Comments on: Zip It: FC Dallas at Chicago Fire

By: Brooks

Brooks — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:50:45 +0000

I believe Dax lost the ball twice in the whole game. Not sure what ‘too often’ means.

I sure wish there were handy stats for this.

From the same position Dax played:

Saragosa is a turnover machine when he plays there. He isn’t given many touches, but when he does it seems to give it up about 30% of the time.

Guarda seems to have no trust from his teammates and thus NEVER gets touches when he plays there. With much fewer touches he seems to me to have the same # of turnovers. Way better than Saragosa, but still not his best role. When healthy, he runs great and can cross the ball…so perhaps in the end he would be best suited playing right back as a Hedjuk type with Drew pushing in next to Richetti.

Defensively all we have to show from Dax playing that holding position is a shutout with FCD. We also have the U-23 Olympic qualifying where they moved on and Dax was named best XI.

Last time I checked, we have lost a ton of games and given up a ton of goals when either the more defensive minded Saragosa and Guarda are playing in that position as a Defensive Mid instead of a holding Mid.

Seeing how Dax’s U-23 coach is now the Philly coach I sure hope we wake up and keep him him playing the position were he belongs.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:34:26 +0000

Eric…i meant a cross from Chicago’s team…Wallace also put in a few good crosses.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:15:36 +0000

“I think Wallace made a huge difference at LB. Did a cross even come in from that side?”

You must have missed them, I saw a few excellent crosses.

By: pitchcutter

pitchcutter — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:29:19 +0000

I agree with John. Schellas proved the fans right and that he was wrong. I predict we win against San Jose and lose the next 5.

By: John

John — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:13:52 +0000

Hyndman did exactly the opposite of shutting up the “Armchair Managers.” In fact, he proved them/us right by playing the players/formation we have been calling for and getting the results, handing Chicago their first loss of the year. Possession was dominated by McCarty et al, he was all over the place, and contrary to the McCarty haters, he played big all game, constantly breaking up plays, winning balls and distributing. He has the best range of any of our defensive midfielders, and I think his play this weekend validates his rightful place in the lineup.

Cooper was still ineffective, but hit a great dead ball. I liked the defense; solid, less long balls (though still more than I’d like), I dont’ even remember many real chances for Chicago

On a related point, Hyndman was sent off for allegedly getting into some type of quarrel with a fan? This can’t be true…

By: the other alex

the other alex — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:12:27 +0000

To answer stevetoros question: Cooper scored in his first ever game for FCD. The winning goal against….Chicago.

By: JC

JC — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:08:31 +0000

Jay, I love your writing, but have to agree with Travis. Those of us who have been calling for very specific lineup changes (no Saragosa, Guarda or Rocha) don’t really have to give Hyndman any credit for either Sunday’s lineup or the formation. Having said that, good article.

By: Pegasus

Pegasus — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:37:35 +0000

Don’t understand your comments Roach. I did enjoy Morrow’s kids getting to play and helping the team to a win. Are you saying SH should take them out so we don’t win?

By: Toffee

Toffee — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:44:43 +0000

Dax was the difference, as he often is. Possession goes up. He does have some giveaways because he touches the ball much more than other players. That is a function of the role.

I saw Iniesta give up the ball a few times also last week.

Dax will have some games where he is not great. This happens with most players (see, e.g. Rocha, Cunningham, Ferreira, and dare I say Cooper). The problem with Schellas is that he always then benches Dax. For some reason, he thinks he needs to get into his head like a college coach to get more from him. Years of trying to break frat guys as SMU I guess.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:52:28 +0000

lets not forger Richetti in the back. By moving him to center back we were able to use Moor at right back. Wally should always play left back. The line drive crosses allowed us to switch the point of attack much quicker. Him & DVB worked well together. The back 4 allowed us to build an attack. Key to possesion & control of the game