July 6th, 2009 . 10:03 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Nobody ever lives their life all the way up except bull-fighters. - Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises

This was a must win game, although let’s be real – every home game is a must win game when you’re 13th in the standings, but New York was decimated by injures and is behind FCD in points.  They had only scored one away goal all year.   Even missing Cooper, this was a game for the taking.  A loss in this one would have been devastating.

Today’s game was the start of the second part of the season. This is what we have talked about all week in training. The first part did not go as well as we wanted it to but we at least ended it on a run. Our objective was to get three points tonight. We have won our past two games at home, so there are some good things. – Schellas Hyndman

El Bueno (The Good)

I don’t think you can go against a guy for Man of the Match when he gets a brace under the kind of immense pressure to perform that Cunningham was.  Terrific game from him.  He seems like a guy who plays better challenged.  He certainly made enough noise during the week, and even at halftime, about not getting subbed off.  He was active, worked hard for 90 minutes, and netted twice.  He came close a couple more times and should have had the hat trick.

I think we did well. Obviously [Jeff Cunningham] did great which was very urgent. I think that we might have run them into the game a little, but all in all I think we should have put them away earlier. – Dave van den Bergh

I really wanted to have a good performance and I felt I had a lot to prove. After 12 years in the league I still feel I need to prove myself. Tonight was just that desire to come out and have that kind of impact on the game. – Jeff Cunningham.

Another strong performance from Dax McCarty.  He’s raised the bar so high, I may have to re-evaluate what I call a strong game from him.  His range continues to improve and he’s remarkable fit as he continues to get sideline to sideline even late in the game.  Great tackle late to snuff out a counter.

Also a strong performance from David Ferreira I thought.  He probably should have scored, but none the less great work rate, engine, and effort.  He was constantly in danger spots and works well in tight space.  You can still tell there is a bit of a disconnect between what he’s doing and his teammates.  But that should continue to improve.

Dynamic performance from Brek Shea.  He’s so close to breaking through, once that first one comes it’ll be easier for him.  But you can see the skills, the ability to hold of defenders, the ability to beat two or three players at a time.  He’s looking to get combinations, but with the specific goal of going forward.  Big upside still here.

I give Dave van den Bergh credit for the switch to the right side, that’s not an easy thing to do.  The tactics are different because of which foot he uses, although to a guy with his pedigree it may be instinctual to switch.  VDB was strong all day, if not energetic in the heat, and the assist on the 2nd goal was class. Don’t underestimate his influence and leadership.

We have been working on that one all week. We worked on that quite a bit and it paid off in the end. We knew that it was a possibility to put [the ball] into the post with my left foot, and Jeff was exactly where he needed to be. – van den Bergh

Nice Dallas possession all day, that’s important in the heat.  Make the opposition chase.  I agree with Rhine the low Dallas fouls was about holding the ball.  The possession may also have helped Dallas looked sharp at the end of the game as New York started to fade over the last 20.

George John, nice to see him get back on the field, even if only for 9 minutes.  He could be important down the stretch.

I love the El Matador banners rail to top of stands banners.  Keep up the good work guys.

El Camino Central (Middle of the Road)

I’m not going to say Andre Rocha was bad, cause he wasn’t.  He was just invisible.  He did little on either end and is mainly just taking up space.  Can’t wait to get Sanchez back sine part of the move to the 4-1-4-1 was to take advantage of his penetrating attacks from midfield.

Kyle Davies has looked really good in this run of games, for a kid so young he’s so good positionally and makes few mental errors.  Until today.   Going up against a player of the caliber of Juan Pablo Angel it’s not shocking we saw the first signs of nerves and a couple bad passes that resulted in turnovers.  But all thing considered he’s still had a great run.

No Tan Bueno (Not So Good)

I think we all know how key Pablo Ricchetti has been to the defense turning the corner and in this game he was solid most of the day.  But in the last five minutes before halftime he had two massive gaffs, one of which resulted in the goal. Giving that goal was almost a disaster as it really kills the momentum going into halftime and in this case gave NY renewed life.  The first mistake was a poorly timed run forward from Pablo with little chance of success when his entire team was sitting at midfield, the resulting counter by Mbuta was saved by Burse and should have been a goal.  The second mistake came from Ricchetti when he tracked Angel into midfield but then lost him when Angel made his run back into the box and was wide open for the tap in goal.

We really thought that with that goal we were back in the game. It was one of those goals that set you up well for the second half. It was right at the end of the first half. Unfortunately, we could not capitalize on the chances that we had in the second half. They had their chances too and, at the end of the day, took them all night. – Juan Pablo Angel.

Anthony Wallace has come back to earth last two games, in this one he was on the verge of disaster.  Hyndman says Wallace was sick, so I forgive him to a certain extent.  But Wallace broke in to the first team and earned praise when he raised his intensity and focus.  The last two games that attitude change has been gone.  Wally has a unfortunately habit of giving up on plays when beat, or when chasing balls, or making runs… that’s going to keep him from being great.  Unfortunately Blake Wagner  hasn’t taken the chance and locked down the spot either.  Wager has a ton of skill, but the decision making isn’t good.  It won’t shock me to see Davies at left back as soon as John can start in the middle.

Wally was having some trouble in the first half. At halftime he said his stomach was turning on him. I probably would not have made the change at that time but maybe later in the game. Blake (Wagner) has played so much for us at that position so it was easy for him to come in. – Hyndman.

Overall this club just doesn’t have the killer instinct yet.  This one should have never been in doubt.  FCD keeps making dumb mental mistakes to let teams in the game and give them chances.  Even during this improved run of late, the mistakes are still happening.  Until the mental toughness and focus are found, this team can only get so much better.

Categories: 120 Fahrenheit.

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