I am really enjoying how Orlando has gone from painful viewing to a goal fest, without any clear idea which side is going to score. Much more entertaining. Defense is for chumps (and often winners), but I'm in this for fun. MOAR GOALS!
Talked to Ben. He's not interested. They will get another keeper for sure. Any word on Maurer's status? Also, Lingr "not really a DP". There's a bigger signing they're lining up. Finally, looks like they agreed on the need for a left-footed CB. Hope he can help bring back the Dynamo to their identity of last 2 seasons.
As a long suffering DCU fan (since '96), you're statement last week about the bottom being about to drop out seems prescient. I see very little offensive talent on this squad other than Benteke. The GK is a kid who is being given no favors by a pressing style that exposes the backline to immediate pressure. Some fans feel it isn't that bad, but I believe it is and I'm coming to the conclusion that Lesesne is over his head here.
You mentioned it in your longer article, but I'm very excited and very apprehensive to see Jake Davis in the midfield hopefully this weekend. He could be the key to unlocking a lot of good for KC. Of course if he's in the midfield (and the backline gets some reps together) and the team still looks bad? Yeah that's the panic button moment. That goes beyond a poor roster build leading to Jake Davis being maybe the most important player on the team. That's when I think the seat truly gets hot for Vermes.
So, uh, hopefully Davis balls out! I think by game 10 or so we either see a clear up arrow for KC or ownership realizes it's time for more significant changes than splashing some cash for the first time in a half decade.
As an NYCFC fan, I need one of these DPs to hit. Martinez is a phenomenal surprise but one of these U22 DPs need to do something. I also hope we sign a Maxi replacement by summer. He's still good but the first time he lined up for us pizza was still a $1 at 2 Bros.
A Minnesota fan here that is hoping you can help provide some historical context regarding the Loons willingness to concede possession. The glass half full part of my fandom would highlight that (1) we might be letting the other team have the ball but we are fairly in control of where/how they have the ball, and, (2) that last point is sort of reflected in the fact that we are first in the league in xG differential per game at 1.18 (Shout out Tutul Rahman on Bluesky for that stat...and FWIW, Philly is next at 0.82, then Miami at 0.78, then Vancouver at 0.7). So I think it's fair to say that something is obviously working and we're putting ourselves in a position to win. But the skeptic in me wonders if playing THIS against the ball is a reasonable path to actual trophies. Are there teams that you'd point to in MLS history that have had season-long success or even just gone on tournament runs being as deferential as the Loons are in possession? Can we really Greece 2004 this whole dang season?
Tutul does a great job. FWIW you can get all those numbers publicly from FBRef, but a couple of warnings:
1. xG doesn't start becoming predictive for most leagues until about 10 games of sample size.
2. Because of parity, xG differential has been less predictive for MLS than it is for other leagues (even after that 10-game threshold has been reached).
Which isn't to say I disagree with you that something's working – I have them top 10 in the power rankings, after all. But there's also an element of "inviting good teams to have 60% possession means you're inviting good teams to spend a lot of time in the attacking third and that's not a great way to prevent goals!" happening, which is my bigger point.
To answer your question: I think the last pure bunker team to win a major MLS trophy would be 2013 D.C. United, who won the US Open Cup. Other teams have won trophies by bunkering for specific games, or come close (LAFC's 2023 playoff run comes to mind), but there haven't been many teams who defaulted to 40% possession every week and subsequently hoisted silverware.
Matt, that 2013 team was beyond dreadful, they also "won" the Spoon and were "led" by an aging and injured Dwayne DeRosario and the inimitable Conor Doyle (last seen playing for Union Omaha in USL-1). Olsen got a lot of stick from the fans but his Bennyball tactics occasionally turned chickenshit into chickensalad.
For the Fire, I didn't really pay attention to what the ball was like before Kellyn was injured, but these few games, the midfield trio of Oregel+Pineda+someone else seemed to struggle to progress the ball and orchestrate the game. I am seeing the Fire relying too much on Jack Elliott's long pass to break down some defense. To some extent, Jack Elliott is probably my favorite CB in the league, but on the other side, I don't know if this should be something Gregg is paying attention to/recognizing to solve.
TFC needs to move on from Sean Johnson. He looked subpar for his whole tenure in TFC. I don't think he deserved the shot to be the NT before and in the future, and I don't think he was a top keeper ability wise during NYC's cup run, and definitely not a top keeper even now. Man, you just don't know how to phrase your feelings when you see his deflated facial expression every time TFC conceded. I don't really recall himself cheering the kids in front of him up, not even once.
Ondřej Lingr is currently under contract, right? So what is the restriction in terms of transfer windows? The buying league, the selling league, or both? In other words, are the Dynamo getting him in the near future or not until the summer transfer window?
you've previously mentioned about our USMNT players needing to be "the man" on their club teams, as it's showing that they're not able to translate their role playing into being "the man" on the USMNT. i concur with that assessment. my question, since i don't follow them as closely, how are the players on Canada and Mexico as being the focal points of their club teams? are any of them and can you see the translation from club to the national team with them?
i think related, i remember GGG mentioning after we lost to The Netherlands, that the makeup of that team is different than ours. i think he mentioned something about Champions League level players. was that a similar assessment... yes, we have Champions League level players, but The Netherlands players are a different level of Champions League players because of the roles on their club team?
Canada's got a few bus drivers – Jonathan David being the big one, but Bombito's already in a leadership role with Nice, Johnston at Celtic and even Choinière at Grasshoppers now that he's healthy again.
Beyond that, though, Canada's players still have a massive chip on their shoulder b/c they're the generation that pulled them out of the muck after literal decades. They're the trailblazers.
This US generation were given everything on a silver platter. It's a different collective mentality.
I'd quibble with the notion that everything was given to them on a silver platter. I think a lot of players seemed to be desperate to prove themselves from that first Nations League final in Denver through to the 2023 edition where they beat Mexico and then Canada (with the two WC qualifiers against Mexico in between). I remember the "behind the scenes video from Denver where post-match in the locker room Horvath finishes his speech by screaming "We just fxxxing beat Mexico!" and the whole team jumps up and starts zealously celebrating. I think they were hungry to show they could avoid repeating the 2018 qualifying fiasco and that they were in fact the most talented squad in the region...which was obviously very much in doubt early in their tenure as "the new core". But in some ways it seems like the 2024 NL victory led to some of them being flippant about regional competition, which has repeatedly cost us since then.
As a Sounder fan, while I love the idea of Ragen getting a look, he seems to casual at this stage to succeed at the next level. Maybe it's my confirmation bias, but he just seems too loose in possession, a second too slow in distribution, and a half second late to get into position. Not all the time, but a handful of times each MLS game. If he's doing that at the MLS level, I worry that he's s liability in international play.
He's had a tough start to the season after two excellent years. And truth be told, he might be too slow for the int'l game.
But he needs a look. So does Privett, and both Zimmerman and Robinson should be brought back in for the summer, because the Euro guys have not cut it. At all.
I am really enjoying how Orlando has gone from painful viewing to a goal fest, without any clear idea which side is going to score. Much more entertaining. Defense is for chumps (and often winners), but I'm in this for fun. MOAR GOALS!
Talked to Ben. He's not interested. They will get another keeper for sure. Any word on Maurer's status? Also, Lingr "not really a DP". There's a bigger signing they're lining up. Finally, looks like they agreed on the need for a left-footed CB. Hope he can help bring back the Dynamo to their identity of last 2 seasons.
As a long suffering DCU fan (since '96), you're statement last week about the bottom being about to drop out seems prescient. I see very little offensive talent on this squad other than Benteke. The GK is a kid who is being given no favors by a pressing style that exposes the backline to immediate pressure. Some fans feel it isn't that bad, but I believe it is and I'm coming to the conclusion that Lesesne is over his head here.
You mentioned it in your longer article, but I'm very excited and very apprehensive to see Jake Davis in the midfield hopefully this weekend. He could be the key to unlocking a lot of good for KC. Of course if he's in the midfield (and the backline gets some reps together) and the team still looks bad? Yeah that's the panic button moment. That goes beyond a poor roster build leading to Jake Davis being maybe the most important player on the team. That's when I think the seat truly gets hot for Vermes.
So, uh, hopefully Davis balls out! I think by game 10 or so we either see a clear up arrow for KC or ownership realizes it's time for more significant changes than splashing some cash for the first time in a half decade.
What are the odds that Tim Ream will still have the mobility to play as a starter in 2026?
As an NYCFC fan, I need one of these DPs to hit. Martinez is a phenomenal surprise but one of these U22 DPs need to do something. I also hope we sign a Maxi replacement by summer. He's still good but the first time he lined up for us pizza was still a $1 at 2 Bros.
A Minnesota fan here that is hoping you can help provide some historical context regarding the Loons willingness to concede possession. The glass half full part of my fandom would highlight that (1) we might be letting the other team have the ball but we are fairly in control of where/how they have the ball, and, (2) that last point is sort of reflected in the fact that we are first in the league in xG differential per game at 1.18 (Shout out Tutul Rahman on Bluesky for that stat...and FWIW, Philly is next at 0.82, then Miami at 0.78, then Vancouver at 0.7). So I think it's fair to say that something is obviously working and we're putting ourselves in a position to win. But the skeptic in me wonders if playing THIS against the ball is a reasonable path to actual trophies. Are there teams that you'd point to in MLS history that have had season-long success or even just gone on tournament runs being as deferential as the Loons are in possession? Can we really Greece 2004 this whole dang season?
Tutul does a great job. FWIW you can get all those numbers publicly from FBRef, but a couple of warnings:
1. xG doesn't start becoming predictive for most leagues until about 10 games of sample size.
2. Because of parity, xG differential has been less predictive for MLS than it is for other leagues (even after that 10-game threshold has been reached).
Which isn't to say I disagree with you that something's working – I have them top 10 in the power rankings, after all. But there's also an element of "inviting good teams to have 60% possession means you're inviting good teams to spend a lot of time in the attacking third and that's not a great way to prevent goals!" happening, which is my bigger point.
To answer your question: I think the last pure bunker team to win a major MLS trophy would be 2013 D.C. United, who won the US Open Cup. Other teams have won trophies by bunkering for specific games, or come close (LAFC's 2023 playoff run comes to mind), but there haven't been many teams who defaulted to 40% possession every week and subsequently hoisted silverware.
Matt, that 2013 team was beyond dreadful, they also "won" the Spoon and were "led" by an aging and injured Dwayne DeRosario and the inimitable Conor Doyle (last seen playing for Union Omaha in USL-1). Olsen got a lot of stick from the fans but his Bennyball tactics occasionally turned chickenshit into chickensalad.
For the Fire, I didn't really pay attention to what the ball was like before Kellyn was injured, but these few games, the midfield trio of Oregel+Pineda+someone else seemed to struggle to progress the ball and orchestrate the game. I am seeing the Fire relying too much on Jack Elliott's long pass to break down some defense. To some extent, Jack Elliott is probably my favorite CB in the league, but on the other side, I don't know if this should be something Gregg is paying attention to/recognizing to solve.
TFC needs to move on from Sean Johnson. He looked subpar for his whole tenure in TFC. I don't think he deserved the shot to be the NT before and in the future, and I don't think he was a top keeper ability wise during NYC's cup run, and definitely not a top keeper even now. Man, you just don't know how to phrase your feelings when you see his deflated facial expression every time TFC conceded. I don't really recall himself cheering the kids in front of him up, not even once.
Ondřej Lingr is currently under contract, right? So what is the restriction in terms of transfer windows? The buying league, the selling league, or both? In other words, are the Dynamo getting him in the near future or not until the summer transfer window?
They're getting him this week. Hopefully the paperwork will be done in time for Sunday Night Soccer.
You can sell at any time. You can only buy (or trade) during your own window.
The MLS window is open another three weeks.
Great. Now we just need to get Steve Clark back on a 1-year deal.
Should note that out-of-contract players can be added at any point up to the roster freeze deadline in September.
you've previously mentioned about our USMNT players needing to be "the man" on their club teams, as it's showing that they're not able to translate their role playing into being "the man" on the USMNT. i concur with that assessment. my question, since i don't follow them as closely, how are the players on Canada and Mexico as being the focal points of their club teams? are any of them and can you see the translation from club to the national team with them?
i think related, i remember GGG mentioning after we lost to The Netherlands, that the makeup of that team is different than ours. i think he mentioned something about Champions League level players. was that a similar assessment... yes, we have Champions League level players, but The Netherlands players are a different level of Champions League players because of the roles on their club team?
Canada's got a few bus drivers – Jonathan David being the big one, but Bombito's already in a leadership role with Nice, Johnston at Celtic and even Choinière at Grasshoppers now that he's healthy again.
Beyond that, though, Canada's players still have a massive chip on their shoulder b/c they're the generation that pulled them out of the muck after literal decades. They're the trailblazers.
This US generation were given everything on a silver platter. It's a different collective mentality.
I'd quibble with the notion that everything was given to them on a silver platter. I think a lot of players seemed to be desperate to prove themselves from that first Nations League final in Denver through to the 2023 edition where they beat Mexico and then Canada (with the two WC qualifiers against Mexico in between). I remember the "behind the scenes video from Denver where post-match in the locker room Horvath finishes his speech by screaming "We just fxxxing beat Mexico!" and the whole team jumps up and starts zealously celebrating. I think they were hungry to show they could avoid repeating the 2018 qualifying fiasco and that they were in fact the most talented squad in the region...which was obviously very much in doubt early in their tenure as "the new core". But in some ways it seems like the 2024 NL victory led to some of them being flippant about regional competition, which has repeatedly cost us since then.
Never saw Jackson Ragen as a USMNT savior, but it's now completely necessary for him to get one of those starting CB spots.
As a Sounder fan, while I love the idea of Ragen getting a look, he seems to casual at this stage to succeed at the next level. Maybe it's my confirmation bias, but he just seems too loose in possession, a second too slow in distribution, and a half second late to get into position. Not all the time, but a handful of times each MLS game. If he's doing that at the MLS level, I worry that he's s liability in international play.
He's had a tough start to the season after two excellent years. And truth be told, he might be too slow for the int'l game.
But he needs a look. So does Privett, and both Zimmerman and Robinson should be brought back in for the summer, because the Euro guys have not cut it. At all.