City vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Recap
by sonics097 on Jul 19, 2011 6:18 AM BST
in Manchester City: Match Reports
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City defeated MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 tonight at a very soggy and messy Empire Field. The pitch had experienced some heavy rain in the past few days and it had even forced a regular MLS match to be postponed this past Saturday, making the pitch difficult to navigate, but it was nothing that City hasn't experienced back in England.
It was City's second match in the past 3 days and with the EPL-style atmosphere in Vancouver, it always had the chance to be a tricky affair, even with the Whitecaps winning just 2 of 20 matches so far in their first year in the MLS.
The first half squad consisted of Hart, Kompany, Savic, Boyata, Kolarov, McGivern, de Jong, Toure, Weiss, Johnson, and Dzeko. City came out sharp and possessive, looking organized overall but lacking some cohesion in the final third, something David Silva usually helps to solidify. Savic looked good in the back for his second match with the club, while Kolarov was below par, and his poor tracking contributed to the Whitecaps' lone goal (a 20 yard shot that took a massive deflection and left Hart flat footed, nothing to really worry about). Boyata, however, really stood out. His combination of pace, strength, and quick feet were a highlight on the right side of the pitch. He looked quite like Micah Richards, only without the constant up-and-down energy.
In attack, Johnson was his usual self, cutting inside often and attempting to set up his teammates. Dzeko got into good positions, but lacked the killer instinct, reflecting much of his time so far in a City shirt. He should have buried a sitter as well. Vladimir Weiss was another bright spot for the Blues, his energy and creativity made him the best player on the pitch while he was in the game. I really believe that he could be the attacking spark City seemed to lack this season, and no transfers are necessary in this department.
The second half saw many substitutes and City played a few more lesser known faces later on, such as Frederic Veseli, John Guidetti, and Andrea Mancini (the boss's son). Stuart Taylor took over in goal, Lescott and Clichy moved into the back, Barry and Milner took over in the middle. SWP also came on with Weiss and Savic remaining from the first half. City attacked for most of the half with Balotelli and Guidetti leading the front line. They eventually found the equalizer on a corner that Guidetti smartly headed home, and pressed on for the winner, eventually coming on an SWP screamer from 25 yards out. It was a bullet that flew right into the top corner, a shot we have seen from the winger a few times over the last few years. City hung on to win 2-1, and were most definitely the dominant team, but credit to Vancouver for putting up a nice effort.
Shaun Wright-Phillip's winning goal:
The one negative from the game was a rather large negative, an ankle injury to Yaya. He jumped to win a contested header and landed awkwardly, resulting in immediate pain. After a few minutes he was helped off the field by the medical staff and was substituted for Milner. It was not a pleasant moment and hopefully it is nothing too serious.
Side note: the commentary was quite awful throughout the match. Just 3 minutes in, the commentators had confused Weiss for Dzeko (not sure how that is possible), kept calling Kolarov something that sounded like Kalarov, and later on failed to recognize that Guidetti's last name indeed ends with an 'i'. It was not a good display for American commentary.
City's next match will be Sunday at the LA Galaxy, a match which should feature David Beckham and Landon Donovan.
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So this Weiss has been something these 2 games. First I've see him play, competition aside he's easily
doing more than a Milner or even AJ has, or is doing on the wing.
Any new news on Yaya? My heart was in my throat for a bit cuz it was a noncontact injury. In America football those are typically the worst kind of injuries.
Dzeko missed a layup. Frustrating. He’s doing better holding the ball thou, (competition aside).
As for the announcers in fairness no one in the states has ever heard of Guidetti. I’m sure the same thing would happen if english announcers were all of a sudden calling a mls of NBA game.
Clichy is sooooooo much better than Kolarov.
It was great to watch City again. I only got to half watch the first game.
by peppersquad on Jul 19, 2011 7:51 AM BST via mobile reply actions
Well I want to give the commentators a pass but it was just annoying since it’s not very often City play a live game in front of ESPN announcers, and they could have done better. But yeah, they are pretty good for the MLS games.
Big players make big plays
by sonics097 on Jul 19, 2011 1:17 PM BST via mobile up reply actions
Technically it wasn’t Kolarov who missed the tackle it was Savic who was in the wrong place.
It deflected off of Savic and took a bad bounce. The replay can be found here
Dzeko missed one good chance, I have really no worries for him. He seems more comfortable in the front which is a good thing. He needs to practice his finishing touch tho. I am sure he was the one most frustrated with the miss.
Any movement in history which attempts to perpetuate itself, becomes reactionary.
- Marshal Broz Tito
I didn’t mean that the ball deflected off Kolarov, but it was his man that had open space to dribble down the right side (with Kolarov chasing a good 2 or 3 steps behind) and make the pass to the player who did take the shot that bounced off Savic.
Big players make big plays
by sonics097 on Jul 19, 2011 1:10 PM BST via mobile up reply actions
I agree on Weiss, he looked fantastic. However, I hope there’s a way to work both he and AJ into the starting 11 concurrently. Dzeko’s sensitivity on the ball continues to impress. The commentators pissed me off a bit, especially the guy who insisted on pronouncing Kolarov as “Koralev”. Here’s to hoping that Yaya is ok. That scared the hell out of me. Also, is SWP’s form going to force Mancini into playing him more? He refuses to fade into the background. Overall I was pleasantly surprised to catch the game on ESPN because I miss so many City games here in the states even with the addition of Fox Soccer Channel and Gol TV to my cable package. Question to all: list your most probable and common starting 11 for MCFC this year. What the hell, even include Aguero if you want to be sassy.
As long as you have espn2 / FSC / FSC+ you should see 95% of the games, and you’ll never miss a big game. And on directv atleast it only costs about 25-30 bucks a month. Which isn’t crazy for a sport half way around the world.
by peppersquad on Jul 19, 2011 5:13 PM BST via mobile up reply actions
I’m thinking: Hart, Clichy, K. Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta, Barry, de Jong, Silva, Yaya, A.Johnson, Dzeko.
But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lescott instead of K. Toure, Kolarov instead of Zabaleta, Weiss instead of A. Johnson (A. Johnson becoming more of a first option sub when offense is needed), Aguero instead of any of the forwards, he will become the new go-to guy, and of course, my least favorite player, Balotelli in at forward to bitch and moan and generally be a bad teammate and ruin moral throughout the season. Please AC Milan, take him.
I disagree
About Balotelli… 100%. The other players love him and he is very well liked in the dressing room. I’d say he helps morale (off the pitch anyway) more than 90% of the players. Just watch the videos on the MCFC website, he gets on well
Big players make big plays
But my starting XI
Would be:
Hart
Richards, Kompany, K Toure, Clichy
de Jong, Yaya
Johnson, Silva
Balotelli, Dzeko
-————————————-
Now of course, Mancini is more likely to go with the usual 4-5-1, but that’s what I would go with, for now. I also think Lescott and Savic can see plenty of action in the back due to the number of games and inevitable injuries. Zabaleta and Kolarov also playing regularly in rotation. Barry in rotation in the middle, SWP and Weiss on the wings (though Weiss may also be able to play as a CAM), and Aguero (if we get him, would start over Dzeko i think).
However, if we do not get Aguero or a replacement for Tevez, I am all for Mancini giving Felipe Caicedo a chance. Of all the strikers we have (Bellamy, RSC, Ade, Jo), he is the only one who hasn’t been alienated out, mainly due to him not being a real headline grabber. He is also very underrated in my opinion, but I believe he scored 14 goals on loan at Levante in La Liga last season which is very good, and he had a fantastic brace against Brazil in Copa America about a week ago. I have no clue right now as to what his status is and whether or not he wants to remain at the club or go on loan, or how Mancini rates him, but if I was manager I would give him the 3rd striker spot, if Aguero doesn’t come. Replacing from within could earn City some respect in some corners of the EPL world (not that it matters a whole lot) and would also not cost anything at all, an added bonus
Big players make big plays
Starting XI
Hart————————————
-Richards-Kompany—Savic—Clichy
De Jong————Yaya Toure———-
David Silva—————Weiss————
Balo———————————
Dzeko———————————
No matter if 3rd striker arrives or not, Dzeko will be 1st/2nd string.
Any movement in history which attempts to perpetuate itself, becomes reactionary.
- Marshal Broz Tito
Regarding the commentary – that’s why ESPN uses English commentators for tournaments – WC, Women’s WC, etc. Ian Darke and Martyn Tyler, etc.
Nice post Sonics. I missed the game last night but watched the first one and Weiss looked sharp there. He’s a star in Slovakia, he’s still young and just maybe he might get a season at City this year although another season on loan looks more likely and probably better for the lad and for City in the long run. I think he’s class.
Ian is sooooooooooo great. He's a pleasure to listen too. He was calling the USA friendlies pre WWCup and I think might call them next year.
by peppersquad on Jul 20, 2011 1:04 AM BST via mobile up reply actions
Plus you’re all wrong with your starting X!‘s. Here’s the team to start against Swansea and because I’m such a generous chap I’ll give you the subs too!
Hart
Richards Kompany Lescott Clichy
De Jong Yaya
Schneider
Silva Nasri
Tevez
Subs:
Taylor
Boyata
Milner
Johnson
Aguero
Starting 11
A lot of my choices were based on how I think Mancini thinks and not necessarily how I do:
I am pleasantly surprised to see all of you having Richards in there. I hope you are right and I am wrong as far as that goes, because I personally love the guy’s game, but I got the impression (and read in a few places) that he may not be as consistent as some would like.
I’m also a huge Milner fan but I get the impression that Mancini doesn’t like the guy for some reason and I fear we may lose him to another club at some point (really hope I am wrong on that as well)…
Whether or not Balotelli gets on with the other guys in the locker room, there is something about the way he carries himself on the pitch that infuriates me… (with the exception of one game late in the year, I forget which, but he really came alive, showed some heart, played defense, and kept the bitching to a minimum. For some reason he gives me the Carlos Tevez mercenary vibe, like he always will want to be on to the next thing. I would love to see him prove me wrong and continue to grow on the pitch this year. Plus, unlike the two guys above, Mancini seems to really like him. Must be the Italian thing.
Jeremy, it seems the Tevez era is over but anything is possible with that guy. Tomorrow he’ll be saying he loves city and never intended to leave for all we know. but people are saying the Corinthians move is legit. I think it is time to move on to Aguero. The guy can’t not score. Even with the more physical EPL defense, he will put the ball in the net.
I am a fan of Barry, so I hope he starts, as I think he and De Jong at CDM is the way to go.. but you guys seem to think yaya will be back there? to me it seems Yaya will be more of a CAM (instead of Silva, who will be out to the left.. or possibly right depending on if AJ is the other winger) since that is where Mancini seems set on playing him and he is so good on the ball.
My cable package adds a few sports stations, but the only soccer-specific ones are FSC and GOLTV. I need to look into FSC+ as well it seems.. but even if I don’t get “+” it would seem an obvious choice for regular FSC to show more of City this year considering their elevated status.
I noticed the highlights of the game against Vancouver had “city tv” in the corner.. is there some sort of internet package one can purchase to see all city games that anyone knows of?
Finally, Aguero or not, it seems hard to imagine Dzeko not getting a lot of playing time this year..
Also hard to imagine Weiss not being around but if it’s his only chance to get playing time, then let him play another season on loan.. that being said, the day he does become a regular part of our starting 11 will be a happy one for City fans.
Watching City games
You can usually watch basically every single game online through various sites. myp2p.eu is usually the best choice and offers many different streams to watch them. You might have to install a few web players though. But between the internet and the TV, I think I watched all but 5 or 6 of City’s games last year… and those would be due to either being too busy or not skipping a game (like City playing lower league teams in the cups).
Big players make big plays
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