Game Grades: DC United vs FC Dallas
September 3rd, 2007 . 9:21 pm . By: Peter Welpton
Pardon us, Mr. Denilson, for subbing you in for your debut at 4-nil. Talk about “rain on a parade”. With all of the talk about shaky backlines, slow keepers and an ineffective offense FC Dallas’ gaffer, Steve Morrow, has to now be wondering if his biggest problem is the team’s mental condition. A 4-0 loss at home, coming off a break, is not something you can easily just compartmentalize and stuff in a shoebox in one’s brain. This is the kind of loss that can put a team in a tailspin. For Hoop fans a big question mark is this team’s odd lack of “ready to go” for major games. What made this match even more concerning is that, for the first time this season, the team looked to “give up” after giving up that 2nd goal. Unlike the last meeting with DC, FCD didn’t fight back to tie the game or even seriously threaten to ever get back into the match. While the team continues to struggle to create any real offense, mostly caused by a horrible lack of movement and touch from Ruiz – the team also suffered from unsightly passing out of the back four. Pitchkolan, in particular, must have misplayed no less than five simple, 10 yard passes directly to the opponent closest to him. These and other errors continuously put the team on its heels and was a component of why it could never find a rhythm. A quick look at how DC played the match shows that Dallas is missing the element of differing the attack. DC worked via building up thru the midfield, direct from the back, switching play and taking the long distance shot just to keep the opposition honest. Dallas, on the other hand, seems limited to its short passing, narrow game – something every opponent has picked up on. Disappointingly for Denilson and the fans, the game was long over by the time he came on to make a difference. More importantly Coach Morrow is going to have to find quick answers to why he seemingly cannot get his side ready to play for big games. The away match in Seattle is going to be wonderfully telling story of Dallas’ remaining season. No one will be surprised to see any MLS side struggle against a Sounders squad that is fast and challenging. But if Dallas plays like it did against DC, another 4-0 drubbing is wholly possible. GRADES:Sala: 3 – Just not ready to return Subs: 8 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
Just a thought . . . with all of the hype around Denilson’s signing and his quick visa approval . . . how much of a negative, if subconscious even, impact might that have had on the team? What does signing a “superstar” — who gets press conferences and photo shoots done — do to the mentality of the rest of the team? Although, from what little I’ve seen, it looks like Denilson should fit just fine with this group of guys.
Peter,
Couple of things, first where have you been? Do you only write about poor performances?
Sala proably gets a 1 and that was obviously to all but closely behind him had to be our non-existent midfield. They get 2’s all around, Sala didn’t stop any shots but they didn’t pressure, track of cover any of the clearances. Dax, Toja, Alvarez and Richetti were all garbage in this one yet you had them rated competent. They did nothing, they didn’t defend or attack, 4 orange cones would ahve been just as effective.
Did the game really mean anything though (aside from Denilson’s entrance)? The team will surely be “up” for a game with meaning tonight.
The game certainly had meaning to me (a fan) as it would have helped in the quest for the shield. I don’t know if the players felt that way or not.
Just a horrid showing that hopefully we can turn around tonight and against TFC Saturday.
the game should have had meaning since the last time FCD played a game they were in 1st place. Starting the game Sat night, they had fallen to 3rd.
I disagree on Ricardinho. I haven’t been real impressed with him since his arrival, but I thought he had a very good game. He may not have had any shots, but he did generate almost all of our chances. He was also working very hard on defense. I thought he had a very Toja like game. I give him a 6.
Root problem is that nobody is stepping up to the ball when its in our own half. It’s shocking to see it time after time. Our defenders are far too respectful of the opposition, assuming everyone is going to run by them if they overcommitt. Argh!
Sorry, had to vent.
I’ve gotta agree with Hank on this one. I’m not surprised at all that Welpton managed to write one up for this game, and sometimes I think he just makes these up as he goes along. Richetti by no means had a good match on Saturday.