the difference between good coaches and bad ones, he realized he made a mistake and corrected it.

I hope he keeps his good judgement in not putting Lampard into the lineup. We're doing great without him.

 

[Vallos]

 

[CCMore]

That awkward moment when Ballouchy and Grabavoy were on the field at the same time and NYC still gets a win.

 

[dannd23]

Jason Hernandez has received a lot of flack the past two years but I am really, really liking the Brillant-Hernandez pairing and last night's game they put on full display how great they both can be. It is what we lacked last year in that backline-- chemistry. Matarrita, Hernandez, and Brillant will only continue to improve if they keep starting together. I'd throw RJ in there as well but we've seen so many different starters at RB.

Also-- Brillant brings a lot to set pieces IMO. We saw him free up Villa against Vancouver, but he has come so close on a few headers this year. I think he heads one home against Toronto or RB.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Surprised to see a lot of mix detractors. He played well when we were pressing offensively, and was involved in the defense. Made a great pass to Khiry, and actually had positive passing and possession, unlike Lopez does there. Lopez was fine at CDM which is not surprising since he is a CDM. Game state kept him away from the ball most of the time, but when we were attacking I was happy to have an actual CM playing the position.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Jason Hernandez has received a lot of flack the past two years but I am really, really liking the Brillant-Hernandez pairing and last night's game they put on full display how great they both can be. It is what we lacked last year in that backline-- chemistry. Matarrita, Hernandez, and Brillant will only continue to improve if they keep starting together. I'd throw RJ in there as well but we've seen so many different starters at RB.

Also-- Brillant brings a lot to set pieces IMO. We saw him free up Villa against Vancouver, but he has come so close on a few headers this year. I think he heads one home against Toronto or RB.

Hernandez had a great game, but that is his kind of game. A lot of crazy shot blocking, not asked to pass or hold the ball.

 

[Tony L]

Last night was a great defensive performance. I am not a Saunders supporter. The mistakes he makes seem so flagrant to me, but lets give credit where credit is due. The man made some saves like his job depended on it (hopefully it does). I was so impressed with Hernandez, and even Brillant played better. TMac has improved so much since PV took over. Last year I wasn't impressed as much. This year, I'm glad hes adapted and playing well. Mikey Lopez still has a lot to learn, but it looks like he's working on it. I don't look for a perfect game from him yet, but if I can see him working on new skills and following directions, I won't harp on the negative. Medhi came on and performed like he's started every game. RJ made a few mistakes, even a bad pass or two, but damn that assist to Villa was pure perfection. He's made crucial plays and has had an injury or two, but he's bouncing back. I'm most disappointing in Mix, but mostly because I like the guy. I just don't think he can play football the way PV wants. At this point, I don't think Poku can either. It might benefit the team and the players to move on to other teams where they get more play time and actually improve in their own styles of play. We'll see what happens.

 

[LeeNYCFC]

Surprised to see a lot of mix detractors. He played well when we were pressing offensively, and was involved in the defense. Made a great pass to Khiry, and actually had positive passing and possession, unlike Lopez does there. Lopez was fine at CDM which is not surprising since he is a CDM. Game state kept him away from the ball most of the time, but when we were attacking I was happy to have an actual CM playing the position.

Mix was pulled for defensive cover, which was Ballouchy... And a 36 year old Pirlo was still on the field.....
Also the reporter quoted Vieira during the match as saying Mix is a specialized player, not a replacement for Bravo, and will be used to create and convert chances. We'll certainly disagree on how good he is at those last two

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Mix was pulled for defensive cover, which was Ballouchy... And a 36 year old Pirlo was still on the field.....
Also the reporter quoted Vieira during the match as saying Mix is a specialized player, not a replacement for Bravo, and will be used to create and convert chances. We'll certainly disagree on how good he is at those last two

Because mix was actually running up and down the field and was visibly tired. As you would expect for as player playing offense and defense

 

[Kjbert]

Key point right here. I was getting critical of Vieira myself after his insistence on doing things his way, the W-M, Saunders, playing out the back.

But he finally realized he doesn't have the players to do that and adapted his game plan. That's the difference between good coaches and bad ones, he realized he made a mistake and corrected it.

I hope he keeps his good judgement in not putting Lampard into the lineup. We're doing great without him.

You could argue that Lampard does things offensively that Lopez can not. Lopez's inability to link our deep midfield players to our Forwards has held back our offense. It was obvious in comparing yesterday's play to previous games. Mix, while he didn't have a terrific game, found a lot of space when their press was broken. Lopez doesn't have the turn ability or the decision making skills in the open field that you want out of a CAM.

The hope is that Lampard can bring SOME of what Lopez brings for 60 minutes or so a game defensively, but be able to link play between Pirlo and Lampard. Pirlo to Lampard to Villa for the goal. That's what PV wants.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Yeah, he never "played" the ball with his arm/hand, the ball played him. It was a non-call all the way. And Portland fans can just suck it, there is no way in hell that a supposed hand-ball in their offense half/our defensive half (and it wasn't even near the midfield line) should ever be blamed for a resulting goal. Their defense did not track Villa running into space on a curling through ball, and their keeper didn't come off his line in time. They should be hanging their heads in shame on that goal rather than trying to blame the ref. Or hell, maybe blame Adi for not playing good defense.

The way I described that RJ play to the guy next to me at Ryan's Daughter was I totally get it not being called a handball, but I wouldn't be upset if it was whistled dead for a handball.

I have no clue why the commentator's were fixated on the Hernandez one. If it doesn't hit his arm, it hits his stomach. He had the arm tucked in.

 

[mgarbowski]

I have no clue why the commentator's were fixated on the Hernandez one. If it doesn't hit his arm, it hits his stomach. He had the arm tucked in.

Lalas has been promoting a solution to the inevitable handball controversies by making it automatic: if the ball hits your hand or arm it's a foul. Doesn't matter where your arm was or if it was kicked from 1.5 feet away or anything. He doesn't really believe it but he likes talking about it. So when the ball hit Jason's arm despite being completely tucked in it gave him a chance to talk about it. The funny thing is Lalas was completely in favor of the non-call on RJ.

And I agree with you about RJ. It could have been called either way and I kind of waffle on it myself.

 

[Gene]

https://twitter.com/x/status/732160434472525824

I don't know who the hell Flair Airlines are, but they got the boys to Toronto in one piece.

woooooooooooo

 

[ktdNYCFC]

Whether it was a handball or not, RJ's ball into Villa was so nasty it probably made Pirlo blush.

 

[NYCFC_Dan]

RJ is easily one of our best signings of all time lol

 

[RockShrimp]

the half-assed wings from Pirlo are almost as heartwarming as his smile. He looks like a proud papa.

 

[Seth]

Pirlo to Lampard to Villa for the goal. That's what PV wants.

The heck with what Vieira wants, that's what *I* want!

 

[NickA]

The heck with what Vieira wants, that's what *I* want!

Yeah, why would that be a bad thing lol. Isn't that the point of them being here?!