What to do with Brad Evans?
by K61 on May 16, 2010 8:57 PM PDT
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I just got done watching the Sounders FC video wrap up of the Red Bulls game, and like he did in the broadcast, Arlo continued raving about Brad Evans' work rate. I can't disagree with him. Brad was all over the field and did a good job putting pressure on Ream every time he touched the ball. It was like having a great defender playing up front. That's the problem...
I've read this blog for a while and definitely agree that the team aspires to what Dave Clark has referred to as "Sigi's Game" in previous posts. The basic philosophy is that the team is to always on the attack. Attack the ball, and when you get possession attack the goal. Over the last three games, I feel like Evans has proven that being at forward is not where he fits best in "Sigi's Game". I can't count the number of times a counter attack had developed and it came to him, but rather than pressing forward, he passes back. He doesn't have the skills to lead the attack. Zakuani, the Fredian, and (most recently) Nayasi have shown the creative skills necessary to receive a counterattack pass and continue pressing forward towards the goal.
Evans has shown pretty clearly that he does not have the touch necessary to lead the attack in the final third the way these other players do. In the last three games I don't think I've seen him try to "juke" or "fake" anyone with the ball at his feet in an attempt to create a shooting opportunity for himself or someone else. Thinking back on his 3 goals as a Sounder (maybe it was 4?), he relies on the creativity of others in his attack. This is not meant to be a criticism of him at all. I'm just trying to understand where he can be the most productive for the Sounders.
All I'm saying is he can't (or doesn't) lead the attack. However, he has proven that he can feed the attack very well. As a defensive-mid, he's proven very effective at immediately turning a stolen ball into an attack opportunity. The critical value to "Sigi's Game" he does an excellent job at is feeding the attack. He and Alonso are equally effective in this role. His assist in the New York game was an example of his ability to feed the ball forward with devastating quickness. Remember that he was back in the midfield when he did that.
Interestingly, Vagenas has previously been ineffective as an attack feeder, but is getting better as of late. With Noonan, Jaqua, Fucito, (and most recently) Montero taking turns being unavailable in the front 3 (or 2), I believe Sigi has moved Evans forward to fill in until we have at least 3 true attack leaders available. This has opened up Evans' previous spot for Vagenas to grow into (and grow he has). The question I have is whether Evans will still have a starting spot there after he's no longer needed as a stop-gap up front.
If we stick with a 4-3-3 (which feels like a natural evolution of "Sigi's Game") then I believe that Evans, Alonso, (and most recently) Vagenas are the best fit for the two defensive-mid positions. Ljungberg has been very vocal about how well he fits in the attacking-mid position (I totally agree here). In the front three, Sigi needs to find the right combination of Zakuani, Montero, Nayasi, Jaqua, Fucito, and Noonan. Noonan might also be a good backup for Ljungberg.
Other possibilities... Maybe Evans is not a stop-gap and this represents a long term departure from "Sigi's Game" where the coach puts a more defensive minded person up front (Montero has been lacking in this area). Maybe people think I'm wrong about Evans and he's actually a great attacker with excellent touch on the ball and I just don't see it.
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I've been thinking the same thing
Brad is adequete at so many roles, but ideally he is a CDM (more deep lying playmaker type) or a CM than anything else, but when the 4-2-1-3 roles out at full health will Evans be a Starter?
Or will he be the guy that starts every match, but in a different role every time?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I am thinking the latter
Especially when Jaqua and then Kufo are on the 18 man roster. Evans is a better than average player, he just does not stand out at any one thing. His best quality now appears that he can play several positions, which can be very valuable to a team.
I do think his weakest position is as a striker. While he gets himself int to position to score, he just does not have that scorers instinct to actually score.
Agreed
That scoring play on Saturday against New York illustrated a number of things. Evans did what he does best by quickly feeding the attack with a very well placed pass. Montero put his amazing technical skills on display by receiving the pass off his chest, then his thigh, touched it with his right foot, and then shot with his left.
If Evans is switched with Montero on that play and he’s the one receiving the pass, I think 99 times out of 100, that ball’s going out of bounds for a goal kick. However, the further irony is that if Montero is in Evans’ place on that play, he never makes that pass. He would likely dribble in place until 3 defenders are pressuring him, then make a bad pass and lose the ball.
Evans did have close to the same kind of chance in the first half and botched it with his touch.
Luckily Ljuneberg was there to stop it from going out of bounds and got a corner out of it.
by seattle_since_81 on May 17, 2010 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Hard to say at least to me on what’s gonna happen with Evans. With Kufo on the 18 coming july 15 and Jaqua coming off the IR, its almost going to be Jaqua vs Evans on who will be on the Starting XI.
It's a great problem to have
It’s just so far away, so many things can happen. That depth is really going to be key once the USOC schedule kicks in.
Because if it's not Love | Then it's the bomb ... | That will bring us together
by Jeremiah Oshan on May 17, 2010 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Jaqua's size seems like it could have helped a lot on sat.
there were a couple plays to Evans that he blew not because he played poorly, but because he needed a few more inches to direct the ball on goal. Jaqua can offer a little help in that respect on some of the crosses. The ball got just over the defender but that put it just out of reach of Evans to effectively control it.
I tend to agree with all of this
I do think the one potential thing that is being overlooked is the fact that Evans’ box-to-box ability kind of facilitates other players being more aggressive. Basically, it has allowed Sigi to deploy a 4-3-3 without really giving up much defensively since Evans is playing like a mid that pushes farther up the field.
I don’t think Evans is best utilized up front, though, and have a hard time seeing him there once this team is at full strength. I think he’ll definitely move back to the central midfield, the real question will be whether Sigi sticks with the 4-3-3 or if he reverts to the 4-2-3-1. Either way, I think having someone with Evans’ versatility is something Sigi has shown he values.
Because if it's not Love | Then it's the bomb ... | That will bring us together
by Jeremiah Oshan on May 16, 2010 11:28 PM PDT reply actions
RM behind Nyassi
I think Nyassi earned a repeated starting spot this saturday. and I think Evans behind him would be the best spot. I would also say Sturgis needs to be on the field. did you see his corner kicks? a serious threat, unlike the ’FL’oaters that we never win.
here’s my starting XI for next week:
Zakuani -—— Montero -—— Nyassi
Sturgis -——Ljungberg -—— Evans
———- Alonso -——
Ianni -—— -—— Riley
———- Hurtado -——
———- Keller -——
this will get you 4 goals next week.
Evans beside Alonso
In a 4-2-1-3?
and Ianni rather than Marshall
Nyassi at RW over options like Montano, Estrada and Jaqua?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
I did like Sturgis as the free kick taker
I thought he was putting the ball in to the box with greater speed and purpose then we’ve seen from Freddie.
I’d like to see Sturgis get three or four games starting in the midfield to see if he can play his way into game awarness and touch.
I am not sold on Sturgis as anything more than depth
If he is going to earn MLS time, it is going to be in all the non-MLS matches coming up. Sturgis looks good in short periods, but the longer he plays the more he gets exposed.
That's why I want him to get a couple games
I’m always left with the impression of rusty play when I see him play. He has flashes of good play, but always seems to be struggling with field vision and defensive positioning. I’m not sure if he has it, but I know I’m not going to see it if he doesn’t get more game time.
I do not agree nor disagree
I just think the playing time that he should get is in the non-MLS games. If he shows in those games that he deserves more, then you begin to work him into the rotation in MLS games. He still is very young, so he may turn out to be better than I he is.
Yep...
My wife actually commented on the quality of the Ljungberg’s corners improving, before realizing that Sturgis was the one that hit it. It is pretty obvious to everyone.
by brokejumper on May 17, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
can someone let FL know that he no longer is the one taking free kicks or corners? maybe it would mean the most coming from Sigi
As opposed to us, you mean?
Yeah, you’re probably right. :)
Because if it's not Love | Then it's the bomb ... | That will bring us together
by Jeremiah Oshan on May 17, 2010 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Rust
I was frustrated with Riley his first game back against NYRB at home in April (he sat the opener with a red card/accumulation from last season). Since then, it looks like he shook the rust off and I’m glad he’s our RB now. I’m sure the same could be said about many other Sounders.
Fan of: Cards, Blues, Yellow Jackets, Rams, Wolverines, and Blazers.
by ColinMacLeod on May 17, 2010 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
His time will come
I’ve been a Sturgis supporter from the beginning. He played great up until injury last season, and it’s been a long road for him to get back. Once his rustiness as blakec put it wears off, he’ll be solid. I see him being USOC/CCL starting material for sure, and then slowly working into a starting/sub role depending on injuries for the rest of this season.
by chrisperry1983 on May 17, 2010 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions
This post is enlightening
I have been a huge Evans critic. But I saw him play well Saturday, just not in the finishing third. I came away disappointed, but now thinking that maybe he really is a solid player and just not in the right position opens up a bunch of new thought…I’ll wait and see what Sigi does. Maybe moving him back would be a better situation.
by chrisperry1983 on May 17, 2010 11:01 AM PDT reply actions
hope Sigi figures it out
it’s very rare that you force a player that has no finishing ability into a forward role. injuries and such have played into that. i think Nyassi has proven he deserves more time up front. Evans, if in the starting lineup, should play a supporting role. good spot at RM to feed to Nyassi…..
CF as a distributor rather than scorer?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Ljungberg is playing the CAM
about 20 yards back from the CF
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
i understand
i am saying that you suggest Evans as a distributing CF…so what exactly would FL be doing? distributing to Evans? i think it is insane to press Evans into a forward mold. like a square ped into a round hole. i know it is only until Jaqua or Nkufo are back…but wouldn’t you agree that Zak, Montero and Nyassi would be the best 3 up front.
Just my two cents
But I don’t think anyone’s suggesting that Evans fill the exact same role as FL. There’s plenty of room for two players whose primary role is distributing, especially if they’re on different planes of field.
Because if it's not Love | Then it's the bomb ... | That will bring us together
by Jeremiah Oshan on May 17, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm wondering if Evans as the distributing CF
is to develop the team to think of Jaqua that why, so that rather than boom an aerial at his head they will be aiming at his feet, like was best with Evans.
Jaqua makes solid runs, and has a good touch inside the crowded 18.
Having a distributing Forward allows 3 triangles to be run
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Brad Evan's is a CM....
That seems to be what his position he is best at is. The problem is…with formation variations of the 4-3-3 we seem to be playing (most notably a 4-2-1-3) there isn’t really a position for a plain “CM”. He is more attacking minded to be a pure CDM along with Alonso (his few shots don’t make him attacking minded in my book) and Vaegnas. He also doesn’t have the touch to be a pure CAM backup of Freddie Ljungberg.
We don’t have “RM” or “LM” in the formations we have been playing as we have more LW and RW’s. I don’t believe he is a winger either.
Which then brings me to my thought that as others have pointed out, he plays a lot of positions, and does so pretty well but he just doesn’t stand out in any one single position. I would argue this is because he doesn’t play the best role for himself because we don’t really have that position in the formations we have.
So does that mean he wont have a starting role once the rest of our forwards are healthy? I’m not sure…but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets used as a sub sometimes in the relatively near future.
by SounderEvertonRomaFan on May 17, 2010 12:02 PM PDT reply actions
Portland or Vancouver
not having a position for him means he is most likely going to be changing jerseys next year…..
sucks to be whoever Portland chooses. i can’t imagine having to change franchises. at least LeToux got to go to a team that not everyone in Seattle hated….
That is until the Sounders played the Union
and Coach Nowak started whining like a newborn baby after being slapped after birth. The dirty way he has his team play makes me hope they lose every game.
very true but...
with two expansion teams, who knows how the “expansion draft(s)” are going to be.
That being said, who knows if Evans will be protected or not. Someone who is as versatile as him, even if he doesn’t play his best role because we don’t have that for him, who is also an above average player…maybe be someone worth keeping.
Getting way ahead of ourselves here though… in the meantime, once people get healthy in our Forward role…the more I think about…the more likely he is to be a sub all over the field.
by SounderEvertonRomaFan on May 17, 2010 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
No way
Evans is Sigi’s boy. He’ll never let him go.
by chrisperry1983 on May 17, 2010 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions
PV is also sigi’s boy and yet union could have taken him instead of le toux in the expansion draft not that they would have. We have added 2 more good players on the team so far. Parke and Kufo once he transfers over and 2 that would most likely be protected. Evans may be the unfortunate person of being left unprotected. But we won’t know until November hits.
Unless Marshall retires
I doubt Parke will be protected. We have a ton of good-to-decent defensive depth. Vagenas is a whole different story – I think Sigi knew they wouldn’t take him because 1) because of his age, 2) because of his injury history and 3) because of his salary. That was purely a strategic move on his part. Now why he wouldn’t have left Marshall unprotected and protected Le Toux is beyond me. Marshall is even older, and I believe has a higher salary.
Next season will be interesting with the expansion draft. Two teams taking players away seems totally unfeasible for the league. Maybe they’ll get extra draft picks or something instead.
by chrisperry1983 on May 17, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
room to find someone else
You can think of it this way. If a team takes 2 players from the sounders it just gives them two more spots to go out and find somebody… and we all know how well the players brought in have been, pretty good (theoretically at very least).
Exactly
Losing players in the expansion draft means the Sounders are doing a good job identifying and acquiring useful talent. I’d rather be in that position than the teams who have NO players taken, as it suggests they have a roster full of lesser and/or older players.
That seems kind of circular
The way I read this, you’d rather have players taken away because it’s affirming our roster selection history? I think performance is a good gauge of that. Plus there are a lot of other factors affecting who chooses who to take. Mainly, they’ll take positions they are in need of. I’d much rather keep the team intact and let us make our own decisions on who to waive or not re-sign, etc rather than have someone removed without our control over it. And yes to some extent we have control. But last year for example, Sigi/Adrian made it clear that leaving Le Toux and Riley unprotected was extremely difficult. They didn’t fit into the protected group, but it doesn’t mean they weren’t still needed or not valued. I think Sigi would’ve protected all but a few if the rules didn’t limit things.
by chrisperry1983 on May 18, 2010 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
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