The previous meeting between both of these teams launched one and sent the other into a freefall. Can the Timbers continue their upward trajectory, or will the Quakes return the favor?
Far post defense: That would be Mosquera and Bravo. We know Bravo can defend at the post, but Mosquera has room for improvement.
Moreno/Antony: I suppose it has been well documented that I prefer Antony. My theory is that Antony has been kinda screwed playing on the left, and barely on the right, and doesn't always get to play with Evander, because when he does, he's dynamite. And my theory continues that if you just played Antony on the right and for full games, you'd get plenty of production from him. I think he's just better than Moreno on the wing. Some might say that it is a luxury having these two, but I think it comes at the expense of Antony's production because Moreno seems to be favored.
re Moreno/Antony: Our right side is so warped out of shape this year by their need to provide defensive cover for JDM lining up so far upfield. Both these guys have deficiencies to work out with their games, neither is being helped at all by that extra duty, and it's making our offense break down too much.
Primarily, neither are good crossers, nor do they look on the counter to switch and open the whole field to our breakouts. Antony has great tools physically but is raw; he needs a left foot, a better first touch and overall offensive poise. Moreno is small and slight, loses the ball way too much in traffic, and is prone close to the 18 yd box to dribble right into multiple defenders.
The fact that Antony can get in behind and is more apt to get to the endline and cross nullifies any need for JDM to be too far forward. In fact, give him room to operate and if he cuts it back out then JDM is there to cross from the top of box area. Moreno, IMO, does not offer that in his took set, and thus, requires more offensive help from JDM. I do think Antony can cross (with his right, mostly).
Far post defense: That would be Mosquera and Bravo. We know Bravo can defend at the post, but Mosquera has room for improvement.
Moreno/Antony: I suppose it has been well documented that I prefer Antony. My theory is that Antony has been kinda screwed playing on the left, and barely on the right, and doesn't always get to play with Evander, because when he does, he's dynamite. And my theory continues that if you just played Antony on the right and for full games, you'd get plenty of production from him. I think he's just better than Moreno on the wing. Some might say that it is a luxury having these two, but I think it comes at the expense of Antony's production because Moreno seems to be favored.
re Moreno/Antony: Our right side is so warped out of shape this year by their need to provide defensive cover for JDM lining up so far upfield. Both these guys have deficiencies to work out with their games, neither is being helped at all by that extra duty, and it's making our offense break down too much.
Primarily, neither are good crossers, nor do they look on the counter to switch and open the whole field to our breakouts. Antony has great tools physically but is raw; he needs a left foot, a better first touch and overall offensive poise. Moreno is small and slight, loses the ball way too much in traffic, and is prone close to the 18 yd box to dribble right into multiple defenders.
The fact that Antony can get in behind and is more apt to get to the endline and cross nullifies any need for JDM to be too far forward. In fact, give him room to operate and if he cuts it back out then JDM is there to cross from the top of box area. Moreno, IMO, does not offer that in his took set, and thus, requires more offensive help from JDM. I do think Antony can cross (with his right, mostly).