FiftyFive.One

13 responses to “#MINvATL Open Game Thread”

1. 

   Alex Schieferdecker

   March 12, 2017

   Not gonna lie, I’d love to blow them out. But in reality, I suspect it’ll be a close game.

   Atlanta come out of the gate strong and often score early, so we need to keep the ball early, slow it down, build patiently, and get them cold. Hoping Adrian gets his tactics right this time, and Johan doesn’t get marooned as a lone striker again.

   Reply
   1. 

      Alex Schieferdecker

      March 12, 2017

      Line-up:
      Alvbåge; Theisson, Demidov, Calvo, Taylor; Warner, Schüller Saeid; Molino, Venegas, Ramirez

      I think Heath’s got this wrong again, and I’m worried he doesn’t have the nerve to play the 4-2-2-2 team that absolutely killed preseason. Hope I’m wrong.

      At any rate, this XI needs to come out of the gate well. Atlanta have dominated the early game of every match they’ve played. It’s key that we hold the ball early.

      Reply
      1. 

         Clint

         March 12, 2017

         Agree. Worried this mid trio will lack any punch. Maybe Christian is the difference.

         Reply
         1. 

            Peter S.

            March 13, 2017

            Nope 🙁

            Reply
2. 

   Timothy J Hayes

   March 12, 2017

   Surely, I am not the only one that is shocked with Jermaine Taylor in the starting 11 again?

   Reply
3. 

   Alex Schieferdecker

   March 12, 2017

   What did I say?

   Reply
4. 

   Alex Schieferdecker

   March 12, 2017

   Second straight embarrassment at the hands of Adrian Heath’s inept managerial choices. Once was excusable, but the second time is not acceptable.

   The 4-3-3 is a disaster, why are we playing with three midfielders when we cannot control the midfield? Why are we deliberately taking out one of our attacking players for a ball possessing midfielder and then playing as if that position’s role is unchanged. Why is Jermaine Taylor in the eleven, let alone the eighteen?

   Against Colorado, there needs to be an entirely different approach. Replace Taylor with Davis who at least won’t jog when he gets beat. Replace Demidov, who has been an unexpected disaster, with Kallman. Replace the LM with Ibarra and let him earn the money you’re paying him.

   The attack was working fine in preseason and the defense, while occasionally leaky, was still working hard. Heath, by playing this idiotic conservative 4-3-3, the same formation that flailed against Vancouver and sank against Toronto, has embarrassed the club through the first two games of the season.

   Reply
   1. 

      Eric Beckman

      March 12, 2017

      I agree on Demidov. Seemed a good signing, but clearly has struggled. Also, I’m not sure about the decision to start Thiesson next him after Thiesson had only been in the country for 72 hours. And, I’d love to see Ibarra, too. Especially since the team as currently composed clearly lacks pace.

      Reply
      1. 

         Chris RB

         March 12, 2017

         good lord was this clear today:

         “Especially since the team as currently composed clearly lacks pace”

         got beat to EVERY free/long ball, even when players were relatively equidistant and motionless. It’s not the players’ FAULT they’re slow, but the tactics need to account for that.

         Reply
      2. 

         Spence

         March 12, 2017

         I agree with this, although I would have used more swear words.

         Reply
5. 

   Jeff Wolter

   March 12, 2017

   Was their really any clear style of attacking play in those first two games?

   The defending play lacked the look of a working unit. Too many direct 1v1 to goal.

   Pressure
   Cover
   Balance

   The coach may need some help.

   Reply
6. 

   John Asbury

   March 12, 2017

   I get the strategy. Get a bunch of players who have potential, but have generally not been given the opportunity, and see who rises to the challenge to avoid spending big money on DPs that don’t pan out. But, that’s hard on the fans and not a good way to sell the team. I think these two games show enough. Time for some DPs. The longer we wait, the more hesitant they’ll be to come play here.

   There were times in this game where I truly believe that some players had no idea where their teammates were or where the ball was. I only saw one pass to space, where a United player actually ran into that space and the pass was completed.

   Reply
   1. 

      Eric Beckman

      March 13, 2017

      I don’t think the problem is with the strategy as much as with the execution. They spent some money on players. A competently set up professional team should not loss 6-1 at home to an expansion team. Atlanta has spent more money, but they are still playing MLSSoccerBall. This wasn’t Mpls City vs. ManCity.

      Reply