E.P. Times: El Paso's Dominic Schell, left, battled Atlanta's Carlos Parra.


E.P. Times: Patriots dominate, but lose in overtime


atlantasilverbacks.com: Silverbacks win 3rd OT game this season, 6th overall

USLsoccer.com: Saturday Night Roundup

Let's see what Duke says about the game. I was not at Dudley Field last night, I was babysitting. I was, however, listening to the radio broadcast. It seems like we had the stupidest f*ck they could find referring the game. The announcers went as far as saying that they should set up a "school" so all these referees can learn how to properly call a game.

It looks like it was a heck of a game after the 85th minute mark.

Frustrating loss, but Pats have no one else to blame but themselves. In order to win a game, you have to play two equal halves of offensive soccer and the Pats didn't. Here's my match analysis.

First half
Pats came out sluggish and overcautious. As a home team, you have to take the game to the opposing team, put pressure early, show that you want it more. Coach Tita had the wrong game plan, lining up his players in the wrong positions. What resulted was boring, uninspired soccer.

Here's how it went.

Atlanta came out in typical visiting team fashion, quite content to defend and counter-attack. They didn't display any of the attacking soccer they're capable of, if their record to date is any indication. Pats started Schell and Lomeli upfront as the lone strikers and played with back line of 5 defenders, including No. 10 DaGama as a left defender.

Go figure this out.

Pat's single most talented player and playmaker playing from a defensive position when Pats are already short on offensive ideas. Coach Tita limited DaGama to making the occasional attacking run down the left side as if this would surprise a well organized Atlanta defense.

At the 11th minute, DaGama lost a ball just past the halfway line catching Pats off balance as they were pressing forward. Just two passes later, Atlanta found a totally unmarked man in open space on their attacking left side of the field. Pat's No.4 Carlos "Moro" Martinez had lost his man, leaving him wide open. Atlanta forward No.12, I think, collected the nice cross with plenty of time, made a short run forward into the box and unleashed a powerful shot far post, into the small netting, leaving GK Llamas completely flat-footed.

Pat's reaction never came.

We were now over 33 minutes into the half before Feddy Juarez took El Paso's first shot on goal only to see it sail wide, a couple of feet over the crossbar. At the 40th minute, DaGama sent a direct free kick far post which found a surprised Lomeli who tried a weak misdirected header for El Paso's only and best chance of the half. El Paso had only managed a lousy 3 shots on goal (Midfielder DaSilva tried a 25 yarder which went well wide of its intended target)in the whole half.

Pitiful.

Schell never was a factor on offense, Lomeli would take dives and feign injury every time he would get bumped by the strong tall Silverback defense. This gamesmanship tactic later earned him a caution and drew Coach Tita's anger. Mexican No.7 Saul Quinones basically disappeared and played a lazy game.The only redeeming features of the first half came from Feddy Juarez who worked hard to play with some kind of pace.He managed a couple of nice incisive runs on goal, dribbling past 3 or 4 players only to run out of steam, space and time to get off a shot. Center defender DosSantos was rock solid, stopping all Atlanta runs down the middle. Guillermo McFarlane, a step slower at 33, resorted to many fouls to stop Atlanta but it proved effective.

Second half
A completely reshuffled El Paso team took the field. Lomeli replaced Martinez at right back. DaGame was now lined up as an attacking mid and later assumed a striker role. DosSantos played defensive mid, to help out Juarez and DaSilva. In other words, Coach Tita realized his gross mistake and lined up players where they truly belonged.

It payed off.

Pat's started the half applying good offensive pressure. However they lacked imagination to create scoring opportunities. El Paso is slow to move on the attack when they get the ball back, giving their opponents ample time to organize their defense.

Pats lack the speed to make quick transitions for a counterattack. Unfortunately Mexican and Brazilian players are not known to play that way. An important dimension of the modern game doesn't exist for the Patriots. Furthermore, average height to small forwards are simply not able to win head balls from a tall defense, taking away another threat in the modern game.

Anyway, back to the action.

With Schell running out of steam, DaGame got busier on the attack. Often left with no support, he wasn't able to get off any good shots on goal but did earn a few corner kicks. Precisely off a corner kick, Pats mounted an offensive series of shots on goal which Atlanta survived and cleared off their goal line. This seemed to spark some life into the crowd but it soon fizzled.

In injury time, DaGama took on 2 defenders, dribbled past them with flair and placed a truly beautiful shot into the upper right hand corner, far post, from 16 yards out. He had single-handedly saved the team from disaster and took the game into OT. None of this momentum, however, carried over into the first 10 mn of OT. No shots on goal. No scoring opps.

With approx 5 mn left into the 2nd OT, Pats defender No.6 (Waldrum, a sub who came in for an injured McFarlane early in the second half)saw his clearing header drop at the top of the El Paso box where Atlanta defender Carlos Parra was lurking. He sent his powerful shot near post past the diving LLamas at full stretch for the sudden-death game winner.

I hope the Pat's and Coach Tita, especially, learned an important lesson. Offense is usually your best defense. Play like you want to win. At least you will please your home crowd, even if you end up short. Play for 90 minutes, not just 45, and you will improve your chances.

As far as the referee was concerned, he called a good game. He issued cautions when needed (he was actually lenient as far as El Paso's constant dives were concerned) and generally called a tight game. I don't know what the radio commentators complained about, but I can tell you
that these guys usually let their frustrations take the better of their judgement. And this is not to say about their lack of knowledge about the rules of the game.

Mod's note: Edited to make it easier on the eyes

Yup, that's about the size of it.

Bottom line: Despite whether or not you thought the match was poorly called, El Paso had some opportunities, especially that bit in the mouth of the goal where two or three different Pats had a shot but couldn't seal the deal. Nada. Atlanta is the better of the two teams.

In regards to U.S. Open Cup play, El Paso will now need to win and score three goals in doing so this Friday in Atlanta to advance to the next round. Yeah, that's gonna happen...when pigs fly out of my b*tt!

Hopefully I'll have my match report out later this afternoon, but nothing tops a good read of the match from Mssr. Ferry.

Can't wait to read the match report Vox. However, I don't think we need to score three goals in Atlanta to advance in the Open Cup. If we win 1-0 or simply by one goal then we could advance through pk's. I don't think it's done like in Europe where away goals count double. Or am I mistaken. I saw the Hampton Roads - Pittsburgh game on TV this weekend and at least that's how they explained it.

I defer to your judgement, Texans...There are lots of ways to decide it -- I just happened to remember UEFA's.

What has J. Y. "tell it like it is" Ferry been drinking lately? Good, seemingly very honest (too?) report of the game. Cudos, Mr. Ferry.

Couple of questions: why was Schell "running out of steam"?

Also, I swear, when my son played in NAIA against Mobile, that Schell was a defender. I'll have to check on that at NAIA site.

>>>Just looked it up. He and a forward I know
very well were both named to the NAIA National Championship Tournament All-Tournament Team in 1999. Schell as a defender and the person I know as a forward....the only American thus named.>>>>>

What is a defender/midfielder doing up front? Thought you guys would have found a true forward easily enough there on the border.

Also really enjoyed comments about EP's type of play just not working in the modern USL age. But you do mention that Mexican/Brazilian method of very slow build-up which allows teams to bunker down is what you'd expect, taking into consideration the player personnel and coach. Seems to me, father of a fast, hard-working forward who also defends, that more of a mix of talent is needed.

What is a bit frustrating to me is that it sounds, to some degree, that this coach is "heads up" on the diving/theatrics and has enough sense and non-egocentric personality to actually change tactics when he see's that whatever he's done isn't working....that's a big change...even being aware that what you're doing isn't working is a big step, let alone changing it. There is hope out there on I-10.

I gotta go with jfl, what have you been drinking as of late Ferry? Anyways can anyone tell me what the status of Memo McFarlane is? I know he has had problems with his left(IIRC) shoulder. Finally does anyone have a clue as to whether we will be seeing any new players come in for the team?

RE: Schell running out of gas. He actually has been one of the more productive players in terms of creating things and challenging defenses this season -- not that that's saying a whole heckuva lot.

I think one reason -- and please, anyone, correct me if I'm wrong -- is that the Patriots' counter-attack usually involves a long loft from the back in the hopes somebody's able to go get it. I.E., if you can't pass it through 'em, pass it over 'em. Not only does this work rarely, there's not enough speed, especially now in the absence of Matt Stewart, to actually get the forward who receives the ball enough space to create something. Then, you also run your forwards ragged. J.Y. is right -- Atlanta, among others, was very able to hightail it back defensively and just dared the Patriots to come get it. Freddy Juarez was probably best at creating space for himself, using some nifty moves to find a gap. I think he shouldn't have had to play so forward, though. Again a case of a player forced to play out of position.

Tita still badly needs that possession forward. I just keep wondering if these guys are too proud to go after more Americans.

As for Memo, there's no telling...But he did not look well. He fell right on that shoulder and could not straighten up to get off the field. My GUESS is a separation.

I'll ask around, though.

Just been drinking real good French wines while waiting for WC 02 to start.
Up until this past season, I've always told it like it was to the team owner and coaching staff (Vox can vouch for that).I'm just sharing it with you now that I'm not part of the team front office this season.
Goal-scoring forwards are a rare breed as you all know. This is all the more reasons why the Pats front office HAS to sign one or two (away from another team if necessary)during the off-season. If you fail to do so, you will not field a competitive team in this league. Relying on an inexperienced youngster (Matthews)or on a way-past-his-prime veteran (Sosa) or on newly promoted ex-defender/midfielder (Schell) will not cut it, plain and simple. Compound this with a lack of size and speed and you will have a formula for disaster.
Furthermore, if the owner contracts a relatively inexperienced coach (albeit a great former player)
with little or no knowledge of the level of competition in this league, you are really asking for trouble.
Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan. I've been so frustrated over the years to have my good advice fall on deaf ears. Just like great French food, you must start with good ingredients. I don't care who the cook (er,coach) is, there's little he can do to improve the flavor of the dish.
Constructive criticism is the way to help.

Any respectable forward will run out of gas if you send him to war all by himself, chasing long balls and trying to manhandle tall physical defenders. Schell does put in a genuine effort, though. He's too isolated in his attempts and receives little support from our slow midfield (Juarez excepted).
Meanwhile, I hope Pats staff will do something before the season is half way over.
For now, let me sip some more wine... Allez les Bleus ! France repeats in 2002.

If I was a betting man I would have bet that Ferry was either no longer connected with the team or just didn't give a d*mn any more and had another job lined up...and turns out its the former, not the latter. Hey, this will be great...Chuwy and Ferry...sort of like Frick and Frat of the A-League.

Mr. Ferry, please, in future, double space between your paragraphs so it makes it an easier read.

Goal scoring forwards are rare and don't always last. Look at Mamadu and his recent output or Diaz Arce or Ceritos and a couple of others who have been scoring machines in recent years but can't buy a goal now.

also, I firmly believe another kind of forward is very valuable for a team: one who can produce some, if not many, goals but who also tends to "make things happen" when on the field. ONe who knows when to pass to an open player. One who can show that he's a threat and, thus, pulls defenders with him to create space for others and one who can hold on to the ball once he gets down into the attacking third and one who can swiftly get down to the outside wing and put a good, strong, accurate cross into the box.

Sometimes players are not "flashy" and don't get a lot of press or recognition but when they are NOT on the field, nothing good happens.

I feel EP needs one of those, among other things. He might draw out the better aspects of who IS on the team.

speaking of popping long balls forward and nothing happening, saw a truck load of that during the Battery vs Kickers game on tv this past Friday...and even some on MLS saturday.

Kickers were doing Long passes into huge areas where no one was really going into and way too far ahead of any player to be able to catch up to. A-League teams did that a whole bunch...but admittedly, much of it was due to a strong wind that the players just never adjusted to, something you'd expect them to be able to do after 1/2 of the half was completed.

Think I saw some of it on Saturday's River Hounds vs Hampton Roads game too but didn't watch much of it since it was head to head with some good MLS games.

The long ball or hard through ball can work (accounted for 3 state h.s. championships that I know of first hand...two against Dominic Schell's Dallas area high school) if you have a fast forward who can shoot and a midfield which is willing to give up the ball and knows WHEN to make the pass to keep the forward on sides.

With apologies to your son, JFL, it sure would be nice to have Mark Rowland back around now. Word is his mom wants him back here, too. Of course, what counts most is if Mark wants to come back. His speed could really stretch a defense and he has developed a good shot to boot.

Stranger things have happened. For instance, you could have knocked me down Friday when I saw that Marco Ferruzzi was playing for Richmond Kickers.

The way it looked last year there was no way he was going to play there because of money differences etc. The team had signed 15 players by NOV. but not him and it did not look good from what he was saying. Anway, he's not only there playing again..he's captain.

He's a San Antonio product and was my son's coach for a season in S.A. after he got out of college and before he went and played indoors and then with MLS.

The thing is, there are probably a number of guys out there who could help EP. Some wouldn't come unless forced or paid a huge salary..and some wouldn't even come then because of the location and team's reputation.

My son was told by one of the A-league team coaches recently that this was "the worse year ever to think about trying to become a pro soccer player in the U.S." (because of the 2 folded MLS teams for one thing and the ripple effect from MLS down to A-League plus more and more college players on market).

There are a lot of bodies out there competing for a spot on a team but, at the same time, there should be a number of decent players looking for a "break" and willing to get their foot in the door. Many of these teams are poor mouthing the fact that they are "broke" because "we've hired x MLS players". So, what about the rookies who need a break?

By the way, believe Jimmy Glenn, of S.A. and formerly starting forward of the Ragin' Rhinos, is still available if he's not found a good paying "real" job.

Unless you're willing to spend some big bucks and gamble that the player will produce for you (Diaz Arce? ), one would think the way to go is the "other" talent pool out there. At least you wouldn't have bankrupted your team.

What happens is that the team will put all its eggs in one basket (one high priced player) who doesn't produce and by 2/3 rds the season the team is in bad shape win/loss wise as well as financially. Isn't that sort of what happend in EP with the East Euro contingent in that they "gave up" towards the end?

Hmm....just reading through all the reports on the Atlanta game...sounds suspiciously like the way they played in Vancouver. If I were to add my 2 cents............stop playing the long ball (they did that alot here)....the Pats need a forward that can hang on to it for a minute. Their lack of size/ability to hang on to the ball up front will be costly this year.

I just say this because I saw a team with quite a good work ethic. They showed some flair for a change and actually tried to play (something that definately could NOT be said last year when they were here). They're not too far away. But they need some size up front and better supporting play.

How has Juarez been doing? He was their best player by far in the game I saw...

Freddy has really been The here in EP -- and I mean that in the way my teenager uses it: he's been awesome.

It's even more impressive when considering how far he's come. He was The before, too -- and I mean that in the way someone in law enforcement would use it: we kept waiting for him to explode. He's not been the coolest head on the pitch before, but he's a little older now, looked to for leadership and I really think he's got a good coach who INSISTS on better discipline. Put it together and he's having a bang-up season.

As for his coach, I certainly hope they can find offensive help before frustration starts to set in. You lose everything then, and there's no recovery from it. It's getting to the point now where you can't say, "It's still early."

Thanks for the kind words, 'Caps.

There's that nifty little editing function again. The title I gave to Freddy in the previous post is "The - - - ." (Let's see if this works.)

It's not a problem -- with so much going on in the world today, I don't think anybody minds a little editing.

Woof! It didn't work! Wow! I am impressed by this server!

The word is something that goes bang.

I feel like being caught by my kindergartner trying to spell something to my wife. She spells very well. My kindergartner, I mean, although my wife is a good speller, too.

Ferry, need to update your profile, still lists you with Pats. Also, would be nice to be able to contact you with private message when we need to say something not appropriate for Chuwy's delicate ears.

jfl99:

You seem to take an interest in D. Schell. Also seems that you have had a history (or it seems your son has) playing against Dom.

I noticed that you mentioned in an earlier statement that Dom played Defender at the U. of Mobile. You also stated that Dom made the 1999 NAIA National Championship Tournament All-Tournament Team as a Defender. Don't really know what site you were looking at... but those facts simply aren't true.

http://www.naia.org/news/soc/msoc/1999/12/10/944860764844.html

In 1999, Dom led the NAIA in assists... as a Midfielder (right flank to be exact).

He was, however, never a selection to the 1999 NAIA National Championship Tournament All-Tournament Team...

http://www.naia.org/msoccer/championship/1999/results.html

Dom has NEVER been a Defender. Ever. He was in fact listed as a Defender during the 2000 Umbro-Select All-Star game; it was later corrected to midfielder in the coaches' scouting books. Game day programs did indeed have him listed as defender (only because they had already been sent to the press), but everything printed 2 weeks prior to the actual game had him listed as a midfielder. As a starter for the West squad in that game, he played Midfielder.

Dom later went on to be drafted by the Columbus Crew in the 2000 MLS Superdraft. He was again listed as a Defender upon being drafted (because all information is shared once a player is entered for the all-star game and the draft). All MLS, A-League coaches and player representatives (prior to the draft) were handed an updated scouting report of each draft candidate before entering the the draft room. Dom was listed as a midfielder in that scouting report. The Crew knew they were drafting an attacking midfielder... I made sure of that by asking Fitz personally once the draft was complete. Their plans, however were to make him a defensive MIDFIELDER. Of all the games Dom played in as a member of the Crew , with the exception of one, Dom played MIDFIELDER (sometimes defensive/sometimes attacking).

In Nashville, he started the season as a right flank midfielder, and was moved to center-mid a quarter of the way into the season. He remained at that position for the rest of the year.

The Pat's brought Dom in to be a Midfielder. As the pre-season progressed, and players did not, Dom was moved to Forward.

Was it the best move? Time will tell. Dom has been given a job to do, and whether or not it is his natural MIDFIELDER position, he will play where asked, when asked (even at times if that means Defender).

As I have explained to other people on this forum (those of whom have been most helpful to me - and you know who you are), I usually just sit back and read what you the fans have to say about players on their respective teams. On occasion, however, the truth is stretched or the facts reported by some fans are incorrect. If those same "incorrect" facts are directed toward my client(s), I feel that it is up to me to try and correct the issue before truth becomes fiction.

If you want stats on Dom, I can provide you with whatever you need. It would be the same information that I provide to each and every team (MLS, A-League, teams overseas) prior to the beginning of a season. It is my job; he pays me to do so.

my appologies on misinformation about Dominic but had picked it up somewhere in past, maybe a year or so ago. I figured it was off of NAIA but went back the other day, just to make double sure, and after a long time on their web site could never pull up the Tournament All-Team selections. Also, at Mobile site, nothing on past players or, for that matter, not much of anything about their past. However, I do know I saw this info somewhere, wrong as it may have been and, like I try to do all the time, tried to verify it and verified it from past info.

Some of these web sites make it very difficult to navigate and find info, NAIA is one of the worst and even admitted to me that one needed to know the "trick" to be able to access certain info.

I'm interested in Dominic for mainly one reason: he's an NAIA player who has made it into the pro ranks. I was not knocking Dominic but questioning a team that would use a player "out of position" which is never a real good thing for most players, making them very uncomfortable. If a team is playing a player out of position it usually means that they are lacking in that position and the answer, in most cases, isn't to fill in with a player from a different position who won't feel right there AND, at the same time, it weakens the team in that they've taken someone whom they hired to fill a spot (hopefully because they are/were good there) to fill another, thus leaving another hole in the lineup.

thanks for the corrected info.