**Feel free to discuss my ratings, or just tell me I'm an idiot, any criticism (good or bad) is much appreciated!**
I'll work from the back to the front and throw some subs at the end:
Hesmer - 7 - Played very well I thought in his 2nd start of the season. Made a crucial save early in the 2nd half on a Victorine rocket, keeping the game at 0-0.
Hendrickson - 6 - Not playing at 100%, I have to give EZ some credit. KC's winger gave him some problems in the 1st half, but he managed the situation quite admirably.
Marshall - 6 - Chad is starting to look very solid in the back, and I am going to venture a guess that he is becoming more confortable playing alongside Marcos. Very solid from Chad.
Gonzalez - 7 - Another solid performance by Marcos. There is a reason he was named the Crew's MVP last season. Work hard, play solid, and limit the mistakes: that's his game, and he's damn good at it.
Miglioranzi - 8 - I was extremely impressed with Migli in the back. Got forward very well, and scored the eventual winner.
O'Rourke - 6 - Solid performance by Danny. Lost possession a few times, but also managed to stifle quite a few KC attacks.
Oughton - 8 - Duncan's presence in the midfield was exactly what the Crew have been looking for . He played perfect transition between O'Rourke and Grabavoy, and also moved into the attack quite effectively. MotM
Grabavoy - 6 - I have seen Ned play better, and worse. He actually played a little more defensive than I have seen form him so far, but he was effective. Won a few headers over taller defenders, which is alway a plus.
Gaven - 7 - Eddie Gaven, where have you been? This is the guy that we traded Edson Buddle for. Now stick around, and keep playing like you did last night.
Moreno - 7 - Even though he didn't score, Moreno was the hardest working player on the field last night. Running down errant passes, keeping plays alive, etc. This guy embodies what the "Hardest Working Team" is all about.
Schelotto - 8 - Pure class. I will admit that I was wrong about him, and am glad I was. Created quite a few chances on his own, just want to see more selfishness in front of goal on golden opportunities.
Zayner (for Hendrickson, 71') - 6 - Saw his 1st MLS action since being injured for what seems like forever. Did not make any mistakes, and was quite effective in shutting down a few attacks.
Kamara (for Schelotto, 90+') - NR - Not in long enough to have an impact, or to be rated.
I'll put some pre-game thoughts for the LA match sometime before the game for your reading pleasure!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
It's been a while friend...
Welcome back friends, you've been missed.
With the lack of updates, I wish I could say that you have missed something, but with only one win, and a good amount of injuries, I would be a liar. That being said, I am still trying to hold out hope for this season, even though my hope has dwindled with every passing game. There have been some flashes here and there of good soccer from our beloved team, but unfortunately, flashes and $5 can get you a latte at Starbucks.
One talking point as of late has been the replacement of Andy Greunebaum in the starting XI with Will Hesmer. I'm not sure if I subscribe to Mr. Schmid's "change it up" theory, especially when the changes need to be made in the middle 3rd of the field, but hey, that is why he gets paid the big bucks and has the shoe deals (and it's another argument for another day). Hesmer didn't look horrible in his first match against the Revs, but what can be expected out of a guy who has seen very limited time in his 3+ years in the MLS? I'm not going to form a solid opinion on the kid yet, I'll give him a few more games, provided Sigi has given him long enough of a leash to last that long.
Another bright spot in the last few weeks has been Alejandro Moreno. Yeah, I know, 2 goals in 2 games, big deal. But before his diving equalizer against New England, I thought he just happened to be in the right place at the right time against Houston. The guy has an incredible work rate, which is something that has impressed me so far, but his finishing outside of the 2 headers has been less than spectacular. Maybe if Guille can keep serving balls to his head, we won't have a problem.
Speaking of our Argentinian friend, I am still not 100% sold on this guy. I know he is saying and doing the right things publicly, but I want to see these things take hold and make something happen on the field. Against New England, he was without a doubt the best player on the field (sorry Adam) but it's going to take more than one game to sell me. Keep playing like you did against the Revs, and you will have one more GBS fan.
Mini-recap is over with for now, let's take a look ahead at this week's games:
Tonight against GAM-less Kansas City:
This game is scary to me, yes KC doesn't have their deadly goal-scorer...or do they? Yura Movsisyan tallied a brace coming off the bench against the Red Bulls, and it would not shock me to see him get the start against the very shaky Crew defense. Speaking of which, the Crew are somewhat depleted due to National team call-ups (wow, it's been a while since that has been said), and the back line will look makeshift at best.
Predicted lineup:
--------------------Hesmer--------------------
Oughton---Marshall---Gonzalez---Miglioranzi
--------Gaven---O'Rourke---Grabavoy--------
-------Schelotto---Moreno---Kamara (?)-----
Prediction for the outcome:
Well the Crew need to win games at home, or anywhere for that matter. After last week's 2-goal comeback, I think the team will be hungry to double their win total on the year (sad, I know).
3-1 Crew (Moreno, Gaven, Moreno) (Movsisyan)
Now onto the Saturday game @ Los Angeles against the Gals:
No point in a projected lineup, I'm not that in tune with the future. But I will say, that the Gals looked somewhat decent and threatening against RSL (but then again, who hasn't, and don't answer that or you'll look dumb). With the addition of Xavier and Buddle, I think they are going to start their rise from the bottom. Funny thing is, Kyle Martino scored the game-winner for the Crew in this matchup last season, let's hope history doesn't repeat for the bad guys.
1-1 Tie (Schelotto)(Buddle)
Enjoy this week Crew fans, and eat massive amounts of brats tonight!
With the lack of updates, I wish I could say that you have missed something, but with only one win, and a good amount of injuries, I would be a liar. That being said, I am still trying to hold out hope for this season, even though my hope has dwindled with every passing game. There have been some flashes here and there of good soccer from our beloved team, but unfortunately, flashes and $5 can get you a latte at Starbucks.
One talking point as of late has been the replacement of Andy Greunebaum in the starting XI with Will Hesmer. I'm not sure if I subscribe to Mr. Schmid's "change it up" theory, especially when the changes need to be made in the middle 3rd of the field, but hey, that is why he gets paid the big bucks and has the shoe deals (and it's another argument for another day). Hesmer didn't look horrible in his first match against the Revs, but what can be expected out of a guy who has seen very limited time in his 3+ years in the MLS? I'm not going to form a solid opinion on the kid yet, I'll give him a few more games, provided Sigi has given him long enough of a leash to last that long.
Another bright spot in the last few weeks has been Alejandro Moreno. Yeah, I know, 2 goals in 2 games, big deal. But before his diving equalizer against New England, I thought he just happened to be in the right place at the right time against Houston. The guy has an incredible work rate, which is something that has impressed me so far, but his finishing outside of the 2 headers has been less than spectacular. Maybe if Guille can keep serving balls to his head, we won't have a problem.
Speaking of our Argentinian friend, I am still not 100% sold on this guy. I know he is saying and doing the right things publicly, but I want to see these things take hold and make something happen on the field. Against New England, he was without a doubt the best player on the field (sorry Adam) but it's going to take more than one game to sell me. Keep playing like you did against the Revs, and you will have one more GBS fan.
Mini-recap is over with for now, let's take a look ahead at this week's games:
Tonight against GAM-less Kansas City:
This game is scary to me, yes KC doesn't have their deadly goal-scorer...or do they? Yura Movsisyan tallied a brace coming off the bench against the Red Bulls, and it would not shock me to see him get the start against the very shaky Crew defense. Speaking of which, the Crew are somewhat depleted due to National team call-ups (wow, it's been a while since that has been said), and the back line will look makeshift at best.
Predicted lineup:
--------------------Hesmer--------------------
Oughton---Marshall---Gonzalez---Miglioranzi
--------Gaven---O'Rourke---Grabavoy--------
-------Schelotto---Moreno---Kamara (?)-----
Prediction for the outcome:
Well the Crew need to win games at home, or anywhere for that matter. After last week's 2-goal comeback, I think the team will be hungry to double their win total on the year (sad, I know).
3-1 Crew (Moreno, Gaven, Moreno) (Movsisyan)
Now onto the Saturday game @ Los Angeles against the Gals:
No point in a projected lineup, I'm not that in tune with the future. But I will say, that the Gals looked somewhat decent and threatening against RSL (but then again, who hasn't, and don't answer that or you'll look dumb). With the addition of Xavier and Buddle, I think they are going to start their rise from the bottom. Funny thing is, Kyle Martino scored the game-winner for the Crew in this matchup last season, let's hope history doesn't repeat for the bad guys.
1-1 Tie (Schelotto)(Buddle)
Enjoy this week Crew fans, and eat massive amounts of brats tonight!
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