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Monday morning manager: Both River Cup teams better than Revs

When PSP runs our live commentary during away matches, we get lots of interesting comments and questions from readers. We take those comments and try to put together a list of questions that get to the heart of what Union fans want to know about the team.

The Question: Was last night’s midfield lineup the most effective from both personnel and positioning perspectives?

The Union started the game with Nakazawa and Carroll in the central midfield with Justin Mapp and Keon Daniel on the wings. Daniel was a calming presence on the wing as usual, and Carroll limited Feilhaber’s impact on the game to the occasional cheap-shot tackle until Benny was sent off in the 66th. However, several commenters still wondered if Keon’s impact could be better felt in the middle, and after checking into the game in the 73rd minute, Michael Farfan’s play on the wing reminded some of a more consistent (and two-footed) Justin Mapp.

The Question: Is Gabe Farfan the solution at outside back, or is a move still coming in the transfer window?

The back line of the Union has rarely been tested over the past two games, but that should not negate Gabe Farfan’s solid, if unspectacular, performances at outside back. He combined well with Daniel out wide, and gives Philly the ability to attack through the back on both sides of the pitch.

The Question: Is Le Toux still the answer for this team as a starting forward, or is it his turn to take a seat?

Sebastian Le Toux was his typical hardworking self, but while half of the Union’s back line put in goals, Seba still could not find the back of the net from open play, despite several opportunities. And in spite of Nakazawa being in the game, viewers were still subjected to several of Le Toux’s cringe-worthy set pieces. Ruiz looks like a much different player than he did at the beginning of the year, and Union supporters want to see as much Danny Mwanga as possible. You have to wonder if the Frenchman’s speed and energy would be just as valuable coming off the bench.

The Question: What drug is Taylor Twellman on, and where can we get some?

With this game seeming out of reach for the Revolution from the beginning, one of the main topics among the commenters was how awful it is to listen to Taylor T. Twellman talk. The Comcast color man demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of soccer, fashion, and the human body (unless of course there is such thing as a groin-hamstring or a shin-ankle. I don’t know, I’m not a doctor). Plus, as PSP reader Paul mentioned, “Taylor hasn’t seen SuperTroopers ….. thats the final straw – he sucks.”

‘Nuff said.

The Question: What was behind the Miglioranzi substitution, or is Nowak just messing with us?

A late substitution in the 79th minute of Keon Daniel in favor of Stefani Miglioranzi prompted several PSP commenters to wonder if Nowak was subbing for the sake of subbing (as he is known to do on occasion), if the change was to showcase Migz in preparation for a trade, or if it meant that Amobi Okugo is not coming back from injury as well as hoped. Dave Zeitlin suggested that Amobi might get a full 90 in the next reserve match, but it seemed like this was a perfect time to get Amobi back on the pitch. And besides, showcasing a player against the Revolution is a bit like showing off Kyle Kendrick by letting him pitch against the Mets.

The Question: Is Netflix really worth it? And what was Chris Seitz trying to watch?

For the Union supporters still wishing to follow past players, we have a Chris Seitz update. He tweeted during the game “Sweet netflix first u raise prices now ur live streaming isn’t working… Get ur shit together.” So yeah, things are going well for the former Union keeper.

The Question: Was this the best Union side we have seen, and how much does it really mean against such a weak opponent?

Overall, Sunday night’s performance was probably the most complete and dominant performance we have seen from the Union in terms of possession, movement, and finishing. However, against a team as bad as the Revolution (without their most effective player and down a man to boot) you have to wonder if this match was merely a result of the lack effort from the opposition. The hope is that the Union can carry this momentum into the rest of the season, and, continuing to play like they did last night, gain some separation in the standings.

3 Comments

  1. Regarding Le Toux, it is beginning to seem as though he is filling the role of Alejandro Moreno, whose very real contributions to last year’s team were most obvious when he wasn’t on the pitch. The difference, of course, is that Le Toux brings his speed and work rate to the table. It’s a thankless role, to be sure, and Le Toux is also subject to some legitimate criticism of his game this year, but if even a couple of his unlucky misses had touched the inside of the net this year I guarantee nobody would be looking to bench him.

  2. “Overall, Sunday night’s performance was probably the most complete and dominant performance we have seen from the Union in terms of possession, movement, and finishing. However, against a team as bad as the Revolution (without their most effective player and down a man to boot) you have to wonder if this match was merely a result of the lack effort from the opposition. ”

    If Shalrie Joseph and Ryan Cochrane were in the lineup it would have been a thrashing we gave them, instead it was a total domination.

    It’s also important to note that NE weren’t down a man until the game was already over so with I wouldn’t diminish The U’s performance too much. We Dominated them with a capital D, 11-on-11 for the entire first half.

    After Benny Feilhaber decided to hit the showers early, it was clear to me that the dogs were called off by Peter. We could have hung 6 goals on them like we did in Toronto if Peter didn’t have any respect for Nichol. Instead we kicked the ball around, and when the Revs wouldn’t go quietly into the night in the last few minutes, Sheanon got forward and made them pay the price for their futile resistance…

  3. Speaking of Le Toux hitting the bench, I’d like to point out that all 4 of our starting backs have a goal in the run of play. Et Toux, Seba?

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