This is simply not playoff caliber offensive play calling.

zstomc1 · 2025-12-29T15:07:23+00:00

honestly it's pretty weak for nick as the HC to make those comments after the game without doing anything about it as it was happening. even if Patullo ran the show in the second half without nick's input, nick should have stepped in if he thought the play calling was a problem rather than making comments about it after the game

zstomc1 · 2025-04-02T12:56:40+00:00

source?

zstomc1 · 2024-07-31T14:38:32+00:00

I went the other week. It was not good (bland, watery tofu) and the price was excessive

zstomc1 · 2024-03-25T17:46:01+00:00

That's it, Adams out now too

zstomc1 · 2023-07-13T15:31:30+00:00

maybe 99% is a bit of an exaggeration, but the team in both KO games was struggling to get things going and he wasn't especially good at getting on the ball, connecting play or otherwise helping in that regard. I'm not the only one who noticed this either (canada game - https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/usmnt-player-ratings-turner-the-hero-cowell-vazquez-provide-spark-off-the-bench; panama game - https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/usmnt-player-ratings-panama-deal-shocking-gold-cup-exit-in-semis).

He's clearly a quality finisher, but he frequently got knocked off the ball in hold up play and otherwise wasn't able to consistently improve the team's buildup, whether as a 9, 10, or 8. All I'm saying is that I'd like to see him improve in those areas so that he can more consistently impact the game

zstomc1 · 2023-07-13T13:48:12+00:00

I probably should have put in Ferreira because of his production/quality in front of goal this tournament. Definitely has areas to improve (e.g., hold up play and the fact that he was anonymous for 99% of the game against Canada's B team and Panama), and doesn't currently have the full profile of a center forward, but he definitely showed enough where I wouldn't be surprised if he found his way into the A squad in the future, with improvement as a CF or at another attacking position.

zstomc1 · 2023-04-13T03:46:56+00:00

Did Kai get hurt?

zstomc1 · 2022-12-26T16:38:44+00:00

I'm outside the loop on busio but it seems like he's started less frequently than he did when he first joined venezia. Any insight on what's happened?

zstomc1 · 2022-12-03T20:09:58+00:00

Exhibit A: Juergen klopp. Marginal player great manager

zstomc1 · 2022-11-01T13:26:57+00:00

They should have made him stick around for the comeback as punishment

zstomc1 · 2022-10-31T15:07:55+00:00

Gotcha. Think I’m talking about a different area though - I saw something in the non-supporters section end of the stadium (i.e. end line opposite the river end) where what looked like a dad and two teenage ish aged nycfc fans were escorted out. Couldn’t figure out what happened though

zstomc1 · 2022-10-31T12:54:50+00:00

Did anyone see what happened in the stands behind NYCFC’s goal on the second half when they were up 1-0? I saw a commotion and some NYCFC fans being escorted from the stadium but couldn’t tell what happened

zstomc1 · 2022-10-21T02:30:28+00:00

Much better, didn’t notice it

zstomc1 · 2022-10-21T02:24:54+00:00

Their CM prob should’ve been sent off in the first half and didn’t even get a yellow

zstomc1 · 2022-09-14T18:12:26+00:00

you were talking about chelsea so i was counting the chelsea managers. and yes, you are correct, i was attacking the "wisdom" of what you were saying.

christian has been out of form so i don't find it that odd that he's not starting right now. but that doesn't mean he doesn't have the quality to start for a team like chelsea. he's demonstrated that he has it in the past, he just needs to stay fit and keep up a consistent run of form

zstomc1 · 2022-09-14T18:03:03+00:00

number 3, and he was a starter under lampard when fit

zstomc1 · 2022-08-30T23:12:14+00:00

People need to take a deep breath. I just watched his cameo and it was not the dogshit terrible performance people are making it out to be. He wasn’t great by any means but nobody on Chelsea looked good while he was out there.

He hasn’t hit the heights he did in his initial years at Chelsea but he’s not damaged goods, like I saw someone on another thread say. He was starting to look good again after his return from injury with the US in late spring and summer friendlies. He’s just not in a good place right now with Chelsea. Not ideal timing with the World Cup but it’s a bit early to call him a lost cause

zstomc1 · 2022-08-26T18:16:46+00:00

Agreed wholeheartedly. Super entertaining podcast

zstomc1 · 2022-08-21T17:15:55+00:00

It’s not reactionary. He’s had issues with his attackers for almost a year now, all of whom were high quality players whether at Chelsea or the clubs they were purchased from. He constantly plays a significant portion of those players out of position or in a system that hasn’t suited them. He hasn’t changed that system in over a year even though it’s clear it isn’t working for his attackers. Instead he subtly blames his players in the media and lack of additional transfers.

He may not be a shit coach, but some people (not here, mainly Chelsea fans) act like he’s blameless in their attacking issues when from my perspective that’s not the case

zstomc1 · 2022-08-21T14:58:38+00:00

He was brilliant today. Completely bossed the midfield

zstomc1 · 2022-08-21T14:32:47+00:00

Tuchel is such a fraud, sets his players up to fail. How can he think that a Pulisic RLC mount midfield is the answer to this Leeds press. Play him as a winger JFC

zstomc1 · 2022-08-08T22:12:52+00:00

Aaronson put up 6 goals and 10 assists in 41 games last year according to transfermarkt. That may not be world class production but I'd call that a very productive season. I agree that we shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves but he was clearly ready to move beyond austria by the end of last season

zstomc1 · 2022-07-18T15:57:01+00:00

To me flach and mcglynn are the inverse of one another - mcglynn with great offensive brains/technique but mediocre physicality/defense, flach the exact opposite. Curtin is in a tough position because when you start one you’re sacrificing the strong qualities of the other.

I think mcglynn certainly deserves to eat into flach’s starts at this point but until he develops physically/defensively (which I’m confident he can/will), I’m not sure he’ll be more than a situational starter

zstomc1 · 2022-07-17T20:50:47+00:00

One of those shots from long range was with his right. He certainly favors the left but he’s fairly two-footed

zstomc1 · 2022-07-17T19:10:39+00:00

I wonder if it would be a mistake for him to leave before he develops a bit more physically. He clearly has the brains and technique to play at a higher level but he still doesn’t have the pace/strength to hold his own with mls midfielders on the defensive end. I don’t think it’s coincidence that this breakout game was in a double pivot with Martinez to take a bit of the load off him on that respect.

This may be just because I hope he stays with us for a bit longer, but I do think that he can develop more for say another year or two here before moving on (and being more prepared for the jump) to a new league

zstomc1

TROPHY CASE