Three thoughts on Week 2 of MLS.
Three thoughts from Week 2 of MLS from ESPN 700’s JP Chunga
Light the fire
Mike Petke battled Thierry Henry. He benched Tim Cahill and started Eric Alexander. Now Danny Acosta appears to be the next project for the former Metrostars legend. Acosta watched from the bench in Real Salt Lake’s 5-1 loss to LAFC.
⚽📹 That’s 3!
A look at Benny Feilhaber’s goal that extended the lead.
1-3 #RSLvLAFC
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 10, 2018
In preseason, Petke said the fullback positions were competitive. Nothing would be given, even if Lionel Messi walked through that door. Demar Phillips won the job.
On Saturday, the fullbacks weren’t up to snuff and RSL suffered the club’s first home opener defeat. Phillips and Shawn Barry pushed alarmingly high up the field and couldn’t recover; LA was quick to exploit the space.
That is the third or fourth time that Phillips has gotten pulled to the ball and then let LAFC get past him into space. He’s out there getting killed.
I understand Petke felt he had to send a message to Danny Acosta, but now Phillips is sending a message to him. #RSLvLAFC
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) March 10, 2018
Acosta is not only a US Men’s National Team hopeful but one of the main tenets in the Claret-and-Cobalt youth movement. I’d imagine Acosta (and the rest of the group) uses the embarrassing result as motivation with a match against the Red Bulls next week.
“We’re going to rethink some things and move forward.” pic.twitter.com/Pp4F20SQoM
— Real Salt Lake (@RealSaltLake) March 11, 2018
Changing expectations
Bob Bradley knows how to win with an expansion club (See 1998 Chicago Fire). It appears we ought to re-think our expectations for the new team, which has an open DP slot mind you.
“We work in a good way,” Bradley told MLSsoccer.com. “We think we have good players. It’s two weeks in, so we’re not going to go crazy, but we’re happy we can follow up that win in Seattle with a different type of win.”
LA played with tremendous attacking vigor. Even when they sat back, they scored. Everything worked.
Conversely, Columbus Crew impressed in moments, specifically on set pieces against Montreal. Considering the story surrounding the MLS originals and their recent play, take time to MLS Live this team.
Columbus Crew and LAFC, MLS Cup collision course.
DaBoy
It felt right for Sebastian Lletget to be out on the Yankees Stadium field. Injuries to Ema Boateng, Romain Alessandrini, and Perry Kitchen forced him into his first start since going down with that Lisfranc injury. LA Galaxy lost 2-1 to NYCFC, but flashes were shown.
I can’t be the only one to appreciate #DaBoy. Yes, I was worried when he took a knock from Ben Sweat in the 40th minute. Team success will come if LA can defend, but I’m looking forward to #DaComeBack, even if it only got 76 minutes on Sunday. Please, if you haven’t read about his road to recovery.
Matt Doyle has his pass of the week; I have my skill check of the week. It goes to Vela.
Also, if Will Trapp doesn’t win pass of the week, there is no justice in the world.
