Comments on: The Beautiful Game: Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas

By: Chamo Jones

Chamo Jones — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:01:22 +0000

Usually the late sub is done as a time wasting tactic of the gimmicky variety. The players of a team in the lead routinely take a minute or two off the clock to complete the sustitution. The player being subbed is always the last guy in the stadium to know he is being subbed. Then he will slow walk (or fake jog) back to his bench, sometimes taking the detour to go shake the center refs hand. Then clap to the crowd until he finally is off the pitch. The ref rarely adds back the wasted time second for second.

In the old days the guideline was to add 30 seconds for every goal and for every sub. Nowadays it seems the only reason they add time is for injuries.

When a coach prefers to resort to time wasting gimmicks over sound tactics, you can’t deny that he got what he deserved.

By: the other alex

the other alex — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:01:03 +0000

can’t agree with Chazsoccer about a sub made in the 88th minute because of there being another game in three days time.

By: 3nOut

3nOut — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:11:32 +0000

you want defense at the end of the game you’re leading…not slow (abe) and a guy who’s never played defense in his life (artie).

By: Chazsoccer

Chazsoccer — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:58:36 +0000

I often think late late game subs are unnecessary – especially Kenny. That being said, maybe it was because of the next game being only 3 days away? Maybe it was check out the player subbed in for some reason?

By: KirkBhoy

KirkBhoy — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:24:30 +0000

One gets the feeling that if it weren’t for players’ self-confidence levels being affected by not starting, far fewer substitutions would happen.

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:54:54 +0000

Grazi, signore. Grazi.

Il posto bellissima.

(Ok, my Italian’s not good.)