All right, I openly admit that I have not coached a team to the finals of any sport so my thoughts on the coaching decisions made our embarrassing 1-0 loss to RSL should be taken with a heaping tablespoon of salt.
First, why was Brad Evans playing right back? Given the same situation (Le Toux being injured and no Riley available), my first instinct would've been to put Ianni in the middle and move either Hurtado or Marshall to the right side.
If that wasn't practical (both center backs said, "Hell no!"), put Ianni on the right.
If that wasn't an option, put Tyson Wahl on the right side (or the left and move Gonzalez to the right).
If that wasn't an option, move Keller to the right side and let Boss take over the net.
I don't consider Evans in the back line. Not just because I don't think it's too good an idea but that then leaves an empty space in the midfield, which as we've seen leads us to...
Second, why did Vagenas start in the midfield? I admit I have not been impressed with his play at any time during the season and this game merely cemented my belief that he is not the player we need in the midfield. For argument's sake, let's say I completely lost my senses (or believed that Bob Bradley's choice of Evans in the back line was divine) and I'd agreed to have Evans as my right back (replacing Riley) and now had a spot in midfield to fill.
Sturgis would've been at the top of the list for the vacancy, followed closely by Ianni, Levesque, Nyassi, Fucito and then Walz. Look there, Vagenas never made the list.
In the event we don't make the post-season, I will call this the match that made that horror possible and not the freakish mishap against San Jose.
You have been warned.
Gotta agree. Keep Vagenas out. More salt though, I've never coached at any level. Sigi can do what he wants, but I don't have to agree with it. I do not agree Evans was the choice for right back. But since he was, some one other than Vagenas has to play in the center midfield. My candidate would be Ljungberg with Nyassi on the right wing. Or hell, even Levesque.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Jon though, I see the loss at San Jose as the point where I decided I don't think they will make the playoffs. LA scares the hell out of me right now, and I fear the downward spiral is going to pickup momentum.
Troy