Hey, y’all! Long time, no post-match breakdown. I skipped the Pittsburgh game because I was on vacation and glad to avoid processing that awful second half. I kind of want to skip this one, too, but I’m sure you’ve been crying out for my unique, patented discussions of why City can’t score goals at Lynn Family Stadium. Let’s do it!
City rolled out a very different lineup in this match than they did the week before, especially in defense. The only returning starter in the back was Oscar, who was joined by Chris Hubbard in goal, Pat McMahon on the opposite flank, and Sean Totsch and Wes Charpie in the middle. Speedy started in the center again but was partnered with Napo for this match. Up front, Cam Lancaster started on top with Brian Ownby, Antoine Hoppenot and Corben Bone running behind him.
St. Louis set up ostensibly in a 4-3-3 but really did their best to stay packed in the middle and force City to try and pump balls in from wide areas in possession rather than giving up any space for combination plays in the final third. Morados were nonetheless able to create several good chances in the first half, putting three shots on frame in the opening 45′.
But none of them went in. City took 19 shots for the game but only had four on target. I feel like I’ve seen this movie before. St. Louis took only seven shots all game, only two on frame, and one went in because Guy Abend was totally unmarked for approximately a decade on the back post and put a header right on Tyler Blackwood’s feet for the only goal of the match just a few minutes after halftime.
City struggled to put anything resembling a cogent attack together after going down. Toward the end of the match it was clear Morados were totally out of ideas, just throwing in long balls from anywhere toward the 18 yard box with almost no hope of success.
This is the second match in a row where defensive frailties are the story. City did a better job in possession this match, partially because St. Louis doesn’t press like Pittsburgh did a week ago, but also because St. Louis approached this game like lots of teams approach games against LouCity: stay compact, don’t give up the middle, and hope you can score on a set play or a broken play. It’s going to work until City can either start consistently finding the back of the net with greater efficiency, find a way to draw out defenses, or start putting more emphasis on their own defense.
I think our defenders are quality players. However, communication and confidence were lacking in the Pittsburgh match. While I think the effort against St. Louis was much improved, the one mistake the guys made was leaving one of the league’s top midfielders open on a crossed ball. That just can’t happen.
Yes, we’re back from a long layoff, and of course the mental sharpness isn’t going to be what we would normally hope or expect. But Pittsburgh had an even longer layoff and have managed to score an incredible nine (9!) goals in their opening two games.
Of course I don’t think Lynn Family Stadium is cursed, that’s preposterous. City started out pretty slow last season, too, if you’ll remember. That slow start has to be a lot shorter this year, though, because the season is so much shorter. Losing two home matches where you purportedly should have an advantage is a killer. City’s got to right the ship soon. I’m confident a match against SKC II is going to be what the doctor ordered.
