All three post game pressers were interesting. Atuesta and Palencia were clearly frustrated with the incomplete performance. It feels like this team wants to compete for every point and try to win every game, but we just haven’t seen the results on the pitch that reflect that. Palencia was especially heated, which is understandable considering this outcome may cost him the start in El Tráfico next week, even though he had a strong showing.
Of course it’s the easy answer, but this felt like a match where the team really felt Vela’s (and Chiellini’s) absence. The squad is full of character and still has great leaders, but they seem disorganized, maybe even unfocused, considering we’re well over a month into the season. Luckily it’s a long season, but we’ve seen that home field advantage will be very relevant come playoffs, and I don’t love the hole they’re digging themselves into.
Effort across the board has been great, so I’m confident the team is going to be all right, but I certainly don’t envy the tough decisions Dolo will have to make while the roster is still getting ironed out. If nothing else, the next match should be very entertaining.
It does feel like the group isn't as cohesive as in the past. And that makes sense when you consider not only the number of players that have left but some of the big personalities like Giorgio and Vela. It's hard to say who's team this is right now. It feels like Bouanga sets the tone but the vibe is some player don't always want to run and gun. Still a work in progress but they'll have to figure it out one way or the other. Can't have half the group wanting to run in transition all the time and the other wanting to possess the ball.
Yes we can all hope, and I had hoped that the legend Kobe had opted to do the same over at Crypto-staples, but to mentor takes a deep commitment and some people probably want to spend time with their family. We’re all humans with desires and foibles 🤷♂️
I know this is not what LAFC fans want to hear, but like the RSL game I don’t think this one has any long term meaning. It seems like no matter how poor of a season Colorado is having or not having LAFC struggles there. In my opinion the altitude sucks the life out of the midfield. LAFC is at its best when it’s squeezing opponents in the midfield creating turnovers that lead to transition opportunities. That’s been true under Dolo as it was under Bob. That’s why I would have liked to have seen Bogusz or Tillman come in off the bench. Rotating an already tired Bogusz back to midfield in the 2nd half does little to help.
I actually think this game showed signs of promise. They managed to score two goals while also creating other promising chances. Eventually they will get a chance to show what they can do on the road without battling the elements.
Losing Martinez for the Galaxy game probably hurts more than losing this game. It really means there is no impact sub who can come off the bench in that game (Kamara was fine, just don’t see him changing a game). But again from the long term perspective his poise in scoring his first goal with a deceptively simple move on the ball (reminded me of the Bouanga goal against Portland in 2022) can’t help but make me feel excited about his future with LAFC.
I do think it’s wrong to call for him to start over Olivera. As you pointed out on the HaFo preview, there’s a lot more that goes into playing the wing than just attacking. He’s clearly still learning all aspects of the position, as well as understanding game states, and the intangibles that players like Chiellini mastered. I’m sure for most of his playing career as a youth he has just been able to out talent opponents. I think LAFC should give him time to learn the game and allow him to do what he currently does best as a sub.
I agree. The result feels a lot more. jarring because of the way it played out. Great goal, equalizer, red card, and finally Colorado gets the winner late. They definitely ran out of steam but really had themselves to blame by not finding any chances to possess for periods in Colorado's half. With how much this team has changed and how it's evolving, this might be a good learning experience. I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of tape to watch in the team meeting next week.
yes! game management is to blame, with 10 minutes left to play and knowing that you don't have the beat defense and don't loke to keep ball possession and having a win within your grasp, why keep 3 fowards ? why persist on the same idea of attacking in transition at stage of the game? the team has Bounga, Olivera, Martinez, Sanchez, Boguzs, Lloris, Tillman, those are good quality players for MLS standards, the team should be able to perform better and it doesn't, seem to be stock in one first gear!! at this point there no one else to blame but Cherundolo!! and what's up woth Olivera not being able to improve his last touch? week in week out .. don't seem to improve, same can be said with Boguzs, is there something not being practiced or done during the week , during practice?? to me there is no reason for the team to be underperforming..!
Olivera had a nice touch and finish against Nashville. I think if you watch the chance he had at the end of the half again, it was tougher than it seemed and also Steffen was really aggressive and did a great job on the play. The truth is that with Olivera's profile, if already could score goals he would have been straight to a European Top 5 league and not MLS. So he's a work in progress. As for persisting with the same idea, the players are the ones making the choices out there. Like I said in the writeup, Steve was clearly not happy with the decision making. He's always going to be a coach that gives the team freedom to pick and choose when to attack and when to hold the ball. He's not a Playstation coach like a Conte that dictates every move from his team.
Great write up as always … tough season so far and this galaxy game is a huge test … Galaxy is a different team then I’ve seen them be since LAFC started in the league
I just read he has agree to join Monterrey in Mexico!! at this point who knows!! but regardless, if he plays for another team or retires, it was sad ending with LAFC!! no acknowledgment from LAFC to give him farewell and a thank you!!
All three post game pressers were interesting. Atuesta and Palencia were clearly frustrated with the incomplete performance. It feels like this team wants to compete for every point and try to win every game, but we just haven’t seen the results on the pitch that reflect that. Palencia was especially heated, which is understandable considering this outcome may cost him the start in El Tráfico next week, even though he had a strong showing.
Of course it’s the easy answer, but this felt like a match where the team really felt Vela’s (and Chiellini’s) absence. The squad is full of character and still has great leaders, but they seem disorganized, maybe even unfocused, considering we’re well over a month into the season. Luckily it’s a long season, but we’ve seen that home field advantage will be very relevant come playoffs, and I don’t love the hole they’re digging themselves into.
Effort across the board has been great, so I’m confident the team is going to be all right, but I certainly don’t envy the tough decisions Dolo will have to make while the roster is still getting ironed out. If nothing else, the next match should be very entertaining.
It does feel like the group isn't as cohesive as in the past. And that makes sense when you consider not only the number of players that have left but some of the big personalities like Giorgio and Vela. It's hard to say who's team this is right now. It feels like Bouanga sets the tone but the vibe is some player don't always want to run and gun. Still a work in progress but they'll have to figure it out one way or the other. Can't have half the group wanting to run in transition all the time and the other wanting to possess the ball.
Can’t help but wish that Vela was here to help mentor David Martinez. So many similarities in both their game and where they are/were at age 18.
Yes we can all hope, and I had hoped that the legend Kobe had opted to do the same over at Crypto-staples, but to mentor takes a deep commitment and some people probably want to spend time with their family. We’re all humans with desires and foibles 🤷♂️
I know this is not what LAFC fans want to hear, but like the RSL game I don’t think this one has any long term meaning. It seems like no matter how poor of a season Colorado is having or not having LAFC struggles there. In my opinion the altitude sucks the life out of the midfield. LAFC is at its best when it’s squeezing opponents in the midfield creating turnovers that lead to transition opportunities. That’s been true under Dolo as it was under Bob. That’s why I would have liked to have seen Bogusz or Tillman come in off the bench. Rotating an already tired Bogusz back to midfield in the 2nd half does little to help.
I actually think this game showed signs of promise. They managed to score two goals while also creating other promising chances. Eventually they will get a chance to show what they can do on the road without battling the elements.
Losing Martinez for the Galaxy game probably hurts more than losing this game. It really means there is no impact sub who can come off the bench in that game (Kamara was fine, just don’t see him changing a game). But again from the long term perspective his poise in scoring his first goal with a deceptively simple move on the ball (reminded me of the Bouanga goal against Portland in 2022) can’t help but make me feel excited about his future with LAFC.
I do think it’s wrong to call for him to start over Olivera. As you pointed out on the HaFo preview, there’s a lot more that goes into playing the wing than just attacking. He’s clearly still learning all aspects of the position, as well as understanding game states, and the intangibles that players like Chiellini mastered. I’m sure for most of his playing career as a youth he has just been able to out talent opponents. I think LAFC should give him time to learn the game and allow him to do what he currently does best as a sub.
I agree. The result feels a lot more. jarring because of the way it played out. Great goal, equalizer, red card, and finally Colorado gets the winner late. They definitely ran out of steam but really had themselves to blame by not finding any chances to possess for periods in Colorado's half. With how much this team has changed and how it's evolving, this might be a good learning experience. I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of tape to watch in the team meeting next week.
yes! game management is to blame, with 10 minutes left to play and knowing that you don't have the beat defense and don't loke to keep ball possession and having a win within your grasp, why keep 3 fowards ? why persist on the same idea of attacking in transition at stage of the game? the team has Bounga, Olivera, Martinez, Sanchez, Boguzs, Lloris, Tillman, those are good quality players for MLS standards, the team should be able to perform better and it doesn't, seem to be stock in one first gear!! at this point there no one else to blame but Cherundolo!! and what's up woth Olivera not being able to improve his last touch? week in week out .. don't seem to improve, same can be said with Boguzs, is there something not being practiced or done during the week , during practice?? to me there is no reason for the team to be underperforming..!
Olivera had a nice touch and finish against Nashville. I think if you watch the chance he had at the end of the half again, it was tougher than it seemed and also Steffen was really aggressive and did a great job on the play. The truth is that with Olivera's profile, if already could score goals he would have been straight to a European Top 5 league and not MLS. So he's a work in progress. As for persisting with the same idea, the players are the ones making the choices out there. Like I said in the writeup, Steve was clearly not happy with the decision making. He's always going to be a coach that gives the team freedom to pick and choose when to attack and when to hold the ball. He's not a Playstation coach like a Conte that dictates every move from his team.
Ahhhhh. April fools day. Thank god.
Great write up as always … tough season so far and this galaxy game is a huge test … Galaxy is a different team then I’ve seen them be since LAFC started in the league
So disappointing. Really nothing to comment on. Now Vela to Galaxy?
I just read he has agree to join Monterrey in Mexico!! at this point who knows!! but regardless, if he plays for another team or retires, it was sad ending with LAFC!! no acknowledgment from LAFC to give him farewell and a thank you!!
It's April Fools' Day.