Getting started right where we left off...

Ok so clearly I’ve been slacking off on doing theses MMPs.  Maybe I’ll get back in the rythm of doing them, probably maybe not.

FCD has been pretty consistent so far: play a better possession game than last year and yet lose anyway.  Not really a whole lot to discuss on that matter, so let’s move on.  I thought it appropriate that, given all the new faces, I dedicate most of this post to the new kids on the block.

First up: David “The Savior” Ferreira

Do we know how to pass more than 5 yards on the ground?

So this guy’s got a touch for which I’d sacrifice my hypothetical first-born son.  Problem is, the dude is short.  And he looks pretty silly while jumping.  And we can’t make a pass on the ground that isn’t in our own box.  We should be hearing this guy’s name more often than MSNBC reports what Michelle Obama is wearing.  He should spend more time on the ball than Glenn Beck spends crying (too far?  no?  just not funny?  ok, I’ll move on, this is like my preseason for blogging).

Anyway, getting him on the ball more often is going to mean our defense learning how to pass out of the back.  Pablo Richetti can pass just fine, but usually by the time he gets the ball there’s 9-10 opposing players in front of him.  Will this be solved with time?  Dunno.  He’s no Denilson, that’s clear, it ain’t his fault.  But if he doesn’t get more touches, it’ll have the same effect.  Moving on…

Dave “The Server” van den Bergh

Alternate Caption: Can I get a target striker please?

I think the dude’s doing an alright job.  We just need someone on the other end of his crosses.  Where the hell is 2008 Jeff Cunningham?  Why can’t Kenny Cooper score with his head from 1 yard out?  Why does DVDB look so goofy?  All good questions.  Tune in next week to see if Alvaro Sanchez is the answer.

Daniel “Why?” Torres

Torres: "Yeah, but I got experience"

That caption is in responses to the question: Why the hell are you so damn slow?  The first thing I remember about Daniel Torres was that he hadn’t joined FCD at that point because he was on national team duty.  I took that nugget and combined it with his age (31) to assume that this guy was an international caliber player on the twindling end of his career.  What I’ve seen from the first two games only confirms the latter.  I wondered how much experience he has for La Sele, so I checked out his Wikipedia page: 1 cap.  In a UNCAF Nations Cup group stage game where qualification was pretty much assured.  Whoops.  Time to step it up and prove John Ellinger correct as usual [much giggling].

He certainly ain’t this Costa Rican Daniel Torres.

Steve “Sho Ain’t” Purdy

Some people like to do it with their cleats on...

I’m really at a loss of words on him, so I’ll just let that photo do my talking for me.

And finally, the man with two first names: George John

Big John, Big John, Big Bad George John

He started (I guess in Purdy’s place) at Centerback for the New England game and, well, he can only improve.

Sidebar: Did anyone else notice a complete disconnect between Dave Dir/Bobby Rhine’s commentary and what was going on in the game?  Aside from the fact that Dir is just not a play-by-play guy, I felt like I was watching a USSR national team game on state-run television.  Nothing but compliments for the team (and George John).

In short, he was responsible for both goals.  The penalty was pretty weak but he shouldn’t try to hold a proven diver’s hand in the box.  But the first goal proves he’s got some defensive skills to learn: watch your hips, buddy.  Women talk about hips a lot because women and hips have a lot in common.  They like commitment and change direction very slowly (bonus: they’re possible to replace with a metal bar or two).  It ain’t often someone earns the Monday Morning Pescadito Man of the Match award in his first start, but George John, you’ve earned it.

Photo Credit: Photos (except Garfield minus Garfield and the goat) by Matt Visinsky shamelessly ripped from 3rdDegree without permission.