Blog Archives
Off to a Good Start
Chelsea defeats Seattle Sounders 4-2
Chelsea beat Seattle last night in the Blues’ first preseason match. With six total goals, it was an entertaining game for fans, though oddly all six came in the first half.
For me, the best thing about the match was seeing Chelsea’s new signings for the first time. Marko Marin and Eden Hazard were the most impressive (and each scored a goal). It was encouraging to see their speed in transition, and accuracy in passing and shooting on goal.
I was also pleased to see Romelu Lukaku get two goals in a lone striker position. The poor guy will probably be saddled with Drogba comparisons all season, but the strength on the ball he demonstrated, particularly on his first goal, couldn’t help but remind us of good ol’ Didier. Lukaku has tons of potential – he’s still only nineteen! I hope we get to see his aerial prowess tested this preseason. With his height, he could be a great target. I’d also like to see him be able to possess the ball in the box area long enough to dish it off or create space for himself to shoot. Last night wasn’t a fantastic performance from Lukaku. Aside from his two goals, he wasn’t involved very much. But he definitely showed enough to make me hope Chelsea doesn’t loan him out this season.
In the second half, we also got a good first look at Kevin De Bruyne. Like Marin and Hazard in the first half, De Bruyne showed a lot of speed and energy. I liked his eagerness to shoot, though he wasn’t as accurate as Marin was from similar areas of the field. De Bruyne will really have to prove himself this preseason since Chelsea has so much talent at midfield. He might be a good striker off the bench as well, but with Mata, Torres, Sturridge, and Lukaku available, it won’t be easy to get starts. I liked De Bruyne’s effort last night, it will just be interesting to see if there’s room for him in the first team.
Of course, it was fun to see Lampard and Essien mixing it up with the new guys in the second half. I really hope Essien makes a full return to his regular starting role. I still think he has a lot to contribute.
My favorite thing about Chelsea’s play last night was their fast transitions through the middle third of the pitch. I complained a lot last season about their slow transitions and build-up play. If they can hone the kind of transitions we saw last night, they will be a lot more dangerous (and fun to watch) next season!
What did you think of Chelsea’s play against Seattle?
Training Blues
Chelsea begins training in Seattle
Chelsea transplanted their preseason training across the Atlantic yesterday with morning and evening sessions at the Seattle Seahawks practice facilities. The Sounders FC website captured some great footage of the sessions, along with an interview with club ambassador Graeme Le Saux.
In other Chelsea news today, the UK’s Daily Mail claims Chelsea is nearing a deal to acquire Brazilian midfielder Oscar from Brazilian club Internacional. Not sure what to think about that possibility as I haven’t had the opportunity to see Oscar in action. However, I’m a little surprised Chelsea hasn’t focused on beefing up the defense this summer as they’re pretty stacked in midfield at the moment.
Any thoughts on the potential Oscar signing?
Seeing Red
Hernandez & Perez lack common sense in 2-0 loss to Colorado
FC Dallas has had an awful start to the 2012 MLS season. Not so much in terms of points (12 so far from 10 games, in 6th place in the Western Conference), but because of injuries. The injured list is so ridiculously long that the club had to bring in an extra player last week (former Timbers man James Marcelin) to augment the weakened squad. It’s a nightmare scenario for manager Schellas Hyndman, as even Brek Shea missed Sunday night’s home clash with Colorado due to turf toe issues.
Knowing the team is scraping to get by, veteran (and former captain) Daniel Hernandez received two yellow cards in short succession, earning himself an early trip to the showers, all in the first half hour against Colorado. Two minutes after the Hernandez ejection, new FCD forward Blas Perez received a red card for a bone-headed, cleats up collision with the Rapids’ Drew Moor. Suddenly, with nearly an hour of the match remaining, Dallas had nine players and little chance of winning an important match.
The Perez red card might’ve been debatable, but it was probably deserved. Hernandez’s two yellows were certainly deserved. They were both very petty offenses committed by veteran players who should know better.
The Hernandez cards were particularly problematic because he received the first one for mouthing off at the ref. It was ridiculous, immature, and unacceptable behavior from one of the team leaders. Hernandez is a tough dude and has been a solid midfielder for Dallas the past few seasons, but he is too mouthy, and this time it is really going to cost his team. Hernandez has earned two red cards already this season. He seems to have lost a step, which has made him prone to irrational challenges. He would be much better suited to a substitute role this season, but Dallas’ current injury situation makes that difficult.
The Perez challenge was very unwise considering that Hernandez had just been ejected. Perez seemed to be a great acquisition at the season’s start, but I’d like to see more goals and fewer off-the-ball shenanigans from him. Just play the game!
The mental lapse of two players with so much experience hurts Dallas during a crucial week with Seattle visiting on Wednesday and a trip to Columbus Saturday. Having lost to Colorado, these next two matches are even more important. The ejections were also a slap in the face to FC Dallas fans that didn’t pay to see the team limp their way through an hour of the match with nine men (as valiant as they were) on their way to a 2-0 defeat.
What do you think? Am I being too harsh with these red card criticisms?