Three Points @ DC

Four points four games into the season. Not bad, but not great either. However, today’s performance was spectacular! Both teams came out of the first whistle very strong. Both teams were fighting up and down the field, getting good chances. Both defenses held strong and led into a mellow remaining portion of the first. The second started off alright, but no real opportunities. With the sub of McBride, things changed and the Fire got things together and put on quite a show to finish the game.
There were areas I was not happy with. The build up of play was not all that great at time. There were often opportunities wasted because the mids were impatient and just launched the ball up to Johns. When the team controlled the ball and passed it around, they did very well. There were also some issues with sloppy passing, but there were no serious blunders.
I was very happy with the way the defense held it together. All of the men on the back line were solid. The late game adjustments with the subs did very well. McBride, one of the subs, had a goal and an assist. The assist was a little flick to Pappa who was sitting just inside the 18 and rocketed it past Perkins. The goal was off a 60 yard free kick from Dykstra to the head of McBride and some poor positioning by Perkins, sneaking it under him.

Dykstra – 8 – phenomenal play. He got a clean sheet and he worked for it. He made a handful of really nice plays. Also got an assist on the McBride goal, which was amazing!!!!
Robinson – 7 – Solid in the back, but never really did anything to stand out
Brown – 7 – See Robinson
Conde – 9 – He was all over the place. Wilman was pushing up, dribbling players, passing well, defending well, doing everything well.
Krol – 8 – See Conde. Glad he was in the back instead of Banner. He has the size and skills Banner lacks. Good addition to the team
Pappa – 9 – With a goal, you can’t really give him anything much lower but he also was moving the ball well throughout the game.
Lowry – 7 – Good play but nothing stood out.
Husidic – 8 – Aggressive play and pushing forward and back a lot. Missed a good but difficult chance. Look forward to seeing more of him this season
Mapp – 9 – He was rocking the flank like a beast! Passing and dribbling through everyone like it was nothing.
Nyarko – 9 – Sad to see him leave late in the game due to possible injury. I really hope he is OK. Otherwise, I have never seen him play so well. He was all the way back to our own 18 and all the way forward to theirs. His speed, as always, was used and very dangerous.
Johns – 6 – Very underwhelming.
McBride – 10 – (Man of the Match) Goal and assist after being a 75th minute sub. Truly a great move off the bench.
Banner – NR – Not enough from him.

The first and last 15 minutes of the game really showed what the team can do and shows that all my doubts from the end of last season and through the off season were unwarranted. If we play like we did during those periods in every game, I can safely say we will climb the tables.

Category: Team News