SSFC Going Forward into 2023

airkeeper
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 3:20:45 GMT via mobile sounderfan1974 likes this

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Post by airkeeper on Feb 19, 2023 3:20:45 GMT

Feb 18, 2023 22:34:54 GMT sounderfan1974 said:

Feb 18, 2023 18:14:10 GMT airkeeper said:

I agree. Schmetz is too late to use his bench to effect many times. But I also think that, sometimes, his chosen substitutes make no sense and actually hurt the squad and/or unravel the game plan. Take the sub of Leyva coming on in the CWC, for example. The youngster hadn't been in training camp with the club and had only arrived in Morocco a day or two before. Evidently, C.Roldan had a knock, but was there no other player on the bench who'd been with the squad through camp who Schmetzer trusted to come in? That is fricking wild to me--Leyva was the one dude in that moment Schmetzer picked, trusted, thought could get us to extra time and penalties? Something definitely feels odd to me about that specific selection. And then Montero and Heber weren't brought on until it was beyond too late. Yeah, Schmetzer failed big time on the biggest stage we'd ever been on.

This question was asked to him in the post-match press conference. His lame excuse was that he was saving his subs for extra time! Well, the problem is you have to get to extra-time first.

I think rjshae is correct in that there are few "game changers" on the bench, so Brian basically goes with his starting XI and hopes for the best.

Schmetz's explanation is complete bullshit since, as you say, ya gotta make it there first. But, when all preseason, Schmetz et al had been hyping up Heber to the point of suggesting there may be a formation change to ensure he got on the pitch (as in starting XI) only to have him sitting on the bench until the first minute of stoppage (three minutes after going down a goal)...nah--I don't buy it. There is talent on our bench, definitely better players than f'ing Leyva (even if he'd been in camp all preseason). Schmetzer screwed the pooch, playing not to lose rather than to win, hoping for extra time despite the disadvantage of fitness levels between the clubs, and he made terrible substitution decisions.

I'm gonna say it here now, eight days before we kickoff our 2023 league campaign:

If SEA are not top (I will be generous) three in the West come late July, Schmetzer needs to go immediately, like they did to Schmid. And if we both fail to win USOC and fail to make it past the first round of the playoffs, he needs to go at the end of the season (accomplishing either one would buy him time).

#SchmetzerOut

sounderfan1974
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 8:09:16 GMT airkeeper likes this

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Post by sounderfan1974 on Feb 19, 2023 8:09:16 GMT

Feb 19, 2023 3:20:45 GMT airkeeper said:

Feb 18, 2023 22:34:54 GMT sounderfan1974 said:

This question was asked to him in the post-match press conference. His lame excuse was that he was saving his subs for extra time! Well, the problem is you have to get to extra-time first.

I think rjshae is correct in that there are few "game changers" on the bench, so Brian basically goes with his starting XI and hopes for the best.

Schmetz's explanation is complete bullshit since, as you say, ya gotta make it there first. But, when all preseason, Schmetz et al had been hyping up Heber to the point of suggesting there may be a formation change to ensure he got on the pitch (as in starting XI) only to have him sitting on the bench until the first minute of stoppage (three minutes after going down a goal)...nah--I don't buy it. There is talent on our bench, definitely better players than f'ing Leyva (even if he'd been in camp all preseason). Schmetzer screwed the pooch, playing not to lose rather than to win, hoping for extra time despite the disadvantage of fitness levels between the clubs, and he made terrible substitution decisions.

I'm gonna say it here now, eight days before we kickoff our 2023 league campaign:

If SEA are not top (I will be generous) three in the West come late July, Schmetzer needs to go immediately, like they did to Schmid. And if we both fail to win USOC and fail to make it past the first round of the playoffs, he needs to go at the end of the season (accomplishing either one would buy him time).

When Lagerwey was GM, it was clear his ambition was to emphasize the Academy over anything else. We gave him "stick" for not giving the USOC the emphasis it needed. Now that Waibel is in charge, I wonder if he will want the Sounders to be more competitive in that tournament. It's the easiest path to CCL- if they want to go there again.

With only one competitive match under their belt, it's hard to get a handle on how the Sounders will do. What is this "new thing" they are working on? We hear of formation changes, but how are they going to implement that? How is Heber going to fit in?

I like what you are saying, but for some reason I don't feel like the club is ambitious enough to make the changes that might need to be made if they aren't top three in the West in July. Even before the Sounders became "cap strapped" they weren't really making big moves and now that they have essentially the same roster as 2022, will they respond to the pressure, or just say "we really put forth effort"?

I want to be pleasantly surprised as the Sounders go on a tear through the league, but...

airkeeper
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 10:54:24 GMT via mobile

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Post by airkeeper on Feb 19, 2023 10:54:24 GMT

Feb 19, 2023 8:09:16 GMT sounderfan1974 said:

Feb 19, 2023 3:20:45 GMT airkeeper said:

Schmetz's explanation is complete bullshit since, as you say, ya gotta make it there first. But, when all preseason, Schmetz et al had been hyping up Heber to the point of suggesting there may be a formation change to ensure he got on the pitch (as in starting XI) only to have him sitting on the bench until the first minute of stoppage (three minutes after going down a goal)...nah--I don't buy it. There is talent on our bench, definitely better players than f'ing Leyva (even if he'd been in camp all preseason). Schmetzer screwed the pooch, playing not to lose rather than to win, hoping for extra time despite the disadvantage of fitness levels between the clubs, and he made terrible substitution decisions.

I'm gonna say it here now, eight days before we kickoff our 2023 league campaign:

If SEA are not top (I will be generous) three in the West come late July, Schmetzer needs to go immediately, like they did to Schmid. And if we both fail to win USOC and fail to make it past the first round of the playoffs, he needs to go at the end of the season (accomplishing either one would buy him time).

When Lagerwey was GM, it was clear his ambition was to emphasize the Academy over anything else. We gave him "stick" for not giving the USOC the emphasis it needed. Now that Waibel is in charge, I wonder if he will want the Sounders to be more competitive in that tournament. It's the easiest path to CCL- if they want to go there again.

With only one competitive match under their belt, it's hard to get a handle on how the Sounders will do. What is this "new thing" they are working on? We hear of formation changes, but how are they going to implement that? How is Heber going to fit in?

I like what you are saying, but for some reason I don't feel like the club is ambitious enough to make the changes that might need to be made if they aren't top three in the West in July. Even before the Sounders became "cap strapped" they weren't really making big moves and now that they have essentially the same roster as 2022, will they respond to the pressure, or just say "we really put forth effort"?

I want to be pleasantly surprised as the Sounders go on a tear through the league, but...

On Saturday, Heber scored in the scrimmage against USL side Louisville City; the team got a second goal from C.Roldan. It ended 2-1.

***tangent to follow***

Unfortunate note: Ruidiaz didn't feature due to a hamstring injury. (The little devil on my shoulder wants to question whether we will see a lot of "hamstring injuries" with Rui with Heber threatening his starting role. But that would be ridiculous, right?)

Lineup note: It was the same as against Al Ahly except Heber for Rui and, in positive news, JP for Atencio.

Apparently the backups played a the first 45 of a second match, and Fredy netted a hat trick and assisted on a Chu goal....

Last Edit: Feb 19, 2023 10:55:13 GMT by airkeeper

#SchmetzerOut

rjshae
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 16:55:27 GMT sounderfan1974 likes this

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Post by rjshae on Feb 19, 2023 16:55:27 GMT

Feb 19, 2023 8:09:16 GMT sounderfan1974 said:

With only one competitive match under their belt, it's hard to get a handle on how the Sounders will do. What is this "new thing" they are working on? We hear of formation changes, but how are they going to implement that? How is Heber going to fit in?

For me the key take-away is that Nouhou will be more involved in the defense and Rusnak on the offense. I suppose that means it'll take longer to bring it forward up the left, but (hopefully) there will be more quality when they do so. Ruidiaz keeps getting injured, so hopefully Heber can be a "super-sub" CF brought on for the final third of a match, giving Ruidiaz more rest.

TSchulz Administrator Victory, or death! Posts: 8,610	SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 17:33:09 GMT Zafiro, Holden, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TSchulz on Feb 19, 2023 17:33:09 GMT I dont know if we've talked enough about the fact that Xavi is obviously on the outs, and that Ragen is starting in his spot (Xavi has been on the bench in every game so far).

airkeeper
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 19:34:00 GMT via mobile sounderfan1974 likes this

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Post by airkeeper on Feb 19, 2023 19:34:00 GMT

Feb 19, 2023 17:33:09 GMT TSchulz said:

I dont know if we've talked enough about the fact that Xavi is obviously on the outs, and that Ragen is starting in his spot (Xavi has been on the bench in every game so far).

My hope is it means Schmetzer and the rest of the coaches finally realized that Arreaga does not listen to Yeimar--that the former is not good with communication. Yeimar is the leader on the back line and our best defender, so Ragen listens to him. Also, separating the two forces Arreaga to work on communication skills since he cannot rely on Yeimar to talk for him, so Arreaga can be better at taking charge of/when needed. Idk it's hard to say, obviously.

Schmetzer was asked about whether Ragen or Arreaga would be the starter, and he tried to play it coy, claiming that the coaches "are still evaluating" because both have been so strong.

I call, what is it, horse feathers! If it was a question then Ragen wouldn't have started vs Al Ahly or played the starters' scrimmage. There haven't been any grumblings from the locker room, so maybe Arreaga wants out of Seattle. That'd be fine by me since I was never big on him (especially not at his inflated salary). Or maybe he won't be as available the beginning of the season, so the coaches are being proactive with getting Ragen ready (I remember Arreaga being super dedicated to family and missing the MLS Cup match to be with his wife when she birthed their child; maybe something is going on with his fam).

#SchmetzerOut

Zafiro
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 20:33:27 GMT Holden, airkeeper, and 1 more like this

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Post by Zafiro on Feb 19, 2023 20:33:27 GMT

Didn't make the playoffs last year and we did not deserve to.

Most meaningful addition to the team is a back-up striker.

Seems that we are hoping that the young players will improve and the old players will not decline and that Raul and JP are more healthy. And that Schmetz has come up with tweaks that will transform us from a team that struggles to score while conceding easy goals to a dominant winner.

airkeeper
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 19, 2023 21:41:01 GMT via mobile Zafiro and sounderfan1974 like this

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Post by airkeeper on Feb 19, 2023 21:41:01 GMT

Feb 19, 2023 20:33:27 GMT Zafiro said:

Didn't make the playoffs last year and we did not deserve to.

Most meaningful addition to the team is a back-up striker.

Seems that we are hoping that the young players will improve and the old players will not decline and that Raul and JP are more healthy. And that Schmetz has come up with tweaks that will transform us from a team that struggles to score while conceding easy goals to a dominant winner.

Hoping JP and Rui are healthy is a big one. But it makes me wonder...

So Roldan has picked up knocks in the CWC match and the last scrimmage--he is more prone to muscular injury since his surgery (that he delayed). That is an added concern.

And Morris constantly looks like he is in pain after making a run, and it's been since he returned from his second ACL injury. He also visibly limps around. Just gotta hope he doesn't end up with a sports hernia type injury from the change in his gait, or else we are stuck with Chu.

#SchmetzerOut

sounderfan1974
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 20, 2023 6:50:37 GMT Zafiro and rjshae like this

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Post by sounderfan1974 on Feb 20, 2023 6:50:37 GMT

Feb 19, 2023 21:41:01 GMT airkeeper said:

Feb 19, 2023 20:33:27 GMT Zafiro said:

Didn't make the playoffs last year and we did not deserve to.

Most meaningful addition to the team is a back-up striker.

Seems that we are hoping that the young players will improve and the old players will not decline and that Raul and JP are more healthy. And that Schmetz has come up with tweaks that will transform us from a team that struggles to score while conceding easy goals to a dominant winner.

Hoping JP and Rui are healthy is a big one. But it makes me wonder...

So Roldan has picked up knocks in the CWC match and the last scrimmage--he is more prone to muscular injury since his surgery (that he delayed). That is an added concern.

And Morris constantly looks like he is in pain after making a run, and it's been since he returned from his second ACL injury. He also visibly limps around. Just gotta hope he doesn't end up with a sports hernia type injury from the change in his gait, or else we are stuck with Chu.

I only saw the brief highlights of the latest match, but it was obvious Cristian was hobbling. And now with Ruidiaz having another injury, it doesn't bode well for a club that pretty much needs every first teamer healthy if they are going to succeed.

airkeeper
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 20, 2023 8:25:32 GMT via mobile Zafiro and sounderfan1974 like this

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Post by airkeeper on Feb 20, 2023 8:25:32 GMT

Feb 20, 2023 6:50:37 GMT sounderfan1974 said:

Feb 19, 2023 21:41:01 GMT airkeeper said:

Hoping JP and Rui are healthy is a big one. But it makes me wonder...

So Roldan has picked up knocks in the CWC match and the last scrimmage--he is more prone to muscular injury since his surgery (that he delayed). That is an added concern.

And Morris constantly looks like he is in pain after making a run, and it's been since he returned from his second ACL injury. He also visibly limps around. Just gotta hope he doesn't end up with a sports hernia type injury from the change in his gait, or else we are stuck with Chu.

I only saw the brief highlights of the latest match, but it was obvious Cristian was hobbling. And now with Ruidiaz having another injury, it doesn't bode well for a club that pretty much needs every first teamer healthy if they are going to succeed.

This season, I am less concerned about missing Ruidiaz for a few matches here and there versus seasons past--Heber is absolutely an improvement over Will "Offside" Bruin. But when the injuries stack up at multiple positions, that is when we are gonna struggle most (which is pretty obvious and the case for all clubs).

#SchmetzerOut

rjshae
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 21, 2023 0:08:22 GMT Zafiro, airkeeper, and 1 more like this

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Post by rjshae on Feb 21, 2023 0:08:22 GMT

These days the teams spends half the season dealing with key injuries. It seems like we really need better bench depth and more durability to survive the wear and tear, rather than another key piece.

airkeeper
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SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 21, 2023 1:10:30 GMT via mobile Zafiro and sounderfan1974 like this

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Post by airkeeper on Feb 21, 2023 1:10:30 GMT

Feb 21, 2023 0:08:22 GMT rjshae said:

These days the teams spends half the season dealing with key injuries. It seems like we really need better bench depth and more durability to survive the wear and tear, rather than another key piece.

I wonder if the league has done (or rather anyone has done because we all know MLS wouldn't fund such a thing) any comparative analysis of injuries from club to club, year to year, and the even looked at training facilities and home playing surface. Are certain types of injuries more likely/common on certain teams (depending on things like cap usage, average age, training/home playing surface, etc)? Probably something the league wouldn't want to know....

#SchmetzerOut

TSchulz Administrator Victory, or death! Posts: 8,610	SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 22, 2023 2:44:02 GMT via mobile sounderfan1974 likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by TSchulz on Feb 22, 2023 2:44:02 GMT

rjshae Full Member Posts: 827	SSFC Going Forward into 2023 Feb 22, 2023 3:26:24 GMT sounderfan1974 and INVINCIBLE 2023 Fantasy Champ like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rjshae on Feb 22, 2023 3:26:24 GMT 0 league games played; 3 players may be out. We're off to a fine start in 2023.