April 22nd, 2008 . 10:12 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

My men like satyrs grazing on the lawns, Shall with their goat-feet dance an antic hay. – Christopher Marlowe

Well goodness, undefeated after four games.  Chivas USA has historically been tough as nails at home and we know they should be good team this year.  Yes they were missing some pieces, but so was FCD.  Full credit for an impressive road win in a facility FCD does not play well in.

I dropped in on the HDC for this one, always nice to catch a game from the stands out in LALA land.

FC Dallas 2, Chivas USA 0

El Bueno (The Good)

Kenny Cooper was my Man of the Match (Sala and Davino were in consideration.)  I went with Cooper as I felt it was his best game of the year.  That’s not surprising with Cooper in a wide wing role that he plays by instinct.  Coops tendency to play wide and into the corners is an asset in this position.  He worked hard all day and helped kill off the game with some smart decisions late in the game.  He also has continued to improve his ability to hold and lay off ever since the Houston game.  Let’s keep in mind that his goal came from crashing the box.

“I want to make positive contributions to the team, whether it’s scoring goals or getting assists, or making an impact in any other way. It’s not just about individual stats or goals, I think so many players are playing such a big part, and fortunately we’ve had some success already this year.” Kenny Cooper

Nice foramtion change up, although it was dictated by the loss of Toja and Ricchetti, with FCD going 3-4-3.  Ricardinho as target striker instead of the wing forward was not something we saw in the spring, full credit to Morrow for that.  Cooper and Alvarez did lots of swapping, which I love, and even Rico got involved some.  The shape let FCD dominate the wings and play up and down wide rather than through the strength of the Chivas shape with Marsh in the middle.  Chivas was in what I would say was a 4-3-1-2 with Kraig Chiles as high attacking mid and three holding types covering deeper in MF and as FCD Dominated possession until Chivas adapted to the 3-4-3 at 20′ or so .

“I think we started the game very well; we possessed the ball well early on. I think as each game has gone on through the start of the season we’ve started to move the ball a little better.” – Steve Morrow

I think Chivas has something in Kraig Chiles.  Nice player there, he’s got MLS level game.  Able to turn and dribble in the middle, plays some defense and can take the ball off people.  good creativity and plays head up.  He was dangerous on the ball several times.  He’s got a lot to learn but there is potential there.

I must give some props to the north end Chivas fans.  They were very impressive even when losing, always moving, dancing, and signing.  I loved it.  One minor criticism might be to be move related to what’s happening on the field, but dang they were fun.

More props on Morrow’s subs this week.  The Thompson sub was perfect, an experienced smart player who can really hold the ball in possession swapped for one with little game smarts and poor possession game.  I wasn’t as convinced by the Pitchkolan cub for Alvarez sub as I was worried about being able to keep the ball and let the FCD D play out.  But Pitchkolan played more of a high a-mid role and was very effective breaking up Chivas build out so credit to Morrow for that one too.  Up 2-0 getting Break Shea onto the pitch was a third terrific move.  A kid with that potential and upside needed to be blooded.

“We came in here with some big players missing as well; we left Toja behind, Ricchetti behind, Bobby Rhine behind, so to put in the performance that we did is a credit to the guys. The subs came on and did a good job as well. It was a real team effort tonight. ” – Steve Morrow

Sala was again terrific and the back line is really coming together.  Davino is going to be challenged for pace over and over in this league, but it’s clear he knows it and is adapting to the MLS speed.  Virtually all foreign signings underestimate the pace of MLS and Davino has been no exception.  Full credit to the captain for making adjustments and compensating.  He and Dario match styles well as Davino wants to play deep and Dario likes to come out early.  That combination shrinks the space behind the defense and limits the over the top danger.

I have been quite critical of Marcelo Saragosa in terms how slowly he transitions the ball.  But I need to give him full credit for his defensive tenacity and tackling.  Perhaps it’s a statistical oddity, but FCD has not given up a goal with Saragosa in the game.  He certainly clogs up the middle of the field.

Speaking of defense, it seemed clear from where I was sitting that part of the FCD game plan was to high pressure Bornstein when the ball was played laterally to him.  On numerous occasions FCD pinched down on him with Alvarez and Cooper supported by the midfield.  It created several turnovers.  What a downturn in form for Bornstein this year as teams are now looking to press him as a weak spot instead of fearing him.

El Camino Central (Middle of the Road)

Dax was very tidy early but after Chiles came out to mark him lost the ball several times.  Dax seemed to be struggling to find someone to play to when he was turned back, although that could have been lack of available outlets to Moor, Saragosa, or Rocha.  Dax started going central to try and find space, while that was a good idea, Dax wasn’t the player I wanted moving in there as it opened the wing.

Wagner was better again, he keeps making steps forward.  This time he improved his basic combination play and just generally made himself more available. But he needs to keep it simple in defensive end.  Note for Wagner, be willing to boot it or play off someone for a throw when deep.  Don’t try and beat a double team in your own end.

No Tan Bueno (It’s Not Good)

From my seat it looked like Chivas changed to flat four with Chiles moving wide left at about the 22nd minute or so, at least that’s when I spotted it.  One has to think they wanted to deny wide attacks coming from 3-4-3. That’s a nice change by Goats, and after that it was more even possession for both teams (although that’s two straight games the Goats came out against FCD and were forced to change to what FCD was doing).  I kept waiting for FCD to adapt after Chivas changes, I wanted the wings to take turns moving central into Toja’s a-mid spot that would now be more open.  Particularly I would have liked to have seen Alvarez recognize it go more central in response.  I think Rocha tired to fill in some, and I know Dax did, but one of the wings would have been better.

I counted four times in the first 22 when Wagner was wide open on a back side run into a danger position and FCD didn’t recognize it.  Chivas was overrating the three men behind Chiles and it left Wagner open again and again.  The first time someone noticed and tried the switch was Drew Moor in minute 35.  That’s not good enough.

I am left with the impression FCD is giving up to many corners this year.  Is it because people are trying to go over the top on Davino and the 3-5-2?  Is it because FCD is to willing to play the ball over the end line?  Ok I looked it up, FCD is giving up to many corners.

Corner Kicks: CHV 13, FCD 2
Season total: OPP: 29, FCD 7

Should I be bothered I don’t have a lot negative to point at?  Surly FCD isn’t that good.  I think I’ll take it as a positive performance from FCD and a poor one from Chivas and not dwell on it too much.  After all Toja and Ricchetti should be back commanding the middle of a 3-5-2 fairly soon.

“To put on the performance we did without two of our big players, I give credit to our guys. It was a real team effort. We created great opportunities and defended well when we had to so I’m pleased. We’re definitely starting to see things come together a bit more. I don’t think we played as well as we can over the 90 minutes. It’s still early in the season, it’s still early days, I still think there’s room for improvement with the team. But to come here, win 2-0 and get a clean sheet, is very, very positive.” – Steve Morrow

Categories: 120 Fahrenheit.

8 Comments

Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI

Leave a comment