What a rough weekend! Like most of you, I’m sure,
still trying to pull myself up from the huge disappointment of Friday night’s loss in Houston. (My poor wife and kids don’t know what to do with me)! I didn’t get too much of an opportunity to rant and rave after the game (on camera!) so here goes. Plus I’ll give you a brief, but honest, assessment of our season – the positives and negatives, and what I intend to accomplish in the off-season to make this team better and get us where we need to be.In the days and hours leading up to kick-off (in fact after kick-off too!) anything that could have gone wrong did. Pablo not being fit to start was a blow (I knew ball possession would be vital in Houston). Losing Clarence 2 hrs before kick-off was another blow – he kept Ching very quiet in Game 1 (credit to Alex for stepping in and doing so well though). Losing Dario early in the 1st half was a blow (and a valuable waste of a substitute). Losing Adrian in the 2nd half was another tough loss and enforced the last sub.
The biggest blow of all though was obviously the red card to Arturo (by the way, we don’t blame him in any way for the result. What he did was out of character – I felt for him, he is totally devastated and inconsolable). From that moment in the game, I could see the self-belief and energy just slipping from the players. The way we fought for the remainder of the game made me very proud. Until we went down a man, the game plan we had set out went exactly like we wanted and I had no doubt in my mind that we would win comfortably. But, that’s the playoffs for you! (DC and Chivas were, according to conference standings, the two best teams in MLS…and we know what happened to them).
From the moment we knew we were playing Houston, the thing I wanted to work on most with this team was our mentality. Our message was simple – “our season starts now”, because, let’s face it, results towards the end of the season were inconsistent. Now it was three games to get to a final and the mentality of the team going in was superb. At the end, a little bit of luck deserted us…Is that the whole story though? Not exactly ….
The season as a whole? Let’s be brutally honest, we’re in the business of winning and getting results – something this team has failed to do in recent years – and we’ve fallen at the first hurdle again. Yes, we performed well in SuperLiga. Yes, we got to the final of the Open Cup, and yes, we were a red card away from knocking the existing Champions out of the play-offs in their own stadium. Not quite enough though – yet! I say that because I will not settle for second best. I know we’re on the right road now. I know where we need to improve and the work starts now to make these improvements. I’m realistic –if I can’t do that sufficiently in a reasonable time period – I’ll be the first to admit it.
There are numerous positives to take from the season. We have a great core group of young talent that have made good progress - Clarence, Arturo, Dax, and Ray all had a big year. Abe, Dominic, and Pitch all played significant minutes and continue to improve. Kenny and Drew are young and will only get better. Ricardinho has settled in well, is a huge talent and I believe will have a big year next year. Blake and Wally saw their first taste of MLS and have shown me they have a big future. Dello had his first start and did well. Andrew, Ibee and Chase have all come in, impressed me, and have the ability to do great things next year.
Young talent needs experience to bring it along. Of the “older group” – newcomers Juan and Pablo made a significant impact and were everything I expected them to be. I believe they will be even better next year (and the next few!) now they have settled and know the league. Adrian had an unfortunate start with the knee surgery, but finally regained his best form towards the end. Dario had an up and down year due to bad luck with injuries, and Fish didn’t live up to his own expectations in terms of goals scored – though a great leader and person who I greatly respect. Chris had a tough year, though finished strong, which I was pleased about as he cares deeply about the team – same for Bobby who’s a great leader in the locker room.
The loss of players to long-term injuries was significant – Kenny and Adrian for half a season, as well as Roberto (who I hope can regain his fitness and best form) and Marcelo at an important time. The introduction of our DP Denilson was also significant. This was a deal worth doing – it’s been a tough situation for him and in the time he’s had so far, unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to show the undoubted ability and talent he’s got in terms of production on the field. Trying to find the right role for him in the team, plus other factors such as long-term injuries, loss of form, and players needing a rest, lead to more changes to the line-up and system than I would have liked.
We don’t have completely the right balance on the roster at the moment to settle on a system and fit players into it. At times, it was getting the most out of the talent that we have. The better teams in this League (Houston, New England and D.C) and in the rest of the world have a core group of players who have been together for some time and know their role within the system. Believe me, we will be better equipped next year.
From what I set out to achieve at the start of the year, the one thing that has significantly improved is the chemistry and mentality of this team. We have a group of players who I love working with that are “together” and ready to fight for each other. Clearly our goals against record is a concern and an area that we will be focusing on – not just in terms of the back 4, but defensively as a “team”.
A lot to build on – we are all hurting and disappointed right now. We need to learn from it and move on. I want to create a positive environment around this team. Negativity and criticism are understandable and expected…but usually not beneficial.
Thanks so much for your support this season – let’s rally together and move forward.
Steve
43 comments:
Thanks, coach. Obviously a tough loss on which to end the season. When luck turns away from you like it did in Houston, you have to expect this sort of result. I have no doubt that our winning eleven from the first leg would have moved us forward.
Looking forward to next season already. Go Hoops!!
I think that's a pretty fair summary Steve and one that I don't disagree with. Good luck and best regards to the team.
Let's learn our lessons and move on.
Take a break, try to relax / decompress and enjoy some family time.
Looking forward to next year!
Thanks Coach.
I agree with your assessment. I look forward to seeing this team grow and having seen the young guys at practice, I think our bench will be better prepared next year.
I hope you and the team can take care and enjoy some much needed time off. Thanks for a great season.
GO HOOPS!
Thank you for an honest assessment -- it all sounds accurate to me (from what a fan would know).
Our family was with you this season, and were looking forward to the next season! You do have a great team that can only get better.
:)
P.S. Let Arturo know that I think just about everyone realizes that it was one of those moments in time that you wish you could take back -- and was NOT in character for him. We all have them, so we can all forgive, because he had a great season, otherwise!
Thank you for your assessment here coach…I hope that we can see a fairly solid starting 11 next season.
Arturo, I couldn’t agree more with HopelessFCDfanatica’s post here, I am sorry to see your season end on that note but you have done very well for the Hoops this year and personally I understand that that was not typical for you and I hope (and am fairly sure) that it will help to make you a better player in the future.
Regardless of the positives of the 2007 season. This team MUST concentrate in improving the Defense. A team that gets quite a few more goals scored against than in favor will not go anywhere in this league. Other than Goodson and Moore everybody else in Defense needs to be considered for replacement and Serioux in Particular.
Also save the KC Wizards-Chivas USA tape to see how a team can (and must) bunker down to protect a lead when playing in enemy territory and having 45 minutes or less to go in the game.
Go FC Dallas!
Thanks for the insight coach! We may have lost that game in Houston but we did it with dignity and class. I wish I could say that about Houston wins. Arturo made a bad decision as we all do but when I think of him.... I remember how he played in the Super Liga game against LA.
Looking forward to next season!
Go Hoops!!!
Serioux is a defensive midfielder. So he doesn't have to go, Morrow had him in his right position at the end of the season
I think that was a fair assessment, thank you coach. The core group is pretty strong but depth was a problem whenever absences hit. Outside of Goodson, Toja, and Richetti the others didn't really standout on a consistent basis.
Keep up the diligent work coach. I am confident 2008 is a breakthrough year for both this team and you as a coach.
Thanks for the straight talk, coach. Good luck in the off-season!
"At the end, a little bit of luck deserted us"??? I thought we were lucky to not be scored on a couple times at PHP. And then, in Houston, they were pounding on our doorstep the whole game with flurries in front of the net which was once again lucky on our part that they didn't score earlier. And then, we basically finish our one chance and sat back to wither the storm. So, in my mind, I felt we were very lucky they didn't finish their chances or else the series wouldn't have been as close.
if you list the names on this roster, we've got decent talent and very good potential. alas, you can't win just by showing up and comparing lineup cards. what we need now is improved chemistry. you know the players you have and what they're capable of doing. it's up to the coach to put them in the best situation to win. w/ the #2 pick overall in this year's draft, we must hit on it...preferably, someone in the back line.
btw, i like the insight he gave on ricardinho for next year. made me wonder why he didn't use him much this year if he's suppose to be that talented. also, w/ mina coming back, who needs carlos.
-3nOut
Morrow saying he respects that diving and cheating piece of garbage Ruiz is enough grounds for him to be fired.
"The introduction of our DP Denilson was also significant. This was a deal worth doing – it’s been a tough situation for him and in the time he’s had so far, unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to show the undoubted ability and talent he’s got in terms of production on the field. Trying to find the right role for him in the team, plus other factors such as long-term injuries, loss of form, and players needing a rest, lead to more changes to the line-up and system than I would have liked."
Denilson plays with the ball like its an art. You can not just put him on a team that has never played with someone like him and expect instant results. The team has to learn what he will do with the oppurtunities that he makes.
Mr Morrow, there are changes that need to be made, Serioux needs to go but not Denilson, and as you stated to be "brutaly honest", you sir, being the ultimate failure as coach should go also.
Coach,
I appreciate and thank you for your assessment of the team. It's good for the fans to hear from you and to hear your 'take' on the events, players, and our future.
I urge you to focus on:
1. Teamwork. We're all in this together & must play as one, calm & collective team.
2. Defense-Defense-Defense! Enough said.
My family just purchased our season tickets. We will be there to cheer you & the guys on to victory.
We're with you, Steve. To all FCD players, coaches, and staff: please hang in there, learn from 2007, move forward with one voice.
I wish you'd played me in the biggest game of the year!! I would have hustled and fought out there just like you wanted me too.
Please put me in next year. My parents are paying for DirectKick to see me play.
Dax (not really)
Everyone is talking about what went from this year and it was lack effort in the later part of the season. IN the playoffs the difference in game 1 and 2 was Goodson. He dominated Ching & company on game 1 and even scored the game winner. Without him in game 2 we didn't have the same belief. Playing with 10 men was part of it but if #11 was still out there we would have survived anyway.
Scrap Denilson + Defensive DP = championship. Its really that simple.
seriously, i think we can do just fine w/o carlos. if you look at the beginning of the year when we were cookin', carlos was nowhere to be found (international team call ups). trade him for a proven commodity (preferably a CB or LB). i'm also suggesting to put arturo at striker b/c he doesn't have the tools to be a wing. he doesn't know how to cross...which decreases the offensive threat on his side. put toja or dax out on the wing since they're better at making plays and crossing the ball. just a suggestion.
-3nOut
We need to have Pareja BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is what we need for next year!!!!!!! Cooper OUT!!!!!!!!! Get strickers!!!!!!! WE NEED GOALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FC Dallas my team til I die! But Mr Morrow, please go back to Ireland!! We need new strategies; you and Clarke have the same mentality. We have been playing the same note for a while. FC Dallas needs a NEW HEAD COACH!!! Go to Houston Dynamo and screw them!!!!!
I can't even read this blog anymore... the comments made are ridiculous. I don't know if half of these people know what soccer is. Serioux played great at defensive middie after coming back from surgery. Cooper out? Are you kidding me, we were lucky to even have him back from his broken leg. Get your heads on straight, since when doesn't a coach get a couple seasons to form the team he wants.
Thanks Steve, great job by all and looking forward to 2008. Wonderful work by the blog people too, love this site, it's the one and only source for FCD info.
"since when doesn't a coach get a couple seasons to form the team he wants"
Bruce Arena? (not that I agree with that move, I'm just saying it happens...)
SM, I'm behind you all the way, man. Go get us a good DP in the off-season. Either a Mexican star to bring in the Hispanic crowds or a European star to bring in the suburbanites. Either way, we gotta fill up PHP.
For the idiot that called Ruiz "garbage" :
do you realize fish has been the leading scorer gor his team six years in a row ????????????????
Everyone is always making excuses for Cooper saying "if" he had been healthy enough t play he would have proven something... "if" Arturo had not played "out of character"... c'mon .... seriously ... fish is the only one who delivered and yeah he did not make as many goals as we would have all liked but he led the team with the most goals and he can't carry the team all alone like everyone expects. Fish gets his but beat on the field game after game, and along with giving it his all for Dallas, he even satys commited to his National team as well. Steve respects Fish for a reason, and that is because he recognizes him as one of the best players which is why he was named CAPTAIN ! Stop making excuses for all the young and innexperienced players. FC Dallas could have won if we had just a couple more players like FISH !!!!!
Some of you on this board really do not have a clue. How could you go after Adrian and Coop? They are the stars of the team. Didn't Adrian have the assist of the goal in the playoff from a THROW IN!!!
No one is talking about the disappearance of Toja. He was MVP before the injury and non-existent after. The hair is cool but we need someone who can hold possession in the midfield.
The team needs some more real players. We need to get rid of the "older" players and let some of the young kids like Dax and Abe have a try at it. Dax put some beautiful crosses in the box. Sure could have used it in Houston.
Abe just scores goals. What more do you need ...
Get some more toughness on the Defensive side. We need some enforcers. Ray was a great find this year but can you really add Pitch to the conversation. I could out run him.
Please coach ... make some changes and get more creative. The crowds will come if you have a proven winner. Always remember and don’t ever forget, Dallas Loves a Winner.
I love this team ... FCDFFL !!!! When does pre-season start?
OK .. who let Carlos on this site.
Come on .. you have got to be kidding me. Fish came on at the end but you have to look at the whole season. He spends most of his time trying to see how he can fall down.
That "injury" in Houston was a total joke .. embarrassing even. They had to bring out the stretcher on to the field only to have him bounce off when it got to the sideline.
I don't like this kind of soccer. Play tough, stay on your feet and score. He could have won the game in Houston if he would have stayed on his feet in the penalty box and put that ball in the back of the net at the end of regulation.
Please... I can't take anymore of that. We need to cut the rope and let him find other places to fall down. No more FISH … I am going vegetarian.
I believe we actually had the same number of goal scored against us as last year, but with like...8 or 9 fewer goals scored for. If you really, REALLY think about it, our defense was really just weathering the storm that resulted from our inability to score and maintain possession. I like our defenders, I really am concerned with our ability to maintain an attack and hold possession at the midfield.
Point is, wingers need to play the wings and be able to make crosses, strikers need to be able to trap and put the ball quickly on goal (not just fall down, and we need to keep the ball in THE OTHER team's half at least half of the time.
Finally, I love the goals that Carlos has scored. On the other hand, he has never gotten a call in the box as a member of our side, and so I wish he would quit trying to!
Steve Morrow Steve Morrow we love ya Steve Morrow were going to win next year.
fcdiddy,
your's is the best post on this page, good job.
BLOG BOYS,
please give us a schedule of events through the T&T game.
I hope the Denilson failure doesn't keep FCD from getting another DP next year. A #10.
Biggest need outside of a true #10, in my opinion, is a Wilman Conde-type player to partner Goodson in the back. This then frees Moor to go out to the right, where Bobby's lack of speed can't sustain another year.
I don't think Ruiz will be worth a DP, since his salary just barely creeps over the limit, anyway. He goes (maybe to San Jose).
Alvarez-Cooper-Oduro(Abe, Ric. sub)
DP#10
Toja--Pablo (Serioux, Dax sub)
Gbandi--Goodson--S.A.Defender--Moor
--------Burse--------------
The biggest need then becomes a backup big man up front. I'm not sure Abe can handle it, though he's a great sub and should see Mina gone back to S.A.
C'mon people, OPEN your eyes and analyze Cooper.... He focuses in attacking the player instead of getting the ball.... Despite his injury, HE WAS NOT READY FOR PLAYOFFS!!!!! He was the worst player, be real!!!!!!!!! Fish, not all that, but he causes yellow cards and is THE ONLY one to score besides Alvarez….. Serioux, very tough guy, EXCELLENT defender/midfielder awesome addition this year!!!!!!
Steve thanks for "your letter" but I feel there was alot of injustice going on when it comes to the players.
I know a lot of times from watching these games that you were being controlled by your bosses (Hunt family, Sponsors and Hitchcock) b/c only certain players were getting minutes whether they played bad or not ex. Kenney,Toja etc.
You have a lot of talented players on your team but no one will ever see what talent they possess b/c you barely play them or you wait until the team is losing badly before you start putting the right ppl in, for example Oduro.
Oduro is talented everytime he gets in the game, he changes the pace. Dello is another good player and Wally also.
There are some players who are good and I have no complaints of you playing them like Abe, Richetti, Adrian, Gbandi, Goodson, Rhine, Dax, David W., Marcello etc.
I noticed that when you have a winning game you always let that same starting lineup play the next game. But with Oduro you always let someone take his place in the starting lineup eventhough he played a good game, what's up with that? It's not right.
When Toja was injured, you should have let him sit out instead you had him playing and he was limping the entire time. Kenney he is good but he sucks right now cuz he is not fit but he plays in one reserve game and then you had him starting insetad of Oduro who was supposed to start.
I honestly don't think you were paying attention to your good players you were letting your bosses control you in your decisions especially Kenney Sr. who happens to be a sponsor go figure.
Also my other issue with you is why when certain players make a mistake on the field or had a bad game you sit them out for a while i.e. Gbandi but if Toja or Alvarez has a bad game you make excuses for them and allow them to play?
You shouldn't favor certain players over others it is not right! Coach you should treat all your players the same and maybe just maybe we could have better games and have a winning season.
Think about it.........
Unbelievable !!!!! Lets just blame Steve Morrow, Kenny Cooper Sr and Jr for the loss to Houston.
Cooper"s dad a sponsor give me a break. You got to be kidding, Jr not fit to play. Are you a doctor ? We have some real Morons on this site. Its simple, we get a player sent off when we are winning 2-0 in the series for stupidity. Now lets all point fingers at Cooper and his dad. Pitifull to say the least. Shame on FC Dallas blog for allowing such personal attacks like this.
COOPER SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ODURO ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MORROW SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PAREJA ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANONYMOUS, YOU ARE A SICK, SICK, MORE THAN SICK MAN !!!
Absolutely!!!!! Cooper makes me SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oduro's speed is amazing, out of this world, he is a lightning rod, fun to watch, NOW if he could just remember to take the ball along with him!!!!!
I appreciate your comments Mr. Morrow, and I want to share some season long insights for your consideration.
I understand your comment that it is "uncharacteristic" for Arturo to knee a person in the groin (completely away from any game play nonetheless) which is akin to saying that he does not normally commit assault and/or battery. But this behavior, while embarrassing, WAS characteristic of the mental lapses of our team throughout season, as we were guilty of committing more fouls and receiving more cards than any other team in the MLS all year. So, I do not blame Arturo for this foul, I blame you, the coach. This team not only lacks a winning chemistry, they completely lack the necessary discipline to win.
I have watched the team practice on numerous occasions. Steve, you act like everyone's buddy, chum, like you are still a player at Arsenal and these guys on the team are your mates. You are not doing what is necessary to establish expectations and control the mindset of the team. All season long I watch players time and time again allow their temper and lack of composure to cost the team greatly.
What happened at Houston, as disappointing it was to all of us rooting for the Hoops, was a microcosm of our entire season. Lack of discipline at a team level; discipline required to control the pace of the game; to maintain possession, to create scoring chances, to be a winner.
You are certainly allowed to have respect for Ruiz at a personal level, but you allow this to color your judgment by calling him a leader on the field. Exactly what lesson is this so-called captain teaching other players? How to dive? How to lie on the ground for three minutes and act as though your leg was just broken in half? How to constantly whine, petition, and argue with the referee? To constantly collect yellow cards? Does this sound like the kind of leadership we want to impart to our youth on our team? We have young players who are 19-23 years old, and I don't see Ruiz mentoring them through strong personal examples of leadership.
Finally, to call the second half of our season "inconsistent" was an interesting choice of words. To the contrary, the second half of the season was incredibly consistent--we lost game after game after game by scores of 3-0, 4-0 and 2-0 even when playing AT HOME. We went from first place to third, falling near the bottom of the playoff cut.
Returning home from Houston on the bus I had a chance to watch Arturo's foul on TV replay. Immediately I thought to myself, "What a perfect synopsis of everything that has gone wrong with this team all year." The ultimate cause of this pointless, thoughtless, and sloppy foul is the coach. With the right discipline and mentality, there is no way a player wearing the red and white behaves like this because winning behavior is drilled into hearts and minds of the players over and over again at every practice...instead of allowing constant horseplay, joking around, and a backyard barbeque atmosphere. You want to win? It starts with you Mr. Morrow. It always starts at the top.
nothing would make me happer than to see carlos go far far away. He bifs more chances than any striker i have seen. Go Copper. I really liked to see Dax on the pitch, he brings the kind of energy we need. Solid defence too.
Lets get it together for next year
Thanks to the team for there hard work this year. Go Hoops
Dallas till i die
Re: The rather long post of season long insights.
Good observations! Morrow's mistake was making Ruiz the captain. Hopefully he will not make similar kind of mistake again. I vote Richetti for Captain (if he can stop getting injured).
Post a Comment