Was Anyone There ???

So i went again, and have been to a few practices. A few observations...

James Sands held his own. Obviously has a lot to work on, but it's exciting to know that our Academy is giving us players worth signing.

You can really tell this team is taking this year very seriously. The difference in mood and in tone from even last year's practices was stark. Patrick was fairly fiery throughout. Ethan and Ugo were incredibly competitive, giving each other shit, but all having a good amount of respect and fun. I think all in all, you can tell the team thinks that they have something special, and people are taking even practice very seriously.

Pirlo looked great! Perhaps the time off helped him.

Jonathan Lewis was getting a ton of reps. He's really fast, but obviously still has a few things he needs to work on before he starts seeing regular time.

Maxime is a beast. I know he's been getting some love due to the Audi rankings, but you can tell the other guys on the team really respect him.

It's tough to judge players during a practice, and especially one that’s essentially a circus, but Maxi Moralezjust doesn’t look like/play like a DP. He looked a bit rusty today, but he seems to bring it all together once it’s match time.


I hope we never get rid of Tommy McNamara. The guy is everything you would want for a player in that type of role. I'm not even on the Thick Messi bandwagon, but if he ever leaves—man, we’ll miss the dude.
 
So i went again, and have been to a few practices. A few observations...

James Sands held his own. Obviously has a lot to work on, but it's exciting to know that our Academy is giving us players worth signing.

You can really tell this team is taking this year very seriously. The difference in mood and in tone from even last year's practices was stark. Patrick was fairly fiery throughout. Ethan and Ugo were incredibly competitive, giving each other shit, but all having a good amount of respect and fun. I think all in all, you can tell the team thinks that they have something special, and people are taking even practice very seriously.

Pirlo looked great! Perhaps the time off helped him.

Jonathan Lewis was getting a ton of reps. He's really fast, but obviously still has a few things he needs to work on before he starts seeing regular time.

Maxime is a beast. I know he's been getting some love due to the Audi rankings, but you can tell the other guys on the team really respect him.

It's tough to judge players during a practice, and especially one that’s essentially a circus, but Maxi Moralezjust doesn’t look like/play like a DP. He looked a bit rusty today, but he seems to bring it all together once it’s match time.


I hope we never get rid of Tommy McNamara. The guy is everything you would want for a player in that type of role. I'm not even on the Thick Messi bandwagon, but if he ever leaves—man, we’ll miss the dude.

Just curious, what makes Maxi look different then Villa or Pirlo?
 
Just curious, what makes Maxi look different then Villa or Pirlo?
Sounds very basic, but the game just looks like it comes easier to those two. I'll give them credit that their playing styles are a better fit for MLS in my estimation. Maxi is far from a physical player. There were a few moments where it was obvious to see he simply doesn't have the physical base to stand up to others in the midfield. Again, just looked rusty, so I'm not dogging the guy. Everyone has a tough one every once in a while. But while Villa, Pirlo, and hell, even Ring and Harrison at times look like things slow down for them, Maxi seemed to be trying to maintain pace.
 
Wasn't there.
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Sounds very basic, but the game just looks like it comes easier to those two. I'll give them credit that their playing styles are a better fit for MLS in my estimation. Maxi is far from a physical player. There were a few moments where it was obvious to see he simply doesn't have the physical base to stand up to others in the midfield. Again, just looked rusty, so I'm not dogging the guy. Everyone has a tough one every once in a while. But while Villa, Pirlo, and hell, even Ring and Harrison at times look like things slow down for them, Maxi seemed to be trying to maintain pace.
Thanks. That does make sense. I wonder if some of that will come as he adjust more to the league. The physical aspect I mean. Because I feel like Villa has gotten better from year 1 to now in that aspect.

Was Villa as intense as they say he always is in training?
 
Yes. But I also think he (and likely Patrick) are good about him reserving energy for matches. There practice schedule toward the end of the season is crazy, so Im hoping he keeps his tank full.

This brings up another item I've mentioned before. Not to ding Jason Kreis, but the structure, look, feel and tone of practices are NIGHT and DAY compared to our inaugural season. He (PV) truly has given the team an identity. Jason had an uphill battle, and I give him credit for even getting half as much out of that team as he did (Nemec?!). But Patrick is the perfect manager at the perfect time. And while he has the occasional Klinsmann-like lineup WTF moment, we will miss the absolute hell out of him when he goes to Europe.
 
One thing i really like is that the club brings in academy players to fill gaps in training whenever they have players out for whatever reason.
Sands looks like he put on some muscle since we last saw him in preseason.
Looking forward to watching him in any capacity really. I was hoping they had some extra video of him in practice.
 
One thing i really like is that the club brings in academy players to fill gaps in training whenever they have players out for whatever reason.
Sands looks like he put on some muscle since we last saw him in preseason.
Looking forward to watching him in any capacity really. I was hoping they had some extra video of him in practice.
You could watch this...

 
They are already using the #NYISBLUE hashtag for the next derby match.

This looked like the B guys plus those who need time on the ball (Maxi, Pirlo). 1-1 draw vs. Cosmos B? Really guys?
 
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