New York Red Bulls 1, LA Galaxy 0: Why Carlo Cudicini shouldn't be blamed for Tim Cahill's game-winning goal

It's been a while since I last posted on here, but today's game (New York Red Bulls vs LA Galaxy) tested my patience. And since Twitter only lets me vent in 140 characters or less, here I am. Both teams played well defensively and chances were limited, but Tim Cahill's game-winner in the 92nd minute is the main reason I'm still a little heated right now.

I don't have a favorite MLS team. I root for action-packed games and creative play from both sides, but my main focus is on fantasy. I want the players on my fantasy team to blow up, simple as that. Today I would've received clean sheet points for Carlo Cudicini and Omar Gonzalez, but Tim Cahill ruined it for me...or did he?

The picture above was taken three seconds before Juninho crosses the ball into the box (via set-piece) in the 91st minute. After the ball is kicked, it's in the air for just under two seconds before Tim Cahill heads home the game-winner and the Red Bulls leave victorious.

So, what's wrong with this picture? Where do I even start?

First of all, let's look at matchups and see who is marking who: Omar Gonzalez/Thierry Henry, Sean Franklin/Jamison Olave, Todd Dunivant/Markus Holgersson and AJ DeLaGarza/Tim Cahill. The rest of the players pictured for LA; Greg Cochrane (hiding behind Omar), Gyasi Zardes and Rafael Garcia are marking nobody.

Dax McCarty and Lloyd Sam are completely unmarked. Why is this? Did LA fail to communicate with each other properly on the most important set-piece of the game? The answer is simple. Yes.

Is this Omar's fault? Is he the leader of the team when it comes to defending set-pieces? How can he see two guys completely unmarked and not be yelling at someone to get on them?

I can go on and on about this picture, but I won't. I'm here to tell you who I think should be held responsible, so let's get to it.

Which player is responsible for the goal? (No. 1 = most reliable)

1. Gyasi Zardes - There are a lot of things that upset me with the way some players act on the field and silly fouls are very high on that list. I don't have the best access to picture quality at the moment so bear with me. Zardes fouls Roy Miller at the bottom of the screen right around the 90:30 mark.

Why?

Miller is dribbling towards the sideline with two options basically - he can pass to Jonny Steele or try to beat Zardes, Franklin and others off the dribble. The foul allows Juninho (a set-piece magician) to set up one final opportunity in the closing minutes of a 0-0 game. To me, this alone makes Zardes the No. 1 reason why the Galaxy lost today. If there's no foul, there's no set-piece. If there's no set-piece, there's no goal. It's not rocket science.

Even though Zardes commits the initial foul he can still make up for it by clearing the ball away once it's kicked, but Zardes wastes time, precious time (pictured below). He takes too long to get back and mark up. Dunivant already has Holgersson, which means Zardes should move to either Olave or Cahill.

If Zardes is the second-tallest player on the field for the Galaxy at 6'2" behind Omar Gonzalez (6'5"), why isn't he marking someone who's a scoring threat in the air? Not only is he not marking a tall target, he pretty much marks no one at all. He basically just tracks back into space once the ball is kicked.

And why is AJ DeLaGarza (5'9") marking one of the best aerial players (Cahill) n the entire league? If Gonzalez has Henry, Dunivant has Holgersson and Franklin has Olave, Zardes' needs to be on Cahill, right?

2. Greg Cochrane - After the foul Cochrane immediately marks up on Dax McCarty, which is exactly what he should do. But, when McCarty moves behind the Gonzalez/Henry matchup, Cochrane gets lost and doesn't respond immediately. Then, instead of moving in front of Omar to get back to his original position, he runs behind him. This move is what keeps Tim Cahill in an onside position.

Since Cochrane keeps Cahill onside, he's the second player responsible for today's debacle in my opinion.

3. Carlo Cudicini - Bruce Arena was quoted as saying that the ball served up by Juninho was 90 percent keepers ball, and I agree to some extent. You can put a lot of blame on Cudicini for not coming out and punching the ball away, but in all honesty, he has roughly 1.5 seconds to make that decision from when Juninho strikes the ball. That's not a whole lot of time.

Cudicini struggled judging the flight path of the ball due to the angle of the kick and swerve it carried through the air. Juninho put just enough pace on the ball, causing Cudicini to second guess coming out. If you take a screenshot of the ball when it hits Cahill's head, there's no question it's Cudicini's ball to get rid of. But, it's much more complicated than that. The keepers' job is a lot harder than it looks.

4. Bruce Arena - It's tough putting the blame solely on coaches in soccer because they can only do so much. In this case, Arena prepared the marking matchups for set-piece situations so I have to find him at fault to some extent. Arena (pictured right) is standing calm and collected in a sweatsuit (with his arms crossed) while the second-tallest player on his team tries to delay time by standing in front of Juninho; who is simply just setting up the ball for one final kick. Juninho isn't trying to rush the kick, so why isn't Arena yelling at Zardes to get back and mark up. Arena is a legend, but not every player is as tactically gifted as a Robbie Keane or a Landon Donovan. Zardes is 21 years old and has played just 124 minutes in a Galaxy uniform this year. He's inexperienced and needs direction. If I'm Bruce Arena at the time of this picture, I'm screaming at the top of my lungs for him to get back and mark up.

So, who do you think is at fault for the Galaxy's loss today? Do you think most of the blame should be placed on Cudicini? Share your thoughts below.

2012 MLS All-Star MVP should've been...

As soon as ESPN cut back after the break to show the MVP presentation at the 2012 MLS All-Star game, I expected to see Vancouver Whitecaps defender Jay DeMerit. Unfortunately he wasn't there, but instead stood a front-runner for this years' MLS Comeback Player of the Year award, Chris Pontius.

Surprised? Yes. Shocked? Yes again. Sure Pontius got the equalizer and helped play a bit of a role in the game-winner, but anybody watching that game knew who the real MVP was. Even if I was picking the second best, or even the third best player on the pitch it wouldn't have been Pontius - no offense Chris.

DeMerit made numerous tackles, clearances and blocks, while his decision making was spot on as well - that of a former and (should be) present U.S. Men's National team player.

The team was playing superb in the first half, but the injury to Aurelien Collin (soon to be official on MLSSoccer.com) really hurt the MLS back line. Not necessarily in terms of production. More so it threw off their rhythm, ultimately leading to Chelsea's first goal of the night.

It was a joy to see the all the players clicking at such a high level. Their pace was extraordinary and their passing was spot-on. Sure Chelsea isn't in peak condition like MLS players are, but for the majority of the first half - other than a few spurts - they were seriously outplayed.

I could go on and on about how well the MLS players performed in the first half, but I won't because that's not really what this post is about.

Back to the MVP discussion - Beckham second and De Rosario and Beitashour in a tie for third.

For those of you that don't already know, David Beckham is an amazing player and MLS is extremely benefiting from him being here. Honestly, the guy deserves anything he wants. No other player I have EVER watched has had the ability to play the long ball more accurately than David Beckham has. What you witnessed last night was normal, everyday stuff from him.

Now let's discuss DeRo and Beitashour to wrap this up. DeRo is a great all around player. He's been doing it for years. If you have been watching the game you really don't need for me to go on. Steven Beitashour on the other hand has been that diamond in the rough coaches are trying to find. I haven't looked at the micoach numbers yet, but I'm sure they read this - Beitashour ran the most sprints, reached the highest speed and tallied the highest total distance covered by any player on the field - or at least for any MLS player.

No matter who the MVP was we have to appreciate the effort and skill put forth by all of the MLS players last night. I'm kicking myself for not going now.

2012 MLS Salaries - Top 20 players making $50k or less

After the MLS Players Union released salary information for the 2012 MLS Season, it was clear that several players were both out-performing and under-performing based on the contracts they had previously signed. This article will focus primarily on the steals of the 2012 MLS season.

It shouldn't take much for a player to out perform a $50k contract, but they're quite a few players that deserve much more. Some of these players are on loan and their former clubs could be paying some of their salary, but for MLS teams, these guys are definitely worth the little they're paying them.

Initially, I was going to release my top ten steals, but after going through the names again and again I realized that the list had to be expanded. Here are my top twenty steals of the 2012 MLS season so far.

1. Sebastian Grazzini - Chicago Fire ($50,400)
Unbelievable production for Chicago in the central (midfield) attacking role. A joy to watch on the ball in open play and an above average set-piece specialist. Chicago will need to consider picking up his option if they have any plans of making a playoff run. Oduro has proven to be the shaky finisher he was back in Houston so others will need to produce if Chicago plan on climbing back up the Eastern Conference standings.

2. Steven Beitashour - San Jose Earthquakes ($44,100)
An outside back who some consider USMNT potential, Beitashour has made a name for himself this year with his ability to get forward and cross in superior balls to Wondo, Gordon and Lenhart. I expect him to play a large role in San Jose's success or demise as the season draws to an end.

3. Rafael Baca - San Jose Earthquakes ($44,100)
At one time this midfielder was praised for his ability to win the second ball and create in the attacking half. For some reason head coach Frank Yallop doesn't seem prone to keeping him in more than 70 minutes a game. Not sure if Baca will rebound from his sub-par performances as of late, but the Earthquakes will need him to be more attack down the road.

4. Justin Morrow - San Jose Earthquakes ($44,1000
Strong defender who can play outside and in the middle. He has the ability to get forward and contribute in the attacking half, but he's more of a presence in the box than a crosser. We'll see what he can do going forward, as San Jose will need him to be above average down the final stretch.

5. Austin Berry - Chicago Fire ($44,000)
Beastly player in the back and a quick learner based on his production thus far. Rookies have been thrown into action much more frequently this season and Berry has stepped up. Arne Friedrich should return shortly from a hamstring injury, but Berry should continue to be used as a starter until he rebounds to full strength. Like Hedges, Berry adds another dimension at the attacking end with regards to set-pieces.

6. Rauwshan McKenzie - Chivas USA ($44,000)
Chivas has been up and down this season, but their defense has made some good improvements. Rauwshan is now teamed up with former Philadelphia Union starter, Danny Califf, who left Philly due to differences with ex-coach Peter Nowak. Losing Heath Pearce definitely hurts them because McKenzie still has a bit to learn. He too is a threat on corners and set-pieces.

7. Bernardo Anor - Columbus Crew ($44,100)
Columbus are set with Meram and Renteria up top so Anor must battle Gaven and others for playing time out wide. The Crew already have several starters out due to injuries, but Anor is a speed demon who can remain healthy all season. As soon as the next person goes down, look for Anor to come in and produce when called upon.

8. Tony Cascio - Colorado Rapids ($44,000)
A rookie no more, Cascio has become a focal point in Colorado's attack. Not sure how much playing time he'll get once Casey and Cummings are back at full strength, but he adds attacking depth that should prove helpful due to the long and strenuous season.

9. Martin Rivero - Colorado Rapids ($50,004)
Rivero is probably Colorado's best player in my opinion. Larentowicz and Moor are solid players, but Rivero adds creativity and vision in the attacking third. He's great on set-pieces and could be the deciding factor if Colorado plan to rebound from their sub-par start.

10. Matt Hedges - FC Dallas ($44,000)
When Ugo Ihemulu missed time with a concussion, Hedges stepped right in a made an immediate impact. He's gotten on the scoring sheet in very little time and it looks like Dallas made the right move grabbing him in the draft. Possibly a little overrated coming out of college, but I like the way he's come in and made a name for himself in very little time.

11. George John - FC Dallas ($47,250)
When I saw what John was being paid for his services this season I as shocked. To own a player for this cheap and possibly sell him to an EPL team in the future, well, let's just say the profit could be sizable. John has proven to be a top 5 back in MLS, but Dallas have not been playing up to their potential. Their defense seems strong on paper, but right now something is terribly wrong the lone-star state.

12. Nick DeLeon - DC United ($44,000)
Aside from Ryan Meara, DeLeon is the hottest rookie in the league. He's cooled down a bit after a hamstring injury sidelined him for multiple weeks. There's no question the rigorous schedule affected his rebound time. Now that;s he back to full strength look for him to continue to grow and excel as an outside attacking threat.

13. Nelson Rivas - Montreal Impact ($50,000)
A solid addition to a struggling expansion squad, Rivas has come in and held his own. He's a monster in the back and has pretty good vision as well. With Rivas and Ferrari minding the central defense position, Montreal looks to have a good chance of reaching the playoffs in their first year. Look for Rivas to continue to help shut down the oppositions' forwards if Montreal want to be successful.

14. Lee Nguyen - New England Revolution ($44,000)
This quick and crafty midfielder has brought new life to a Revolution team that seemed destined for the bottom of the table yet again. He's added a new dimension with his speed on the ball and his vision to find a cutting teammate. New England look like they'll be in contention for a finally playoff spot when that time comes.

15. Brandon Barklage - New York Red Bulls ($44,000)
Came in and instantly made an impact for a New York team that lost several starters. Helped turn one of the worst defenses in the league, into one of the best. Hasn't played much since entering the league a few years ago, but was a key contributor in the Red Bulls' turnaround this season.

16. Connor Lade - New York Red Bulls ($33,750)
Along with Barklage, Lade came in to a rough situation. New York was struggling with both on and off the field issues. Connor took the initiative and showed all short fellas that you don't have to be a "presence" to make your presence felt.

17. Ryan Meara - New York Red Bulls ($33,750)
Possibly a top 5 goalkeeper in MLS and a possible candidate for Rookie of the Year. Meara has made some huge saves and looks to be getting even better as the season continues. He's a key piece to New York's recent success and should be fun to watch come playoff time.

18. Raymon Gaddis - Philadelphia Union ($33,750)
Speedy right back who;s been hung out to dry in Philadelphia. He's made some great plays and some not-so-great plays, but when his technical skills on the ball improve, he could a promising young star in the future. Philadelphia is a mess, but Gaddis has continued to show the coaches that he's willing to do whatever it takes to be on the pitch.

19. David Estrada - Seattle Sounders FC ($44,000)
Off to a hot start then cooled down a bit, Estrada has stayed afloat with goals here and there. He's been given consistent playing time with Johnson, Rosales and Fernandez struggling to return to full strength, but some are still wondering if he's got what it takes to be an every-game starter. Only time will tell...

20. Zach Scott - Seattle Sounders FC ($46,314)
The Sounders have struggled to field a consistent back line all season, but Scott remains a strong option each and every week. He got abused against Montreal this past Saturday, but he's rarely injured and can play a full 90 minutes anytime he's called upon.

MLS Week 8: Good vs Poor - Decisions that lead to goals

Goals don't just happen. There's a reason why they happen - either a bad pass to a defenseless keeper, a great tackle that changes the possession, or maybe even an off the ball run which allows a teammate to get free on goal. No matter what the circumstance is, when it comes to scoring or conceding goals - there's always a could've, should've, would've on both sides of the ball.

Let's take a look at how a key goal developed in Week 8 and expand upon it from both sides.

Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders: Breaking down the own goal conceded by Arne Friedrich

Point #1 - Pressure forces poor decision making

At 36:45 Chicago Fire goalkeeper, Sean Johnson, catches the ball and rolls a short pass to Dan Paladini. Seattle Sounders' right back Adam Johansson immediately closes on him, forcing him to turn back to goal and lay the ball off to Gonzalo Segares. Segares has a clean pass to Patrick Nyarko up the line, but Jeff Parke immediately closes on him, forcing Nyarko to get rid of it quickly as well.

The ball eventually ends up at the feet of Jalil Anibaba who is, once again, immediately pressured by a Sounders player (Eddie Johnson). Instead of playing the ball back to Johnson who can launch it up field - Anibaba decides to switch the field of play in his own half. The high wind gusts force the ball to sail behind Dan Gargan and out of bounds, giving Seattle possession deep in Chicago's half. A few passes later the ball winds-up back in Seattle's half where a mistake by the Sounders' keeper almost changes EVERYTHING.

Point #2 - One touch can make all the difference
At 37:40 Sounders' goalkeeper Michael Gspurning receives the ball from Parke about 5 yards out of his box. He too makes a somewhat questionable decision (with the high wind gusts) by trying to chip the ball to Jhon Kennedy Hurtado. Sebastian Grazzini's eyes light up as he sees the ball drifting right to him. Normally Grazzini will do much better here, but his first touch slightly gets away, allowing Hurtado (the only defender standing in his way of a sure goal) to win a crucial last line tackle. This tackle not only denies Chicago of a clear scoring opportunity, but ultimately leads to the start of an attack that results in a Sounders goal a mere 20 seconds later.

Point #3 Regroup and use your vision
After the tackle Osvaldo Alonso controls the ball and distributes to David Estrada around midfield. Estrada passes it back to Alonso who then feeds a brilliant half-field thru ball to a streaking Eddie Johnson. Johnson gathers the ball by the end-line and passes to Estrada who has just caught up to the play. Estrada's pass towards Freddy Montero has no shot of getting there, but a poor touch from Arne Friedrich catches Sean Johnson in "no man's land" and gives the Sounders the lead going into halftime.

Match Highlights and Recap - Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders

How it could've been avoided...
Multiple things could've went differently between Johnson's distribution to Paladini and the own goal by Friedrich. Pressure helps force turnovers, but the costly mistake was Anibaba trying to do too much. He should've known what the wind was doing to the ball, especially by the 38th minute.

Seattle instantly benefited by regaining possession, but almost gave it right back. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (returning from an ACL injury) was my "Man of the Match" along with Osvaldo Alonso in this game. The Seattle back line had its hands full with Nyarko and Oduro all night, but Hurtado was a key contributor in Seattle's victory - at both ends of the field.

MLS Video: My Skill Set - Portland Timbers' Franck Songo'o

We don't always get a chance to see players up close and person. If you never meet a player or see them in an interview, it can be hard to fully appreciate their talent unless they're out on the field performing.  Newcomer for the Portland Timbers, Franck Songo'o, looks like he could be a nice addition to a struggling Timbers squad, but unfortunately he's only seen 151 minutes of play so far in 2012.

At just 24 years old, Songo'o has already played for clubs in both the English Premier League and La Liga. It's difficult to say how much playing time he'll get this season, but he's definitely got the skill set to perform at a high level. Will he gel with his teammates and does Head Coach John Spencer see him fitting into a specific role?

Only time will tell how quickly he adjusts to his new surroundings. Until then, meet Franck Songo'o and enjoy this video that highlights his skill set.

Week 7: Chris Pontius vs Dominic Oduro - Who was better?

Chris Pontius stole the show in Sunday's match against the New York Red Bulls - winning Player of the Week honors - but did he really have that good of a game? He did great to finish his opportunities, but the Red Bulls were responsible for all three goals to some extent. Pontius had 37 touches (less than 6% of DC’s total touches) in 87 minutes. 16 of the 37 touches were passes, of which he completed just 70% (14/20). He gave up possession of the ball 12 times (11 in the oppositions half) and his only touch in DC’s own half was a pass lost. He did however have 2 key passes to go along with his 5 shots. -  Pontius Heat map and total touches breakdown

Dominic Oduro capitalized on a Toronto FC mistake (combined with the hustle of Patrick Nyarko), scoring just 25 seconds into the game. He then returned the favor with a nice feed from midfield, setting Nyarko up for the game-winner. Oduro played 84 minutes and had 33 total touches. He completed 91% of his passes and only lost possession 5 times. He also won 4 fouls – 3 in the oppositions’ half. Oduro had the more complete game between the two, but was it good enough? You decide. -  Oduro Heat map and total touches breakdown

MLS Week 7: Statistical Breakdown

	Chris Pontius	Dominic Oduro
Touches	37	33
Passes	20	21
Passing %	70%	91%
Goals	3	1
Assists	0	1
Shots	5	4
Fouls Won	0	4
Possession Lost	12	5
Ball Recoveries	3	6

So, who do you think had the better game? Do the goals outweigh everything else?

My Friends Think I Work For Castrol...

If you think your forwards are slacking (or your whole team for that matter), and you’ve already used your free transfer the week, consider using your wildcard. With the wildcard you can reset your entire roster without losing a single point. But use it wisely because you only get one all season.

And if you need a mentor, check out my front line. When you compare it to the Castrol Index released last week you might think I had something to do with it. I promise I didn’t. Don’t be fooled though, managing a team this stacked does take some effort.

Adding Estrada to your squad will free up money for you to use on other key players.  He’s on a team full of talented playmakers and they’re going to score goals. He might not score every week, but he has the potential to score. Play around with your roster and if you have a fantasy related questions, just ask. You can find me on Twitter @Ben_Jata

Is This Player's Dream Finally Coming to an End?

With the 2012 MLS Combine & SuperDraft lurking just around the corner, some of the guys at the office were reminiscing about one of the more memorable parts of the drafts in the past. That being the speech given by my brother in 2009. Jason Saghini, the brain behind the production of the Rookie Life Series, told me yesterday that the main reason he selected Richard for the show was because of his speech. Most of the draftees featured in the program (found on MLSSoccer.com) consists of 1st and 2nd round selections. As most of you know already, Richard Jata was selected 58th overall, out of a possible 60. Go to the 3:54 mark in the video clip below to see the speech again. It's a moment that will stick with me for the rest of my life and I'm truly grateful MLS released it for all of us to see.



I remember the 2009 SuperDraft as if it were yesterday. Names of former teammates and friends of Richard's were getting picked over him left and right. Its as if his journey to IMG Academy and time with the PDL team in high school didn't amount for anything. Its as if his "nearly full ride" to Furman didn't mean anything - same recruiting class as Jonathan Leathers and Shea Salinas. Its as if turning down the 50% offer by Wake Forest (all they could do at the time due to funding) meant nothing. Its as if his game-winners in Campbell's 3 consecutive victories (2007-2009) over UNC got lost in the other, more important scores. Richard's decision to accept a full ride to Campbell University might have been a poor decision in terms of exposure, but in essence, it might just end up leading him to his future wife.

Its a shame to see such a talented and dedicated individual like Richard get wiped away from the game he gave his life too. Some may say it happens all the time - and I might agree to some extent, but this is different.  I saw the sacrifices he endured growing up as a teenager. He left home and all of his friends to go to IMG Academy as a sophomore in high school. He practiced hours upon hours all by himself while his friends were out partying and living it up. He was a 15-year old kid on a mission and nothing was going to get in his way.

After finishing the 2011 season with the newly refurbished Wilmington Hammerheads squad of the USLPRO, Richard is finding it harder and harder to support himself and his future decisions without a steady job. He realizes that if he wants to take the next step with his longtime girlfriend, Ashley Smith, he's going to have to give up on his lifelong dream of becoming a professional soccer player and start looking for that 9 to 5. Unfortunately, for a college graduate with little experience on his resume other than a long list of awards and accolades contributed mainly to soccer, its tougher than you might think. Seen in the image on the right, Richard has had to pickup a holiday season stint with UPS just keep up with his bills, while he continues to look for a full-time job with benefits.

Richard's professional career may have been brief, but he certainly made an "Impact"!?! After spending the entire 2009 preseason with the Chicago Fire, Denis Hamlett decided to release him in favor of a developmental player who spent the previous season with the team.  The trails in France were also brief and the language barriers were nearly impossible to breach. After talking to people during the teams visit to FC New York in 2011, I can see why he doesn't want to return for the 2012 season either. The pay is horrible and the coaching is nothing to be desired. Young players need to be encouraged at times and if there's a lack of mutual respect from both parties, the relationship between player and coach will not succeed.

I ask myself this question all the time, Why were the Soccer Gods so good to Richard in high school and college - blessing him with knowledgeable coaches who exuded guidance and direction - but so cruel to him at the professional level, where a coach can be the most influential person in your life? I can only imagine what a coach like Sigi Schmid or Peter Nowak could've done with Richard had they been given the chance.

This year I turned 28, and on my birthday I received a package in the mail from North Carolina, where Richard currently resides. As I walked to my room to open my gift, so many things popped into my head. What could it be? Seconds after ripping off the wrapping paper I realized what it was. There in front of me was the only professional game-worn jersey my brother will ever wear. Along with the gift was a card that read this, "Ben,...I wanted you to have the only official Jata #9 jersey from my first pro season in the USL. I want you to know that I have only achieved my success in soccer because I had a close brother helping me all these years. You inspired me to be great so here is a thank you gift for helping me! I love you!" - Richard

So now that the story of "Richard Jata - The Soccer Player" finally comes to an end and "Richard Jata - The Family Man" starts its journey, there's one person I want to send a special thanks to:

To my younger brother, Richard Jata, YOU have truly inspired me to do great things. I look up to you for what you have accomplished and I will cherish all the moments we spent together playing soccer growing up. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the joy of following you on your journey through all the ups and downs. Its truly been an amazing ride. Without your enduring passion for the game and monumental success at the college level, I'd have nothing to write about.  Your professional career may end with a one-year stint at a club some people would never give the time of day to go see, but I did and I'm extremely grateful I got to witness it. My contributions to your career may seem insignificant to some, but at least I know they meant a lot to you. Love Ya Bro!

Here's a few brief videos from over the years that I never get tired of watching...

No Glory Tonight...Hammerheads Lose 5-4 in PK Shootout!

With their star center midfielder, Luke Mulholland out with a Hamstring injury, Wilmington would have to look elsewhere if they were going to get past a strong Richmond team. Right from the get go the Hammerheads pushed the attack, controlling possession for the first 20 minutes of the game. The first scoring opportunity of the game came when Andriy Budnyy took on a few Richmond defenders and blasted a left-footed shot from just inside the box on the left side, but the Kickers goalkeeper made a great diving save to keep it level.

Richmond looked uncomfortable for the majority of the first half, sending several passes out of bounds.  However, a couple Hammerheads fouls deep in their own half opened the door for the Kickers to capitalize. Fortunately, both free kick attempts were blocked.

Wilmington controlled possession for the remainder of the half, but couldn't get anything going offensively.  The long balls weren't doing anything as Richmond played more defensively as the half progressed. Going into halftime the score remained 0-0.

#5 for the Richmond Kickers was yellow carded in the 47th minute for throwing an elbow on Tanner Wolfe deep in the Hammerheads territory. Moments later Paul Nicholson was cautioned as well for a double leg tackle in Richmond's defensive half.

Tanner Wolfe's header from the top of the box in the 52nd minute off a cross from Dylan Riley sailed wide of the net. Tom Parrat's shot from distance in the 57th minute also sailed high after a great build up by the Hammerheads. Moments later Garreth Evans went down after colliding heads with a Richmond player. Evans remained down for several minutes before coming out on his own will. The Hammerheads played with 10 men for the next few minutes until Evans returned with a fresh new jersey(#20) and a bandage around his head.

Richmond had a 3 on 2 break in the 70th minute but the shot was blocked and cleared by Dylan Riley. The Kickers found the back of the net in the first half and again in the second half, but fortunately for the Hammerheads, both were called back due to fouls in the box.

Richard Jata and Andres Cuero were subbed in for Tanner Wolfe and Jack Avesyon in the 73rd minute of play.

The best chance by either side came in the 90th minute when E. Elcock weaved his way through the Hammerheads defense, but a huge save by Brock Duckworth kept the scored tied nil-nil. It had to be the save of the night! A few last ditch efforts were made by Richmond, but the Hammerheads snuffed them out.  Now we head to extra time.

Wow! A huge save by Brock Duckworth right out the gates to keep the score tied. The Hammerheads had a great opportunity off a Chris Bagley throw-in in the 93rd minute that was headed just over the crossbar.

Tom Parrat was cautioned in the 99th minute for dissent. A few minutes later, #23 for Richmond was cautioned for a hard foul on Richard Jata near midfield. At the end of the first overtime period, the Richmond Kickers had more opportunities, but Wilmington maintained the majority of the possession.

Chris Murray came on for Manny Guzman in the second overtime period due to leg cramps. Diego Barrera checked in for Paul Nicholson a few minutes before the end of the second overtime period.

The Hammerheads were awarded a free kick just outside the box with no time remaining in the second overtime period. I thought Richard Jata was going to win the game with one his spectacular free kicks, but Andriy Budnyy took it instead, sending his team's final attempt in the second overtime straight into the wall.

With the entire Wilmington midfield already subbed out and Chris Banks replaced by Chris Bagley, it was all in the hands of the subs and Brock Duckworth to advance to the semifinals.

Penalty Shootout

Richmond would kick first to start the shootout...

(1-1) - Andriy Budnyy places his attempt to the left side and in
(2-2) - Richard Jata drills his attempt towards the left post and in
(3-3) - Diego Barrera puts his attempt in the side netting just inside the right post
(4-4) - Andres Cuero's attempt is stopped initially by the keeper, but trickles just inside the left post and in to keep it tied at 4 a piece going into the final kick.
(5-4) - Chris Bagley shoots to the right side, but the Richmond keeper gets a hand on it before it bounces off the inside of the post. The goalie gets up and dives to save it on its way back across the net.

The Richmond Kickers win on penalty kicks (5-4) and advance to the American Division Semifinals

USL PRO Playoff Preview - Hammerheads vs. Kickers

The Wilmington Hammerheads closed out the 2010 regular season with a 2-1 victory over the Dayton Dutch Lions Saturday night.  With it they clinched home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs which begins Friday night. Jack Avesyon and Chris Banks scored for Wilmington with Andryi Budnyy getting the assist on both of the goals.

The Hammerheads finished the season 14-7-3 which was good enough to lock up 2nd place in the American Division. The team scored a league-leading 42 goals, but let in 30, which was the second most allowed in their division. They went 9-3-0 at home, scoring 25 and allowing 15.  They went 5-4-3 away from home, scoring 15 and allowing 15.

This is how the seeding and match-ups will look for the First Round of the playoffs:

USL PRO DIVISIONAL SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE

Friday, August 19, 2011

AMERICAN DIVISION

#3 Richmond Kickers at #2 Wilmington Hammerheads, 7:30 p.m., Legion Stadium

NATIONAL DIVISION

#4 Pittsburgh Riverhounds at #1 Rochester Rhinos, 7:30 p.m., Sahlen’s Stadium

#3 Los Angeles Blues at #2 Harrisburg City Islanders, 7:30 p.m., Skyline Sports Complex

Saturday, August 20, 2011

AMERICAN DIVISION

#4 Charleston Battery at #1 Orlando City, 7:30 p.m., Florida Citrus Bowl
  

The Richmond Kickers have been victorious in both of their previous matches against the Hammerheads with their most recent victory coming at Legion Stadium on August 10th. They have a solid finisher up top in Matthew "Deli" Delicâte, who's been in the league since 2004. He leads Richmond with 23 points on 10 goals and 3 assists. At 6'3" and 190 lbs. "Deli" is a threat both in the air and with the ball at his feet. Wilmington will have to set the tone early and really keep an eye on him in order to limit his chances.

The Kickers finished the 2010 season with 41 points and a record of 12-7-5.  They scored 35 goals, which was the third most in their division and let in just 21 goals, which was the second least in their division. They went 8-3-1 at home, scoring just 20 times, but allowing only 11.  Surprisingly, the team actually allowed less goals away from home(10), but scored less as well, notching 15 goals and finishing the season with a record of 4-4-4.

Keys to Success for the Wilmington Hammerheads

The concern for this Friday's upcoming match is the health of Wilmington midfielder, and the teams' leading goal scorer, Luke Mulholland, who left Saturday's game in the 31st minute with a nagging hamstring injury. Mulholland could be in better shape as we inch closer to game time, but I highly doubt he'll be at 100%. Midfielder Manny Guzman also left the match early, but should be okay to play.

Tanner Wolfe got the start against Dayton so it's quite possible he'll be in a similar role on Friday.  Richard Jata was subbed in for Guzman at halftime so you could see him get some increased playing time if Luke and Manny are late scratches. Both players have come a long way this season and I'm sure they'll be ready for the challenge that lies ahead. Either way you look at it, the Hammerheads will have to do something different than what they've done in the past if they expect to make it past the first round.

If Wilmington makes it past the first round they will face the winner of the Charleston Battery vs. Orlando City matchup. If the Charleston Battery win, the Hammerheads will get to play their second round match at home, but if Orlando City wins the team will have to travel to Florida for the weekend of the 27th.

Hammerheads Inch Closer and Closer to First Place in the American Division with a Dominating Show on the Road

Shortly after arriving at St. Johns University(Belson Stadium) for the FCNY vs. Wilmington Hammerheads game, the rain started coming down.  Roughly an hour before kickoff it was nothing but a cloudy haze, then lightning struck and the teams were sent to the locker room until further notice.

After the 30-40 minute delay and puddle sweeping in one specific corner of the field on the teams' sideline, play was resumed.  The rain had stopped and the field had dried, but during the National Anthem things got a little out of hand.  A torrential downpour followed for the next 10-15 minutes until the referee blew his whistle at the 10:09 mark and asked Brock Duckworth for the ball.

Both teams were once again sent to their locker rooms and play was postponed. Shortly after the rain had stopped the teams made their way back onto the field.  The game was almost called off due to extreme flooding on certain parts of the fields, but out of nowhere the field dried up and FCNY personnel took care of the excessively flooded areas.

I was extremely impressed with the FCNY staff and they really helped this game get done. Both teams are set to travel to away matches this weekend and a rematch was something everyone wanted to avoid.  After starring at puddles on the field get bigger and bigger, once the rain stopped, I was amazed to see that this turf dried faster than any field I've ever seen before.  One spot on the pitch was flooded, but at one point the whole field was flooded and sure enough it dried up and the game was back on.

The game was resumed finally at the 10:09 mark and Wilmington wasted little time getting on the board. Andriy Budnyy chipped the keeper ever so eloquently in the 29th minute giving the Hammerheads a 1-0 lead.  The game would remain that way going into halftime.

With the rain gone and the field in better condition, other than a few moments, the second half was utter domination.  The Hammerheads put consistent waves of pressure on FC New York, and in the 52nd minute Luke Mulholland got his goal, putting his team up 2-0.

In the 55th minute Gareth Evans blocked a shot attempt on goal with his hand and the referee wasted little time awarding a penalty kick for FCNY.  Evans was issued a yellow card and Jhonny Arteaga had Brock Duckworth guessing the wrong way when he tucked it away to the right corner.

A few minutes later the New York had a chance to equalize when the ball was bouncing around near the Hammerheads 6-yard box, but no one could finish it off.  The ball was eventually cleared away and led to a fastbreak opportunity for the league leader in goals. Mullholland netted his second goal of the game and put Wilmington in a great position with less than 30 minutes to go.

The team had two goals called back, one for offsides and one for a handball by Andres Cuero(shown below), which could've easily made the final score 5-1.  Coach Irving used five subs in the second half, trying to rest some of the guys for their upcoming game vs. Harrisburg City Islanders.

Wilmington now sits on 36 points (11-6-3), moving into second place in the American Division. They play tonight at 7pm at Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Tanner Wolfe Nets His First Professional Goal as the Hammerheads get some Revenge on Charlotte (Video)

Just days after Richard Jata scored his first professional goal on a through ball from best friend Tanner Wolfe, the first year pro got a taste of glory for himself. The Hammerheads struggled to get on the board Friday night in Charlotte, suffering a 1-0 defeat to their interstate/division rivals.  After getting back to Wilmington early Saturday morning, the Hammerheads bounced back by putting in 3 goals and giving up none, even after being out-shot 11-10.

Tanner Wolfe was inserted into the starting lineup on Saturday night and made Coach Irving look like a genius.  Already with a 2-0 lead going into halftime, the Hammerheads showed no signs of letting up early into the second half.  After a shot from midfielder Luke Mulholland in the 47th minute ricocheted off the crossbar, Wolfe's reaction sent his body into flight.  He left his feet and connected on a diving header, beating the outstretched arms of the Charlotte goalkeeper who left his feet as well while attempting to make the save.

The goal was Tanner's first of his professional career and you could see the joy in his eyes while being congratulated by his teammates.  The link below has a great shot of the goal and celebration, plus a post-game interview with the man himself.

- Check out the Coaches Corner - Part 2 on wway3tv.com by clicking on the link below. There you can see 2 of the goals from Saturday nights' match vs Charlotte, plus some post game interviews with Tanner Wolfe and Head Coach David Irving.

*** Video Highlights from the Hammerheads Win over Charlotte ***

The Wilmington Hammerheads have now received goals from 14 different players this season.  That amount of depth and confidence from the players will really help them going into the final stretch of the season. Their recent win over Charlotte also put them into a tie for 2nd place in the American Division with the Richmond Kickers. Both teams now sit at 10-6-3 and 33 points through 19 games.

New York Update: Yesterday a few of the guys took the train into Manhattan and I got to know them a little better.  Some of them had never been to the "city that never sleeps" so it was cool to see their reactions in the ever so entertaining and energetic environment.  I'll be at the game tonight to support the team and take some pics so check back in on Saturday for a full post game write-up along with pics....and possible some video. Go Hammerheads!

Richard Jata Scores His First Professional Goal as the Hammerheads Manhandle City Islanders 3-1 (Video)

The Wilmington Hammerheads bounced back in a big way Saturday after suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Charleston Battery a few days earlier at Blackbaud Stadium.  On Thursday night the visiting Hammerheads were up 1-0 in the second half, only to see the Battery come back and score two big goals en route to a 2-1 victory over their division rivals.

On Saturday night the Hammerheads had a little comeback victory of their own.  Harrisburg City Islanders came into Legion Stadium and found themselves leading 1-0 going into halftime.  The Hammerheads have a great record at home and let Harrisburg know rather quickly that they wouldn't be going down without a fight.

Andres Cuero started the rally, netting a goal in the 65th minute to tie it up 1-1.  Andryi Budnyy found Luke Mulholland in the 76th minute for his second assist of the night and Mulholland's team leading 6th goal of the season, giving the Hammerheads an outright lead with less than 15 minutes to go.  In the 85th minute, Richard Jata finally put and end to his cold streak, scoring his first goal of the season and the first of his professional career on a brilliant finish.  Jata received a pass from his best friend and high school teammate Tanner Wolfe that sprung him through to face the keeper one on one.  Jata kept his composure and chipped the keeper to give the Hammerheads a 3-1 with less than 5 minutes left in the game.  Jata's signature celebration(round off to back flip) followed shortly after as the crowd erupted in jubilation. Read about Jata's reaction to the goal and post-goal flip here.

- Check out the Coaches Corner - Part 3 on wway3tv.com by clicking on the link below. There you can see all 3 goals from Saturday nights' match vs Harrisburg, plus some post game interviews with Brock Duckworth, Richard Jata, Luke Mullholland and Coach David Irving.

*** Video Highlights from the Hammerheads Win over Harrisburg ***

To view the 160+ pics from Saturday's game click here.

Highlights from Tuesday's US Open Cup match vs. RSL

The video below has no sound, but you can only imagine the 7,000 plus fans cheering on every opportunity Real Salt Lake had Tuesday night.  Chances were limited for the Wilmington Hammerheads, which most people knew would happen in advance, but RSL dominated play for nearly the entire game. While listening to the broadcasters commentate the game via radio, it became obvious to me that the game could've gotten way out of hand, easily ending 4 or 5 to nil.

Richard Jata and Tony Beltran battle for the ball in Tuesday's Match

I don't know whether or not Wilmington expected to have more chances or if they thought they could manage the wave of attacks mounted by RSL, but you can see from the highlights that they gave them too much too often.  The Hammerheads are good going forward in the midfield, but they lack the cohesion and discipline to get back and play defense for a full 90 minutes. Defending counter-attacks and constant pressure on the opposing squads midfield is essential when playing at a higher level.  I guess you can put most of the blame on Wilmington's lack of fitness. Since watching and covering both the USL PRO and MLS, it's easy to see the differences that make up the distance between these divisions. The one thing that stands out to me the most is fitness, in that MLS teams are constantly training to get more fit, while USL PRO teams train just to stay fit.

Hopefully things will change in the coming months and the Hammerheads strive to be that team who runs circles around their opponents. Otherwise, a chance at a USL PRO Championship seems highly unlikely, at least to me.  There are two things, besides skill and cohesion, that turn good teams into championship contending teams, one is determination and the other is fitness.

Wilmington Hammerheads vs. Real Salt Lake Preview

Over the past few week the Hammerheads have struggled to find their rhythm. Today they are on the way to Utah in preparation for tomorrow's Lamar Hunt US Open Cup matchup against a very strong opponent, Real Salt Lake. The altitude could have the most significant impact on the Hammerheads because I'm not expecting a huge turnout from the fans.  You'll likely see only certain sections open up to the public which should help the Hammerheads feel more comfortable than a normal MLS opponent.

Real Salt Lake are a team with a load of talent and a great coach to go along with them in Jason Kreis. He was a dominant player in MLS for years and now he's starting to prove his talents as one of the best up and coming coaches in the league. Jamison Olave was recently named Defender of the Year and numerous players just spent time with their respective national teams.  Alvaro Saborio plays for Costa Rica, Alturo Alvarez plays for Honduras, Will Johnson plays for Canada and GK Nick Rimando was third on the depth chart for USA. All three field players saw significant time with their respective national teams.

Opta and MLS have been working together to give the fans more in-depth analysis on how every player contributes during each game.  Take a look at the link below and play around with the chalkboard program.  Each player has a heat map graphic that shows their activity on the field throughout the game.  You can breakdown a single player, multiple players, or the entire teams output into 7 categories; distribution, shots, set-pieces, defense, ball possession, fouls and goalkeeping.  These 7 categories can then be broken down individually by the separate actions that make up each category. For example, the distribution category is made up of successful passes, unsuccessful passes, through balls, flick-ons, lay-offs, headers, crosses....and the list goes on and on. It's extremely rare that you get to see so much information for free and it's something that can help a lot of teams study their future opponents.

MLS Chalkboard - Real Salt Lake vs. Toronto FC

Real Salt Lake players discuss the upcoming US Open Cup game


BREAKING DOWN REAL SALT LAKE...

I've been analyzing RSL for the entire season thus far and its safe to say that they work extremely well together both on and off the ball. Kyle Beckerman is their captain and their rock.  He's good with the ball at his feet and is very consistent when it comes to his pass completion rate.  Jamison Olave is a physical beast at defense and Nick Rimando is arguably the #1 goalkeeper in all of Major League Soccer at the moment. They like to maintain possession and push the attack slowly througout the game, unless of course they're down, then they really pour it on. Now lets break them down by position.

CENTER MIDFIELDERS

I don't see RSL coming out with their regular lineup after playing two games in the 4 days.  However, they're coming off a strong 3-1 win in which Beckerman contributed on all three goals.  He is a workhorse so I expect him to start almost every game no matter what.With Beckerman occupying the holding midfield position in a diamond formation, Collen Warner or Andy Williams will most likely get the start at the attacking center mid position. Williams is a deadly set-piece specialist so beware for him to shoot anytime there's a free kick within distance. The Hammerheads should be physical with RSL as a whole, but especially with their central midfielders.

Javier Morales, likely the teams best player and early MLS MVP favorite is still out after breaking his ankle in a match earlier this year.  He was a significant player in the teams success during the beginning of the season and he has been hugely missed since going down.

OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS

Ned Grabavoy and Will Johnson usually run the outside midfield positions, but since the loss of Javier Morales to injury early in the season, Grabavoy and Johnson have both spent time in the center of the pitch.  Johnson is more of a holding/roaming mid and his freedom allows him to push up the field or receive the ball deep and pick out the forwards making runs.  Grabavoy is a workhorse as well and is more likely to make those overlapping runs than Johnson.  Expect them to switch sides throughout the game and creep into the center of the field more frequently than not. Beckerman and Johnson take most set-pieces from midfield going forward, but Johnson can shoot from distance so the Hammerheads would be wise not to give him much space when he has the ball.

Luis Gil, a 17 year old U-20 USA National team product has had quite a bit of playing time lately so if he's on the field come kickoff time the Hammerheads should put relentless pressure on him. Gil is the most inexperienced player on their team, so it would be beneficial to make him as uncomfortable as possible.   He normally plays in the midfield, but started at forward last week because injuries have really limited RSL's attacking options on the depth chart. 

FORWARDS

Fabian Espindola was injured this past weekend so expect him to miss Tuesday's game.  Alvaro Saborio and Arturo Alvarez are both back after spending time with their National team for the 2011 Gold Cup and Saborio had a strong showing this weekend, netting two goals in his return to Real Salt Lake. RSL is short on strikers now so expect Saborio and Alvarez to get some playing time on Tuesday if they're healthy. Another player that has seen quite a bit of playing time at forward this year is Jean Alexandre. Jean is a big physical presence and was drafted by RSL in the first round(12th overall) of the 2009 MLS Superdraft. He is strong on the ball, with quick feet and a powerful shot to say the least. If he's match fit expect a lot out of him in the attacking third of the field.

Richard Jata and Jean were two of the nine rookies showcased in the 2009 series, Rookie Life: Diary of a Draft Pick, along with a few other up and coming MLS players in Steve Zakuani, AJ Delegarza and Chris Pontius.

OUTSIDE DEFENDERS

Just like any pro team, expect these outside defenders to make deep overlapping runs and carry the ball all the way up the field.  Chris Wingert is primarily the starting left back, but Tony Beltran has also spent time their this season. They're both predominantly left-footed, but Beltran can also play on the right.  Robbie Russell shares starts with Beltran at right back and is the most physical of the three.  These defenders can dive in too early at times, leading to deep free kicks for opposing teams.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS

Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers are the starting central defenders for RSL, but it's quite possible the Hammerheads will see Chris Schuler and Rauwshan McKenzie. All of these players are big, tall and aggressive.  They're deadly in the air and should be tightly marked on set-pieces and corner kicks. At defense, these players don't have exceptional speed so they can be beat on through balls.  If they play their back line high enough, the Hammerheads should focus on some good of-the-ball runs that put players in a one-v-one with the keeper. Don't expect much success from corners and crosses as RSL is one of the best defensive teams in the league. They aren't lazy when it comes to clearing the ball out of their own 18 and they mark up really well when it comes set-pieces and corner kicks. I think the key to getting past RSL is to play as quick as possible, leaving them as little time as possible to set up their defense.

KEYS TO SUCCESS...

If Wilmington wants to win this game they have to play a smart, physical and high intensity game.  They cannot give RSL any free space to create opportunities which means every player has to have each others' back throughout the ENTIRE game. I'm expecting a lot of possession and pinpoint distribution from RSL, so the Hammerheads should have their attacking core pressing at all times. You do not want to give their midfielders any extra time on the ball. I would also avoid playing to high of a line in the back because their experience and accuracy will cause problems for the Hammerheads defense.

As far as the attack goes for the Hammerheads, test the keeper as much as possible.  Corners and free kicks lobbed into the box are likely to be weeded out.  Wilmington should take their chances on shots outside the box from the 20-35 yard range.  If Rimando is in goal, he will be hard to beat no matter what, but the Hammerheads have players who can strike the ball from distance and that's when things can happen. Parried saves and shots off the post/crossbar should be pounced on immediately. If we can get an attacker or two close to goal during these opportunities, I think they'll have a chance to put in a loose ball or rebound. The likelihood of scoring on one of the best defenses in all of MLS is slim, so Wilmington need to make every opportunity count if they want to come out victorious.

For ticket information and another preview of Tuesday night's game check out this link.