2005: 1-2-1
2006: 0-3-1
2007: 0-2-2
2008: 1-2-1
Looking at the first four games of the season compared to previous years doesn't exactly scream "We've turned a corner", though 2008 has tied our best four game start in franchise history. And a win on Saturday would give us our franchise best first five game record.
Looking a little closer at the goal differential is a little nicer. We are actually at a plus 1 goal differential at 6 to 5 this season. Past seasons we've been at a negative 4 ('05 6-2), negative 5 ('06 8-3), and negative 6 ('07 8-2).
What does any of this mean? I'm not sure exactly, but I still don't think its too late to be looking for the silver lining. Watching the CHI game, DCU game, most of the Chivas game, and the second half of the TFC game I have seen this team play in ways that I've never seen in any RSL team before...even in big wins. We control the field much better than any team RSL has had in teams past and the overwhelming difference I see this season has been the defense. In years past we had Eddie Pope and then three other USL quality backs. This year we miss Pope, but Borchers has filled in quite nicely. The only weakness (and I hate to say this) I've seen on the back line has been Ian Joy. He consistently gets beat and then is subsequent plays attempts to compensate with poorly times slide tackles and tenacity on the ball.
Has there been defense improvement in 2008? Yes.
The midfield has been the most noticeable change while watching the game. Other than the first half against TFC we have had some of the best passing ever seen by the boys in RED & BLUE (Should we call them the Relues? Or the Blueds? Do we need to get gold in there somewhere? Gedlues?). There is fluid passing in the middle and the guys in the middle seem to know what the guys on the wings are either doing or going to do. Beckerman continues to be the best trade in RSL history while I'm quickly becoming a huge fan of Dema. As Joy is with the defense, Morales is the one midfielder that seems to be holding us back. He is also the only midfielder whose position we don't really have a good backup that can press him for his job.
Has there been midfield improvement in 2008? Yes.
Outside of Jeff Cunningham RSL has never had a great forward. JK was okay, but it is hard to consider him an RSL forward as he seemed to play every position but keeper in his time on the field. This season we thought we'd have four great forwards, but it hasn't been the case. Espindola has been solid, but is hurt already. Yura played good late against TFC, but that is about it. Deuchar still needs to start putting it back of the net before I get too excited. I love that he torments the opposing team, but he needs to plant his butt in front of the goal and start heading things in (this is also a tactical problem as the midfield needs to be passing it to his planted butt). As for Findley I've been very disappointed. I thought he'd be the cream of the crop, but his production has been minimal and he rarely threatens.
Has there been striker improvement in 2008? Questionable, but we have scored more in the first four games than any other season.
Coaching seems to be our weak link so far, at least on the road. Don't take this as a "I hate JK" rant, he too has put the blame on himself after the Chivas and TFC lose. He also said that his guys didn't know what to do after going up 2 on DCU. If coaching has really been our biggest problem this year it is a good thing, because it can be fixed. You can't learn more talent and skill quickly enough to adapt in times of desperation. You can change tactics quickly though. Let's hope JK has it in him.
Has coaching improved in 2008? No.
DCU Part II could change both of the last answers and give RSL its best five game start to date. One thing RSL has going for them is that the rest of the league is still at a stand still as no team has really set themselves apart. Let's fix the problems early this season so we aren't bragging about the 'new RSL' after the playoffs are out of reach.
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Great post, Scads. I am with you on most of the topics. Which is why I think we could be seeing Beltran getting time pretty soon over Joy. However, I think Morales has made a lot of positive contributions (especially off of free kicks), but (like previous years) he is playing deeper in the midfield than I would prefer. Kreis is using it to keep good possession, but it hurts when he is not close to the forwards to work with them.
Great points, I think I agree with just about all that you've said. I feel that while JK has definitely had some tactical failures, I feel like he may be succeeding in his attempt to make this a competitive team(attitude and competition for starting 11). Hopefully he can correct his tactical blunders. As another point to add to your comments here, I feel like Garth and JK deserve some credit for their acquisitions. I know the jury is still out on a few of the players, but I think that management did as good a job as you could hope for with the money they had. Maybe one more sweet acquisition midseason will give us the last piece of the puzzle.
Thanks for the great post
I would mention that the Coach (aka "coaching") while they might have made a tactical error in the Chivas and TFC games, they are also to blame for the way we play when it goes well. Including the improvements in each game.
I think coaching is better at RSL today than it has ever been. I think our defense looks as good as it does in large part to Robin Fraser. JK has imposed a "style" on this team which we never saw in years before. They play VERY well.
While the record is the same as 2005. I'll tell you right now - it's a much improved team over any previous teams? Why?
Because when we lose, it's barely. We've dominated for significant stretches in EVERY game.
The difference with this RSL team is that when you watch them you catch yourself thinking "it's only a matter of time before we score" much more often than "it's only a matter of time before the other team scores".
We're probably not as good/mature yet as we wanted to be at the start of this season, but this TEAM is very good. They're going to do fine this season (and make the playoffs) if they can just stay confident and keep playing the way they are (and learning from the couple tactical mistakes they've made).
Coaching has not improved? This is a good post, but do you remember the Ellinger era? His substitutions and tactics were shockingly bad. If we ever took the lead in a game, we would sit back and let them attack for the remainder of the match. It was no wonder we got scored on often late in matches. The first half at TFC was bad, but the players were awful - you can't do much about players who can't trap the ball and complete a simple 5 yard pass. To his credit, Kreis made tactical adjustments at halftime, and the team responded. He then made good, smart substitutions that helped us maintain more possession, have more energy and be more dangerous on the attack.
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