socrfun,
you are completely contradicting yourself. Your comments to amom and to coach mcdonald sound as if you have two, very different, views of this team. You demean amom's support of these "boys" and say, "C'mon they're frigging men playing a game for money and people are taking my money to come watch," and, "This is not Lawrence rec soccer honey where everyone tries hard and we all go out for ice cream after. This is pro and should be looked upon as such. To lose to this bunch is totally unnacceptable." If you truly believe this, then you should be proud that coach "lambasted" his players in public on Friday. These are supposed to be men and should be held accountable for their actions, right? How about you get your opinions straight and then you can make a decision on the Blast coaching staff.
As for your comment about these men/boys playing for money and you've been spending your $9-a-game to watch this losing crap, I can say a few things. These players are not playing for money, they play this sport because they love it. I commend these players for what they are doing. They are playing soccer in the one country that looks down upon it. You make it sound like they are ungrateful for the talent and opportunity they have been given. They work hard everyday to make soccer popular in a country that thinks it takes no talent. If you are really interested in the game of soccer, suck up your lame attitude that you've been somehow disrespected by this team. Yes, you pay $9 at the gate like the rest of us. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to come. But if you truly want to see soccer go places in the U.S., keep coming to the games, bring your kids (if you have them), and consider your $9 a donation to the future of soccer in America. Of course, you can always spend your $9 at a movie and hold your breath until you see that donation make a difference.

Getting back to the game . . .

The goals the Blast gave up could have been avoided, but that seems to be a problem that (hopefully) can be fixed with better communication between the keeper & the backs. On the first goal Walton & Spears failed to communicate and got beat to the ball.

I think as the new guys fit in with the others the Blast will imrpove significantly. At lest I hope it does.

I think that everybody needs to relax a bit and try to help make things better.It is true that people are entitled to their opinion.But it has to be with respect and reflect the reality.As far as the coach "lambasting" a player I would agree that it was probably not the right place to do it because it might send the wrong message
(I don't know what words were used but it doesn't matter)of a coach running out of words to express his frustration.But let's be real,Cincinnati was simply the better team and it gives an incentive for the Blast to get better.I think that the key to this game was the fact that we did not match up well in the middle and that the coaches made a mistake as well to go with that 4-5-1 because it allowed their defense to distrubute as ease without any pressure and find their targets without difficulties.I think also that the effort from the players was not there (not all of them).But it seemed that they didn't react as pros because even if you don't like the system,you play it to the fullest (that is what being a pro is)and you do what your coach wants you to do!It looked like they came into the game with their heads down!
But it is taking time for this hand-picked team to gel.They just need to get it together and go to El Paso this week-end and bring back a good result (mostly the open cup second leg).
The pressure is on the staff to get it right because they picked all the players they wanted and it is time turn things around.
As far as the organization goes,you may all have your issues with the Morrises but lets comment about the team's outings (it is more interesting than talking about Alex and Kim Morris).
Let's comment about the team,players,coaches... (whatever)in a contructive way.And if things don't get better it will be time to look at the ownership and point out their shortcomings.
That is it for me.

Clean up the language ! How about trying "discussing" soccer instead of attacking.

Also, there is no need to YELL in here.

Dan Barnes
Administrator

Socrfun and I have had our disagreements in the past, but I agree with him on at least one point. I also get tired of paying my nine bucks to see a poor game.

I don't expect the Blast to win every game, but they should be playing a more attractive game.

My frustration makes me want to point a finger at the professionalism of the entire organization.

On the other hand, I have attended A-League games in several other cities and the Blast operations seem to be as good as any. Game day ops are better than most and recent signings would indicate that the owners have loosened the purse stings and are trying to bring in better players.

So it is either the players or the coaching staff that isn't getting the job done.

Considering all the new players, maybe it is just taking time for the team to gel. Or maybe some of the new guys have been over-rated. In either case, it ain't pretty.

Alfred - I took a couple days off the board, as I was deeply hurt by OO calling me names and insulting me. No fault of OO as he or she probably does not understand what a sensitive person I am.

Anyway, your right in my appearing to make contradictory statements. I do feel players need to be accountable and drilled by the coach at times, but absolutely not in public, at any time.
Yes Gforever is correct about some coaches methods in Europe, but those days are also coming to a quick close as players of today are quite different than those of the past. The old methods of ripping players only lead to breaking ones spirit and right now the last thing the Blast need is players spirits to be broken. I have in the past used the ripping method and found weak, short term results. All one has to do is consider how one would feel about the coach after getting ripped in public, whether justified or not.

As for the cost of a ticket and supporting the game, I agree with you also. Games are for the most part pretty well played and fun, but as any competitive supporter you eventually want to see results. Even if it is only $9, after a few years it adds up and a supporter should at some point be rewarded with some success by the organization and not just promises. People sometimes read what they want to read and disregard the rest. I have and always will wish the best for the team and and pro soccer in Indy. Being critical is normal for people that dislike losing as much as me and If Jimmy can drill a player with criticism in the middle of the park, why shouldn't people be able to do it on this board?

Whoever talked about "anger management" is right. One thing that US soccer players and fans have to work on is the way they view the *game* (and it is a game!). In soccer, unlike in B-ball or baseball, you can completely outplay the other team and still lose simply because of a moment's bad luck. Europeans do a better (not perfect) job of understanding that. USA fans seem much more anxious for a result, be it a foul, a card, a goal, a win.

That said, the Blast were really hurting in a number of areas. Walton was toast any number of times and he doesn't seem to want the ball. He was the reason for the first Cincy goal.

The attempt to put Allen up front was interesting, because he did get to a lot of balls in the air. Unfortunately, the 5 midfielders rarely got up to the ball fast enough to help him out. In general, the midfield was the problem -- Lazo was terrible (again) and all the midfielders seemed tentative and unwilling to move the ball forward. Always moved the ball back or to the wings and the Cincy midfielders, playing like hornets (the way midfielders should play), waited until the ball went to the touch line and pinned the outside mid w/ up to 3 midfielders, generating mistakes. The midfielders simply have to play better.

Beasley was a breath of fresh air. His pace led to the lone goal off of a pass over the top. He was very active for the entire half. Messanovic kind of disappeared, except for his dreadful back pass (again, not going forward, going backward).

Still, it's just a game and they're early in the season. None of the players attacked any of the fans or video equipment after losing what was obviously a frustrating game. In fact, they lined up w/ a group of happy kids in goal for a photo. That's also part of being a professional. I was happy to pony up $9 for the opportunity to watch a hard-fought game.

BRF

P.S. BillyJoeBob000, you couldn't be more wrong about Matt Reiswerg. He played for IU for 4 yrs. He dressed (home & away) for at least 3 yrs and was the #2 keeper last year for IU. I saw him play in at least 2 games. You may not have noticed, but keepers aren't subbed out as often as field players, thus, his lack of playing time. He is MUCH MORE a part of the IU soccer tradition than you are.

I am new to this site...but one thing that I have read amazes me!
The topic on Matt Reiswerg. I know this kid, I played against IU for 4 years (we were in-state rivals) and Reiswerg NEVER got off the bench. Honestly, I don't think he even traveled. Someone said he was the #2 keeper last year? I have no clue how that happened? I say that b/c Matt Schlake (who was a Freshman last year) is FAR better than Reiswerg. I never played against him in College (b/c he never played), but I did play against him in club ball. I am amazed that that kid is in the A league! I am even MORE amazed that he is a starting keeper! I lived with a few past IU players a few summers back, and they even said that the kid is ONLY a practice squad keeper!
So, I don't know why you guys are so high up on this kid? It is either b/c you are a follower of the IU program and you (like ALL other followers think IU soccer is God and everyone else needs to bow down to them) or you really have no idea about soccer?

dawg-

dude, you could inflate all your teams balls(sic) with that hot air. We are high on Matt becasue he did come out of the woodwork when called upon. And he has done a good job. Mistakes, sure, but he has stopped some good stuff shot at him.

So regardless (irregardless if you are from IU)of what his background is, he is in A and he is doing great. Why not get the match time and play....right, or are you one of those that likes to bench sit the second 45 because you are all tuckered out.

nuff.

BRF-
hmmm interesting! Dont be too sure about that.