Zip It: FC Dallas at New York
August 23rd, 2009 . 6:59 pm . By: Jay Brownlee
In the no good, horrible, very bad season of 2009, FC Dallas has continued to invent new ways to disappoint. In between the rare wins and streaks of improved play, this team has found new bottoms of misery and ineptitude. But Sunday afternoon on the rock-hard astro-whatever of Giants Stadium in New Jersey, FC Dallas plumbed new depths in a 3-2 loss to 10-men New York Red Bulls. This match was a trap from the start. New York, after appearing in the MLS Cup match only a season ago, has been mired in an historically bad season, on pace for the fewest wins in MLS history. The club had not won a match since May 8th and had not led in any match since June. The defense has been Swiss cheese and the scoring nearly as sparse as fans in the stands at Giants Stadium. Only a week ago, Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio resigned his post. But for those of us who forget, Major League Soccer is a professional sport. Even the beaten and bloodied dregs of MLS have pride. Former fire-brand player Ritchie Williams, left in charge of New York’s beaten players with no promises of remaining in charge of this club, took helm just in time for mistake-prone FC Dallas to visit Hell. Signs appeared almost immediately that this day would be a long one for the men in stripes within the first five minutes of kick-off. Brek Shea, racing down the left flank, was allowed a virtually point-blank shot, only to push the ball harmlessly over the goal. Then, an uncharacteristic turnover by Pablo Ricchetti was turned into a nifty over-the-top ball for Juan Pablo Angel, who chipped helpless Dario Sala for 1-0 lead. Dallas appeared to settle down a bit, notching the equalizer 15 minutes later when Jeff Cunningham’s well placed cross square to goal found Dax McCarty, whose soft-touch header looped over the Red Bulls ‘keeper. But the tie would last only eight minutes, as Dane Richards scored with assists from John Wolyniec and Andrew Celades. It was Richards’ second goal of the year. But as the skies opened up over the threadbare plastic pitch of Giants Stadium, the weather was a sign of impending ruin for FC Dallas. In the 60th minute, New York defender Kevin Goldthwaite threw a punch at Andre Rocha right in front of referee Jasen Anno. Goldthwaite’s stupidly blatant act of aggression earned him the straight red and certainly a few more games off after league review. Dallas had its chance. It took until the 72nd minute, Dave Van Den Berg hit the equalizer with assistance from McCarty. With Dallas applying pressure and New York down to ten men, it looked like New York had found a way to blow the lead and maybe even lose the match. But it would be Dario Sala’s turn at an uncharacteristic mistake. Macoumba Kandji’s low, hard shot from distance was parried right to the feet of Angel, who easily beat the ‘keeper, providing the final score, 3-2. But that’s what bad teams do: find ways to lose. It would be beyond wonder that Head Coach Schellas Hyndman and his players would not have been aware of a trap match like this one. Yet key players found ways to make mistakes that cost the team the match. In a “good” season, every team has these games, but in a bad season like this one, they are just more salt in fresh wounds. The rest of this season will be spent playing for next year. The introduction of Marvin Chavez looms. Perhaps that will be another silver lining in this cloudy season of woes. But for today, in the shadow of yet another ugly loss, excitement for next season seems faint. 7 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
What, no rant about how wonderful SH is? No pedantic lecture to those of us calling for his head?
At least Jeffries got his subs in the game in time for the handshake. SH uses them to early like he’s still at SMU, then forgets he has them when it’s time to throw out something new. He didn’t win at SMU, he’s not winning here. It’s not because it’s not his team, good coaches have done much more with less.
When does the interesting experiment run its course? To be honest, I’ll let him have the rest of the season. The windows are closes, no coach is going to walk in and take the drumming of being here this season. IMO, what happens the day after the last game will say a lot about what’s left of the HSG heart.
Why is it that Dallas always makes the opposing coach look like an utter genius with their substitutions? Guys come off the bench and play brilliant. speaking of subs, what the hell did Rocha contribute to the game besides taking a missed punch after coming on for Brek? Why was Brek pulled anyway? SH makes decisions that totally baffle me.
Gutted would be an understatement! Always support the team! Never give up on your colors! However, be realistic in your expectations for 2009… no playoffs, no chance, no real coach, and no bloody clue! Rocha got the punch in the face most FCD Supporters would have paid to plant! Dax and Dave V were awesome! I feel too sick to say anymore. Roll on 2010 and I hope a new coach!
We knew going in they would be amped up.
We knew going in that we had better players.
We’re the ones that still had a shot at the playoffs.
And we obviously didn’t want it enough.
That falls on everybody.
Agreed that the responsibility falls on everyone. However the decisions at the top of this organisation seem to be inept far more than smart. Fire SH before your team is ruined Mr. Hunt
Remember, people, our central back pairing for this game (and many of late) is Richetti, who, I don’t care what you say, is playing out of position, and Kyle Davies who is talented but extremely raw.
This team is really just a couple of players away from being really good, in my opinion. It’s just a question of whether Shellas can steer the ship. For me, this last stretch of games will be crucial in determining that,
Shellas has coached for the equivalent of one full season. What has he really done to give us any comfort that he can competently steer the ship? His in-game management skills are horrible and he doesn’t seem to know how to handle professional players.
Can he steer the ship? I guess as it sails out of port in calm waters, he’s fine. But once they are out in the open ocean, he doesn’t know how to maneuver the helm, or properly give orders to adjust the sales. And for sure, halfway through the voyage, he’ll send one of the sailors below deck and replace him with another for no apparent reason. Great for morale.
The question is not weather Shellas can steer the ship. The question is how long before there is mutiny on the HMS FCD.