Glad to have you back writing about LAFC… I’m always waiting for your thoughts on the most recent game… also appreciate your HT twitter thoughts …. Keep doing what you’re doing
Appreciate the new takeaways. It’s been a great run of games and I think Cherundolo deserves a lot of credit for his adjustments since the start of the season. When I saw Segura and Dueñas starting together in the midfield against MU I had some trepidation, but felt like the game plan was designed to fit the players on the pitch.
I was a Dolo Out person last year despite the success based on how unappealing their style of play was. I was also probably one of the few Bob In people, just because I feel with the talent LAFC possesses I want to see a more dynamic style of play. To his credit I think Dolo is recalibrating their approach as you pointed out. That may seem like an easy thing for a manager to figure out, but compare it to other teams like Whitecaps where Sartini continues to push his wingbacks high even though they are getting murdered by wings down their left flank or Dallas where they have a giant number 9 who is the ideal target striker, but they have him playing the position like Bogusz.
I also think enough can’t said about how well Tillman is playing this year. He’s been a rock in midfield. He reminds me a bit of Lee Nguyen. He doesn’t depend on athleticism, just typically in the right spot and knows the right pass to make. Again I think it’s a credit to the coaching staff that the 2nd year players have all improved from last year.
Going back to last season, I think Steve wanted to change things even then. But there were so many other variables (lack of training between games being one of the biggest) he had to consider. I hope the biggest learning for people that want to understand the professional game better is the role of the coach. There is so much more to it than tactics from game to game. And Steve always has seemed to be a big picture coach that plans meticulously. Last year, we all saw how transition-heavy the team was but they were also winning games. Steve had to weigh what changing the approach might cost and if they even had time to do it. This season, you're seeing him go all-in on getting his team to be more balanced from the very start of the season. And he's doing that while also integrating new players. There were growing pains. People screamed about the "tactics" without understanding the bigger picture Steve had in mind for his team.
I think we're finally seeing an LAFC team that is comfortable. The players aren't robots. They have their own fears and weaknesses. They don't want to look stupid even if the coach is asking them to do something out of their comfort zone. While the year started rough and guys made mistakes, they stuck to the plan. It's paying off now.
I do agree with Vince on Chanot, he has made a difference in the back , I was at the game Saturday and every cross ball in the air he intercepted or headed away! He also has a very good vision and timing in the back and it gives the rest of the guys the confidence ,especially the midfield to go and build the attack without worrying they need to be back defending or get caught in transition , and I am not too sure if it's by design but they seem to be finding themselves on how to rotate the ball better and with more precision in the midfield to create more offense, and not just fast break transitions, If it is by design , I am glad Steve finally got the point that fast breaks were not working anymore, and had no choice but to change , and let's be honest it took him along time to figure out or he was just too stubborn to admit it was not working and need to have more balance in offense.
I also I think Bogusz and Olivera and Tillman are maturing as players and Bounga finally seem to understand that he needs to be more of team and that has contributed to what is happening in now in offense, I wouldn't give Steve all of the credit yet! I mean is not too long ago we were talking about the team looking repetitive with the same game plan! ...we still have a very long season but it looks promising! but at the end if LAFC doesn't make to the western finals and Cups league semifinal , it should be the end for Steve Cherundolo time with LAFC i think!
If I can say something negative on Bogusz at this time, it will help him if he can get a little stronger physically he looses the man to man challenges too easy he gets pushed a side fairly easy, to the contrary with Olivera or Tillman! if he can get stronger or put a little more muscle so he doesn't get push so easy, he will be a hell of a player!
It’s a credit to the coaching staff that they’ve so drastically improved their passing patterns out of the back. It was a definite contrast with Dallas who was trying to play out of the back, but struggled against the LAFC press.
I’ve really been blown away by the impact Chanot has made. I remember watching that 2021 NYFC team and Callens was the standout CB, never really noticed Chanot other than he seemed to be strong in the air. However, I also think Palencia’s emergence in the starting lineup has also made a difference. Neither shows a lot of flash, but they are calm on the ball and have all the veteran tricks you seem to only gain from high level experience.
Glad to have you back writing about LAFC… I’m always waiting for your thoughts on the most recent game… also appreciate your HT twitter thoughts …. Keep doing what you’re doing
Thank you! I really appreciate reading that.
Appreciate the new takeaways. It’s been a great run of games and I think Cherundolo deserves a lot of credit for his adjustments since the start of the season. When I saw Segura and Dueñas starting together in the midfield against MU I had some trepidation, but felt like the game plan was designed to fit the players on the pitch.
I was a Dolo Out person last year despite the success based on how unappealing their style of play was. I was also probably one of the few Bob In people, just because I feel with the talent LAFC possesses I want to see a more dynamic style of play. To his credit I think Dolo is recalibrating their approach as you pointed out. That may seem like an easy thing for a manager to figure out, but compare it to other teams like Whitecaps where Sartini continues to push his wingbacks high even though they are getting murdered by wings down their left flank or Dallas where they have a giant number 9 who is the ideal target striker, but they have him playing the position like Bogusz.
I also think enough can’t said about how well Tillman is playing this year. He’s been a rock in midfield. He reminds me a bit of Lee Nguyen. He doesn’t depend on athleticism, just typically in the right spot and knows the right pass to make. Again I think it’s a credit to the coaching staff that the 2nd year players have all improved from last year.
Going back to last season, I think Steve wanted to change things even then. But there were so many other variables (lack of training between games being one of the biggest) he had to consider. I hope the biggest learning for people that want to understand the professional game better is the role of the coach. There is so much more to it than tactics from game to game. And Steve always has seemed to be a big picture coach that plans meticulously. Last year, we all saw how transition-heavy the team was but they were also winning games. Steve had to weigh what changing the approach might cost and if they even had time to do it. This season, you're seeing him go all-in on getting his team to be more balanced from the very start of the season. And he's doing that while also integrating new players. There were growing pains. People screamed about the "tactics" without understanding the bigger picture Steve had in mind for his team.
I think we're finally seeing an LAFC team that is comfortable. The players aren't robots. They have their own fears and weaknesses. They don't want to look stupid even if the coach is asking them to do something out of their comfort zone. While the year started rough and guys made mistakes, they stuck to the plan. It's paying off now.
I do agree with Vince on Chanot, he has made a difference in the back , I was at the game Saturday and every cross ball in the air he intercepted or headed away! He also has a very good vision and timing in the back and it gives the rest of the guys the confidence ,especially the midfield to go and build the attack without worrying they need to be back defending or get caught in transition , and I am not too sure if it's by design but they seem to be finding themselves on how to rotate the ball better and with more precision in the midfield to create more offense, and not just fast break transitions, If it is by design , I am glad Steve finally got the point that fast breaks were not working anymore, and had no choice but to change , and let's be honest it took him along time to figure out or he was just too stubborn to admit it was not working and need to have more balance in offense.
I also I think Bogusz and Olivera and Tillman are maturing as players and Bounga finally seem to understand that he needs to be more of team and that has contributed to what is happening in now in offense, I wouldn't give Steve all of the credit yet! I mean is not too long ago we were talking about the team looking repetitive with the same game plan! ...we still have a very long season but it looks promising! but at the end if LAFC doesn't make to the western finals and Cups league semifinal , it should be the end for Steve Cherundolo time with LAFC i think!
If I can say something negative on Bogusz at this time, it will help him if he can get a little stronger physically he looses the man to man challenges too easy he gets pushed a side fairly easy, to the contrary with Olivera or Tillman! if he can get stronger or put a little more muscle so he doesn't get push so easy, he will be a hell of a player!
It’s a credit to the coaching staff that they’ve so drastically improved their passing patterns out of the back. It was a definite contrast with Dallas who was trying to play out of the back, but struggled against the LAFC press.
I’ve really been blown away by the impact Chanot has made. I remember watching that 2021 NYFC team and Callens was the standout CB, never really noticed Chanot other than he seemed to be strong in the air. However, I also think Palencia’s emergence in the starting lineup has also made a difference. Neither shows a lot of flash, but they are calm on the ball and have all the veteran tricks you seem to only gain from high level experience.
Great takes - great always - Great Vinces always
#AlwaysHireVince