DCU Matchnight #13 - DCU vs. Red Bulls

Re: Starting eleven, tactics, etc;

Whatever Chest is soon to say.

Another hour to stuff ballots for Sonia as WPS player of the month

http://fancorner.womensprosoccer.com/

I'd like to talk about the proper use of the word "gringo." Or the improper use thereof.

Several people wanted to know why I said Khumalo or N'Silu might be good choices given the weather.

Basically, in conditions like this, technique suffers. Things like speed, however, do not. If anyone remembers the Puerto Rico - Santos game from last year's CCL, the weather was awful and Santos, despite having the technical advantage by a mile, looked second best all night. Puerto Rico, meanwhile, relied on strength, speed, and simplicity.

I wouldn't expect either to start, but I think they'd be difficult subs for NY to have to deal with.

On a serious note...

After the debacle of last game, I think the boys are ready to give a beat-down -- and hapless NY is an ideal recipient.

Emilio with a brace as United wins 3-0.

"I'd like everyone here to feel welcome and comfortable, that's why I'd like to talk to you about Jesus"

-Jim Gaffigan.

from DCU's webpage/twitter feed

Starting lineup: Wicks, Namoff, Jakovic, Burch, Quaranta, Wallace, Simms, Pontius, Fred, Emilio, N'Silu

Subs: Kocic, Moreno, Jacobson, Khumalo, McTavish, Gomez, Janicki

From DC's Twitter feed:

"Wicks, Namoff, Jakovic, Burch, Quaranta, Wallace, Simms, Pontius, Fred, Emilio, N'Silu"

I'm going to guess that Wallace is not in a central role, and that it looks more like this:

-------------- N'Silu - Emilio
--------------------- Fred
Wallace - Pontius - Simms - Quaranta
------- Burch - Jakovic - Namoff
------------------- Wicks

Subs: Kocic, Janicki, McTavish, Jacobson, Khumalo, Gomez, Moreno

United tweet says Pontius has 3 goals in 2 games vs. NY. Could this guy be any more on his way to being a legend? (Okay, bad word, but, he's shown up, shown off, and killed New York, maybe hero?)

Cordial? Intelligent? But it's. Red bulls game, those things do not go together at all!

What a Bradleyesque lineup! I think it is great that he is playing Pontius out of position at D-Mid. You know because Pontius is know for his great defense. Maybe Soehn should be the next US Nats coach.

Chest,

Regarding N'Silu/speed, sound reasoning. Also, I would think the way he torched NY's back line in the Open Cup play-in might have factored into his inclusion in the starting 11.

Alright, I'll drop the bomb here.

Does anyone actually think that Ching is better than Pontius? Different skill set? Yes. But Ching is only scoring off headers in a league where service is pretty easy to get. Pontius is solid in just about every department, and actually scores.

I like the lineup, and it rewards a few people for playing well. I really don't think we have any more depth at D-mid, (getting rid of Vide is starting to grind me). Jacobson, start showing the grit.

no_recess,

You do know that Pontius has played at LB in college and played CM in his last game vs. NY, right? Defense isn't an issue, and his ability to spray balls will be much greater.

The formation on DCU's website shows Wallace playing in the middle

Wicks
Namoff — Jakovic — Burch
Quaranta — Wallace - Simms — Pontius
Fred
Emilio — N'Silu

lineup looks good - although right now any back line without Wynne or Beasley is great!

Why do these coaches keep playing players out of position? It's ok when you are in a bind but not for everyday. Certainly not when facing quality opponents (Costa Rica) in hostile environments (Costa Rica).

But until he proves he can play with his back to goal, physically abuse international defenders, and think ahead of the game laying off passes and throughballs and such, he doesn't replace what Ching does, ergo, he won't be replacing Ching.

"pinche gringo" BAD, "gringuito" GOOD

Does anyone actually think that Ching is better than Pontius?

Right now? Yes, clearly. In five years? No.

Will Soehn please play Party Boy with Emilio? Please. I just want to see him play striker for a few games. Put Tino at Right mid with Wallace at left.

In five years, Ching will be thouroughly retired.

I don't expect Pontius to get any worse.

""In five years, Ching will be thouroughly retired.""

The LA Galaxy US MNT Retirement program will surely take him . .

Ching and Pontius are different types of forwards. Ching is a scrappy forward who scores by being in the right place at the right time. He works very hard to create space and is an above average finisher. Pontius is a good-around forward who can play as center forward or out and out. And his technique is very good, and so is his tactical awareness. Pontius is like a young Jamie Moreno. Pontius will be gone next summer if he keeps this up.

Hey my gringos...

Nice early kickoff. Watch until Burn Notice, then continue on the laptop...

Yeah. I'm just going to pray they show it again. Soon.

Please, no spoilers on the show for those who may be watching.

Looks a little empty...

Demon, if you mean Burn Notice, it should be getting replayed at midnight. Or 1.

And this is the last thing I'll say till this game is over.

The problem I have with Ching is that the only thing people can say about him is that he can play with his back to goal.

That is not something that any other striker can walk onto his national team on. He has to be a goal machine as well. It's like saying a winger should play because he can run.

It sounds like people are saying that, because Pontius can create his own shots, that he isn't in the same class as Ching, who only acts a faciliator for the National team. Something wrong here. And why we didn't see Adu and Davies until we were desperate.

It's nice to have a target striker, but if you don't have a complete one, rethink the attack.

So if Brian Ching is the "poor man's Brian McBride", is PartyBoy the
"rich kids Brian Ching"?

Now you guys are putting out BN spoiler alerts!? Wild man, Wild! You guys really just wish Miami Vice was still on don't you?:-)

check this out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOcS0WlX3YE

Nice to be able to watch the Black and Red again down here in Raleigh, NC. I definitely miss attending the matches. Too bad the game is tonight and not Saturday night when we'll be in town.

Dumb question...who is Party Boy?

SPOILER ALERT: Gabrielle Anwar wears a short dress!

Oh, this isn't the Burn Notice thread?

GOAL SANTINO!!

Because I'm a nerd, I listened to the commentaries on the season one dvds, where she revealed the only scene in season one where she wore a bra is the one she didn't have a shirt on for.

GOAL TINO!!!!!

If Emilio and N'Silu are gonna play together, one of them needs to do their hair differently

The commentators on ESPN2 keep confusing Pontius for Quaranta.

That right there settles the Pontius/Ching debate. Chris has no left foot, or else that would have been 2-0.

OMG that should've been a NYRB goal.

Dumb question...who is Party Boy?

Posted by: rss317 | June 4, 2009 8:02 PM | Report abuse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7sFZQiEHJ4

Both these dudes have the same name...
http://www.dcunited.com/player/chris-pontius

Maybe ESPN will stop shoving mics in supporters sections' faces after tonight's loud and clear comment relating a New York player to a certain part of a male dog.

After all the drama of Osorio leaving Chicago I don't think he's gonna have a job in NY much longer... I say he's got 2 more losses.

Pontius/Quaranta and N'Silu/Emilio... similar much?

NAFB-
Only if the FCC catches on. Do they watch ESPN?

For the bizarro/duppleganger factor it's a shame Erpen isn't in the back with Jakovic.

This looks like a perfect opportunity for Gomez to score...

If the late season game in New England last year (I think I counted 8 or 9 audible f bombs from the players alone in the second half) didn't get the FCC's attention, that won't either. (But you never know what to think of the fellas at the freakin FCC).

F-the FCC... and the police.

Party Boy...Pontius...got it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NDPT0Ph5rA

Ah, a red card...

That had to be one of the dumbest cards I've ever seen...

That was dumb by Emilio...Very selfish...

Somebody shoot the G damn ball!!!

Who has a worse first touch? Wynne, Beasley, or Clyde Simms?

Who has the best touch? Wynne, Beasley, Simms, or a 3 feet thick brick wall?

Hey, he does have a left foot shot after all

This funny little song reminds me of parts of my childhood....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOhmyJ-wzOo

Gangsters, Punks, and Cholos, Hessians, Asians, and insane Ooosoohz...

can burch put it on goal?

Tino got lucky to not get carded for that dive.

Safe to say that call would have easily gone against DCU if the roles were reversed?

these commentators are awful...almost as bad as the red bulls.

Does anyone else feel a draw coming?

Sorry, meant to say "fear a draw coming"

Nice one into the upper deck by Burch...

Huge save from Wicks!

Wicks has been high quality tonight. Great to see.

great save by wicks. we better stop jerking around in the back....

Jeez boys...come on!!!

Great ball - fortunately the Bulls didn't want it!

PK!

Nice!!!! Easy call...

Moreno and Gomez! Nice!

Great work Gomez, other than an iffy touch, to round the keeper and get the pk. Great pass by 99.

Gomez sold it pretty well.

hmm...think Gomez sold that.

"As effortless as his effor tonight"

WTF is that supposed to mean? Is that a compliment?

"effort" that is.

Yeah, a little premature on my comment about the PK. :)

oh yeah!
Looks like Wicks is our man??????.
Agggghhhhh!
Damn. I feel better tonight than I did 20 hours ago...

When did that old Greek goalie start playing forward for NY?

A trophy?

Nice trophy. Is that thing plastic? Moreno isn't even struggling to carry that thing!

They may be "old", but this team is SOOOOO much better with Moreno and Gomez on the field.

Thoughts:

Emilio needs to cool it, and give respect to a legend. He was going to give Moreno minutes regardless; I can see why he is annoyed, as he was doing a lot of stuff right. He'll have a game to chillax.

I think we needed this game. We played a team solidly, who, against us, does nothing but score after we think we're in the clear. Our defense improved, Wicks is starting PEriod.

Now we just need to work on the dynamics of players forward and defending.

jacob,

. . . unless they've been on the field for :15 already.

I think Emilio is in another scoring "slump"...He hasn't scored in a while, and I think he is frustrated by that...Well now he won't be scoring in the next game too...

Nice to see us take care of NY again. First game I've seen on tv in a while (no comcast in Asheville). The boys still look sluggish but we outplayed an eastern conference foe. No sound so not quite sure what happened with Emilio. Barra Brava looked to be rockin for a Thursday night. DR no need to go off the deep end after last night! Peace y'all goodnight.

Luci's card was stupid but not the dumbest in United history... anyone remember when Hristo and Bobby Convey got into a fight on the field and Hristo got carded for hitting HIS own teammate?

this is the cleanest version of this song I've ever heard... I love youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sAVpxJxsCE

ok, credit to Soehn for the subs (we give him crap when he's wrong, so let's give him props when he's right!) although, to be honest, having Gomez and Jaime on the bench is a luxury few teams have. one of them is going to start against the Fire at least.

man, Wicks is freakin' good.

Luci's card was stupid but not the dumbest in United history... anyone remember when Hristo and Bobby Convey got into a fight on the field and Hristo got carded for hitting HIS own teammate?

===

Violent Conduct is Violent Conduct whether against an opponent, teammate, official, team official, or spectator.

Could've won by more, but I never felt uncomfortable except from about the 80th-85th minute. Solid win by us. Gomez should've scored on one of his first two touches, did well to win the PK.

Ladies and Gentleman....

We have a goalie...!!!!! MOTM - Josh Wicks!! Thanks for the fist pump, after the game. Kinda reminds me of Crayton last year -- with the enthusiasm.

Let this put to bed all the nonsense about who is United's best option at keeper. If Wicks keeps playing like this, the question will be whether he's the best 'keeper to ever man our goal. You like Crayton? Convince the coaches that Kocic isn't ready to be the #2. Wicks is da man.

Rodney Wallace's best game -- maybe he belongs in the middle? Pontius didn't find the back of the net, but he is getting better -- turning into a dangerous player. When he starts finishing those plays, he's gonna be legendary.

I know. I know. Don't get carried away. The Bulls stink, and we nearly gave away the points again. But, man - United looked pretty good. Nice to hit that kind of form with the Fire coming in next week. If DCU has any designs on winning the East, winning that game is probably a big piece.

Finally, 3 points!! I need to change my underwear.

Why did Emilio get the red card?

BTW -- where was everybody? I came out. I looked for all of you....

From what I heard on the radio after the game, Emilio was throwing water bottles and using abusive language.

When Emilio got pulled he kicked something (Gatorade cooler?) and it bounced back onto the field. So maybe time wasting, and it was his 2nd yellow.

I think the Moreno / Gomez combo worked well with the dicey field. Slow things down, spring folks as needed. We had great control of the ball for the last 30 minutes.

Because I'm a nerd, I listened to the commentaries on the season one dvds, where she revealed the only scene in season one where she wore a bra is the one she didn't have a shirt on for.

GOAL TINO!!!!!

Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | June 4, 2009 8:14 PM |
********************

Nice buildup.

Did the TV cameras catch Emilio saying anything at the AR before he got "tossed" for dissent or whatever after he was subbed out?

I'm OK with him getting a yellow if he saids something nasty to that AR, but otherwise (like if he got it for kicking junk onto the field) it would seem like over-refereeing from the AR.

Wow, that's pretty lame. I thought the ref was pretty one-sided all night, esp. on the calls against Emilio, his yellow was a joke.

that was a direct red card not a second yellow.

Terry Vaughn has now had two terrible matches on national TV in a row. His foul recognition would get him booted out of the U-6s. Just a total disgrace.

New post is up...with player ratings (eek).

Any idea why there were firetrucks at Lot 4 after the game? Made getting out of the lot interesting.

Emilio drought?
He had an assist last game, and a goal vs Chivas...
I'd hardly call it a drought. He's doing what he's gotta do.