120 Fahrenheit: 2008 Off Season One, What We’ve Learned about Steve Morrow
November 11th, 2007 . 12:27 pm . By: Buzz CarrickIt’s that time of year again, kids. It’s time to plan the off season for FCD. This is exactly what the staff up in Frisco is doing right now, so we might as well do the same. Plan I mean, not have a meeting. When we make our plan we have to consider the reality of the situation, and the biggest reality at this time is Steve Morrow. Steve Morrow will be FCD’s coach next year, so any plan we make must fit what we know about him. So what exactly do we know? A lot, actually. He’s had one season now and we have learned quite a bit. So let’s consider the coach and the five most important things we know about him so we can then discuss how this will influence his off-season moves. Free Range Chicken
Steve Morrow likes a specific kind of player. We have similar taste in players (at least compared to previous coaches), but it took me a while to figure out exactly what it was that Morrow was keying on. There any many factors that go into what he’s looking for, of course; toughness is a big one. Speed, skill, soccer smarts. But all his acquisitions, waivers, trades, drafts and signings point to one common characteristic, range. Range is the ability of a player to cover a great deal of ground. It’s not just quickness, although that’s part of it. It’s also how fast they react to the game and how determined they are to get there. Fitness and stamina also figure. Adrian Serioux, Juan Toja, Pablo Ricchetti, Anthony Wallace… all area blessed with great range. Simo Valakari, Richard Mulrooney, Greg Vanney… all players Morrow moved on; all three with declining range. Colin Clarke, by comparison, mostly looked for what I call “soccer players.” Guys that he signed and drafted just knew how to play; Carlos Ruiz, Simo Valakari, Drew Moor, Dax McCarty, and Richard Mulrooney, as examples. Having guys that just play is not a bad thing- there was a first place team here after all. But Clarke being less concerned with mobility and range means Morrow will still be wanting to transition his squad. It means there are likley players in Dallas who don’t fit his ideal. Side note: This emphasis on range is one of the factors that leads me to believe Denilson was not Morrow’s signing. System Overload
Having discussed it with him several times, I’ve come to some tactical conclusions about Morrow. First, it’s not about the tactical shape as much as it’s about the tactical system. Morrow’s got very specific ideas about modern tactics of movement and coverage. This results in his fluidity of shape during the season. Morrow can and does change the base shape based both on his own personnel and the opposition. For our purpose here this shifting of shape and week-to-week changes in lineup and tactics means Morrow asks a lot of his players, mentally. It means he wants players who can handle the changes and make adjustments. He won’t want players who are tactically stagnant and repetitive. I will add that I’m not a big fan of these shifting shapes. I am a believer in doing what you do and doing it well. Force the other team to adjust. Teams that do this tend to do well- New England, Houston, DC United… of course, one could make the case that good teams are able to have static systems rather than saying static systems make a team good. Morrow’s answer to this has been the system and the tactics are the same game to game; it’s just minor field positioning that changes. Side note: I feel the same way about coaching changes. I don’t like frequent coach changes. Does longevity in a coach make a good team, or does a good team make longevity in a coach? All Four One, and One Four All
Another thing I can tell you about Morrow is that, all things being equal, he would prefer a 4-4-2; BUT he thinks it’s far more important to tailor his tactical shape to the squad of players he has at his disposal (don’t forget it’s less about the shape than the overall system- see previous point). So in 2007 Morrow went with various forms of the 4-3-3 as he felt it best matched his squad. Yes, he would consider a 3 man back line if it fit his team, just as he will any other formation. So if Morrow can get the right players he does want to go 4-4-2, but he will build his squad first, then pick his base shape. By the way, it wouldn’t be the flat 4-4-2 or the diamond 4-4-2. Instead, it will be the more modern 4-4-2 used toward the end of the season. This means one anchor player on top of the back four that must have great range (there it is again) partnered with a player who can and does get forward (again with the range). This partner is not a #10 high attacking mid, but a linking box to box player. On the “outside” of midfield are players with the freedom and ability to roam and penetrate- players who can move around the field in possession and take players on the dribble. These are NOT flank runners who get to the end line and cross. The other key element is outside backs who are the flank runners who can go end to end and cross as well as defend. When you delve into the advanced, modern tactics Morrow is talking about, you will see there isn’t a ton of difference between the 4-4-2 I described here and the 4-3-3 of 2007. Nor would it be all that different from a 3-5-2. That’s the makings for an article on tactics I might run out this winter in the down time. But, again, you see the desire for players with range and mobility that are necessary in this system. Side note: As much as Morrow says he would go three at the back, he doesn’t really like it. He’s gonna have to be REALLY convinced it best fits his roster. So don’t rule it out, but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. All We Need is Love
We learned as soon as Morrow took over that team cohesion and locker room harmony were key. Steve wants players who will “fight for each other” in the heat of the season and playoffs. Having been around as an assistant coach, Morrow knew right away some players he wanted to move quickly. It’s less important now to talk about who as to understand the why, with an eye to the future. So does he have any players left who are trouble makers, malcontents, or cancers? I don’t think I would go that far. Certainly Ruiz is a handful, but that’s more about his lackadaisical belief in being on time. An occasional discontented Chris Gbandi and/or perhaps some public miscommunication about injuries with Sala. Nothing earthshaking going on from where I stand. But Morrow will be influenced in decisions by attitude and mentality. Morrow almost always wants a player to come to Dallas before being signed, some for a playing trial, but more often for a sit down and interview so Steve can decide if the player fits the vibe, attitude, and atmosphere of his team. He even required it of Denilson. So you better believe it’s going to influence his decision on players of lesser renown. Side note: This is about as good a locker room as I have seen in quite a while in Dallas. Any cliques seem to be by age and lifestyle instead of some factor you hate to see. So locker room happiness won’t factor as much as last year. Roster Stuffing
Despite the sacrifice of Saragosa for Denilson this year, Morrow doesn’t buy into my “Maximize the First XI” theory. Well, I suppose he does, but not at the expense of depth like I would do. Morrow wants the entire roster to be players who can contribute for two primary reasons: 1. Morrow likes to make aggressive tactical substitutions. He will chase a game and/or protect a lead. That means he needs players on the bench who are both quality and versatile. You will almost always see a mix of attacking flair and defensive flexibility ready to go, and they need to be players who can maintain the level of play and possession. 2. When injuries and suspensions happen, Morrow wants players who can step right in and play at a high level at every position. This means the roster, top to bottom, needs guys who can contribute- not just for the reserves, but step into the first team if need be. Of the eleven developmental players at the end of year, five saw game action. Three of the five were Generation adidas, only two of the five (McCarty and Pitchkolan) saw significant minutes and one of those was developmental in name only. You’d like to see that stat get better. So what does that mean? It means expect changes at the bottom of the roster. Morrow will look for players on the developmental roster who can step into the first team. FCD has ten picks, four in the first two rounds, but only space for three players as it stands now. Expect that to change. Side note: It’s true that Oduro and Burse were promoted up from the developmental roster, but we’re talking about next year and a “new” developmental set of players. Next…Now that we have a better grasp on Morrow, the next step is some possible roster moves. Stay tuned. 44 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
buzz,
I agree with you to a point. but lets be honest here, the developmental roster is not that important. around the league im sure it is similar with other teams. these guys are not expected to play straight away, they are for emergency situations. and how do we know how good our developmental players are, they were never given a chance. I watched many reserve games and they actually played better soccer then the first team sometimes,possession, creating chances and movement.I agree that there will be changes but only because of age, not ability. where do you see changes at the bottom?
who were the five developmental players that saw game action?
who were the five developmental players that saw game action?
michael,
u can look at the 2 teams in the MLS Cup to see how much a quality depth matters, developmental or full squad.
Houston started multiple dev players like Holden, Ashe, Wondoloski, Ianni at times when players were injured (Davis, Cochrane) or away on Nat duty (DeRo, Ching)
Revs had starters from the bottom of their roster like Wells Thompson, Larentowicz, James Riley, etc.
you think FCD wouldnt want this flexibility with something more than Pitch, Scott Jones, Sandi, and even Wallace, Wagner, Dello, etc.
Micheal, while it’s certainly true the Dev roster is less important, for the purpose of planning we need to take it into account. We know how good players on this part of the roster are by performance in training. As you say age is going to change some things, but you can be sure with that number of picks there will be a lot of competition on the bottom end.
The 5: McCarty, Pitchkolan, Wallace, Dello-Russo, and Wagner.
Oduro and Burse also saw action on the Dev roster before being promoted.
So…If Denilson wasn’t Morrow’s pick, was the rumor of his last minute trip to South America just before the signing deadline to woo Denilson in are false???
How do you think his “Man Management” Philosophy worked out this year. The Alvarez melt down in the playoffs isn’t a good sign…
My info was that Morrow was with his family the say he missed. And I have looked into that a lot, it looks legit.
As for man management, I think he made some few mistakes here and there. the public spat with Dario over the injured/not injured. maybe not cracking down on Ruiz tardiness. maybe not protecting his guys in public a little more. But overall I thought his first season was positive in that regard.
Face it - Morrow had this team on the verge of the MLS Cup. For 135 we dominated Houston. Only Alvarez’s melt down kept us from advancing. I believe that FCD would have dispatched KC at home. He may have made a few mistakes during the year but the bottom line was this team was ready come playoff time and was on the verge of advancing. Houston is a tough out but FCD almost had them. Give Steve an extended contract.
If the above traits are attributed to Morrow, what did Oscar bring to the table? Is Morrow buying the groceries and making the dinner or is someone else performing one or both of these duties? As far as a 6th trait goes, it appears that the grocery buyer and cook have gone a long way to collect and play Latin players to the point that FCD seemed to have more Latin Players than Chivas. Unfortunately, it appears that Morrows floating system that Buzz described above does not take full advantage of the more traditional freewheeling Latin style.
Not sure any of this matters but interesting to see one man’s view of things.
Morrow did want to bring in Denilson..And was not responsible for Tojq coming in.
We need to build a team like Houston. One that is smart, physical and mentally tough. They out work everyone and they do it from the top to the bottom of their roster. They are the closest thing to a Euro team we have, they balttle in practice for spots on the weekend and it shows in their competiveness in matches. How many of our guys gave it everything every match? Toja, Richetti, Goodson, and I’m not sure who else. That’s 3 of 28 rostered players while Houston is 28 for 28 in that catagory.
The one game that we matched them this year we won, we just don’t do it consistently or we would have the Supporter’s Shield.
Pea, Oscar has a great deal of influence. But we consider Morrow as this list above will tell us what happens next… which I will discuss in the next article.
Jerry, it does matter.
Bobby, there is a difference between being willing to sign Denilson and Denilson being his signing. Denilson’s signing was driven by one of the Hunts. While pareja deserves a lot of credit for finding Toja, Morrow is the one who signed him and the one who put a buy clause in the loan deal.
Both Morrow and Pareja, and in fact several others deserve credit for building this team.
Buzz, do you think Lee Nguyen would be interested in returning to the Metroplex for a while? PSV doesn’t seem to be using him much, though I believe he’s under contract for another year or so. Though I’ve seen very little of him, I’m assuming he’s got the kind of range Morrow likes. Were there any comments from either side during his training session in Frisco a few months back?
the two teams in MLS Cup have neither a DP nor any/many Latin players. Coincidence??
NY lost with a goal that was given up while a man down, because Angel got injured, but they could very well have been in the cup final — in which case they would have had a latino DP.
So yeah, maybe it’s a coincidence.
Buzz, that means that Pareja should get the credit for Toja?? Or Morrow should get all the credit, such as his comments about how he saw the tape and called the guy and brought him in to look at him and then signed him?? That kind of credit????And Denilson.. Willing to sign him? Or highly in favor of bringing this guy in, in the middle of the season??
NYRB also had poor team chemistry and an ego-maniacal coach that was booted out the door as fast as they could.
maybe thats a coincidence too? i think you can win in MLS with dominant individual players who know the game and have strong tactical/positional senses. You can also win with good ole American hard work.
I am a Morrow supporter, but I think the Alvarez melt down was a direct result of Morrow’s poor handling of the Gbandi meltdown just a few weeks earlier. He needed to make an example of Gbandi to let everyone in the room know that nonsense like that would not be tolerated. Starting Gbandi in the playoffs sent the wrong message. Now I think the only option he has is to remove those with the hot head tendencies from the team.
Other Alex,
You might have a point about DPs, but your latino comment is offbase.
The Supporters’ Shield winner was a team led by Latinos/South American players.
The Western Conference champs were led by a latino scoring machine and strong support from Latino midfielders.
Chicago rose from the ashes on the backs of Blanco, Conde and a Colombian coach.
Don’t know if Morrow had much of an option on Gbandi. As much as you might want to bench his butt for eternity, the fact is that when he’s playing well he is the best option at left back. I think Morrow did the right think starting him for the playoffs.
If the Hunts had more say in Denilson than Morrow, then we’re totally screwed going forward. That’s a real Abramovich/Romanov statement.
The fact is that the two teams that will, again, contest the MLS Cup are devoid of Latino players. It seems that FCD has many Latino players who would rather showcase their own skills than actually pass the ball early, maybe this is the reason they are playing Stateside and not in Argentina/Colombia/Brazil where I know they can and do play a lot of one and two touch soccer. FCD’s biggest concern is the inability to keep possession, to pass the ball early and to take PERSONAL responsibility to NOT GIVE THE BALL AWAY.
Steve, Lee N. having trained with Dallas during his recovery would indicate there might be interest form both sides at some point. I know Dallas would be happy to have him.
Bobby, both Morrow and Pareja get some of the credit for Toja. Both were involved on some level with him being in Dallas.
Morrow certainly agreed to sign Denilson, but it was one of the Hunts that was the driving force to sign him. Morrow could have said no, but agreed to the deal so Morrow is not blameless.
No signing is every 100% down to one person, there is always other people involved in the process. In the end Morrow has the final say, but many people are involved.
Whatever the problem is, it’s much bigger than Denilson, Gbandi, the Hunts, or latin players in general. I agree with ‘other alex’: sharper passing would, at the very least, make losing more aesthetically pleasing.
Hey, does anyone know if Morrow is looking for the local kids from SMU for his scout? I heard their mid is really good, I think he is a JR believe from Brazil! Bruno Guarda and also SR Adrian who can play in all positions!!!
Yes, SMU has been scouted many times.
Interesting comments about lockerroom chemistry. So, how does the Cooper Clan’s anti-Latino rants here and on other boards go over with the team? I can’t imagine that helps with the lockerroom chemistry.
wouldnt Bruno have trouble latching on to an MLS team though, I dont think he is coming out, he is foreigner? and hes older at 22 in his JR year.
Talent is talent. He won’t be a early signing because of his foreign status. But someone will take a shot at him. He can be a Junior international till the year he turns 25. After his senior season he’s be 23, which would give him 2 MLS seasons as a JI (without checking his birthday). Tougher for him? Yes, but he’s got serious game.
ya no mistaking his talent. I was just pointing that out. He is an outstanding player and probably the best player in the college game.
We can only hope for his sake he doesn’t come to Dallas where 1st year collage players don’t play. Better to see him go to NE to be ROY.
Buzz, Morrow has been taking a beating over this Denilson thing and who gets the credit/blame for bringing him in. Can I personally give props to Morrow for a roster move he DID NOT make?
he did not sign Mexican International Daniel Osorno as the DP and that would’ve been a even more major mistake than Denilson. Osorno was fat and outta shape and couldnt do anything for Colorado, who was in desperate need of scoring punch up front. Please dont forget to mention those players he did not sign. (Except Francis Doe and Sabastian LeToux)
I for one would have loved to see Francis Doe in a FCD uniform.His speed
ball control and timing made him what
an attacker should be-unpredictable.
Great point on Osorno.
FCD tired to sign Doe. NY offered more money. MY gut read of that is he wanted to go to NY the entire time having trialled with them twice and really only used FCD to up his NY price. Call me a cynic perhaps.
I don’t know how much FCD offered or how high they wanted to go. I too would have loved to see him sign with FCD as I thought he was better than Oduro.
Opening day lineup 2008-
…..Oduro…Cooper
…Toja Serioux Dax
…………Richetti
Wagner..Yi…Moor…Rhine
………Burse
Kinnear trusts the north american player and to a slightly lesser degree so does Nichol. Their teams will contest MLS Cup again, no “coincidence” there.
And DC United trusts the Latino player. And they won back-to-back Supporters Shields, the truer measure of a team’s talent. No “coincidence” there.
If you say so Buzz….
Dear “other alex,”
What is your obsession with/bias against latino players? I think, if you go back & watch the games, you’ll see that the ALL of the FCD players, at times, have issues with making good passes, etc.
It’s a TEAM thing, not a matter of ethnicity. And sometimes, when a pass looks bad, it not because the player who made the pass was inaccurate, but because the receiving player messed up. Or maybe there as no one to pass TO, hence a player might seem to hold the ball and/or dribble too much. Or they are new to the team and still learning to mesh with the team . . .
ANYWAY.
I think, if you read the article under PLEASE READ, you’ll see that Houston and NE’s success has more to do with having the SAME players and using the SAME 4-4-2 / 3-5-2 system consistently over SEVERAL years. Period. It’s not whether a player is Latin American, North American, or Canadian . . . it’s ALL of the players having extended time to grow together as a TEAM.
hutchtx….. I belive your right on with the comments about using the same players in the same system for as long as you can, consistency! I am a long time fan of the game,player and have even coached granted never at any great level but the one thing I have learned is the longer you can keep a group togther the better they seem to do. I am tired of changes made in the off season and during the season as well, I believe we have what we need as far as personel now can we just let them gel. I know to continue the growing procces you have to integrate dp’s, so let those guys fight for the spot of which dp might get the call up this week. Im just frustrated and have been for 11years now, thanks buzz for all the great info over the years and for you passion you help me get through it all and the great work of your staff as well.
There are couple of good young players at SMU not to mention a coach. And you guys stop with the Latino crap, Latinos might be are only hope at ever having a sell out crowd at the oven. Does anyone remember cinco de mayo 97or 98 I thought we had 30,000 strong that nite,ahh the good ole days. I do belive my lilly white ass was in the minority that game but man did i have fun. Also In my armchair oppinion I think the first two games of superliga might be the best soccer I have seen this team play.
So whats gonna happen with Denilson, do we give up without at least one off season training does Ruis stay and get green card alllowing for Saragosa to come back, god bless Bobby Rhine, shurly when he’s done he will coach or take on something in FO. That last game he was relentless can we get another fiveyears out of him. who is on the chopping block and who’s staying for sure . I know, all in due time try not to spread it out to long buzz.
Jason S. I’m more in the Goodson,Pitch,Dax,Arturo camp. I’m FOR more young Americans getting a real chance and not always being the ones pulled/benched. I was no fan of Mark Wilson and notice he has found his level in the third tier in England. Equally I am not a fan of ANY player (latin or otherwise) who holds the ball too long, doesn’t “see” the early pass and plays for himself rather than the team.
My favorite EPL player is Cesc Fabregas (Latino) BECAUSE he keeps possession of the ball, doesn’t hold it too long, plays it simple and picks his moments to be brilliant. One can only hope that ALL FCD players (including the Latinos) can learn something from him.
Why does everyone think that “hotheads” need to be run off the roster? You think Houston wants to get rid of Eddie Robinson or Ricardo Clark? FCD seems to get very unlucky about when their “hotheads” go off. Just think for a minute how close Robinson was to getting his second yellow for all his grandstanding and abuse of the ref. If he had gotten it before AA did then the whole game and series is completely different. The ref didn’t have the balls to stand up for himself in a game like that.
[...] The following is based on several conversations with Morrow and his staff, what I know about the man, his (and my) opinion of the players, and what I know about how the league works. For further background that went into this piece you can read both the Final Season Grades and What We’ve Learned About Steve Morrow. [...]