Excellent dissection and analysis of The Referee Problem. It's hurting the beautiful game across the MLS — and the league's reputation internationally. I also believe that some refs target the Timbers because our fans, me included, embarrass them with chants dedicated to their brazen ineptness. And why, dare I ask, did last night's stellar ref never card any LAFC players for repeated mass confrontation?
On a bright note, the atmosphere last night was electric. And with this improved team, more of these nights are ahead.
Great write up Jeremy. Glad to hear you're a union man!
There is no doubt that LAFC is one of the best teams in the league, and we hung three goals on them. I am ok with the result, even though we let them back in the game cheaply. Miller's foul at the top of the box is a mistake that should not happen. There is no reason to foul there. And Mosquera is nowhere to be found on the penalty kick. Why? Well, I'd guess his penchant to go racing up the field and forgetting there is a top flight winger to think about. Of course when the counter goes awry, he's caught up field, leaving Chara to do his duties. I'm thinking it's just not his mentality to defend first. When he was back he defended ok. I will give him credit for his ball in to Rodriguez - nice job. Without Pantemis, maybe we lose this game. His saves were insane - point blank blasts that he reacts to. Incredible.
I think we lost something when Antony left. He was terrorizing the back line in the first half. So was Da Costa. They had no answer for him and it was too bad we didn't have more to show for it. I actually thought we would keep taking it to them in the second half. That clearly didn't happen. We lost the midfield. Ayala was amazing in the first half and I think he expended so much that he kinda faded in the second half. I'm still not feeling Ortiz. Paredes is bigger and faster and could have battled Tillman. You mentioned it Jeremy, and the key to winning the midfield was positioning for second balls. They had a wall of midfielders ready to receive a headed ball from the back line, from either side. They won all the second balls, and we got worn down defending, and there was no release man like an Antony. It's all good. It was a great game, and it would have been epic had Da Costa hit his free kick. I'm pulling for him. He's going to start banging in goals.
That game was a blast to watch, if ultimately disappointing. So many circumstances would have had me thrilled at a draw. Not this one
Also, I may be changing religion on Kamal Miller. He's been a rock all season, and last night was amazing. That's a tough conversion for me because I adore Zup, but that pairing just didn't work. Surman has been a spectacular addition, not just based on his own stellar play, but also because he has allowed Miller to shine.
miller was fantastic last night and a couple of his passes out of the back were nothing short of brilliant. the mora pass you highlighted had people in my section (217 - we know good soccer when we see it!) standing and applauding...more should have been done with it. da costa continues to impress even without a goal or assist. (that shot off the post was an inch from stardom!) as a fan, i have no problems with the outcome. sure, i'm disappointed we didn't win, but i left with a very positive feeling about this team. i was thoroughly entertained!
Great write-up! The analysis is spot on in my opinion. I whole-heartedly agree that we need to be more direct and (Santi aside) need a bit more selfishness from our attackers. It drives me crazy to see is pull back on promising attacking movements. I believe it was Red Star Belgrade that found that if you hadn’t shot after three attacking passes, then you had basically no chance of scoring. If you look up some of their matches from the 90’s you’ll see this philosophy in action. Tldr, we need to be more direct because this possession attack philosophy isn’t the best for this team.
Excellent dissection and analysis of The Referee Problem. It's hurting the beautiful game across the MLS — and the league's reputation internationally. I also believe that some refs target the Timbers because our fans, me included, embarrass them with chants dedicated to their brazen ineptness. And why, dare I ask, did last night's stellar ref never card any LAFC players for repeated mass confrontation?
On a bright note, the atmosphere last night was electric. And with this improved team, more of these nights are ahead.
Great write up Jeremy. Glad to hear you're a union man!
There is no doubt that LAFC is one of the best teams in the league, and we hung three goals on them. I am ok with the result, even though we let them back in the game cheaply. Miller's foul at the top of the box is a mistake that should not happen. There is no reason to foul there. And Mosquera is nowhere to be found on the penalty kick. Why? Well, I'd guess his penchant to go racing up the field and forgetting there is a top flight winger to think about. Of course when the counter goes awry, he's caught up field, leaving Chara to do his duties. I'm thinking it's just not his mentality to defend first. When he was back he defended ok. I will give him credit for his ball in to Rodriguez - nice job. Without Pantemis, maybe we lose this game. His saves were insane - point blank blasts that he reacts to. Incredible.
I think we lost something when Antony left. He was terrorizing the back line in the first half. So was Da Costa. They had no answer for him and it was too bad we didn't have more to show for it. I actually thought we would keep taking it to them in the second half. That clearly didn't happen. We lost the midfield. Ayala was amazing in the first half and I think he expended so much that he kinda faded in the second half. I'm still not feeling Ortiz. Paredes is bigger and faster and could have battled Tillman. You mentioned it Jeremy, and the key to winning the midfield was positioning for second balls. They had a wall of midfielders ready to receive a headed ball from the back line, from either side. They won all the second balls, and we got worn down defending, and there was no release man like an Antony. It's all good. It was a great game, and it would have been epic had Da Costa hit his free kick. I'm pulling for him. He's going to start banging in goals.
Another great writeup, Jeremy. Thank you.
That game was a blast to watch, if ultimately disappointing. So many circumstances would have had me thrilled at a draw. Not this one
Also, I may be changing religion on Kamal Miller. He's been a rock all season, and last night was amazing. That's a tough conversion for me because I adore Zup, but that pairing just didn't work. Surman has been a spectacular addition, not just based on his own stellar play, but also because he has allowed Miller to shine.
I'm not sure how that works, but I'll take it.
miller was fantastic last night and a couple of his passes out of the back were nothing short of brilliant. the mora pass you highlighted had people in my section (217 - we know good soccer when we see it!) standing and applauding...more should have been done with it. da costa continues to impress even without a goal or assist. (that shot off the post was an inch from stardom!) as a fan, i have no problems with the outcome. sure, i'm disappointed we didn't win, but i left with a very positive feeling about this team. i was thoroughly entertained!
Great write-up! The analysis is spot on in my opinion. I whole-heartedly agree that we need to be more direct and (Santi aside) need a bit more selfishness from our attackers. It drives me crazy to see is pull back on promising attacking movements. I believe it was Red Star Belgrade that found that if you hadn’t shot after three attacking passes, then you had basically no chance of scoring. If you look up some of their matches from the 90’s you’ll see this philosophy in action. Tldr, we need to be more direct because this possession attack philosophy isn’t the best for this team.
Awesome as usual, Jeremy! I especially enjoyed the Arrested Development reference!
"We demand to be taken seriously"