Major League Soccer
Fredy Montero: Putting the 'Artist' Back in 'Trequartista'
by Graham on Aug 31, 2010 3:27 PM PDT
in Major League Soccer
13 comments
I was inspired to write on Montero by Kirsten's post on Seattle regional. Thankfully, we can go into a little more depth on tactics and formations here, so I can build off what she's already written.
It's funny how fast things can change. Barely four months ago, Sounders fans were calling for Fredy Montero's head, and now we're all writing him love notes. So what's changed? It certainly appears that he's playing with more passion, more fire, but those are weak explanations used to deflect questions rather than attempt to answer them. Montero is probably a little fitter, yes, but hard work and improved stamina alone do not explain the amazing transformation we've seen from the 23 year-old Colombian, who has metamorphosed into a leading league MVP candidate despite spending the entire first half doing more or less nothing.
July 11th was the turnaround point for the team's season. In the three games prior to the 1-1 draw against FC Dallas, the Seattle Sounders had managed to lose to DC United at home and then to the Philadelphia Union and Los Angeles Galaxy away. Since, they have secured seventeen out of twenty-one possible points in MLS play, and they did it while playing beautiful, fluid football. Montero was at the centre of it all.
What else happened on July 11th? A certain highly-paid player who had featured prominently for Seattle was dropped from the lineup - for good. In his absence, Montero has taken on the role of creative attacker along with his habit of poaching goals, inserting himself into the very middle of all the Sounders' best moves. It's hard to dispute the evidence here; no sooner was the other player off the field than Fredy was on fire.
13 comments | 8 recs |
Q&A with Mike Fucito
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 30, 2010 5:12 PM PDT
in Major League Soccer
3 comments
When last we saw Mike Fucito, he was jumping into the arms of teammates while celebrating what would turn out to be a game-winning goal against the Kansas City Wizards.
That was April 17.
Within days of that score, it was learned that Fucito had hurt his knee during the match (but not during the celebration) and would likely miss some time. But his knee refused to heal and he eventually had to undergo surgery in late May.
Fucito ended up spending about four months on the injury list before being activated before the match at Marathon. He made his first appearance on the 18-man gameday roster during the home match against Monterrey and is practicing at full speed. It seems only a matter of time before he returns to the field.
I had a relatively brief discussion with him today and wanted to share it in a Q&A format:
Q: How are you feeling these days?
A: Good, good.
Gambia Loves Sanna - Nyassi Called Up for African Cup of Nations Qualifier
by Dave Clark on Aug 30, 2010 1:49 PM PDT
in Major League Soccer
7 comments
Just as Steve Zakuani was to return to his starting role, and bump Sanna Nyassi back to a frequent sub, Nyassi's nation has called him for an upcoming qualifer for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Press Release Below the Break
Adidas + MLS Very Excited About New Deal
by Dave Clark on Aug 30, 2010 9:02 AM PDT
in Major League Soccer
17 comments
So excited they sent me a press release (I am not normally on this email distro list).
It is important to realize that in a bad economy that has seen sponsorship dollars falling that MLS' teams will basically be getting 50% more per year. The relationship with Generation Adidas will continue as well, and there may be money, or other compensation for the upcoming Reserve League.
MLS did well here, in light of the economy. The release is below the break.
The High Line v Speedy Offenses
by Dave Clark on Aug 29, 2010 10:00 PM PDT
in Major League Soccer
6 comments
Graham and I have been chatting about this quite a bit lately, and thankfully it came up in the game against the Chicago Fire. You see, the high line is a way to counter a threatening target forward by using the threat of the offside trap to pull someone like a Blaise Nkufo away from the 18.
Maybe we should rewind a bit.
What is a typical Defensive Line?
A typical defensive line probably floats around 18-30 yards away from the goal, getting pulled back forth through the flow of the match, but more often closer to the keeper than not. A coach might use this tactic because they figure that they have slower defenders, or that their keeper is particularly vulnerable to one-on-one play. It provides the most help for the defensive unit because it cuts down the area that the defenders must cover.
So what is the High Line?
6 comments | 1 recs |
Quick Review: Fredy > Freddie as Sounders beat Fire 2-1
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 29, 2010 1:06 AM PDT
in Major League Soccer
12 comments
If we were waiting for a statement game from these Sounders, this was probably it.
After conceding an early goal on a penalty kick, the Sounders claimed their first come-from-behind victory of the season by beating Freddie Ljungberg's Chicago Fire 2-1. Fredy Montero scored two more goals, including the game-winner in stoppage time.
The win gives the Sounders 32 points through 22 matches, fifth best in MLS. Just as significantly, the win puts them at 1.45 PPM, the seventh best mark in MLS and .16 better than ninth place Toronto FC.
The atmosphere at Qwest was absolutely electric and it was easily the most boisterous of the season. Unquestionably, a lot of that had to do with Ljungberg's return to Seattle.
The Sounders' original Designated Player received mostly cheers during his introduction, but was booed every time he touched the ball. From the pressbox, it didn't seem too out of line, although people sitting closer to the action may have had a different impression. Ljungberg, who stayed around signing autographs, shaking hands and even appeared to give his jersey to a fan, didn't seem particularly bothered by the treatment.
"I have a special relationship with people in this city and I thought the fans were just amazing," Ljungberg said. "Of course I was booed in the game, and before and after the game they were cheering so I can understand that totally, and it was a nice reception."
On the pitch, Ljungberg was not a particularly significant factor. Osvaldo Alonso was tasked with marking him for much of the match and was close enough to smell the Swede's breath throughout the contest. Ljungberg hardly ever found the ball in space and his most effective moments came on corners and other set pieces.
The entire Sounders defense, in fact, had one of its best matches. Their one glaring mistake came on the play that ultimately resulted in the Fire's goal. James Riley seemed to give up on a long pass early and was content to mark Patrick Nyarko in a one-on-one situation. As a result, Nyarko was able to make a centering pass that happened to clip Jeff Parke on the arm. John Thorrington buried the ensuing penalty for a 1-0 lead at 28'.
Other than that, the Sounders defense was nearly perfect. Kasey Keller made four saves, but only one of them -- on a corner -- really posed much of a threat. Parke and Patrick Ianni once again showed that they are becoming one of the top centerback tandems in MLS, rarely allowing forays into the penalty area and generally shutting down any attack up the middle.
On the other end of the field, the Sounders offense created numerous chances, but once again largely failed to make the most of them.
The two exceptions were on Montero's goals. The first was a combination of a great pass from Tyson Wahl and an even better play by Montero, who collected Wahl's pass, dribbled past one defender and then fired his shot between two defenders and goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
"I was pretty thankful that he finished that because it was my first assist," Wahl said. "I was pretty excited. I was sitting there cheering by myself for a minute. [. . .] It was my first career assist. I was excited."
The second goal came off another great pass from a player who has been much maligned, especially here. Off a quick throw-in, Nathan Sturgis sent a perfect curling pass into the box where Montero had, amazingly, lost his mark near the far post. Montero easily beat Johnson with a bouncing header.
"I think it can [be a defining win]," Sturgis said. "We need to win our games at home. To end the season a lot of games are on the road so it's really important for us to get three points at home so we don't have as much pressure on the road to get points. I think it was a really big game for us."
Quotes and Stats after the jump.
Gamethread: Chicago Fire at Seattle Sounders Competing for a Playoff Spot
by Dave Clark on Aug 28, 2010 6:00 PM PDT
in Major League Soccer
270 comments
Scouting Report - Three Questions - Lineup Card - Freddie Ljungberg's Return
The Seattle Sounders return to league play after two losses in the CCL, and this match is as important as any. The Fire are key competition for the few open playoff spots. With their lineup getting the recent boost of former Sounder Freddie Ljungberg they should be able to threaten.
What are the Keys to the Sounders getting 3 points?
1 - Get in Freddie's Head - We all know it isn't that hard to do. We've seen what can happen. I expect to see Zach Scott, James Riley and Nathan Sturgis be the primary men guarding the Swede. When Scott's on him we may even see that bulldog defense (also read as marginally legal) that we saw the Left Back use against Sebastien Le Toux. Since Ljungberg already isn't a two way player, it would be great to see him play only half his game.
2 - Feed Nkufo - Not to harp on it, but the big man needs to score. When he doesn't have the ball he's doing everything that is expected, except receiving the ball. Get him the ball at his feet and watch him put some shots on goal. It would also be nice to see him be able to get his head on a set-play as the Fire are particularly prone to giving up goals by that manner.
3 - No Defensive Lapses - The two goals that Monterrey scored were due to defensive errors, not getting out-played. Kasey Keller left his line but didn't come all the way out, and later the attempted offside trap went wrong. The Chicago Fire are not Monterrey. They aren't more talented than Seattle. Even with the slightly worse defensive line, they should not get more than a goal tonight.
Here are your rooting interests in the other MLS matches this evening and tomorrow;
Columbus Crew over FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake over Toronto FC
New York Red Bulls over San Jose Earthquakes
New England Revolution draw Philadelphia Union
Houston Dynaom over Colorado Rapids
Los Angeles Galaxy over Kansas City Wizards
Chivas USA draw with DC United
Earlier matches
TV is KONG
Radio is 97.3 FM
This is your gamethread
Three Questions: Chicago Fire
by Dave Clark on Aug 28, 2010 2:16 PM PDT
in Major League Soccer
1 comment
Fire Blogger Tweed gives you their angle on the three questions you must know how to answer before you watch tonight's match.
1 - Nery Castillo isn't traveling this weekend, and hasn't been playing much. I have to wonder if he isn't the next Luis Angel Landin.
I can see the comparison. Both are relatively young Mexican goalscorers. Both players have bounced around but continued to have the 'talented' label placed on them. Both players entered the MLS as DPs and have failed to impress so far.
The analogy falls apart when you consider the fact that one player was recruited by Manchester United at the age of 16, caused an international fight between Mexico and Uruguay for his playing rights at 17, had a $20M transfer fee in 2007 (which still holds the record in Greece and Ukraine for highest transfer record ever), attracted a Manchester City transfer after being regulated to the bench in 2008, and holds 21 Mexican International caps with 6 goals while the other player has played for some Mexican teams, one MLS team, and has a couple of Mexican International caps and no goals to his name. Even if you are an amateur scout for the game, you can tell that Castillo has more raw talent than Landin.
You have a solid question though because clearly Castillo is not match fit just yet. The Fire could not only receive very little from their investment but even see Castillo return to form just after their contract expires after the 2011 season. I don't mind the move because I think Castillo's talent ceiling is so much higher than Landin's will ever be that this move is worth it. Landin's fitness was called into question because he was lazy. Castillo's fitness is called into question because he couldn't find the right team to get minutes for. It's a tale of two players, not a single book on one type of player.
Freddie Ljungberg seems to be playing in the second striker with Brian McBride up top. Do you expect that to be the shape for the future, or will FL10 wind up as a winger again?
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