Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007, 10:30 AM, PHP #1
October 23rd, 2007 . 8:53 pm .
By: Buzz Carrick
It was cold today, at least by FCD training standards. Temps down in the 50s when the day started.
Today was the most intense session I have witnessed in some time. Tough tackling, high pace, high energy were the order of the day. Was it the nice temps? Was it the hour long team meeting that was held yesterday? Just plain old playoff fever?
I don’t know, but it was refreshing as hell and I was pleased to see it.
News Notes and Observations
- Dax McCarty was missing today on personal business. He had to leave town, but will be back tomorrow.
- Morrow said the staff has begun to get some tapes of college games to look at for draft preparation. They’ve also begun to plan and schedule trips to go watch college games, tournaments, and the final four. Obviously with the U20s and U17 worlds this last year there could be a real nice Generation adidas class.
- Roberto Mina is around and rehabbing today.
- A couple moments of impression by Blake Wagner even in an already intense day. Which is saying something. One wonders how he can play through the sports hernia.
Catching up with Steve Morrow
Long one today….
Happy with performance against KC?
No I wasn’t. I think it was a disappointing way to finish the season at home. I think it was a game that meant different things to different teams and Kansas City clearly showed that it meant more to them and they wanted it more. I was disappointed with the effort and the fight we showed in the game. I told the players afterward and we discussed it afterward. After Saturday after the game finished we set a tone for this week. You know one thing I’m going to demand is that we show a lot of fight and a lot of character and so far in training it’s been good.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: We sucked. We’ll be better.
Compare team today to the same point last year.
I think we’re ready to go into the playoffs. One thing I’ve got into the players, a lot of them have been in the playoffs before, some haven’t, and it’s all about the team who wants it more. It’s all about desire, it’s all about fight. With what we’ve tried to build this year, from what we had last year, I think our chemistry, our team spirit, is better than it was last year. And I think we have a group of guys who are gonna fight hard for each other. If we go down fighting, I won’t have too many complaints. If we get knocked out and we don’t put up a good fight then I won’t be very happy.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: We’re gonna go down swinging or my name isn’t Steven T. Morrow.
Where is Denilson in plans now?
It leaves him fighting for a spot. I put out a team last week hoping to get close to the team I want in the playoffs, obviously we were restricted again with suspensions and things. But I put out at team that was, like I say, as close to the lineup as possible for the first playoff game. So the way I see it is Denilson is fighting for a spot.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: On the bench.
How important is Ruiz in playoffs?
Carlos is important, all the guys who have been in these situations before are gonna be important to us. The guys who have won playoff games, who have won championships, and have had the experience are definitely going to be important to us come this weekend. Carlos as we know has scored big goals on big occasions before, and scored a lot of goals in the playoffs. He’s traditionally been able to step up and produce. That’s gonna be important for us and like I say other guys who have been there and done it before, it’s important that they step up as well.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: It’s Ruiz time… And Serioux, it’s also Serioux time.
On the keeper battle
As far as the keepers go it’s the same message for them as it’s been for everyone else this week. I was pretty annoyed after the game on Saturday and told the guys I was gonna be looking hard this week and we were gonna have a lot of competitive sessions early on in week. I’m looking to see which guys are gonna step up and show me they have the right fight and the right charter that didn’t come out on Saturday. That same thing applies to the goalkeepers. I think it’s a week where I’m looking for which guys sharp and which guys ready to do it.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: Ennie, meenie, minie, mo. Catch a tiger by the toe…
Can Cooper and Ruiz play together?
Of course they can. They’re both good player. They can both score goals. They’ve both had the experience of playoffs before. Is Kenney ready? Yeah, I think he is. He’s ready to start and play 90 minutes on Saturday. He’s surprised me with his level of fitness as well. A lot of the stuff he did I was impressed with. I thought he held the ball well up top for the most part and looked very, very strong defenders. He looks better and stronger and making progress every week.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: Of course, idiot.
On the midfield
We’ve been playing with four across the middle the last few games and I think it’s looked more solid. It’s helped us as a team defensively I think. It’s given the back four a little bit of protection as well. So it’s probably something I’m gonna continue with. everyone across the middle’s doing a good job both defensively and going forward in the last couple games. I think we can improve on some things with the ball. I’m gonna look at a couple things this week, maybe get Toja into better positions and maybe get Arturo a little bit higher up the field as well.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: Our midfield is money.
On facing Houston.
I told the boys I was happy with it, it’s what I wanted. I think we’re more than capable of beating Houston over two games. So I think it’s a great opportunity for us to step up, for the players to step up with the right fight and the right character to get a result on Saturday and then get through to the next round. I’m confident that we can do that. One thing that Houston has got is they look out for each other. But we’re gonna set our own standards about how hard we want to work and what we’re gonna do. I’m very happy with the match up and I know the boys are excited.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: I wanted Houston. Hear me? Houston!
Does FCD have a playoff stigma?
Yeah, I do. I think there’s a lot of negatively surrounding the team, but it’s my first year here and we’re trying to create something very, very positive. I want the players going into Saturday’s game and into the playoffs with a very, very positive frame of mind. We’re not going to have any negativity surrounding the team. Any negatives that we see we’ve got a trash can in there we’re throwing it all into, cause we’re not going to have any negativity. Everything is going to be positive. Everything we’re telling the players is positive and that’s the approach and the mentality we want going into Saturday’ game.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: FCD is snakebit. I got the antidote.
Thierry Henry is allegedly unhappy at Barcelona, you gonna call?
[general laughter] I’ve spoken to a lot of those guys before. I told them that whenever they’re ready to come they’ll call me first.
Buzz’s coach speak translator: We’re getting Henry. Henry for sure. And Ljungberg.
Training
Morrow started the session with two small 30 yards boxes. Each box first held 4 sets of 1v1 games where a player tries to track and cover another as the move and receive passes from an outside the line set of players. Eventually that game became 4v4+a neutral with 4 outside passers possession game. Finally Morrow divided the team into three and played a sideline to sideline game with full goals and keepers, 9v9 with 9 neutral players on the outside to give and go passes with.
All three drills were high intensity and high energy drills designed to push the players hard and push the pace to a fever pitch.
Yellow: Wagenfuhr Jones Pitchkolan Moor Wileman Botero Dello-Russo Cooper Ruiz
Green: Oduro Thompson Denilson Wallace Pareja Ibrahim Gbandi Goodson Rhine
Orange: Ricardinho Sandy Toja Ricchetti Serioux Alvarez Wagner Yi Daniels
Lineup Prediction
No tactical stuff in training but since it’s been the 4-4-2ish thing for some time I think we can assume it’s going to stick. Particularly since Morrow kinda said it would be in the stuff above.
Morrow said several positions are a battle… hum.. keeper Morrow says, left back I would think. Probably right back vs center back for Drew Moor and who would be in depends on where he plays. The midfield looks fairly set, but at least one post up top and maybe both are in flux possibly.
So best guess? A Cooper and Ruiz combo seems likely. After Moor’s fantastic KC performance I opt him in the middle with the Badson. Which means Rhine on the right. And since Morrow has thrown down the gauntlet, I will predict Gbandi. He often responds when challenged.
Last but not least… keeper. I have no idea actually. If it were me I’d say Sala, but since Burse got the last set of games I’ll predict Burse. What can I say, I’m guessing on this one. Maybe Morrow won’t pick till game day.
| Ruiz |
Cooper |
| Toja |
Ricchetti |
Serioux |
Alvarez |
| Gbandi |
Goodson |
Moor |
Rhine |
| Burse |
What do you think?
Thought of the Day
Let’s face it, this team never got where many of us, including Morrow, expected. The Denilson thing backfired, the defense is a wreck, and the front line hasn’t been firing on all cylinders all year. So at this point Morrow looks like he’s going experience and grit over youth.
Which means it’s time for Ruiz to earn that pay check.
Let’s face it, Ruiz’s 7 regular season goals aren’t worth the roughly $400,000 he’s getting paid.
But pick FCD up and carry it to MLS Cup and he just might be worth the money. Flame out in round one, and next year could be very different for Ruiz.
Categories: Practice Observations.
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…and the band played “Nearer My God To Thee”….
Gamesmanship? Since when does Buzz put out the probable lineup on the week leading into the playoffs?
Ruiz – Cooper
Toja – Richetti – Seriooux-Denilson
Wagner-Goodson-Pitchkolan-Moor
Sala
That is what I would like to see. With Oduro, Alvarez and Yi as the subs (depending of course on what we need)
I doubt the guys from Houston woke up this morning and ran to their computors to see if Buzz put in the line-up do they know how to play FCD.. Think they already got this team figured out…..
KD,
no doubt that Houston has FCD “figured out”. But that doesn’t mean that the coaching staffs of other MLS team’s don’t read Buzz’s practice observation reports. In fact, past feedback from MLS coaches indicates that they do read his practice observations reports all the time.
Chamo,
Let’s also remember that FCD has access to the page too. If they didn’t like how and when Buzz distributed information, I have to think they’d have done something by now.
(RUIZ) FCD 2 DINAMO 4 AT PIZZA HOT PARK SECOND GAME (RUIZ) FCD 1 DINAMO 1. FINAL 2 GAMES DINAMO 5 FCD 3 PROBABLE THATS WHAT IT LOOK LIKE CAN BE BECOUSE DINAMO IS A BETTER TEAM I LIKE FCD TO WIN BUT IS GONNA BE VERY DIFICULT. Buzz’s IS NOT RIGHT TO BE TALKING ABOUT RUIZ MONEY IT DOASENT CONCERN TO YOU AND NO BODY ONLY HEM . RUIZ NEXT SEASON NOT WITH FC DALLAS FOR SURE . BETTER FOR HEM NOT BEENG ARROUND PEOPLE LIKE YOU Buzz’s BEFORE HE GO YOU CAN ASK HEM TO GIVE YOU PART OF HIS SALARY TO MAKE YOU HAPPY AND NOT TALK THAT BUD ABOUT HEM ANY MORE LIKE YOU DO
I want to talk about Denilson. I think that some stuff requires a little clarity here.
What was FCD’s expectations? They and everyone else knew that Denilson is the type of player known for his technical abilities, not for his hardcore tackling or even his shooting abilities (as a point man). The guy was bound to loose some of his “touch” playing in Saudi, and that takes time to regain… it also takes time to adjust to the different style of play. Thierry Henry is a great example of a player that was a star at Arsenal but has struggled at Barcelona. Denilson has different issues.. but I do think I’ve seen some improvements from him. I think he is getting better and the team is gelling more with him.
For me, the most disappointing aspect of his game has been his fitness and his lack of speed. I think that if he had those he could be a more effective contributor.
Having said that.. I think he is one of FCD’s better passers of the ball, the most creative and he’s the only one who can take a good corner kick. For the most part Alvarez has been awful at corner kicks, Dax is a lot better but I’n kinda surprised that Denilson hasn’t picked up an assist here.. the kicks are often in the 6 yard box, yet have avoided the grasp of the keeper.
I think a lot of people are hung up on the paycheck… but go ahead.. flame away! I’m totally open to hearing different views on this.
Nathan, I don’t disagree with your analysis. Given the cap restraints of the league, I don’t think FCD has the luxury of waiting around to see if this guy can prove himself — especially since he hasn’t been able to prove himself in any league in the last several years. I think FCD erroneously thought he would come in and be an offensive jaugernaut. He has never been that and the attempts to try and make him one derailed the team’s progress.
I often won’t post a lineup on an important week if training has something that gives it away… usually on a Thursday or Friday. But in this case there was absolutely nothing to go on and my lineup is pure guesswork. Ok so it’s educated guess work.
Morrow will ask me not to post what I think the lineup is every once in a while. At this point anyone with some game tape will know as much as I do about the lineup.
real #10. This is a salary cap league. How much a guy gets paid is vitally important. It matters a great deal how much every single players gets paid. We will continue to discuss every players salary on this team as it’s a major part of squad building. Just like they do with every other sport in this country.
Cowtown,
read the copyright fine print at the bottom of this web page.
more backstory: I used to go to training on Friday’s where the lineup was clear as day. I would just say here’s the lineup.
When Jeffries was hired he told me the Chicago coaches read the site and got the lineups and asked me not to write them. So as a compromise I stopped going on Friday to training and started making more generic “lineup predictions” where I would talk about some options and make a guess.
Both Morrow and Clarke were happy with that convention of a probable lineup from early in the week.
Jeffries, Clarke, and Morrow would all from time to time ask me to skip it for certain games if I saw something in training that was secret. Also for certain game I will leave it out on my own.
These teams know each other so well and Morrow has talked about the team in the press enough of late, that I it was no problem to take a lineup guess.
#10 eVER THOUGHT ABOUT INVESTING IN SPELLCHECK?? aLSO wHAT ARE YOUR AFFILIATIONS(BIG WORD FOR YOU , i KNOW) WITH rUIZ?? Dude, he’s not that good anymore. He gets paid to produce and he doesnt. It’s a “what can you do for me now” world we live in bro.I’d trade the guy for a good defender in a heartbeat. I would give him straight-up for Frankie Heyduik(??hard one) in a flash…
IMHO, keeping the lineup secret is way overrated from a coaching standpoint. Sometimes a tactical surprise can work on the international level, especially if there is a huge underdog. But, with the parity of MLS, it just isn’t that useful. DC, NE, and Houston are very predictable in shape and lineup, and they are the three best teams in the league… really, Columbus and Dallas are the only teams the constantly vary shape and try to keep the players involved on the down low.
KD: Dude, he’s not that good anymore. He gets paid to produce and he doesnt.
I hate to once again be defending Ruiz. But I don’t think anyone can make a credible case that he gets the level of service here that he got in LA. Service has always been the problem with this team. It’s what we wanted from Denilson. It’s what we wanted from Nunez.
I love Artie’s taking on a defender and I love his shots. But what will make him great is when he starts giving good service to the forwards (it will also open up more shots for him when defenders have to respect his passing). Toja and Dax may be our best hopes here. Before his injury, Toja was making a few quality feeds, and Dax has shown he can be creative also.
The fact remains, the service was outstanding for Ruiz that year and it cam primarily from the outside. 2002 was arguably Cobi Jones’ best year and he finished with 13 assists. But his main inpact was how well he widened up that field and how well he played into Ruiz. We just don’t have a similar player here right now.
Can’t argue with you on most of that.But a striker of his quality IS supposed to make things happen when he does get the ball. A striker can get every ball at his feet in front of him 10 yards from the goal every time. I just think it’s time for him to move on. I am defianately tired of his antics..And we ALL know what they are..
I don’t think he’s gotten quite the service that he hoped for, but the problem is that he’s squandered the majority of the ones that he has gotten. I don’t recall which game it was now.. but it was the one when he arrived with his cock-a-doodle doo haircut.. he had about 3 or 4 golden opportunities on goal in the first half that he totally fluffed. I would have given him the benefit of the doubt if they had resulted in reflex saves from the gk, but they were just total crap.
I tend to agree with Nathan on the Denilson issue. I just don’t think it was fair to him or the team to bring him with so little time left in the season. As Nathan said, I think the expectations were all wrong. Part of me blames the FO on this one. I wonder if they were jealous of the various DP’s around the league making an impact – perhaps more importantly, generating interest in the team – and felt like they needed to do something to keep up. Unfortunately, sometimes those can be opposing ideals. I think in the end, putting a winning team on the field generates more long-term interest than a high profile flash signing. Paycheck aside (which as Buzz pointed out is still an important factor), I’ve been generally interested and entertained in what Denilson has brought. He’s obviously displayed a skill level not resident here before. If possible, I’d like to see how this team would function with a full season of training with him in the mix. But based on what I’m hearing, doesn’t sound like it’s probable. Oh well.
Don’t blame FO blame SM
Interesting comments about motivation. It really is that simple, isn’t it? Get up and win the Big One.
It would be sweet as hell….
I think another thing that doesn’t play well for Denilson is the style of play here.
I think the MLS is a pretty physical league. While they call more fouls for physical challenges than they probably would in the EPL, I’ve seen some pretty brutal plays. It’s also a league that requires a higher degree of fitness. It’s all very well to run around for 90mins in 50F with a constant drizzle.. but it’s a different thing to try and do that when it’s 90F. I recall watching the Everton vs RSL game earlier this year.. I know it was pre-season for Everton, but it looked like they were ready to collapse at half-time.
I watched Blanco on Sunday. The majority of Blanco’s trick plays were failures and most of his solo dribble runs in the 1st half were likewise unsuccessful.. but he could give as good as he got physically and the intensity and determination were terrific. The system of play also gave him free reign to move around.. it seemed like he was everywhere.
Beckham had a couple of beautiful passes, but he was definitely shying away from challenges and really didn’t demonstrate any kind of leadership or determination. He pretty much stuck to a deep offensive position, but then did very little defending.
As much as we may gripe about Ruiz or Denilson.. at least we don’t have Carlos Pavon.. Ok.. so he’s not in the same salary class.. but what a complete non event he has been, you could put Stevie Wonder on the field in a Galaxy shirt and nobody would know the difference.
Think positive – FCD won’t lose to Colorado again in a heart-breaking highway robbery shootout.
Seriously, I would agree that this year’s team is better than last in that the chemistry seems to be much better and that it’s things out of control – injuries and an unfit signing – that hurt the team, not infighting. Clarke lost control of the team last year, they quit on him and each other. If the players give 100% for Morrow as a team and lose to Houston, I’m fine with that. Last year was very bitter.
[...] I wrote two weeks ago that Ruiz has had a sub par season and needed to carry FCD deep into the playoffs to make him worth $400k. Obviously with FCD eliminated that didn’t happen. But I will give Ruiz credit for this game. If he played all season with the heart and effort I saw tonight he would have scored a ton of goals and FCD would have finished much higher. His goal was a pure class finish as well, very few players have that kind of one touch ability. Then again Ruiz could have iced the game when he was alone into the box. He should have won the game, instead he went down and didn’t get the OK call. And I’m not about to claim he was fouled. That missed chance is typical of Ruiz’s entire season. [...]