Comments on: MLS Results and Moves: A Soft-Lens Impressions

By: Crew v. Rapids: The Intra-Conference Situation (And When Did They Change the Playoff Set-up?) « Center Holds It

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:28:02 +0000

[...] the question becomes where they stack up against the other three teams. With regard to LA, I found an argument laid out by Nutmegged’s Martek compelling: that they’ll score and surrender a lot of [...]

By: Jeff Bull

Jeff Bull — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:05:50 +0000

Agree completely, scads. I’ll touch on cats like Beckerman when I do “official” previews closer to the season…I’m still learning….

By: Scads

Scads — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:55:19 +0000

Good analysis of RSL…I would only add that Beckerman will be an extremely vital key to our success. The Beckerman/ Ballouchy trade already favors SLC up til now, but if we do happen to have any success that will become the trade of the expansion era for us.

By: Martek

Martek — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:29:28 +0000

PKs count, I was just inartfully making the point that it wasn’t really a goal attributable to a defensive breakdown.

I agree about the defensive front. Robinson and Capt. Wademerica are the mainstays on the left, then a foursome of Boswell, Ianni, Waibel and Mulrooney work the right. Not a bad group of six back there. But if injuries take our Robinson and Barrett, it could get ugly fast.

By: Jeff Bull

Jeff Bull — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:20:13 +0000

Fair points….though, I have to say: What? PK’s dont’ count as goals?

But given all the competition your bunch has this season, the qualitative depth of your back-line matters. I’d feel good so long as your starting defense remains whole. After that…less so.

By: Martek

Martek — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:18:57 +0000

Jeff, take a closer look at those goals you saw Dynamo are hemmorhaging. In the Toronto game, the first teams only really played in the first half, and the Orange went into the break up 3-1. Wholesale substitutions were made at the half and the game turned into an extended scrimmage in the second. AND one of TFC’s goals in the second was a PK.

In the case of Gamba Osaka, an not-yet-gamefit Dynamo fell apart in the second half after only being down 2-1 at the half. AND, the game was played without Eddie Robinson. Also, they had shut out Sydney just a few days before that. So, after considering that, I’m keeping my rose, er, orange-colored glasses on and not worrying about the back line.

And on the Gals, I want to start a prediction league on just how many goals that team is going to score and give up this season. They are going to score, no doubt about that, but so is everyone they are going to be playing against. They are going to be the anti-2007 Dynamo. Like they say in baseball: “There’s a riot at the bat rack!! Everyone wants to get to the plate in this game. Sit down, you’ll all get your chance.”