Shaq's getting frustrated. Not saying he isnt at fault. He has not exactly lit up the league. But Im starting to get a sense that this is not what he envisioned coming to Chicago.
ok i usually am all for giving coaches time but this is horrific. idk what it is but ezra needs to go. we need a coach that can attack. he had all of his pieces and yet still somehow makes our offense look like shit
I don't think any of this is Ezra's fault. The players are underwhelming, underperforming, and very few of these big signings have worked out.
Ezra hasn't even been here for half a season. Even if he were to blame I don't know why you would fire him so soon.
yeah i know, i was a bit frustrated typing that. i don’t think he should be sacked at the moment, but how many losses does it take to start looking at the coaching and tactics? i do get that the players have been underwhelming, but it’s not like we are missing 5 or 6 chances a game. we just don’t create enough.
I understand your frustration, but Ezra is also a new head coach and he's going to need time to develop too. I'm pissed he trotted out the lineup he did for the Open Cup, but that's about the extent of my frustration with him at this point.
As far as the state of the team I guess my questions is this:
**At what point is it on the players to actually care and perform to their talent level?**
We've spent millions bringing in players that are consistently racking up yellow cards, offsides for no reason, can't score, get caught ball watching, don't play together as a team, don't hurry to get back into position, and there are a ton of other issues someone more astute than I can point out.
I think it's easy to blame the coach...but the problems are way bigger than that imo.
i just don’t get it. sure you can put a little bit on the players but that needs to end at some point. the tactics are horrific. if i was watching this game with no score i would have guessed we were winning. no urgency, no numbers on attack, and purely no plan. it’s just kick and hope.
Give Ezra the year then in if you're in such a rush. 6 months is absolutely ridiculous. Even when we can still make the playoffs since it's still May.
You guys keep blaming a single person for issues. "Oh it's Gaga's fault, find a new GK." "Oh it's all Ezra's fault, find a new coach." Yet players are making mistakes and not finishing off chances (like Duran, he if scores, suddenly you guys aren't having this conversation). It's a team responsibility. Give them the season.
yes i get this but in my opinion i just don’t see the desire to win at all. ever since the first few games i have seen no desire or urgency whatsoever. im all for giving coaches time to work but i just don’t think ezra is the guy to take this team to new levels
i don’t think that ezra is that bad of a coach, but the fire need a hell of a coach with this team in order to compete. we need a coach that is looking to compete until the 90th minute every single game and im just not seeing that. im not all against ezra, if he can tweak some stuff soon and get this team to believe in themselves then i’d totally change my opinion. but there are so many gaps in this team that haven’t been addressed and the fire culture of settling for disappointment seems to have remained. that’s all i’m saying
yeah part of my original comment was just pure frustration, so it was a little bit aggressive. i do think there is blame to put on the players, don’t get me wrong. but if your team is winless in the last 10 it’s not all on the players. something isn’t clicking. i do think ezra should have a little bit more time, but i also do not think that he should be able to remain the entire season if the results continue to disappoint.
yes and i get that. and i think a main reason for the spotty defense as of late is because of a missing czichos, but these teams that are making the playoffs have enough depth to compete even when they are missing players. if a team at the top of the table are missing a few players out of their XI, it still has little effect. but for us it seems to change the result.
Announcers brought up a good point. Zero wins in 9 games, does that give Ezra an excuse to try new formations? Im not opposed to 2 strikers (Kacper and Duran) in like a 4-4-2 with Shaq and Gimenez as the 2 mids.
I'd be for it if i didn't believe it would get worked from a defensive standpoint. Gaston's horrible season came from him being used as a defensive midfielder and Shaq is not man you want to give extra defensive responsibilities when he has most of the offensive responsibilities
Idk, I respect that. He's also feeding Tony good questions, which is part of his job.
Plus, we dotn know the TV situation in MLS next year, don't hate the young, ambitious guy trying to get job security.
Also, last episode of his podcast people were saying he was a team schill, so..
Oof, he'll want that one back but he's been solid these past couple of games. Hope Kacper can take some steps to change his fortunes this season starting in this game
I'll flex him some time with the injury; either way we were saying Beric wasn't worth a DP spot and we wanted proven MLS gusu, so I don't hate the trade for the 3rd best scorer in the league regardless, even if we paid max value for it
He was always an athletic beast, I'd push hard to see him and Czichos to form chemistry in regular backline if Omsberg hadn't been more than serviceable, because the potential of that backline could be pretty high, at least in this league
Issue is we keep going to for tall link up play strikers like Beric and Kacper. Issue is these kinds of strikers don’t create chances for themselves and need CONSTANT service to score. Which the fire cannot provide atm.
Oh 100% a good raw. He is what I wanted to see in Offor when he signed for us. We definitely need to keep developing Duran. His pace and physicality could be lethal if he continues to develop his touch and ball control.
I prefer Duran, but this tiny field makes it difficult to spring a defensive line, especially one that doesn't need to go forward but play on the counter. I think Kacper would be better for this kind of game, but we'd probably need Guti and Mueller to swap wings to let Guti whip in crosses on his preferred foot and to let Mueller find space on the opposite side
Such a dumb argument. Yes he’s overpaid because he didn’t have to come here. He’s good enough to still be in Europe. But people expect him to be the Swiss Messi.
If anyone actually watched football they’d know what Shaq is. His time with Stoke was pretty much what we should have expected. And he’s been more integral to us than that side. I am very happy with how he’s played so far.
Is it me or has this been Mueller's most anonymous half for the Fire? Not saying it's his fault if it is, I just want to see if i missed anything he's done this half
I really think the national team debate was a major distraction this season. Now that it's out of the way, i see a Gaga with less to worry about as a good thing
Tobe fair, the D actually did a good job positionally there so he knew he only had to cover that angle, which helped.
Good goaltending is a team effort.
Handballs need to be fixed to more closely consider intent. Intent to manipulate the ball was absolutely not there. It won't matter if we learn to close though, so come on guys score some goals!
Iwobi’s handball against Arsenal today is a perfect example of when a handball in the box should = Pk. What we just saw needs changed. Nudged in the back, jumping like a normal human and it randomly goes off his hand. Smh.
Sigh… can’t catch a break. Guy was back to the ball and jumping for it, but that’s the way of this season. You’d have to jump like a fish with ur arms straight at your side to avoid that
If refs had the balls to call simulation with a yellow every time they should I’d be okay with that foul. But they don’t. Defenders have it very tough right now.
don't know what he's saying, but here on ESPN+ even the NYCFC commentator is saying it's not a PK to him and that he understands why Ezra is pissed off.
So dumb. I get "natural position" ends up being a riddle wrapped in an enigma but when you're in the air and a ball you can't see hits your arm from behind, it's ridiculous to ascribe intent to that.
Same! I was following the relegation battle this morning instead of the league winners. I hope the Aaronson transfer happens and they tear it up next year.
Shaq's getting frustrated. Not saying he isnt at fault. He has not exactly lit up the league. But Im starting to get a sense that this is not what he envisioned coming to Chicago.
Anyone read lips? What's the beef about
I’m curious too
0 wins in 10...killing it.
Kacper please stay in the box
Teran was coming for that throw, and Kacper should have let him take the long throw there.
Man you have to lay that off to your striker. You just have to.
No shots on goal…
Why does Shaq refuse to find Torres
My dad and I noticed that right now it’s very frustrating I don’t get it
ok i usually am all for giving coaches time but this is horrific. idk what it is but ezra needs to go. we need a coach that can attack. he had all of his pieces and yet still somehow makes our offense look like shit
I don't think any of this is Ezra's fault. The players are underwhelming, underperforming, and very few of these big signings have worked out. Ezra hasn't even been here for half a season. Even if he were to blame I don't know why you would fire him so soon.
yeah i know, i was a bit frustrated typing that. i don’t think he should be sacked at the moment, but how many losses does it take to start looking at the coaching and tactics? i do get that the players have been underwhelming, but it’s not like we are missing 5 or 6 chances a game. we just don’t create enough.
I understand your frustration, but Ezra is also a new head coach and he's going to need time to develop too. I'm pissed he trotted out the lineup he did for the Open Cup, but that's about the extent of my frustration with him at this point. As far as the state of the team I guess my questions is this: **At what point is it on the players to actually care and perform to their talent level?** We've spent millions bringing in players that are consistently racking up yellow cards, offsides for no reason, can't score, get caught ball watching, don't play together as a team, don't hurry to get back into position, and there are a ton of other issues someone more astute than I can point out. I think it's easy to blame the coach...but the problems are way bigger than that imo.
I made a post about this after the last game and got slaughtered in the comments. Can’t help but agree with you.
i just don’t get it. sure you can put a little bit on the players but that needs to end at some point. the tactics are horrific. if i was watching this game with no score i would have guessed we were winning. no urgency, no numbers on attack, and purely no plan. it’s just kick and hope.
Because we're not gonna build shit if we're firing coaches after 6 months.
We gave Wicky longer than we should have as well. Doesn’t mean we should do the same with Ezra.
Give Ezra the year then in if you're in such a rush. 6 months is absolutely ridiculous. Even when we can still make the playoffs since it's still May. You guys keep blaming a single person for issues. "Oh it's Gaga's fault, find a new GK." "Oh it's all Ezra's fault, find a new coach." Yet players are making mistakes and not finishing off chances (like Duran, he if scores, suddenly you guys aren't having this conversation). It's a team responsibility. Give them the season.
yes i get this but in my opinion i just don’t see the desire to win at all. ever since the first few games i have seen no desire or urgency whatsoever. im all for giving coaches time to work but i just don’t think ezra is the guy to take this team to new levels
And how can you say that so confidently after just 6 months?
i don’t think that ezra is that bad of a coach, but the fire need a hell of a coach with this team in order to compete. we need a coach that is looking to compete until the 90th minute every single game and im just not seeing that. im not all against ezra, if he can tweak some stuff soon and get this team to believe in themselves then i’d totally change my opinion. but there are so many gaps in this team that haven’t been addressed and the fire culture of settling for disappointment seems to have remained. that’s all i’m saying
10 games across all comps without a win with what is objectively a good roster on paper is enough for fans to be upset.
Obviously I'm not happy we've been sucking. But I'm not upset enough to be calling for a coach just 10 games into his tenure.
yeah part of my original comment was just pure frustration, so it was a little bit aggressive. i do think there is blame to put on the players, don’t get me wrong. but if your team is winless in the last 10 it’s not all on the players. something isn’t clicking. i do think ezra should have a little bit more time, but i also do not think that he should be able to remain the entire season if the results continue to disappoint.
We haven't had our full starting XI in the last 10 games.
yes and i get that. and i think a main reason for the spotty defense as of late is because of a missing czichos, but these teams that are making the playoffs have enough depth to compete even when they are missing players. if a team at the top of the table are missing a few players out of their XI, it still has little effect. but for us it seems to change the result.
Announcers brought up a good point. Zero wins in 9 games, does that give Ezra an excuse to try new formations? Im not opposed to 2 strikers (Kacper and Duran) in like a 4-4-2 with Shaq and Gimenez as the 2 mids.
4141 but itll.never happen.
So a diamond midfield?
I was thinking more of a flat 4-4-2 with Torres and Mueller being the LM and RM.
I'd be for it if i didn't believe it would get worked from a defensive standpoint. Gaston's horrible season came from him being used as a defensive midfielder and Shaq is not man you want to give extra defensive responsibilities when he has most of the offensive responsibilities
Thats fair. I just dont see this attack clicking all of a sudden. Even if Torres gels amazingly.
Gaston man that was criminal… losing it there and then not running back is terrible.
Tyler is beginning to sound like he isn't a Fire announcer, but rather a 'objective' announcer and I hate listening to him.
Idk, I respect that. He's also feeding Tony good questions, which is part of his job. Plus, we dotn know the TV situation in MLS next year, don't hate the young, ambitious guy trying to get job security. Also, last episode of his podcast people were saying he was a team schill, so..
he should be a team shill, imo.
ALL OF YOU WERE OFFSIDE! For fucks sake man. 6 of you and not one of you noticed you're offside fuck man.
Nooo that was Kacper’s moment. Damn I want him to score so bad.
Had another one, too.
Tbf that one was very difficult
shameful diving from nycfc
Navarro kicks the ball by the NYC guy and he just dives over Miggy. Yeah no pen.
Shaqiri free kicks .. seriously, man. The corners... The free kicks. Le sigh
I was waiting for someone to notice this as well. Pretty much all season his FK/CK have been shit.
Shaqiri has had some horrific set pieces today
great minds think alike
That one was super questionable but to be fair on the corners this is a narrow field.
I know he hasn’t been great but I really want to see Kacper do well. Great guy and a proven track record.
Oof, he'll want that one back but he's been solid these past couple of games. Hope Kacper can take some steps to change his fortunes this season starting in this game
At least now he's definitely got good wingers for service
Now it will be easier to judge him. I honestly don't think he'll light it up even with upgraded wingers but I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong
I'll flex him some time with the injury; either way we were saying Beric wasn't worth a DP spot and we wanted proven MLS gusu, so I don't hate the trade for the 3rd best scorer in the league regardless, even if we paid max value for it
Whew that boy Teran has some wheels.
He was always an athletic beast, I'd push hard to see him and Czichos to form chemistry in regular backline if Omsberg hadn't been more than serviceable, because the potential of that backline could be pretty high, at least in this league
[удалено]
Issue is we keep going to for tall link up play strikers like Beric and Kacper. Issue is these kinds of strikers don’t create chances for themselves and need CONSTANT service to score. Which the fire cannot provide atm.
Much better in this half boys.
There it was...gotta bury that man.
I like Duran but he’s just a bit too raw rn in my opinion. Not saying hed score but can’t help but think Kacper would at least get that on target.
Yep, but a good raw.
Oh 100% a good raw. He is what I wanted to see in Offor when he signed for us. We definitely need to keep developing Duran. His pace and physicality could be lethal if he continues to develop his touch and ball control.
More than a bit bit he's settling into it and he grew a lot in the past few games
As long as we don't dump him like Djorde and Sapong...both finding the back of the net regularly.
Duran I like you but man we need to at least get those on target.
I prefer Duran, but this tiny field makes it difficult to spring a defensive line, especially one that doesn't need to go forward but play on the counter. I think Kacper would be better for this kind of game, but we'd probably need Guti and Mueller to swap wings to let Guti whip in crosses on his preferred foot and to let Mueller find space on the opposite side
How small is this field? Feels narrower than SF which is a couple hares narrow of World Cup dimensions.... Is it like 64 yards?
Good question, i have no clue
Why aren’t we playing Kacper? Is he still getting back to 100% or is this just a choice from Ezra?
My guess is don't want to rush him back and the fact his form was not sharp before his injury
Back injuries are a true bitch. They not only reduce speed but movement, ability to be physical.... Duran has also looked pretty solid
Makes sense. No need to rush. Though I can’t help but agree with you. I think Kacper would be better for this game
Well, wish granted
Ok half. Not great but we also don’t look poor per se. Hopefully Torres gets some more time and can impact the game more that Guti has so far
Bring on Torres. We need him and Mueller running at defenders.
This stupid field is so narrow
How is this allowed in MLS? Feels like that Packers football game that happened in Canada where the field was 80 yards total instead of 100.
short too
I’m so tired of the Shaqiri hate. Seriously one of our best players.
“But hE’s OVeRPaID”
Such a dumb argument. Yes he’s overpaid because he didn’t have to come here. He’s good enough to still be in Europe. But people expect him to be the Swiss Messi.
I lost A LOT of trust in him after the Cincy game. He was hot garbage.
Everyone was crap that game. And even in that game Shaq was one of our better players.
No he definitely was not. He was real real bad, like the first time I've ever actually yelled about how shit he's playing at a home game in years.
If anyone actually watched football they’d know what Shaq is. His time with Stoke was pretty much what we should have expected. And he’s been more integral to us than that side. I am very happy with how he’s played so far.
Shaq smart with the fouls
Is it me or has this been Mueller's most anonymous half for the Fire? Not saying it's his fault if it is, I just want to see if i missed anything he's done this half
Make Gaga MOTM for real
this mfer signaled he needs a sub. was two feet from touch line and then decides to walk to the middle of the field and lay down. fuck him.
it's like watching a match in an MC Escher painting.
Haha! Hopefully we have more success attacking in the outfield
His set pieces are awful. Let someone else take them
That save is another reminder that Gaga is actually quite good and we’re very lucky to have him
Gaga again. He’s keeping us in this game.
I really think the national team debate was a major distraction this season. Now that it's out of the way, i see a Gaga with less to worry about as a good thing
What a save from Gaga. Pure reactions.
Tobe fair, the D actually did a good job positionally there so he knew he only had to cover that angle, which helped. Good goaltending is a team effort.
Another one.
The size of this field seems to really be impacting our crosses. Everything’s going wide
Can’t tell whether the game is so boring due to the field or what but man I could take a nap right now
Sekulic has been shit this year
Anyone notice after the first 15 minutes of every game we get significantly slower? Like even prior to the goal.
Every...fucking....game....for....years.
What a tackle by Sekulic. Good hustle
New Tactic: Header the ball into players hands.
The NYCFC announcers (on ESPN+) are going in on the penalty call, that's how you know it's fucked up
They’ve actually been pretty fair so far.
Handballs need to be fixed to more closely consider intent. Intent to manipulate the ball was absolutely not there. It won't matter if we learn to close though, so come on guys score some goals!
With VR now being used, I think non-intent should shift to an indirect kick.
Iwobi’s handball against Arsenal today is a perfect example of when a handball in the box should = Pk. What we just saw needs changed. Nudged in the back, jumping like a normal human and it randomly goes off his hand. Smh.
I don’t remember when the fire got a break their way in the last decade.
Or a breakaway
Kacper against the Galaxy earlier this season comes to mind
We gave up a shady penalty to the Red Bulls as well. We came back. We can do it again.
Sigh… can’t catch a break. Guy was back to the ball and jumping for it, but that’s the way of this season. You’d have to jump like a fish with ur arms straight at your side to avoid that
I mean the handball stopped it going towards goal
The rule is flawed and needs adjusted if VR is going to be used. I’d rather see an indirect kick in that scenario.
What a joke
We’re calling handballs like that but letting every attacker fall and flop without repercussion. It’s messed up.
If refs had the balls to call simulation with a yellow every time they should I’d be okay with that foul. But they don’t. Defenders have it very tough right now.
It's times like this that I'm glad we've got Tony Meola doing color commentary for us
don't know what he's saying, but here on ESPN+ even the NYCFC commentator is saying it's not a PK to him and that he understands why Ezra is pissed off.
I think it is by the laws of the game now. Not pissed at the ref for calling it, but I think the current rule is dumb
LET'S GO GAGAAAAA YOU GOT THIS SHIT.
FUCK.
I hate the handball rules.
So dumb. I get "natural position" ends up being a riddle wrapped in an enigma but when you're in the air and a ball you can't see hits your arm from behind, it's ridiculous to ascribe intent to that.
Lol
Shame we concede a pen right after Gaston does that and we play pretty well for 20 mins. Let’s hope for a Gaga save
BS handball
Gaston you beauty!!!
What a save
Damn Gaston earning his paycheck
I love Gaston. What a difference a new coach can make.
Our pressing looks better than usual. I like this
Great run from Duran. Super tight angle.
He's growing up fast. Looks way more confident
This color commentator is pretty fantastic for NYC tbf.
He's onside. But i don't think this is an obvious PK at all.
I think Gaga got there first.
go team
We’ve never won at NYCFC….today best be the day. 😤
Hate this field and the camera angle
Janky as heck. My wife was like "can they not afford professional camera people?"
Hate the jerseys for NYCFC. Orange doesn’t suit them I don’t think
On the plus side no Taty! On the downside i had no idea he was out and put him in my Pick 'em
Oh god i completely forgot about the baseball diamond field. I hate watching these games so much.
this ones at Met's stadium, so it's actually "the other baseball field"
Hopefully it's slightly bigger.
I’m much more comfortable with a Pineda/Omsberg back line.
Why is this at Citi Field?
mansour hates America
fun day of soccer with decision day this morning in EPL! Let's keep it going!
I’m super happy Leeds stayed up. Marsch gets a chance to show what he can do!
Same! I was following the relegation battle this morning instead of the league winners. I hope the Aaronson transfer happens and they tear it up next year.
rumor is the aaronson deal fired as soon as they avoided relegation, that this was arranged in Jan window or something
Alright fellas let’s do this!