Comments on: Game Grades: Chicago Fire vs FC Dallas http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/ The Independent FC Dallas News Source Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:37:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Steve http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17216 Steve Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:15:35 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17216 Well put, tex. I maintain that even without Pablo, this game wasn't as big a disaster as the scoreline and commentary suggest. Granted, I didn't watch the entire match, but of the 30 minutes I watched here and there on my DVR, it didn't appear that Chicago was dominant overall. During his few touches, Ferriera showed quick decision-making and toughness on the ball. His pass to Cooper just outside the box was a stunningly fast transition and perfectly weighted. Once Ferriera gets to know his teammates and vice-versa, I think he will do very well. Yes, the defensive lapses were troubling, but you're not going to see a handball in the box issue like that very often. Purdy has to be sharper and/or the FO has to sign another defender, though. Remember that FCD hit the post on a couple occasions in this game. They were inches away from points with new players still learning their roles, and without the captain, against a very solid team. Well put, tex.

I maintain that even without Pablo, this game wasn’t as big a disaster as the scoreline and commentary suggest. Granted, I didn’t watch the entire match, but of the 30 minutes I watched here and there on my DVR, it didn’t appear that Chicago was dominant overall. During his few touches, Ferriera showed quick decision-making and toughness on the ball. His pass to Cooper just outside the box was a stunningly fast transition and perfectly weighted. Once Ferriera gets to know his teammates and vice-versa, I think he will do very well.

Yes, the defensive lapses were troubling, but you’re not going to see a handball in the box issue like that very often. Purdy has to be sharper and/or the FO has to sign another defender, though.

Remember that FCD hit the post on a couple occasions in this game. They were inches away from points with new players still learning their roles, and without the captain, against a very solid team.

]]> By: texgator http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17213 texgator Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:39:23 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17213 ricardo, We missed the playoffs because the rest of the roster wasn't right. We didnt' have any help on the wings and the defense was a hodge podge. In addition, Morrow set this team back months with his moronic tactical changes every 2-3 games. Then we had a coaching change halfway through the season and Schellas needed time to evaluate everyone in his system. Despite all this, Ricchetti was the most consistent player and the leader on the team. Not many teams can lose their Capt and MVP and not see a noticeable drop off in play. Furthermore, Chicago is possibly the strongest team in MLS, there isn't a team in the Western Conference that is close to Chicago's level of play. We'll be fine....we'll make the playoffs without a problem. ricardo,
We missed the playoffs because the rest of the roster wasn’t right. We didnt’ have any help on the wings and the defense was a hodge podge. In addition, Morrow set this team back months with his moronic tactical changes every 2-3 games. Then we had a coaching change halfway through the season and Schellas needed time to evaluate everyone in his system. Despite all this, Ricchetti was the most consistent player and the leader on the team. Not many teams can lose their Capt and MVP and not see a noticeable drop off in play. Furthermore, Chicago is possibly the strongest team in MLS, there isn’t a team in the Western Conference that is close to Chicago’s level of play. We’ll be fine….we’ll make the playoffs without a problem.

]]> By: richardo http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17189 richardo Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:58:24 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17189 If Pablo makes such a difference how did we miss the playoffs last season?? If it take a holding MF to get us over the top we are doomed. If Pablo makes such a difference how did we miss the playoffs last season?? If it take a holding MF to get us over the top we are doomed.

]]> By: JC http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17187 JC Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:41:58 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17187 I would suggest a 100-point scale. Allows you more wiggle room. I would suggest a 100-point scale. Allows you more wiggle room.

]]> By: phil http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17185 phil Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:13:53 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17185 I would had given a 4 for sala and wagner as well.. Chicago played 70% of their ball(at least) on wagner side, bc they knew he is not good defending... Would had given Guarda a 5... he didnt make any mistake, none of the guys he had "part" on it and he seem to be everytime were he needed.. for DVNB i would had given no more than a 5... Dax for me was the best fc player on the field.. I would had given a 4 for sala and wagner as well.. Chicago played 70% of their ball(at least) on wagner side, bc they knew he is not good defending… Would had given Guarda a 5… he didnt make any mistake, none of the guys he had “part” on it and he seem to be everytime were he needed.. for DVNB i would had given no more than a 5… Dax for me was the best fc player on the field..

]]> By: Mike http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17180 Mike Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:20:49 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17180 Moor and Ferreira were graded too high, otherwise good insight Moor and Ferreira were graded too high, otherwise good insight

]]> By: Nathan http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17179 Nathan Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:02:56 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17179 I agree with Hutch, I don't think that Ferreira's lack of touches was totally his fault, when he did get the ball, his first touch never let him down and he almost always made something out of it. I actually found him impressive.. he was also very fast. Perhaps with Ricchetti back in the line up we'll see him get more involved. Contrast that with Dax who saw a lot of the ball, but whose touch often let him down. He also flubbed a beatiful goal scoring opportunity (passed instead of shot) and got pushed off the ball several times. Not that Dax had a terrible game, the guy played his heart out.. definitely an A for effort. Defense looked shakey all around, but I think not having Pablo didn't help matters. Purdy looked very shakey to me.. but he did beat McBride to the high balls on several occasions. I don't know what was going on with DvB, but we'd didn't see the same kind of flank play from him that we did in the CAP game. Might be my bad memory, but it seemed like we went down the right hand side via Cooper on most attacks. I agree with Hutch, I don’t think that Ferreira’s lack of touches was totally his fault, when he did get the ball, his first touch never let him down and he almost always made something out of it. I actually found him impressive.. he was also very fast. Perhaps with Ricchetti back in the line up we’ll see him get more involved.

Contrast that with Dax who saw a lot of the ball, but whose touch often let him down. He also flubbed a beatiful goal scoring opportunity (passed instead of shot) and got pushed off the ball several times. Not that Dax had a terrible game, the guy played his heart out.. definitely an A for effort.

Defense looked shakey all around, but I think not having Pablo didn’t help matters. Purdy looked very shakey to me.. but he did beat McBride to the high balls on several occasions.

I don’t know what was going on with DvB, but we’d didn’t see the same kind of flank play from him that we did in the CAP game. Might be my bad memory, but it seemed like we went down the right hand side via Cooper on most attacks.

]]> By: Krill http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17178 Krill Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:31:18 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17178 I can't believe you gave Drew the highest grade of the defense. 2 of the 3 goals were basically his fault (yes, on the first one he had help from Purdy but it was deflected off of Moor.) I'm usually a Drew Moor fan, but I have never seen him play so poorly like he did against Chicago. You're also way too hard on Sala and Ferreira. At least Ferreira can keep possession, unlike most of our midfield. It will be a totally different team this weekend with Ricchetti always giving the ball to Ferreira. Then you'll be talking about what a find he is. Sala had a very strong game. I thought he looked really quick (I was worried when I saw the brace on his knee) and had some great saves. Without him, it would have been much worse, and there's nothing he could have done about any of the goals. Just unlucky. I've also always thought McCarty was the most overrated player on the team. He played the best I've seen him in a long time, he's just so small and has trouble with a much bigger and more physical Chicago. He did get the ball stripped from him, just not as much as usual. I can’t believe you gave Drew the highest grade of the defense. 2 of the 3 goals were basically his fault (yes, on the first one he had help from Purdy but it was deflected off of Moor.) I’m usually a Drew Moor fan, but I have never seen him play so poorly like he did against Chicago. You’re also way too hard on Sala and Ferreira. At least Ferreira can keep possession, unlike most of our midfield. It will be a totally different team this weekend with Ricchetti always giving the ball to Ferreira. Then you’ll be talking about what a find he is. Sala had a very strong game. I thought he looked really quick (I was worried when I saw the brace on his knee) and had some great saves. Without him, it would have been much worse, and there’s nothing he could have done about any of the goals. Just unlucky. I’ve also always thought McCarty was the most overrated player on the team. He played the best I’ve seen him in a long time, he’s just so small and has trouble with a much bigger and more physical Chicago. He did get the ball stripped from him, just not as much as usual.

]]> By: TheGreatTrollKing http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17175 TheGreatTrollKing Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:52:23 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17175 Why does Sala kept punting the long ball over the midfield instead of "building from the back"? I think every time he did that it was a turnover. SH bitched about Rocha's turnovers last year being "11 out of 22". Well, Sala beat that easily on Saturday with his stupid punts. Why does Sala kept punting the long ball over the midfield instead of “building from the back”? I think every time he did that it was a turnover. SH bitched about Rocha’s turnovers last year being “11 out of 22″. Well, Sala beat that easily on Saturday with his stupid punts.

]]> By: joel es latest soccer news http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/03/23/game-grades-fcd-vs-fire-321/comment-page-1/#comment-17170 joel es latest soccer news Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:10:19 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=4152#comment-17170 DVB should be a little lower. Dax and KC were the best two players. Thanks. DVB should be a little lower. Dax and KC were the best two players. Thanks.

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