GAMEPLAN for GAME TWO (or - The Blogger thinks he is a coach)
By: Dave Martinez | October 29th, 2007
KEEP THIS IN MIND
There really is alot to take into account going into Gilette this weekend.
First off, the New England team we saw exiting Giants Stadium with a draw is not the team we will see in Gilette. Thanks, once again, to the horrible playoff rules of this league, the first leg of the home and home is render meaningless, since all the visiting squad has to do is pack the box, play defensive football, and hope for the best. New England did that. And they escaped our home turf in excellent position to strike. Escaped is the key word. And Reis was wiping his brow all night long . . .
Hey, Steve Nicol did say he could neutralize our midfield. I am guessing he was right.
THE LINEUP
Though we looked strong out there, I would be less enthusiastic than mlsnet was in their description of last game - RBNY DOMINATE IN TIE. Lets relax a bit shall we?
Though we once again were playing some variation of a 4-4-2 meets a 4-3-3, I think something more traditional would do the trick.
A clean and even 4-4-2, something where Reyna and Dema could run the middle a bit if necessary.
=========JPA=======ALTIDORE=========
MATHIS===DEMA=====REYNA=====RICHARDS
DVB=====PARKE======STAMMLER==FREEMAN
===========CONWAY=================
Mathis needs to start. It takes a good 10 minutes to get his motors going. He can be subbed if he isnt efficient by the second half. he can drift middle, as always.
DVB can have more room for an open attack.
Stammler in, because of his strong play against New England. I know I have been a Mendes mark all season, but Stammler has earned the spot at this point. After a strong showing, the defense should not be tampered with.
And all in all, look at the balance on either half of the field. I think its a threat on either end.
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN
Conway barely faced any shots last game. An early bombardment by the home team may be enough surprise to throw us off and take an early advantage.
And what if Waterreus is healthy? Then whom starts?
New England will be much more fluid in attack, and daring in their chances. This will not be a reply of Saturday for damn sure.
Our guys are in a situation where they may have been put to sleep by the opposition. Its like Brazilian football - they lure you in, let you believe you are doing well, . . . . meanwhile, they plot and scheme on the next counter attack, and the minute your guards are down and you are bored out of your mind . . . . BAM! Jogo Bonito.
We cant think we will face the same defensive minded Revolosers this weekend.
We have to be better than that. And we have to be on our toes. Constantly.
KEEP UP THE EMOTION
Did you see Coach Arena jumping out of his seat? Must have been the first time ever for most of us. We need that from our leaders, both on and off the field. Play with passion, but play smart.
==============================================
I will have more as the week goes on, but after 48 hours or so of sulking, its time to move on, and find solutions.
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Comments
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Conway should start in net hands down, I am just not a fan of the Walrus. I also hope Arena plays more offensive, which is tough, than last week because an away goal is really valuable. Either way I am psyched for Saturday and I hope that a NY team can overcome a Boston ASAP.
Posted from
United States
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Dave is a an away goal valuable, or am I misunderstanding?
Posted from
United States -
Actually franco, it isnt. That is why week 1 games were so lame. the high seed team plays d and waits to play game 2.
Posted from
United States -
I think you are right about the first games being a little lame because the away goals rule is not used. I for one don’t care for the away goals rule and don’t think it’s fair but do agree that it makes for a more interesting encounter. Personally, I would be perfectly happy with an HOME GOALS RULE being in effect, particularly in the MLS, because of its playoff structure. With the away goals rule, what are you doing? You’re giving the away team an advantage. So much for home field advantage! It’s taking a level playing field and tilting it for the visitors. Forget home fans, travelling and all that. It’s good to have home field but physically the field is equal. An away goals rule gives the visiting team an advantage it doesn’t deserve. When the visiting team is a visiting team because it is a lower seed, because it *deserves* to be, I don’t think it should be rewarded by having its away goals count more, in the event of a tied aggregate.
Right now, the higher seed has the home field advantage according to the MLS rules because it plays the second and deciding game at home. That’s fair, in my opinion. But consider how *unfair* it would be if an away goals rule were used. It would mean that the visitors, the lower seeds, would have the advantage of knowing how many goals it needs to score to beat the higher seeds’ away goals total. The pressure would be on the higher seed to score a great number of goals in the first game or be in a difficult position in the second game.
Of course, they could just make the second game at the home of the lower seed but this is not proper. The deciding game should be on the turf of the better seeded team. And, if goals are counted double or triple to break ties, the *home* team should be afforded that priviledge. In this way, they will have the advantage in the second game of knowing how many goals they need to score to win in the case of a tied aggregate. In this way, the better seeded team will have the home field and home goals advantage in the deciding game.
I really don’t see why the away goals rule is even in effect at all. It’s not like road teams have a distinct disadvantage playing on the road, as if they have to play barefoot or the home team gets an extra man.
Posted from
United States -
Also, consider how that would have affected the Red Bull-New England series. It meant that Red Bull, who was the lower seed, would have a significant advantage until the very last minute of the second game. Now, as a Red Bull fan, I wouldn’t complain, but it wouldn’t be fair to the higher seeded Revolution, who would suffer a fatal blow if New York equalized. With an home goals rule, the goal for New England meant that the lower seeded NY would have to better their score. It would suck for us, yes, but it would make finishing second or first place all the more important.
Writing all this has really gotten me excited about instituting a home goals rule!!
Posted from
United States
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