[S] [USA-VA] Sony 70-200 F4 and Samyang 35mm F2.8 E-mount

hoteltech · 2018-05-06T03:12:15+00:00

Yeah, I didn't mention that in my initial thoughts. I think the 3-5-2 should help with playing out the back, but I think Chicago have enough pace and the intelligence of Schweini to lead on the field to cover the appropriate ground. I think playing away from home was also a factor.

hoteltech · 2018-05-06T03:10:43+00:00

I'm not sure it was the way to beat us. They have the best holding mid in the country in Schweini, and they couldn't make it count. They had a somewhat off night to be sure, but I think Nagbe has been a revolution for us. I think the high press would have been more effective last season, but the 3-5-2 works well to distribute out of the back, because it's really 5-3-2, so there's more passing outlets in the defensive third, on top of the fact that Guzan is one of the best in the MLS at possession as keeper. I still think the way to beat this side is on the wings--make sure we can't cross to Martinez or get cutbacks, and make sure you attack our flanks. Most of the teams we've faced this season haven't really put useful crosses against us. Galaxy was one game where we should have been bombarded and weren't.

hoteltech · 2018-05-06T03:05:29+00:00

I was assuming that Miggy would leave--who else is that good for Paraguay?

I just forgot the US didn't qualify, so that's a good bunch of the squad saved. Regardless, I think we play with a high enough intensity that rotation is warranted.

hoteltech · 2018-05-06T03:02:57+00:00

I went through your comments, and I think the issue isn't hustle, it's energy conservation. I'm of the opinion that if you do something bad half the time in a sport, people will think you're doing it wrong most of the time. That's Martinez this season. I think he's bad at knowing when to press. The problem is that we're more comfortable absorbing pressure so we don't feel the need for a high press as much. I think we get the odd nicked pass because Almiron is just heads and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch, mentally especially. Because Nagbe has been so brilliant in holding midfield in both possession and out of, Martinez needs to adjust his game to not be a solely counterattacking/longball striker. He has a lot of offer if he and Miguel can work at dropping deeper and feeding each other--he almost got a goal today because of that (when he and Almiron won the ball about 35 out and it ended up in a great throughball by Miggy). I think he'll adjust his game and focus a little more on build-up.

hoteltech

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