Match Report: West Texas United Sockers vs FC Dallas Reserves
June 2nd, 2009 . 8:50 pm . By: Buzz CarrickWell really not the FC Dallas Reserves so much as the squad members that didn’t play against Chicago. FCD doesn’t really have a reserves as such, particularly now that so much of the developmental roster was cut. In the past one would see a squad of half developmental player and half guest players, making a true reserves in a way. Heck half the team out there today were once sure starters earlier this year. FCD in their red stripes ran the diamond 4-4-2 again with West Texas United in solid dark blue with white trim. Instead of two 45 minute halves they two teams played three 30 minute periods. I’ll give you the three FCD teams, but after the WTUS starters I won’t bother with changes. I wrote down their numbers so I will trust their site has a correct roster. FC Dallas First Period
Lucas is Lucas dos santos Oliveir the 19 year old Brazilian guest player who has been around for a week or so. And yes, Cooper started. West Texas United Sockers
WTUS used open subs and at some point every player they brought got in. Some returning after leaving. FC Dallas Second Period Cooper off, Cunningham on and plays right mid, Shea goes up top and Avila moves to left mid.
FC Dallas Third Period Wallace in for Cunningham, Avila to right mid.
GoalsFCD 1, WTUS 0 (first)- Wagner makes a give and go with Brek Shea, Wagner scores. FCD 2, WTUS 0 (second) – Marosevic on a long feed from Rocha. Marosevic scores. FCD 3 WTUS 0 (second) – Cunningham single handedly dribble through three defenders and scores back post. Thoughts and Observations- Davies looked really good. From the side line you sure can hear him directing traffic. He’s pretty much the only one you hear, and he talks continuously. I’m going with him for Man of the Match. I wanted to pick someone who went 90 and I thought his all around performance was the strongest of those that went the distance. - Wagner was playing far to aggressive up field on the strikers. Just like he does every time FCD plays against a 3-5-2. Just like every time it opened up the wing for the opposition wing back. Blake did work his tail off today though and was one of FCD’s better players despite his over aggressiveness. - FCD had to save off the line twice in this one. That’s not good. - Lucas the right back was interesting. He’s got great feat and is quite quick. He’s good in combination going forward. He likes to intercept passes rather than sitting deep. He’s not game fit as he cramped up with about 5 minute left and FCD played short. I like what I see today, there is some upside but he is very inexperienced at this level. - In period two FCD is pressing and WTUS can barley get past midfield. Period three FCD seems content to just pass the ball around and doesn’t really press for anything. Instead they just seem to be playing keep away. - Rocha’s mind is so far above this level of play. He keeps making little flicks and steps to turn away from pressure and into safety. To bad he seems to not give a crap these days. - Shea looks bright again. He doesn’t score, but he is really moving well on and off the ball. He’s getting fouled a lot too. - No McCarty nor Sanchez, that has to bode well for them playing again this weekend. - Cunningham at right midfield I would think means the 4-5-1 shape will also be repeated. - Saragosa did score, but it was ruled offside and called back. Ok, that’s about all I got. 8 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thanks for the report!
What do you think is Rocha’s problem this season? Just curious. I’vewondered if it has anything to do wth playing MLS vs in Brazil and the flack he might get at home? Or issues with SH? Sad, either way . . .
Anyway, I hope you’re right about Dax and Sanchez starting. I hope we see the same starting XI as last Sunday.
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
FCD looked pretty solid thru the midfield and the forward play, and parts of the defense did well, but other sections of defenders were having a bit of trouble with the opposition. Now before you gasp, the WTUS looked like a good bunch of young talent. I was very impressed with their will and tenacity. They should have scored at least 1x, probably 2x. You hate to think that a PDL team is a good test for an MLS side, but they were.
Hutch, I’d only be guessing, but I imagine he didn’t expect to spend a second season here.
You said, “Rocha’s mind is so far above this level of play. He keeps making little flicks and steps to turn away from pressure and into safety. To bad he seems to not give a crap these days.”
Maybe it’s just me, and maybe I’ve watched too much European soccer, so my view of MLS has become tempered (although — I LOVE my Red Stripes and will support them until it kills me!), but while yes — a player should “fight for the shirt” regardless of what team they are on, I can maybe see Rocha’s POV. Not that I’m excusing him for his attitude — but maybe I can see where it came from. It can’t help that FCD is next-to-last and has played some pretty poor soccer (partly with his help
).
Ironically, the night before the Chicago game, I was watching Seattle and Columbus play — and I kept thinking what UGLY soccer (with more fouling and physical play than actual possession soccer) that game was (oh, and Barcelona’s beautiful game was still on my mind at that point, which didn’t help). I was having trouble appreciating MLS level of play. However, FCD went out and played some NICE soccer the next day, restoring some of my faith! That game was far easier to watch than the Seattle/Columbus game.
Anyway, my point is . . . well, if Rocha can’t get his head in the MLS game, I hope they use the next transfer window to send him home. It doesn’t do anyone any good if he doesn’t want to be here. Sad, because I like Rocha.
I have never found anything to like in a player not giving his all. Maybe, it’s just me.
I should have said I like Rocha (or what he could be) but hate that he is not trying this season. He needs to go home. I’m just not an “it’s black or white” kinda person.
Rocha has always seemed like a moper. I like him as a player, too, and had really hoped he would break out this season, but it is very clear his heart is not in it.
[...] Just a quick reminder FCD is traveling to Midland on Tuesday for a scrimmage against the West Texas United Sockers. FCD previously defeated West Texas United 3-0 on June 2nd at Pizza Hut Park. [...]