Ajax

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All the talk is great but at the end of the day you have to score goals.
Timbers from top to bottom can't score at any level. Forwards are a rare breed let's not coach them out of the game.
Their attitude is currently alien to the American psychology and as such you want players you can mold. That's good for the reactionary positions like defence and midfield but doesn't work for forwards.
Their work is off the cuff the stuff the defensive players can't feel. So if you do the normal you will be closed down you have to so the money norm so that defender is thinking all the time. Until the American game see this you will always be third best

Are we talking about the Portland Timbers senior team, or about the various levels of the Timbers' youth system, including the Alliance? Adi's a decent enough striker (though far from world class), though he's an African player, not an American one. So far, the Timbers academy system (since it formed) hasn't produced anyone to make the senior team, at any position--though some of the prospects in the pipeline (Adrian Villegas) are promising.

My personal experience, so far, is with a TA club at the younger age groups (still 9v9); and I haven't seen any attempts by the coaches to restrain or neuter talented goal-scorers. The coach of my SS's team, if anything, is having to encourage players to shoot--too many kids coming from the lower levels seem to think that it's a sin to even attempt a shot if you're not in the six-yard box, and/or take too many touches and lose shot opportunities that way (an off-balance shot while unmarked is often better than a perfect blast that gets blocked by the defender).

So yes--many coaches, in encouraging the passing game, seem to be (inadvertently or otherwise) discouraging the taking of good shots. A lot of this happens in rec and development leagues, before kids even reach competitive soccer. But it's certainly not universal.

[Unregistered]

The arrow

Does the bow tighten the string, or does the string bend the bow?

Obviously, Suarez's holdup play gives Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, etc. space. And obviously, their playmaking and ability to do things with the ball make Neymar effective as a striker. Both of these things are true; you write as though they are mutually exclusive. And while Messi dialed down his scoring for Barca ("only" 26 goals, compared to 40 for Suarez last season), to suggest he's not a goal scorer is patently silly.

Your comment is asinine--when sprinkled with ridiculous insults and attempts to pull rank on the subject, it's doubly so.

I have to think he is the arrow. You watch when Barcelona played the German teams in the champions lge he scored goals that the other refined players couldn't have. He's a natural scorer and yes having Messi and Neymar makes him better but he also gives them the edge. His movement off the ball is out of this world and when you have players like Messi and Neymar they can't fail to make the most of it

[Unregistered]

BS

As an Englishman reading this poppy cock I have to say you guys just don't have a clue. Now in my defense my country didn't have a clue either in the Euro's so don't shoot me for that.
I see the coaches here and while good at the basic fundamentals I have to agree with the original poster that too many have jumped on the possession or tika- taking play system.
Though that's great you also have to have that arrow that someone pointed out.
Those who have played the game at a payed level like myself will tell you forwards are a special breed, just like great keepers you have to see it in their DNA you don't make a forward or a keeper they just pop out like that. Trouble is these coaches think they have to mould them. They do that and they loose their edge.
Coaches please let these kids be the pain in the arse kids as they will lead your line in years to come

[Unregistered]

Are we talking about the Portland Timbers senior team, or about the various levels of the Timbers' youth system, including the Alliance? Adi's a decent enough striker (though far from world class), though he's an African player, not an American one. So far, the Timbers academy system (since it formed) hasn't produced anyone to make the senior team, at any position--though some of the prospects in the pipeline (Adrian Villegas) are promising.

My personal experience, so far, is with a TA club at the younger age groups (still 9v9); and I haven't seen any attempts by the coaches to restrain or neuter talented goal-scorers. The coach of my SS's team, if anything, is having to encourage players to shoot--too many kids coming from the lower levels seem to think that it's a sin to even attempt a shot if you're not in the six-yard box, and/or take too many touches and lose shot opportunities that way (an off-balance shot while unmarked is often better than a perfect blast that gets blocked by the defender).

So yes--many coaches, in encouraging the passing game, seem to be (inadvertently or otherwise) discouraging the taking of good shots. A lot of this happens in rec and development leagues, before kids even reach competitive soccer. But it's certainly not universal.

Ive also seen that the boys generally don't shoot from outside unless they're encouraged. Well, some do, but the ones on our teams have tended to send it 20 yds high or wide. But you're right, there is nothing in the pipeline for a goal scorer. I've watched Adrian play and he's not a goal scorer, he plays best under the forwards, maybe at 10.
Regarding Adi, I personally don't like his style of play and really don't like the method of attack that Timbers employ when he is on the field. I think overall the Timbers adaptation to his play has hurt the team. I much prefer Mack in that spot but he needs someone to complement him in a 2-fwd lineup and the Timbers don't have that. Plus he has to convert the opportunities that we saw him have in last weeks game.

[Unregistered]

Ive also seen that the boys generally don't shoot from outside unless they're encouraged. Well, some do, but the ones on our teams have tended to send it 20 yds high or wide. But you're right, there is nothing in the pipeline for a goal scorer. I've watched Adrian play and he's not a goal scorer, he plays best under the forwards, maybe at 10.
Regarding Adi, I personally don't like his style of play and really don't like the method of attack that Timbers employ when he is on the field. I think overall the Timbers adaptation to his play has hurt the team. I much prefer Mack in that spot but he needs someone to complement him in a 2-fwd lineup and the Timbers don't have that. Plus he has to convert the opportunities that we saw him have in last weeks game.

There's a reason the Timbers suck. Ownership doesn't want to spend the money on difference makers. In the MLS all you need is 1 or 2 top players and you can win a lot of games. Clearly, the Timbers don't have those 1 or 2.

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There's a reason the Timbers suck. Ownership doesn't want to spend the money on difference makers. In the MLS all you need is 1 or 2 top players and you can win a lot of games. Clearly, the Timbers don't have those 1 or 2.

And yet, The Timbers are the MLS Champions. Chill.

[Unregistered]

There's a reason the Timbers suck. Ownership doesn't want to spend the money on difference makers. In the MLS all you need is 1 or 2 top players and you can win a lot of games. Clearly, the Timbers don't have those 1 or 2.

You've never heard of the MLS salary cap have you?

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Month resent Olympics the Brazil coast said Neymar has to let others play when he did Brazil turned into an unbelievable team.
Come back and comment when you have an understanding of the game

Come back and comment when you have an understanding of the English language

[Unregistered]

And yet, The Timbers are the MLS Champions. Chill.

Yeah, but they won't be this year.

Adi and Melano are ok players (now that Adi doesn't just fall down every time someone looks at him) but not worth the premium paid for them. Someone needs to be a better scout for the Timbers.