Now Serving 3 points: Dynamo 2:1 Sounders

 

What started off as an amazing week ended with a tremendous night. Tuesday's meet the team night was really special, and getting to talk to many fans (including Wayne of the Scarf-Kilt clan and Web Tilton) and the guys was really awesome.  I got to tell Fafa I hope he can come back next year, speak German with Marco Maric, and say thanks to all the guys for being here and for the effort they give.  I even made Tim Parker laugh.  Wednesday was my birthday, fall weather set in, and I was really looking forward to Saturday night.  Wade and I decided to go a little early due to concerns that there would be no parking and traffic might be a nightmare due to the Astro's playoff game. It turned out to be a great decision to get there early and pre-game at Pitch 25.  Not only was Brian Ching's establishment hopping with a mixture of Astros and Dynamo fans, it was buzzing.  We had decided to grab a bite and split a bucket while we waited, and as there was no place to sit we posted up in a standing-room-only spot.  When a seat finally opened up, we noticed there was a young lady and an older gentleman in a Dynamo shirt sitting on the other side of the fire pit.  We asked if it was ok if we sit, they said sure, and Wade and I sat down and started talking about the state of the Dynamo.  The gentleman sitting next to us then slid over next to us and said "You guys look like fans, are you die-hards?  You've got the patches and stuff." We gave an affirmative.  "Let me ask, how long have you guys been fans."  We answered he sized us up, and I guess he figured we were ok dudes.  "OK, Trivia question:  Who's the only Canadian currently playing for the club?"  We both shouted back "Tyler Pasher!" and he answered, "Well, you're right, and he's my son, and this is his fiance and his mom."  We were like "WHAT?" Here we were having drinks with Tyler Pasher's family before the game.  We talked for about 30 minutes before he ran off to the Suite.  It was his first-ever Dynamo home game and he was super excited to be here.  I told Wade all week this was going to be a depressing game.  He kept telling me to have faith.  He was right, I was wrong and last night ended up being a blast.

An Interesting tactical switch to start:

I noticed right away that Tab had the guys lined up in an interesting way.  We lined up in a 5-2-3, with Zarek Valentine playing in the middle of the backline, flanked by Parker or his right and Hadebe on his left.  Griffen Dorsey was playing RB, with Junqua on the left.  Coco Carrasquilla and Mattias Vera were basically playing double pivots, playing with the goal of trying to bang the ball over the top to Fafa on the run.  Urruti and Quintero were finding space in behind him and on the wings as Fafa's speed was stretching out Seattle's back 3.  What was most intriguing is that our back 3 was basically man-marking Seattle's front line.  Rarely did you see Zarek further than a foot away from Will Bruin, regardless of where the ball was.  You'd have to say that it worked, as Bruin didn't get off a single shot the entire game.  Roldan and Freddy Montero were also having trouble just getting the ball in workable areas because Vera and Coco were doing a great job of pressuring them in the final third.  Between the three, they combined for only 2 shots on target in 253 minutes of play. Going forward, it lined up more like a 3-4-1-2 with Quintero playing a #10 and Fafa/Urruti making runs in front of him.  The plan was to play the ball deep and over the top and look to strike quick, and you could see this from the beginning.

Seattle was occasionally finding cracks in the Dynamo defense, and often time it came off of turnovers in the midfield.  A Darwin Quintero slip at midfield opened the door for the Sounder's first real chance of the game.  Joshua Atencio scooped up the ball and Seattle had a serious counter building with numbers (4v2).  Atencio cut inside and dropped the ball to Fredy Montero (who was under instant pressure from Tim Parker). Christian Roldan had slipped right in front of goal in the transition, and Montero found him and his heavy right foot with Michael Nelson dead to rights.  Nelson was cover near post, and the far post was wide open.  Coco managed to slide over in front and Roldan hit it wide right, but it was the first serious threat the Sounders had found in the game. 

Seattle was doing a great job circulating the ball and making timed runs in the early part of the game, but Vera, Coco, and the back 5 were really being disciplined and holding shape which allowed them to win second balls and pick off long passes.  Houston wasn't knocking, but not really threatening in the first 10 minutes, as Fafa could never really connect at the end of the deep balls being played, and crosses by Dorsey and Quintero kept finding Sounders defenders.  When Quintero won a free kick deep in Seattle's side at the 13:00 mark, they finally found the back of the net.  

It was perfectly set up, and it felt like Tab had this exact situation scouted out.  Urruti timed his run perfectly, Darwin put it on a dime, and Urruti was soo open Wade and I both thought he had to be offsides.  The angle was difficult, but Urruti volleyed it to the far post and past a diving Stefan Frei for a 1-0 lead.  It had to feel good for Urruti, who has been scoreless since June 26th.  It was a rare set-piece goal for the Dynamo as well as it was just their 5th on the season and their 3rd at home.  Houston ranked 24th in the league in set-piece goals coming into the game, ahead of only Inter Miami (1) and Austin FC (2).  It was a beautiful strike from Maxi as he looked over his shoulder and just got a perfect foot on it.  Seattle played for the next few minutes slowly building attacks and playing at a methodical pace looking to slip through the Dynamo defense.  Maxi Urruti drew a foul in the attacking third in the 18 minute mark, and while what happened next wasn't a direct result of the free kick, the foul helped us get possession in a workable area. 

If you haven't seen Darwin Quintero's 19th-minute goal, no picture will do it justice.

Darwin Quintero knew what the defenders were doing before they did 🔮

(via @MLS) pic.twitter.com/3hJ8QChhwN

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 17, 2021

  It's probable the most dynamic goal I've ever seen live, and was just an absolute beauty.  Darwin completely embarrassed 2 Seattle defenders and smashed a left-footer past Stefan Frei.  El Scientifco del gol reminded everyone who he is for the second time that game.  Up 2-0, you had to have a feeling we could pull it off, but there was still 70+ minutes left to play.  At the 40 minute mark, Seattle decided to add into the night of ridiculous goals with one of their own.  Coming off a corner, Jimmy Medranda found a deflected ball just outside the 18 and hit an absolute laser into the far post upper 90.  Houston pushed hard to find a third goal at the end of the half but just couldn't find their way through.

The game really opened up in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Opening the second half with the exact same tactical lineup, it didn't take long for the Dynamo to find another chance.  Quintero hit the post on an amazing bicycle attempt off a Fafa headed cross, Griffen Dorsey chased down the rebound and blasted a right-footer just wide.  The Dynamo just missed at the opportunity to go up 3-1 which most likely would have been the nail in the coffin.  5 minutes later, Sam Junqua just missed on a header off a corner, just nipping the crossbar.  The Dynamo were literally 3 inches from being up 4-1 in the opening 10 minutes of the half.  After Teenage Hadebe went down with an injury, the momentum began to shift.  Fredy Montero had a chance hit right at Michael Nelson (59th minute).  Dorsey found the post off a corner on the ensuing possession for the third Dynamo shot to be denied by the woodwork in the first 15 minutes of play.  Only minutes later Montero left a beautiful pass to Roldan who was all by himself inside the 18 again, only to blast it 20 feet high of the goal.  Literally 3 minutes later, Niclas Benezet's pass was picked off (after an absolute blast from Tim Parker's shoulder) by Darwin Ceren, and Ceren just managed to one-touch tap it to a racing Fafa down the left sideline.  Fafa was 1v1 with Shane O'Neil, cut inside, and left a terrific pass for a Maxi Urruti who had circled down the left-sideline.  Urruti hit a really nice back post bender, but that shot also hit the woodwork and the Dynamo were denied once again.

Second-half tactics changed.

Around the 70th minute, Tab began to change his formation.  Zarek moved back outside, with Parker and Maynor Figueroa (who had come on for Hadebe) posting as a CB pair.  It's when Tab brought on Joe Corona (76th minute) for Griffen Dorsey that he finally completely changed his formation.  Utilizing a deep-lying 4-3-3/4-4-2 mashup in order to keep 7-8 in the defending third at all times, Tab basically parked the bus and looked to counter.  Pasher came on for Maxi Urruti (76th minute) and Quintero was playing almost as a false 9 with Pasher and Fafa making runs off of him.  You have to say the tactical change worked, as Seattle was unable to get a single shot attempt off for the rest of regulation (not added time).  El Naranja was able to hold possession over the final 10 minutes, and managed to get off two more shot attempts (Pasher - 82nd-minute volley and Junqua's 83rd-minute header) but neither were particularly close. As we coasted into stoppage time, the Dynamo looked to be in total control of the game.  All it took whoever was one Maynor Figueroa trip of Christian Roldan just outside the 18 to almost change the fortune.  The ensuing free-kick was absolutely blasted by Jao Paolo.....and it also hit the woodwork.  Nouhou Tolo chased down the second ball and just couldn't get a clean header on it, Parker cleared it, and the fireworks and game were both essentially over.

Darwin Quintero was unbelievable last night:

1 unreal goal, 1 absolutely gorgeous assist, 7 key passes 11 shot-creating actions, 7/8 on dribbles, 45 carries, 12/14 on balls downfield to Fafa and Urruti, Darwin is in form.  While Darwin has gotten a knock for his defense, his 35.7% pressure rate (5/14) ranked best among midfielders and forwards.  Darwin was spraying beautiful passes all over the field, he made several Seattle defenders look helpless, and was doing what he does best: create havoc with the ball at his feet.  If we can remember back, Darwin was in really bad form to start the season. He didn't post a goal or assist in May, June, or July playing mostly off the bench.  People online dubbed him "El Scientifico del Turnover" and had a lot of negative things to say about him He's playing lights out at the moment, and the team is really gelling with him in the starting lineup.

Fafa's biggest impact didn't come from having the ball.

Fafa was making unbelievable runs behind the Seattle back-line, and opening up gaping holes for Quintero and Urruti.  There was literally no one on Seattle's team that could hope to keep up with him.  While Fafa made several nice plays (including the lay-off to Urruti), without his runs keeping Arreaga and Oneil honest I don't know the Dynamo win this game.

The Defense had a big game although not statistically.

Seattle held possession (58%-42%) but mostly with their backline and midfield.  While Parker, Hadebe and Zarek Valentine were really good last night, they only combined for 4 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 blocks.  They did manage 13 clearances and won 6/7 areal duels inside the box.  What's most important is that they were just always where they were supposed to be, and never let Will Bruin get a single shot off.  While Fredy Montero caused problems at times, and Christian Roldan had two really good scoring opportunities, those opportunities came from playing between lines and Coco and Vera made Roldan and Montero's life very difficult.  One thing Tab has done really well this year is shutting down opposing team's strikers, and last night was a great example of that.  Seattle came into the game 3rd in MLS in goals scored, averaging 4.41 Shots on Target/90 and 12.96 Shots/90.  They are the third most efficient team scoring the ball (.36 goals/shot on target), and to hold them to 3 shots on target and 1 goal took all 11 to accomplish.

Coco Carrasquilla may be the midfielder we've been looking for:

Not the creative midfielder, but the compliment to Mattias Vera.  While Vera was his usual workhorse self last night (12 recoveries, 2 interceptions, 2 blocks, 2 fouls drawn, 94.2% passer rating, and a team-high 43 carries), Carrasquilla had a really good night himself. Posting 1 Tackle, 3 interceptions, 5 recoveries, 1 block, and a huge defensive rotation that just threw Roldan off at the last second from about 8 yards out.  Carrasquilla also connected well in attack, both finding a way through Seattle's midfield with his feet and connecting the ball up to the next line.  When Coco came here, there was a lot of hope he would be what Darwin Quintero has been since he was re-inserted into the starting 11. Coco has looked better playing behind and linking up with the forward attackers.  I'd love to see him in this role for the rest of the year.  

Final Thoughts:

A win is a win is a win.  After this year, I'll take three points every time our Dynamo decide to serve them up.  I realize this Seattle team was playing without Raul Ruidiaz, but they've managed to win without him before.  Seattle has a really good and deep team, and I'll never turn down beating the first-place team in your conference.  Despite all that's gone on this year, there are good things happening here.  We have some younger guys (Junqua, Dorsey, Carrasquilla) who are really coming along, and while they may turn into solid MLS players. Dorsey picked up another assist last night and has been quietly getting better each week.   Nelson has done a solid but not spectacular job in goal.  Honestly, what sets Nelson apart from Marco Maric is his ability to distribute.  Nelson might not be a superstar, and may never be, but he's a solid and reliable keeper who doesn't make mistakes.  After getting pummeled 4:2 to Sporting KC, and a 0-0 draw to Vancouver, to play this game (it was seriously one of the most exciting games I've seen live) and beat this team feels good.  Let's celebrate it and see if we can pick up another on Wednesday night.  Glen Davis however, said it best:

Three goals that stand up in "any league in the world", 5 hit posts/crossbar and a much needed night of entertainment in Houston. Dynamo knock off the number one team in the west. Savor it for the moment. Put it in context later. #HoustonDynamo https://t.co/1A4yrr3Ys4

— Glenn Davis (@GlennDavisSoc) October 17, 2021

Thanks again for reading, 

#HoldItDown and remember to stay #ForeverOrange

Brian

A little about me: As we have a little break, let me take some time to introduce myself.

So, I realized that I've been writing this for some time now and have yet to introduce myself.  I know many of you out there are thinking "Who the F*&$ does this guy think he is?" so I thought I'd write just a bit to let you guys know a little about me.  So who am I?  Nobody.  I'm just a regular guy who decided to write this blog as a distraction from a divorce I was going through. I've been blog writing for years, I've written about my experiences as a small college basketball player, I have a blog about Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, I've written for The Bundesliga Fanatic, and I've written about U.S. Soccer and things I think could make soccer better in America. Looking around, there wasn't a ton of Dynamo content out there.  There's blurbs in the Houston Chronicle, you can sometimes find things about us on MLS.com, and ESPN almost never has anything to say about us.  You hardly ever hear about the Dynamo or Soccer on Sports Talk Radio around here, and so I thought I'd create some Dynamo specific content.

"Allow me re-intro-duce myself my name is" ........Brian.  Pronounced with an A-N. I'm an average 44-year-old Biology teacher, and I also coach the freshman basketball team at my school.  I love teaching, I love coaching, and yes I'm weird enough to love teaching and coaching freshmen because they're nuts and make everyday fun. I was once upon a lifetime ago a college basketball player at a tiny little NAIA school in Nebraska.  I wasn't any good, but I managed to be a 4-year scholarship player.  I grew up in between Ft. Worth and Dallas in North Richland Hills,Tx. but in the time I grew up it was a much different place.  There was a lot more grass and a lot less concrete. I started playing soccer in 1st grade and played until middle school when soccer wasn't offered and football, basketball, track and cross country were. 

I never stopped going to soccer games. I went to as many guys and girls soccer games as I could in high school, as it wasn't until spring of my Senior year in 1996 when MLS started.  I watched the first FC Dallas game on a fuzzy old television I had in my bedroom, on a UHF channel with rabbit ears (How many of us remember what UHF was?).  I went to a tiny college in the middle of a tiny town in Nebraska (York College), and it was the perfect situation to watch soccer.  (1) There wasn't much to do (2) We didn't have football the fall, we had futball. We didn't even have a football team. Homecoming was during a soccer game, our games and stadium (it served as the High School Football Stadium, and our baseball stadium too) were smack dab in the middle of our campus, and it was about a 200-yard walk from the dorm.  We went to games in the beautiful fall weather, in the freezing Nebraska cold, and we traveled all over Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa watching our guys and girls play.  York was a really tight nit community, and we showed up to support our friends.  It wasn't uncommon to have a pretty decent crowd at Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball games alike.  

How I became a Dynamo Fan:

I was late to the game.  I didn't move to Houston until 2009 and didn't really follow MLS at all at the time.  To be honest, I tried to get into it the first couple of years when it was in it's inception, and thought it was.....well......kinda boring.  FC Dallas didn't have any players I knew, and I just couldn't get into it.  In 2013 I got married, she had two kids, and her brother was a youth soccer coach in Germany.  I started following Eintracht and International Soccer so we would have something to talk about, and just really fell in love with it.  Looking for a way to connect with my stepson, we started going to Dynamo games soon after.  At first it was 4-5 games a year, then it became 10-15, but I've been going to almost every home game for the last three years.  I don't have season tickets, but my best friend does, and we go to every game this year together.  

Demarcus Beasley won me over, but Alberth Elis sucked me in.  He was just different.  You could see on the field he was just on a different plane athletically than anyone that matched up with him.  It's hard for me to follow a team if there's no players I care about on it, and Beasley and Elis made me care about this team.  I missed the championships, I never attended a game at Robertson Stadium.  I never saw the great teams of the early 2000's, and I've never really known what it was like for the Dynamo to be good.  I was around in 2017 for the run that we made.  That was awesome.  I hear all talk downplaying it, but I could care less.  It was the only time since I've been following the Dynamo that they made the playoffs and it was pretty special.

What would I like to see from the Dynamo.

I don't want to be the (current) LA Galaxy.  Now, before you cast me off as an idiot, hear me out.  I have a high level of appreciation for what the Galaxy bring to the MLS table.  If it weren't for them, some of the biggest stars in MLS history would have never set foot in America.  However, I don't want to be a team soo poorly constructed that you can have one of the greatest players of our generation (Zlatan), and not make the playoffs. I don't want to be soo poorly put together that the second he leaves, you're one of the worst teams in the league.  Who would I want to be?  Seattle.  A team that is always good, with a front office that is one of the smartest in the league (if not the smartest), and a team that gets players from literally every tool available in MLS.  They have homegrowns, they draft well, they make really smart trades, they sign key free agents, and they drop a good amount of money on the right guys.  If you're giving me the choice of making a 1 off playoff run with a huge name player or being the class of the league for almost a decade, I'll take the latter.  I want an organization that makes this city proud, year in year out.  

Why are you so high on Tab Ramos?

Because honestly, I think given enough time and enough resources, Tab can help us become that Seattle type of organization.  Because of this belief, I'm a little more patient than most people.  I don't want to be a flash in the pan, I want to build an empre.  I want a Seattle Sounders, New England Patriot type of team here.  I'd love being more Astros, or Tampa Bay Rays, and less Pittsburg Pirates.  Why do I think Tab can do it?  I honestly don't know, it's mostly just an ideal.  I'm just not ready to give up this plan yet, because I feel like it's barely started.  Hire a GM first, keep putting this roster together, let Tab help hire talent evaluators, skill development coaches, and scouts, and then make a decision on Tab. Give Tab a functional academy and some draft picks, upgrade the facilities, and then figure out if Tab can get us to where we want to go. When last year ended I felt like it would be three years before we could compete again, and I stand by that.  Does Tab do things that drive me crazy?  Absolutely?  Am I ever standing in PNC screaming "TAB! MAKE A SUB ALREADY!" without a doubt.  Don Nelson did that too with the Mavs.  I hated his system, I didn't like the players he was bringing in, and he turned out not to be the guy.  I've seen Jimmy Johnson take one of the worst teams I've ever seen to a 3 time Super Bowl winner through simply being smarter than everyone else.  I literally have no idea where Tab lies on that Spectrum, but I'm willing to give him more of a chance.

OK, but I don't agree with most of your opinions.

Great. Full disclosure, sometimes I don't know if I believe them. I often write stuff to present another point of view, and sometimes just to make people think.  I welcome anyone who disagrees with me, I love hearing all points of view, that's how I evolve.  I think we all agree that the biggest problem with the organization over the last decade has been a completely negligent ownership group.  Glenn Davis says that on his show all the time, in not so direct words.  It's why I'm not as harsh on Matt Jordan as other people, even though I think he completely failed in multiple areas.  I don't claim to be an expert, my thoughts are my own.  I am extremely grateful to everyone for reading this.  I honestly think it's crazy anyone reads anything I write, and hope you guys enjoy it.

See you all on Saturday, and thanks again for reading.

Remember to #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Brian

No matter which side of the Tab argument you choose, you're right: A look.

 

There's no question about it, this has been a tuff season to take.  Lots of disappointment, very little to cheer about, and one big change.  #Brener'sOut (kind of), #Jordan'sOut, and now, we have one last target to be addressed.  Just being upfront, I like Tab and want to see him stay at least one more year.  I also understand that this team has been terrible during his tenure.  This post is about looking at both sides, addressing some of the arguments, and looking at things from the big picture.  

Why Tab should go (factual):

I'll put this first because it's short, sweet, and to the point:

• He has the lowest PPG (1.08) of any coach in the history of the Dynamo.  It's simple and upfront.  Currently, he is the worst statistical coach in Dynamo history.
• The team has averaged 1.22 GPG (worst run of any in Dynamo History) and given up 1.61 GPG during (also worst in Dynamo History).  
• Tab often has some curious substitution patterns or doesn't use his subs at all. 

So, yes, from a results standpoint I can absolutely understand the point of letting him go.  I'd understand if Ted Segal and the new owner would want to go a new direction this offseason.  And if the only thing left that will get the fanbase back involved with this team is giving Tab the ax, then it needs to be done.  But it's incredibly short-sighted.

Opinions on why Tab should be let go (with commentary)

1. He's not a professional coach:  Uh......actually.......he is currently a professional coach.  
2. You can't give Tab credit for what he did for USMNT-U20, because those players were given to him: That's basically what MLS Coaches do, coach players that are given to them.
3. He hasn't developed anyone from the academy: It is unreasonable to expect anyone could overhaul a team's youth development in a year and a half.  If he started last year, you won't see any fruits of this labor until 2024 at the earliest.  You aren't going to transform 16-year-olds in one year.  Sorry man.
4. No one's gotten better under Tab: Griffen Dorsey (22), Sam Junqua (24) Mattias Vera (25), Marko Maric (25), Michael Nelson (26), and Derrick Jones (25) are younger-type guys that have gotten better under Tab.  Fafa Picault (30) is arguably having his best MLS season.  Tyler Pasher and Coco Carrasquilla still have time to grow and improve.  Adam Lundkvist was playing the best LB I've seen him play before he got hurt.  There's 1 player you can actually say regressed this year (Memo) that isn't over the age of 30.
   
   
   
5. Tab just does the same thing over and over: we've used 5 different starting formations (4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1, 4-5-1, 3-4-1-2, 3-5-2). We've used 7 different guys at the #6 (sometimes as a double #6), he's used Memo as a #6, #8, #10, RW and LW.  He's played 2 guys at LB, and started with Boniek Garcia at CB.  Tab's played 5 guys at the #9 (Urruti, Baird, Fafa, Lassiter, Bajamich, and had used Christian Ramirez there before he was sold).  He picked up Griffen Dorsey off the street and threw him in the starting 11, and put Carrasquilla in the lineup before he'd even practiced with the team.  He's tried lots of things.
6. 
   Tab's constantly changing things:  That's because he's trying to find something that actually wins games.
   
7. This roster is has Tab's fingerprints all over it, and we are terrible: Really?  You think, when given the option of attacking players to replace Elis and Manotas, Tab was like: "You know who's bringing the Cup back to Houston?? Maxi Urruti.  Go get him." or "Fafa Picault and Zarek Valentine are the best players at their position in the league.  They are must-haves." I don't, not for a second.  I think Tab probably felt like I did when I was standing at the clearance rack of Old-Navy: Outlet shopping for school clothes.  Well, this stuff is cheap, I only have $20 and I need clothes, so I'll take what I can get.  I was excited when I found something that wasn't overly embarrassing to wear, which wasn't easy because I was 6'4" in the 9th grade (I asked my mom please and she still said no, you go to school to learn not for a fashion show!).  I'm fairly certain there are a few guys (Hadebe, Parker, Jones maybe Carrasquilla) which he pushed Jordan to go after.  The rest was just him trying to find something that worked in the bargain bin.  
8. (Finally) Tab's in over his head:  That's because this roster isn't going to win anything, regardless of who the coach is.

Why Tab should stay (IMHO):

When Tab was first hired, I actually thought this could be a really good team.  I actually thought with a little luck we could be a playoff team.  I had questions about Keeper, but I thought up top this would be a completely explosive offense.  It actually started off that way.  For those with short memory, the team only lost 3 of Tab's first 12 games.  We won back to back to back against Sporting KC (5:2 on 8/25/2020), Minnesota United (3:0 on 9/02) and Sporting KC again (2:0 on 9/5) before Elis was sold. Since Elis was sold, we haven't been able to replicate anywhere near that level.  We all know the difference-maker Alberth was here, and it's inexcusable that the team sold him with no backup plan.  Elis and Manotas had both made their intentions to leave public before the season started.  

There are 14 players left from last year's 30 (Maric, Lundqvist, Vera, Quintero, Memo, Figueroa, Valentin, Ceren, Lassiter, Boniek, Fuenmayor, Junqua, Lemoin, and Nelson.) 4 of those have been full-time starters this year (Maric, Lundqvist, Vera, Valentin).  In MLS, you can't just go out and buy 26 new guys.  Truthfully, we could have tried to upgrade every single position other than Quintero, which is a nearly impossible task to do.  The "We need to tear it down and start over" squad isn't paying attention.  WE JUST DID THAT.  WE ARE STILL DOING THAT.  Tab may have been a win-now hire, but the "now" situation quickly changed right after he got here.  Regardless, Tab is a guy that you build a culture with, Tab is a guy that you build systematic processes with, and Tab is a guy that can help lead organizational change.  Those things take time.  No coach, and I mean NO COACH on the planet was making the playoffs with this roster.  Maxi Urruti hasn't registered a goal or assist in 3 months, and he's had plenty of opportunities. In fact, over that span, he's had 35 shot attempts, only 8 of which were on target.  What's worse is that once Baird and Pasher went down, the only other options available were Lassiter and Mateo Bajamich.  Lassiter scored a brace in his first game but has 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 41 appearances (covering 1,378 minutes).  Bajamich looks decent at times but also looks completely lost at others.  

Tab has done some head-scratching things with substitutions at times but also has a head-scratching bench.  He has two clones of each other (Corona and Ceren) in the midfield, and neither are going to win a game for you.  Jones has the most upside of anyone there but also makes game-killing mistakes at times.  You want to know why he waits until the 80th minute to sub sometimes?  Because he doesn't trust his bench.  You want to know why he only uses 2/5 subs?  Because he doesn't trust his bench.  And rightfully so.  With Quintero in the starting 11 now, there's not a difference-maker over there unless Pasher is healthy.  I can't find the stat, but I don't believe we've had a substitute come on and score a goal the entire year.  I can't find one.  We've scored 3 goals after the 60th minute the entire year, all of which have come from a person who started the game. Memo isn't a difference-maker, Jones, Corona, Ceren, Lassiter, Bajamich, Boniek, and the rest aren't winning games for you consistently, much less a game.

Instead of tearing down and rebuilding (again), what we need to do is build off this roster.  There are pieces here you can win with.  Hadebe, Parker, Lundqvist, Quintero, Dorsey, Fafa, Pasher, Vera can all be starters on a playoff-caliber team.  Believe it or not, you can make the playoffs with Zarek Valentine starting on your backline, Portland managed to 3 times.  The defense actually improved this year with Zarek starting and playing 2,000+ minutes. BTW, want to know why Zarek plays soo many minutes? Because the only other person on the roster capable of playing RB is currently starting at RW (Dorsey) because there are no legitimate outside options on the right side (especially when Lassiter is playing for Costa Rica or injured).  

Lastly, I've read multiple times from a multitude of people: "We need to finish the job and fire Tab". That's not finishing the job.  Finishing the job would be building a competitive roster.  I would hope we do that before we decide Tab can't coach.  It's been two awful years, it's also been two years of improving the roster from absolute garbage.  16 new players are in tow.  We still need about 6-10 more. The new GM could easily upgrade RB, RW, LW, DM, GK, LB, Striker and 2-3 bench spots.  Tab might not come back next year, but if the new regime decides to give him a chance, I hope they give him a real one.  I love stories where a team grinds their way back to the top.  I'm cautiously pulling for our beloved #ForeverOrange to do it, and I'm still pulling for Tab.

Thanks again for reading, 

#HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Brian