or also called REALITY BITES
After long last, our season has finally started, and already I have experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of the FEET.
I am of course talking about the loss to the hated Chicago Fire. After a thrilling victory in our season opener against Houston, in which the Revs did everything right... last night the Revs managed to completely do everything wrong. They completly fell apart as they were dismantled by the Fire 4-0 (with all goals being scored in the first 40 minutes).
What a totally pathetic and pitiful performance by the Revs, and exceptionally poor defending by Parkhurst and Albright, and even more exceptionally poor judgement by Steve Nicol. After the red card to Larentowicz (a bit extreme, don't you think?) Nicol should have immediately gone to a 4-4-1. And while I agree Khano Smith was the man to come off, Chase Hilgenbrinck should have come on for Smith, and move Castro out left and Mansally into the middle with Joseph. Gary Flood was not the right choice to come on. He was AWFUL the first half and never touched the ball. He did improve after Hilgenbrinck came on - but at the expense of Kenny Mansally, thereby limiting our offense.
After Hilgenbrinck came on, the Revs settled down and made some good runs down the wing courtesy of Nyassi. But Chicago is one of those teams that had effectively exploited the 3-5-2 last year... and after the first goal it should have been apparent that they were going to do it again... The onslaught could have been avoided early if Nicol had moved Larentowicz back to partner with Parkhurst after the first goal as a fourth defender, and he probably would not have been ejected because he would have been playing a bit further back.
lord I have a headache.
And why weren't they wearing their lucky white shirts?
Revolution Draft Wrap Up
So with the 5 picks in the MLS super draft, the Revolution selected 2 defenders, and three midfielders (ALL FROM DUKE). Plus they aquired veteran defender Chris Albright from the LA Galaxy in exchange for allocation money (which just makes the Galaxy stronger in my opinion)....
But the point is Steve Nicol and the Revs are obviously focused on strengthening the defense and the midfield. It became clear last season that the Revs lacked an effective attacking central midfielder. Despite the somewhat limited success of moving Ralston in the middle, it was merely a stop gap measure until the end of the season until Nicol and crew could find a replacement for the exiting Andy Dorman. Also with burgeoning interest in Parkhurst and Avery John, and the Revolution's tendency to give up late goals, the defense needed some bolstering as well.
The Revs added two 6 footers to their relatively small defensive core yesterday, Rob Valentino - a stand out from San Francisco, and Matthew Britner, a canadian born defender from Brown.
The three midfielders from Duke (Videira , Germanse, and Spenser Wadsworth) will certainly not all make the squad, but will provide some depth at attacking midfielder and also challenge the current squad to work hard for their positions.
Overall the draft was lacking in strong forwards (only one taken in the first round), but very deep in defense and midfield. I was not surprised that the Revs did not take another keeper, but with the recent injury problems to Twellman and only Cristman in reserve at the moment, I was surprised they didn't make a move for a forward. Perhaps they are hoping that prep star Jose Angulo will be ready for the big time.
The Scoop
On Rob Valentino, from the pages of UC San Francisco...
|
USF's Rob Valentino Named to 2008 Class of Generation adidas
Jan. 11, 2008
(New York) - USF standout Rob Valentino was selected to the 2008 class of Generation adidas as announced today by Major League Soccer and adidas. This elite group of nine players will all enter the professional ranks for the 2008 Major MLS season. These players signed MLS contracts before completing their NCAA eligibility and can be selected in the upcoming 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
Valentino, the 2006 West Coast Conference Player of the Year was named to the Hermann Trophy Award Watch list entering the 2007 campaign, before suffering a season-ending injury. Valentino spearheaded the Dons run to back-to-back WCC Championships (2004-05) and catapulted USF Soccer to three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.
A three-time All-WCC First Team selection and an Honorable Mention All-American, Valentino competed on the U-23 USA National Team in its 2007 trip to Japan and was the only collegiate player to start.
And the Revolution pick...
Rob Valentino??????
A defender from San Francisco who there does not appear to be much information about. Research has commenced.
With the second pick the Revs pick up Duke midfielder and Massachusetts native Michael Videira - this is someone who may actually see some playing time early in the season especially with the absence of a true attacking midfielder. Also played for Noble & Greenough high school (in Dedham!) and the FC Greater Boston Bolts.
With the third pick the Revs stay with the ACC Pipeline and pick Duke midfielder Joe Germanse, a St. Louis native.
A defender from San Francisco who there does not appear to be much information about. Research has commenced.
With the second pick the Revs pick up Duke midfielder and Massachusetts native Michael Videira - this is someone who may actually see some playing time early in the season especially with the absence of a true attacking midfielder. Also played for Noble & Greenough high school (in Dedham!) and the FC Greater Boston Bolts.
With the third pick the Revs stay with the ACC Pipeline and pick Duke midfielder Joe Germanse, a St. Louis native.
Revolution pick up Chris Albright
In exchange for allocation money... this now gives them some much needed depth on the back line and gives the Revolution some breathing room in the draft. Could also be used as trade to a team that needs more experience in the back line.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)