Game Grades FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids
June 25th, 2007 . 2:42 pm . By: Peter WelptonHey FC Dallas fans, half of your 2007 regular season is done. As they say, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Once again Dallas (FC or Burn) is sitting about .500 as the hot summer months are here. As a respected soccer writer journalist friend of mine said the day after Dallas barely scrapped a 1-0 win in Denver, “Dallas is good in midfield and suspect everywhere else”. That is as fair a description of FC Dallas as you can get. Luckily for Dallas, the Rapids are suspect all over the field and right now are suffering for the “new stadium” blues (isn’t odd that all teams w/ new homes struggle there for a while?). Carlos’ recent actions in calling Kenny and returning so quickly after the Gold Cup gave fans a reason to hope that things are going to turn for the highly paid striker holding a mere two goals on the season. Unfortunately, Carlos’ play on Saturday night did nothing to make anyone feel better as he uncharacteristically misplayed touch after touch. He did seem to find his old look late in the match, but when he was put in the position to score a 1v1 and kill off the game – he butchered the chance. There are a lot of Ruiz defenders out there, but this is FCD’s highest paid player and he is not producing goals. Referees are not allowing him to body up on defenders and fall down, he is not doing the work and producing the effort that made people love him and he is not scoring goals. The question now is, “Will he end the season with Dallas?” Arguments for either “yes” or “no” can be made, but with his high price and questionable form the likelihood of him going somewhere and Dallas getting high value in return is slim. In fairness to Carlos, on the goal he did the right thing to pass it when everyone expected him to blast it. We can only hope he finds his fitness and his form. There was several well played games by FCD members. Arturo did many nice things and while he continues to totally disappear for long stretches he is the only player that actually takes on a defender. Goodson was the defensive workhorse and credit to Drew Moor (congrats on the callup) for moving into the middle at halftime and holding steady. Toja is, well, Toja. The thought of the Hoops without out him is scary as Ricchetti was solid, but not as good as can be. Sala was towering on several of the many corner kicks. The reality is that FCD is a team with issues (but don’t all MLS teams?). They have no consistent threat up top, and a scary lack of experience in the back. The good news? The team is on top of the league and successfully navigated a horrible schedule. There is a lot to admire about that. What we all know is that it really doesn’t matter where you end up in the regular season as long as you get into the playoffs. There are 15 more games a little better spaced apart and Coach Morrow has his work cut out for him. Grades:Sala: 8 Subs: 9 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
Ruiz could have made it a blowout, but he also was a huge part of the goal. Toja had a great follow through but Abe was right there too. The next few game will be a test with Kenny, Drew, and many others out.
Sirioux would help out tremendously me thinks, and with Yi’s inconsistent play this will greatly improve our back line.
Tell ya what, Why don’t you just tell us that Toja gets an 8 the rest on the year and stop reporting on him. This is crazy; Toja had his average game where he won 30 balls and gave 25 away. He created no chances on goal as the key attacking player in the middle and we again struggled the keep the ball in the secong half due partly he is constant dribbling.
He works like crazy but just doesn’t get much done…please lighten up on the hero worship.
The Moor and Gbandi grades are too high or Goodson is too low because he save our arse on defense again Saturday. Yi made 1-2 mistakes but also make 3-4 great plays and probably earned a 5-6. Btw, YI left with a sore hamstring NOT because on poor play.
I agree, Yi gets picked on ALOT and undeservedly most times.
Hank
I’m not sure you know this but if a player hustles & works he is going to get lots of touches. The more touches he gets the more opportunity to make good things & sometimes bad things happen. Every time he beats somebody he creates a numbers advantage. When he loses the ball he hustles to try & regain possession. You don’t see alot of players like Toja in this league & if you can’t appreciate him then I think your knowledge of the game is lacking.
Scary lack of experience at the back? With Moor out, Rhine takes over at RB (8 years). Serioux played 2 years with English Championship side Millwall and then with Dynamo last year, Goodson in his 4th year and Captain Gbandi in his 5th. That’s a combined 20 years of top level pro football for these guys.
How do you give a grade for someone in for about 8 minutes? I thought Wags did a good job of getting into the attack, getting the ball forward (should have had at least one assist – Carlos – shoot the ball!) and yet you give him a 4. Don’t get it… Much of the grading seems to be based on preconceived opinions, not based on watching the game. “Favorites” are scored higher than deserved and the current “whipping boy” whoever is currently being picked on gets the lower grade.
Sorry, should have said “Carlos stay onside” in the above post. Got the wrong reference.
Smark,
I agree we all label guys and forget to watch everyone with the same critial eye and it’s unfair. Toja is MOTM every game and Yi/Rhime aren’t always our worst defenders. We all need to open our eyes and minds to what’s really going each week.