Post Game: Columbus 2, DCU 1
By: jon | April 18th, 2008Well, I didn’t go to this game, and I’m glad about it. I watched it once I got home, and I’ve made some observations.
- Gallardo is good. Very good. He brings an element that isn’t often seen in MLS, and thats the ability to move around with the ball at your feet and not get dispossesed and avoid tackles. That kind of play is exciting to watch. His passes are smart, and he wasn’t at fault for yesterday’s loss. Which brings me to my next point.
- I think it’s time we all start trusting the DCU FO. Remember before the season, there was talk about Emilio wanting a long term deal or DP money, and the team was like, “Eh, I don’t think so.”? At the time, I thought we should pay the man, as he was dynamite last year. Shows what I know. He has turned to crap thus far this season. Doesn’t know what to do with the ball, has no confidence in the 6 yd box, and makes poor runs. If your big scoring threat is having these issues, obviously, you’re going to have problems.
- One of the Gonzalos is good, the other one needs to wake up. The good one is Martinez, who had a strong match. Peralta once again got beat for goals. I say sit him in favor of McTavish.
- Zach Wells has no presence, and does not inspire a lot of confidence. I don’t know what to do about this position.
- The midfield was uninspiring, which has a lot to do with Ben Olsen’s absence. With people playing out of position, and not really being in sync, it’s going to lead to many turnovers, and attack chances for the other side.
Links:
Goff’s gamer.
Dcenter’s take.
United Mania’s take.
DCUMD, with an interesting rating system. I approve.
Category: Game Recap, Gonzalo Martinez, Gonzalo Peralta, Luciano Emilio, Marcello Gallardo, Zach Wells
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Comments
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Jon, the view from here in Houston on TV was that DC looked terrible at home and still doesn’t seem to have melded its players all together into a cohesive whole. Let’s face it, the huge buttkicking they delivered to Harbour View at RFK looks more and more like the aberration here. Other than that, let’s look at their results so far: a tepid and almost unwatchable 1-1 tie to Harbour View in Jamaica; a 2-0 loss to KC; a 4-1 smackdown over two legs to Los Tuzos; a 4-1 win over TFC (the lone bright spot against a team that, with all due respect, should see that kind of scoreline against them in every game, except when they play the Gals); and a pair of uninspiring losses to RSL (RSL!!!) and Columbus. DCU will probably be fine when the season is all said and done, but if they’re not, you’re seeing the seeds of destruction laid bare now.
But don’t worry so much about Zach Wells. He is not in the Guzan-Onstad level, but neither is he the worst. You’ll see plenty of good things out of him this year, but his tendency to go brain dead and get butterfingers from time to time will give you more than one worrisome moment.
Posted from
United States
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Whoops! I mean a 4-3 loss to Pachuca, though to my eyes it wasn’t really that close.
Posted from
United States -
Well I could make excuses for the away leg in Jamaica and at RSL, as those fields are not fit for man nor beast. I’m not absolutely worried about us yet, but Emilio needs to find form, and Wells needs to get his stuff together.
Posted from
United States -
I believe you’re being a bit harsh on Peralta. He had a couple of bright moments in the Columbus game, though admittedly he did give the own goal. I can see where this, following on the heels of the awful game in Salt Lake, would give you pause. Take note though, with regard to Salt Lake, that Peralta was playing on horrible turf for what might have been the first time. Not too much of that stuff in Argentina. I move that that game be stricken from his record.
If you allow me that, I think I could make the case that more often than not, he makes good decisions with the ball, often making passes that lead to counters. He plays with poise and, once he gets more accustomed to our style of play here in the US, he will fit in quite nicely. While I (like many others) wish he were indeed a bit faster - if he was that big, with the smarts I believe he has shown in spurts, and fast on top of it - then we wouldn’t have been able to afford him.
Keep the faith on the big guy. He’ll come around sooner than you think.
Posted from
United States
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