Match Thread: CONCACAF Champions League - Round of 16 - Leg 2: Cruz Azul (Mexico) v Forge - February 24, 2022

[Trois Reds]

Yeeah!  

[king1010]

2 minutes ago, Pottsy3 said:

I thought it might be a stinker at first, but the view from behind showed that it was a hell of a ball placement. Tough one

placement was decent, but wasn't amazing. if a goalie can get two hands on it, the placement could have been better. 

[Pottsy3]

Choiniere always seems to score clutch goals jeez

[SpursFlu]

Great goal! Cmon Forge

[Trois Reds]

I know Forge will probably lose, but if they make it a game I'll be happy. Nice goal.

[gator]

Cruz shooting from anywhere and why not?

[MM3/MM2/MM]

5 minutes ago, Pottsy3 said:

Choiniere always seems to score clutch goals jeez

13 goals in his Forge career, 6 in league play, 7 in CL/CCL, Voyageur Cup, Playoffs

[narduch]

Henry has always been garbage and has gotten away with it because Forge are so good.

Remember he basically is the reason Forge weren't in CCL one year earlier 

[Stryker911]

2 minutes ago, narduch said:

Henry has always been garbage and has gotten away with it because Forge are so good.

Remember he basically is the reason Forge weren't in CCL one year earlier 

The reason

[narduch]

Interesting that Jenkins brought up the CCL scheduling issue.

MLS is the main reason the tournament occurs now. When the format changed Concacaf has asked MLS when they prefer the tournament to take place. MLS preferred the winter/Spring v Fall.

So they really have themselves to blame for how poorly they perform 

[jonovision]

Forge were at sea on that third goal.

[wallflower]

1 minute ago, jonovision said:

Forge were at sea on that third goal.

Simple marking missing here and there with Forge

[jonovision]

3 minutes ago, wallflower said:

Simple marking missing here and there with Forge

That's the mark of a team playing its most important matches before their season has started. A much bigger problem than match fitness and harder to sort out without game action.

[gator]

Maybe I am being harsh but I think all 3 goals were very preventable, naive defending and terrible goalkeeping were the culprits!

[wallflower]

5 minutes ago, gator said:

Maybe I am being harsh but I think all 3 goals were very preventable, naive defending and terrible goalkeeping were the culprits!

I have not yet done my year to year roster analysis as I am waiting for the final rosters all CPL teams but it does seem that Smyrniotis is facing his greatest year over year defender line change up. Probably that is mostly what we are witnessing, more than anything.

[Cicero]

Losing Cisse and not having Krutzen is a major blow, but at least 3 of their 4 goals were preventable. Disappointing.

[Cicero]

Early impression: Campbell and Hojabrpour not upgrades over last years lineup.

[jonovision]

2 minutes ago, Cicero said:

Early impression: Campbell and Hojabrpour not upgrades over last years lineup.

Which players from 2021 are they replacing?

[jonovision]

Thoughts on Smyrniotis' new look with the sweater tied around the neck? For me, far more egregious than any of Wheeldon's many crimes against fashion.

[Cicero]

Cisse and having Babouli in an attacking role. I realize Campbell is not like for like, but they lined up a little different last year. We’ll see if Pacius has got anything more here.

[Cicero]

Bobby’s going sailing later.

[Ftduck]

8 minutes ago, jonovision said:

Thoughts on Smyrniotis' new look with the sweater tied around the neck? For me, far more egregious than any of Wheeldon's many crimes against fashion.

Better than Cruz's coaches sweater tie. 

[jonovision]

13 minutes ago, Cicero said:

Cisse and having Babouli in an attacking role. I realize Campbell is not like for like, but they lined up a little different last year. We’ll see if Pacius has got anything more here.

Yeah, big shoes to fill. Cisse was Forge's best player in many of the matches I watched. Where is he?

Edited February 25, 2022 by jonovision

[Cicero]

3 minutes ago, jonovision said:

Yeah, big shoes to fill. Cisse was Forge's best player in many of the matches I watched. Where is he?

No idea, haven’t heard anything from the club about him and he hasn’t tweeted or posted anything himself as far as I can tell.

[gator]

Forge did really well overall all things considered, out of season with some roster turnover playing a Mexican giant who have won this tournament 6 times and are into their season! When the draw was made I figured this could be really ugly over 2 legs but it wasn't that bad, Cruz are obviously at a different level no matter what 11 they are going to put out, Forge as mentioned gave up at least 3 very preventable goals over the 2 legs and some of this can be attributed to being out of season! The team was obviously gassed at the end although they did create some half chances and have nothing to be ashamed of, I am going to miss not having Concacaf matches at THF this year, they are always so much fun!