Just got back in from the game, my observations
- Good attendance at ground, not quite full. Yid presence high, NY Spurs corner did us proud, kepp the noise levels up for most of the game. Red Bulls have their own loud section, but they really need another alternative to just signing "lets go RedBulls" all game long.
- Ref was a complete homer, every decision went Red Bulls way, including soft penalty to them, pretty good shout for us turned down in 2nd half.
Re the game itself
- African must be happy, Bale played as a striker in 1st half, interestingly being fed arially, had a couple of opportunities with his head, including obviously the goal.
- Gomes got the full 90 minutes, Gomes/Brad/Parks were working drills pre game, very specifically to deal with balls floated in (Parks has a decent corner on him btw), quite interesting as Gomes came out a couple of times to catch in the game (not punch).
- Easily the best we have played in the 3 preseason games, kept a lot of posession, seemed comfortable with the ball, seemed much more up for it once we went behind.
Tactics
- MLS sides play a much more direct style of football, noticable vs our posession/passing game
- Our wide players play wide, the amount of times we did passes out wide and the wide player (Bentley/Lennon/Townsend/even Bassong) recieved it literally on the line, obvious the tactic was to use full pitch.
- Gomes rolled out the ball most times for a build from the back approach.
- We actually look dangerous from set pieces, I'm confused
- AVB doesn't seem worried about playing lightweight, Carroll, Smith, Townsend all on at same time towards end.
On players
- Bale as a striker was interesting, especially since the intention was to have him attack the ball in the air. We ran the corner set piece where he attacks the ball near post with glancing header as well.
- Sig definetely makes our set pieces more interesting, and his goal was a carbon copy of a drill I saw practiced in yesterdays session.
- Lennon/Bale still make the most impact, both got significant time on field.
- Walker had a bit of a mare today (still nursing injury?)
- Kane, works really hard, got great strength on ball, hold off strength, strange to say, but needs to be greedy, couple of times he was looking to link with teamate where he might have been better served just going for it himself. Got to back himself to shoot when in range.
- Dawson, almost forgot, whatever complaints people have re Daws, he's a f$%king monster in the air, Red Bulls front line won nothing against him, one towards the end, high ball, 3 Red Bulls player and Dawson still beats them all.
- Gallas still looks good, fits well with the passing team.
- Jenas/Bentley, ok games, not impactful enough, both a bit guilty of the sideways ball too often
Good game in all, good to see us close US tour with a win, some photos to come