Difference between first team and Cup team is still quite stark. There is just zero gel in all facets of play. Our team B looks like it belongs in the MLS, and that’s really not good enough. We created very little in the first half, and found ourselves under pressure defensively too frequently for my taste. And it was always the same scenario: loose play, and one time ball into space where their forward player would go running one v one against one of our sorrier defenders in Holding, Mari or Tavares. Benny Blanco came in during the second half and helped our passing out of defence a bit, but also got embarrassed on a couple of occasions by MLS players.
Broken record I know, but a good system should help hide the flaws in your team and emphasize your strengths. There has to be a better way to put these stray alley cats together that helps us create better chances. Even when team A came on, it was more a function of the quality of players that was the difference rather than an active or inherent superiority in the system we employ. Sigh.
We had better be in for another couple of top quality players if that’s going to be the case once again. I’m preparing myself mentally for another grind of a season.
