How about an article categorizing the basic playing styles of all of the teams in MLS. Maybe there are 4 or 5 basic styles? Maybe more or less? That’s no easy task, I’m sure. STL City is always compared to NY Red Bull, for example…..is that accurate? Do we really play the same style, or are there sub-styles and nuances? How many different styles are there? And it seems there are some teams that aren’t fully committed to a style……is that a plus or a minus for their outcomes? Berhalter has his “system (style)” but maybe just being free-flowing, anything can happen is in itself a style…..?? Which styles lean more heavily on individual brilliance of certain players, and which are more focused on team cohesion? Is that even a worthwhile distinction?
I consider myself a mid-level follower: not a rank beginner, but definitely no expert. Having a “cheat sheet” for knowing how the teams go after it, from a wider perspective, would be very interesting and helpful to some of us fans. And does a certain offensive strategy then determine what the defensive strategy has to be? Or can offense and defensive strategies be kind of mixed and matched? (ie: for high-pressing you’d better have really fast center backs, etc, etc.)
Thanks. I look forward to your savantic take on this!
Of course he can’t be on the USMNT…yet. Thought you might give him a mention as a top MLS player in the All Star Game. He may be lured back to Europe. He’ll never make to the airport in St Louis.
I love Burki! He's a great goalkeeper and has been City's most important player this year.
Last night, he denied the Chelsea/Arsenal striker Kai Havertz from scoring a single goal in the skills competition. First time a striker has failed to score in that exercise. What a player Burki is.
He should start tonight.
But alas he is Swiss, and so he's not eligible for the USMNT. At least not yet. Maybe we can get him to follow in Lucho Acosta's steps?
Burki was helpless on the first goal last night (what a shot!) and was partially blinded by a defensive player on the second one. Parker's first act as an Allstar was an immediate handball in the box, resulting in the ending of any psychological chance for MLS to climb back into the game. So, City's players were definitely prominent in the game. (To his credit, Parker did some good things after his opening act)
The game was a good measuring stick for MLS.....reminded me somewhat of Bayern's take down of City last fall: The Euro sides are taller, faster, and have better skills.
Dear Prof. Savant,
How about an article categorizing the basic playing styles of all of the teams in MLS. Maybe there are 4 or 5 basic styles? Maybe more or less? That’s no easy task, I’m sure. STL City is always compared to NY Red Bull, for example…..is that accurate? Do we really play the same style, or are there sub-styles and nuances? How many different styles are there? And it seems there are some teams that aren’t fully committed to a style……is that a plus or a minus for their outcomes? Berhalter has his “system (style)” but maybe just being free-flowing, anything can happen is in itself a style…..?? Which styles lean more heavily on individual brilliance of certain players, and which are more focused on team cohesion? Is that even a worthwhile distinction?
I consider myself a mid-level follower: not a rank beginner, but definitely no expert. Having a “cheat sheet” for knowing how the teams go after it, from a wider perspective, would be very interesting and helpful to some of us fans. And does a certain offensive strategy then determine what the defensive strategy has to be? Or can offense and defensive strategies be kind of mixed and matched? (ie: for high-pressing you’d better have really fast center backs, etc, etc.)
Thanks. I look forward to your savantic take on this!
Of course he can’t be on the USMNT…yet. Thought you might give him a mention as a top MLS player in the All Star Game. He may be lured back to Europe. He’ll never make to the airport in St Louis.
What about Roman Burki?
I love Burki! He's a great goalkeeper and has been City's most important player this year.
Last night, he denied the Chelsea/Arsenal striker Kai Havertz from scoring a single goal in the skills competition. First time a striker has failed to score in that exercise. What a player Burki is.
He should start tonight.
But alas he is Swiss, and so he's not eligible for the USMNT. At least not yet. Maybe we can get him to follow in Lucho Acosta's steps?
Burki was helpless on the first goal last night (what a shot!) and was partially blinded by a defensive player on the second one. Parker's first act as an Allstar was an immediate handball in the box, resulting in the ending of any psychological chance for MLS to climb back into the game. So, City's players were definitely prominent in the game. (To his credit, Parker did some good things after his opening act)
The game was a good measuring stick for MLS.....reminded me somewhat of Bayern's take down of City last fall: The Euro sides are taller, faster, and have better skills.