Canada - Ecuador Post Game Thread (Non-Attendance smack/Petty regionalism thread)

[jpg75]

For those of us that want to discuss the game without dealing with attendance smack and the usual b.s. of regionalistic differences.

Anyone else wondering what is the cause of our second half lapses? It seems like almost every second half in recent memory has seen our opposition come out stronger than us and in most cases score early to mid second half.

Are they making more adjustments?
Are we not emotionally ready to compete coming out of the half?
Are we expending too much energy in the first (doubt it)?
Are we too content with our strong first half performances and/or is our opponent taking us too lightly in the first and they rebound in the second (my favourite)?

[jonovision]

I think the second half lapses on Wednesday had much to do with the change in personnel.

[Ed]

The loss of Jakovic before the end of the 1st half was a part of the 2nd half lapse. He defended high up the field with McKenna supporting, which made things a bit easier for the inside mids Hutch and Dunfield. After his loss, there was a gap that McKenna and Hainault had to face, with Hutch and JdG trying to cover.

But I don't think it is a coincidence that the two goals came after man of the match Simpson left the pitch.

[ThiKu]

I agree with Jono's post. But would that it also had to do with a quality opposition! We are also lucky they didn't have Valencia, to say the least.

[BearcatSA]

The loss of Jakovic before the end of the 1st half was a part of the 2nd half lapse. He defended high up the field with McKenna supporting, which made things a bit easier for the inside mids Hutch and Dunfield. After his loss, there was a gap that McKenna and Hainault had to face, with Hutch and JdG trying to cover.

But I don't think it is a coincidence that the two goals came after man of the match Simpson left the pitch.

Jakovic's absence is a big loss IMO. We also lose his composure on the ball: right after the Dunfield goal, Ecuador pressed us with three attackers on the edge of our box but he was able to confidently break the pressure and initiate the build up with an outlet pass.

That's what I also miss with the absence of Klukowski. At his best, he's a better player on the ball than De Jong when under pressure. De Jong is the more robust defender in physical confrontations, but in 1 v 1 in situations Klukowski has proven to be a quick and agile defender. However, Hart may feel that De Jong is the better overall option right now, and that's what counts.

Ledgerwood accorded himself well defensively, supporting the CBs as needed, but he also benefitted from the defensive support of Johnson on a couple of occasions. However, he didn't do anything to lose his starting place vs the US.

[jpg75]

I think the second half lapses on Wednesday had much to do with the change in personnel.

I agree, but what about the other matches? Not sure we can blame substitutions for the Peru, Ukraine or Greece lapses.

[Keegan]

I agree, but what about the other matches? Not sure we can blame substitutions for the Peru, Ukraine or Greece lapses.

I think for the Ukraine and Greece matches we can partly blame the oppositions subs for the second half turnarounds.

[Keano]

I THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF TYPICAL ARROGANT TORONTONIANS AND THEIR -

Oh sorry.

I'll vote for it being mainly an issue of Ecuador going in a halftime and working on adjustments, while Canada goes in and discusses how to make sure they keep doing exactly what they were doing in the first half.

[Keegan]

I THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF TYPICAL ARROGANT TORONTONIANS AND THEIR -

Oh sorry.

I'll vote for it being mainly an issue of Ecuador going in a halftime and working on adjustments, while Canada goes in and discusses how to make sure they keep doing exactly what they were doing in the first half.

A journalist really needs to question Hart's half time team talks

[Ryan]

Anyone else notice Simpson come up with a bit of a limp late in the first half? I know I saw it, the half finished a few minutes later, then a few minutes into the 2nd he was subbed.

Haven't seen any mention of him from an injury standpoint, but I did see the limp/hamstring grab and was concerned.