Is this tailspin as bad as the Hindenburg’s? Not quite, but serious corrections need to be made to a Dallas squad that has capitulated in the second half three games on the trot. As refreshing as it was to see Brek and Carlos back in the lineup Friday night, FCD looked uninspired late on against a hungry DC United.
Finish your chances early on.
Ironically, it was DC who was a disaster in the back throughout the entire first half. Ricardo Villar and Blas nearly found themselves on the scoresheet within the first 10 minutes of Friday’s match. Consistent mistakes were made across the backline for DC, ultimately culminating in Blas Perez’s goal in the 41st minute, and left the DC defense looking about as organized as Brad Friedel’s finances.
Backline organization will quickly fix defensive woes.
The wonder-strike from Maicon Santos was something he’d probably kept up his sleeve since being exposed in the expansion draft by FCD in 2011. It was a great hit, and credit is definitely due, but he had acres and acres of space to whip that shot from outside the box. Pertuz was the guilty party, as he was the nearest man to the ball and didn’t close the space in front of Santos. DC’s third goal caught Benitez pushed far too high and central rather than covering the backside, as most would’ve wanted. De Leon’s goal (the second of the match) was a product of Rodriguez not tracking back and sliding in on the backside as the fifth defender. These are critical lapses in organization that Hyndman will no doubt address.
In addition, as much as I’d hate to say it, George John brings better positioning and organization to Dallas’ backline than Hernan Pertuz. Hernan is not a bad defender; in fact he was outstanding against New York. There has to be a period of adjustment for MLS newcomers like Pertuz and gradually easing him in would’ve been optimal. He’s had a crash course to say the least. Friday night was probably his worst performance (Jair Benitez’s as well), but I certainly don’t want to disparage the man.
Brek and Carlos should probably have been used as substitutes.
Three games in five days, plus the blows in confidence via missing Olympic qualification showed Friday night amongst these two wingers. Brek was undisciplined positionally, as was Rodriguez, and both played the role of the wanderer rather than the outside mid. Even though Carlos does tend to be more defensive-minded, his productivity going forward was non-existent Friday night. He was dispossessed, as was Brek, far too often. Credit is due to DC, however, as they were organized on the wings and countered well into the space left by Dallas pushing forward. Second half substitutions for both these beleaguered wingers could’ve been a more prudent way of getting them time on the field without wearing them down.
Win the second half.
Even if FCD had drawn the second halves of the past three matches they’d find themselves with a home win, two away draws, and 9 points overall. The Hoops now have less than half of that sum. Second half capitulation is a slowly growing, unwelcome trend in 2012. Schellas Hyndman should aim for the late theatrics and John Elway-esque spirit that so encapsulated the 2010 FCD squad. It’s a disposition the team seems to lack as of late. Regardless, Thursday looks brighter, but certainly not a cakewalk, as the Revs are on a two game win streak, and not to mention a 5 day confidence boost after thrashing LA 3-1. Going up early, holding the shutout, and walking out with three points is always ideal, but definitely hard to achieve. Winning these next two matches against New England and Montreal will be critical for the team’s confidence heading into the following three: Vancouver, Salt Lake, and Los Angeles.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
