Most of the period of practice that was open to media today was the installation/fine-tuning of a five-man backline scheme (and the rest of it was positional drills), so there’s a little less to glean from offensive players, but we got a really good look at the defensive personnel. Gary Smith did mention in his press conference afterwards – video coming soon – that it’s one of multiple formations they intend to run out, so it sounds like there’ll be four-man backlines, as well.
Lineup notes
The first-choice line appeared to be (left to right): Taylor Washington, Justin Davis, Liam Doyle, London Woodberry, and Kosuke Kimura. Ryan James rotated in on the outside on both sides. Jordan Dunstan and Bradley Bourgeois rotated in at the CB positions, too (I believe Dunstan got a tiny bit of time at RB, too).
In front of the backline, NSC was going with two holding midfielders – first choice Michael Reed and Matt LaGrassa, second choice Bolu Akinyode and Josh Hughes – so this is a pretty defensive formation if those wingbacks don’t get forward (though obviously that’s a strength of Kimura’s game, and Washington has some forward ability as well). Cutting out crosses, and tactics/switching/etc. when those wingbacks got into dangerous areas up the field was a focus of the install.
Since there wasn’t a true offensively-focused portion in the open portion, there’s not quite s much to glean about the personnel battles there. Offensive groupings included Robin Shroot and Martim Galvao together, as well as Michael Cox and Tucker Hume. Striker Ropapa Mensah was not in attendance, settling his visa situation before he joins the squad next week.
There was a handful of non-rostered players – clarified by Smith after practice as those who tried out, didn’t make the 23, but have something to contribute as practice players who could be signed to USL contracts down the road – also there (including a couple different keepers and a number of midfielders).
Personnel observations
Two players really stood out as vocal leaders. Kosuke Kimura is obviously familiar with Smith’s tactics from their previous stops together (including the MLS championship side for the Colorado Rapids back in 2010), and the veteran is very good at instructing, demonstrating, coaching up, etc. He’s still a ball of energy even though he’s starting to get up in years, so there shouldn’t be worry about the team getting into offensive shape even with a 5-3-2 formation. Still, his ability to communicate and teach was the most impressive aspect to me.
The center backs were still learning the priorities and rules for the system, but in the defense-favored format of the practice, all looked fairly solid. There’s going to be a curve in terms of building familiarity and communication with each other. Justin Davis seemed to be the most solid there, though after playing outside left back in a four-man backline for Minnesota United, it’ll still take a bit of adjusting.
The practice was about getting the field players ready, so the goalkeeper rotation (which was heavy on CJ Cochran) probably isn’t particularly meaningful. Smith hinted that Matt Pickens is probably the top dog at that position in the press conference.
In the midfield, Robin Shroot was extremely vocal, even in the modified-Rondo portion of the practice. Communicating and a bit of veteran savvy are going to combine to give him a real role to play. Former San Antonio FC captain Michael Reed (defensive midfield) was a good communicator in organizing his defense, as well.
The Martim Galvão fixation for fans (the former NSC U-23 star had longtime “why hasn’t he signed?” status) is probably a way to set the guy up for failure – expectations so high they’d be tough for anyone to meet – but he fit right in on a roster composed entirely of pros. There’s definitely going to be a role for him (if not a major one) this Summer. His touch and ability to move the ball through traffic translates better than I’d expected.
Kimura and James both played a couple nice crosses, and with target-forward Tucker Hume roaming the middle, that’s going to be a dangerous tactic this season. Unfortunately, on both occasions (including one on which he was all alone in front of net), the header sailed just high. He’ll dial that accuracy in a bit with more time on the training pitch.
Again, not much to be gleaned from the offensive guys, so don’t read too much into a lack of notes on them. Michael Cox had a handful of nice touches in addition to the guys I’ve mentioned above.
Club and Country 