Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="IthacaMatt, post: 3990707, member: 405"] IthacaMatt: I think a structured system like Mourinho and Conte teach could be adopted more easily, because the players would know exactly what he wanted them to do. Plus, it would be structurally sound in the back. You could count on that, and defense has been our biggest problems over the last couple coaches. IthacaMatt: I agree with this to an extent. Berhalter obviously knows the MLS talent pool well, and it's easier for him to stay on top of their performances that it is with a guy who is playing in Belgium or the Netherlands, or Austria - 2nd tier leagues for which the TV coverage is limited. I think Berhalter should be considered like a guy who has the "on the field" ability to teach what Jurgen Klinsmann wanted them to do. Similar "modern" style of play that they are trying to employ, but Berhalter has the advantage of having more talented players, taught now in this kind of system at their European clubs. Berhalter is doing his best to imitate that modern style - press to force turnovers high up the pitch, swarm and trap in midfield to try to win the ball back quickly; play from the back on offense; build-up play from the centerback to the holding mid to the wing, where they have options - diagonal ball, keep working up the same sideline with overlaps, cut inside and look for the open spaces in midfield. We are trying to do all this stuff. Now, compared to Klinsmann, we have the players who are better equipped to actually do this, although they are awfully young, and as you or someone said in this thread, the experienced guys tend to be the MLS guys who are less talented but more used to the dirty play that is common in CONCACAF (kind of like comparing the Championship and its level of physical play to Premiere League). So I think he's on the right track, but so far, there is clearly work to be done in the final third. But they are doing a pretty good job in the other 2 areas of the pitch. Berhalter is trying to get his best 11 on the field with this playing guys somewhat out of place. Personally, I think the "2nd stringers, a lot of them anyway, are good enough to plug into this team; maybe not carry it to victory all by themselves, but serviceable parts that are unlikely to make too many major mistakes. Play more guys, so they don't get hurt, Gregg. That's the biggest worry I have for the qualifying campaign. He limits himself to too small a rotation, and they wind up getting hurt in this compressed qualifying campaign. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?