Credit KC for playing a smart early season road game tactical match of defending and countering. And they countered well….it was just their last pass ad finishing that sucked.
For DCU, it’s mostly about chemistry. Salihi got no service. A guys with a lot of talent are still learning to work together. And a couple of guys are still getting match fit/sharp after missing time in preseason (Pontius who wasn’t projected to be back for another 2 weeks, DeRo with his strain, Boskovich with an ankle) and Hamid and Kitchen missed much of the preseason b/c of the U23 camp. Those aren’t excuses, just an acknowledgement that they want to play a possession, ball-on-the-ground style of play. They requires smart runs off the ball and knowing your teammates. And this team ain’t anywhere near there yet. Having the last game of the CCC rained out hurt some–that would have been the first game that most of the first team has played together. But the reality is that it’s going to be 2-4 matches before this team starts to look coherent. Until then they’ll have to defend and win ugly.
Don’t forget that Kitchen and Hamid will be leaving for Olympic Qualifying and will miss games coming up and to top it all off Kitchen is playing central defender for the U-23s so I’m thinking it might take a while for this midfield to gel which can make things even more problematic because Bosko’s contract is up this summer and they need to figure out what to do with him. Ben Olsen will take big steps toward becoming a seasoned coach by the time this season is over. I guess the plan is to gel during the first part of the season, be ready for the stretch rune, get into the playoffs and the rest is gravy…
Chemistry and form in offense. Bosko and De Ro just are not in form, after sitting out late in preseason. De Ro and Salihi didn’t figure out what to do with each other. Meanwhile, Bosko and Kitchen were less a partnership in the middle and more a… what do I do right now?
With reps, this will improve, but questions linger over the right personnel and formation.
All DC’s attacks went down the wings, which makes sense against KC. None of the wings managed to get in any good crosses despite numerous chances. Najar in particular was getting into dangerous situations then failing to find a teammate. The passing in midfield was poor as well.
Credit KC for playing a smart early season road game tactical match of defending and countering. And they countered well….it was just their last pass ad finishing that sucked.
For DCU, it’s mostly about chemistry. Salihi got no service. A guys with a lot of talent are still learning to work together. And a couple of guys are still getting match fit/sharp after missing time in preseason (Pontius who wasn’t projected to be back for another 2 weeks, DeRo with his strain, Boskovich with an ankle) and Hamid and Kitchen missed much of the preseason b/c of the U23 camp. Those aren’t excuses, just an acknowledgement that they want to play a possession, ball-on-the-ground style of play. They requires smart runs off the ball and knowing your teammates. And this team ain’t anywhere near there yet. Having the last game of the CCC rained out hurt some–that would have been the first game that most of the first team has played together. But the reality is that it’s going to be 2-4 matches before this team starts to look coherent. Until then they’ll have to defend and win ugly.
Although both teams looked sluggish, KC just has more talent, individually and as a team.
Don’t forget that Kitchen and Hamid will be leaving for Olympic Qualifying and will miss games coming up and to top it all off Kitchen is playing central defender for the U-23s so I’m thinking it might take a while for this midfield to gel which can make things even more problematic because Bosko’s contract is up this summer and they need to figure out what to do with him. Ben Olsen will take big steps toward becoming a seasoned coach by the time this season is over. I guess the plan is to gel during the first part of the season, be ready for the stretch rune, get into the playoffs and the rest is gravy…
was at the game and it was a clear lack of chemistry. and russell was trying to do long ball after long ball. all around bad.
Yeah, DC definitely had some chemistry issues. It was a really boring game from both sides, though. Typical week 1 rust.
Chemistry and form in offense. Bosko and De Ro just are not in form, after sitting out late in preseason. De Ro and Salihi didn’t figure out what to do with each other. Meanwhile, Bosko and Kitchen were less a partnership in the middle and more a… what do I do right now?
With reps, this will improve, but questions linger over the right personnel and formation.
All DC’s attacks went down the wings, which makes sense against KC. None of the wings managed to get in any good crosses despite numerous chances. Najar in particular was getting into dangerous situations then failing to find a teammate. The passing in midfield was poor as well.
So pretty minimal opportunities from DC? Anyone who was at the game or watched it want to diagnose the issues?