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1. Is Vincent Janssen Portland's answer up top?
1. Is Vincent Janssen Portland's answer up top?
This summer, the Timbers moved on from striker Felipe Mora, who had been with the club since 2020. Kevin Kelsy had worked his way into the starting job and was playing his best soccer in the MLS. Until Scottish giant Glasgow Rangers came calling for the Venezuelan's services for a staggering $13 million plus add-ons. While some across the league might've expected Portland to have splashed more cash on a new number 9, the club were instead content with the signing of 32 year old Vincent Janssen and young forward Gage Guerra. Janssen, a journeyman center forward who was added earlier in the window before the departure of Kevin Kelsy, has a lot of experience in leagues around the world but hadn't played a lot of minutes in the MLS. As for Guerra, he came up with some massive goals for the Timbers last season, such as the game tying goal in the playoffs against San Diego, but has only managed one goal and one assist on the season.
Getting the nod this past weekend was Vincent Janssen, and in his first start in the MLS, he notched a hat trick against Minnesota. In fact, this was actually the first hat trick ever recorded by a Portland Timbers player, a stat that is hard to believe given the long list of excellent players who have served this historic club. His finishing instincts were lethal and he proved to be a nuisance all night with his physicality and hold-up play. Now, it is important for Janssen to be consistent, as Portland is in the thick of the playoff hunt in the Western Conference. The Timbers currently sit 8th in the Western Conference, although they are tied on points with 7th place Colorado. In their next run of games, the Portland face a red hot St. Louis City SC side, a resilient FC Dallas team that has only lost once in their last 5 games since Leagues Cup, and the rallying Atlanta United, who have also lost just once since Leagues Cup. They will need Janssen to continue to be at his best for the rest of the season if they want to make the playoffs and avoid the play-in game.
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It would be unfair to expect Vincent Janssen to score a hat trick in every start for Portland. That being said, I would argue that his performacne against St. Louis City SC was underwhelming. Overall, he wasn't goal dangerous: Janssen's only shot was blocked and he has just 1 touch inside St. Louis' box. Janssen had a lively first half, dropping in deep to provide an option for his teammates and taking up more of a playmaking role. This was especially helpful after David Da Costa's head injury in the 18th minute. His ability to hold off a defender, turn, and then play a teammate into space was very promising. In the second half, Janssen's influence on the game decreased. He faded to the background, not really getting involved in proceedings. Now, Janssen is going to need quality service in order to strive, but going forward he is going to have to be more threatening in the final third if Portland wants to continue to rise up the Western Conference table.
2. Can Orlando defend their way to cup contention?
2. Can Orlando defend their way to cup contention?
Orlando's defense at the start of the year was a disaster. It was historically bad. Then Robin Jansson got healthy, and Orlando became much harder to score against. Their defense is still a weak point; they've conceded 54 goals, more than every other team besides Sporting Kansas City. They haven't made many changes to their defensive personnel either; it's mostly the same group of players that began the season on Orlando's roster. Even with their defensive frailties, Orlando are in the semifinals of the US Open Cup, and just moved into playoff position for the first time all year. With a dizzying array of attacking options at manager Martín Perelman's disposal, finding the back of the net is not an issue. If Orlando can solidify their defense, they are a real threat for multiple trophies this season. So how does Perelman get the best out of his defensive group?
Everything starts with Swedish center back Robin Jansson. The Orlando City captain has been one of the better center backs in the entire league over the past half decade, and even at the age of 34, he is indispensable for the Lions. David Brekalo has been first choice for Jansson's partner in central defense. While they have familiarity from playing together last season, the Slovenian often featured as a left back instead of in the middle. It's important for Perelman to continue playing Brekalo alongside Jansson so they can develop a strong relationship in the back. Central midfield is another area where having a good relationship is essential. This was foundational to the best Óscar Pareja Orlando sides. But the Lions don't have César Araújo anymore, and Cartagena is still working his way back to full fitness after a gruesome knee injury. Perelman has lots of options in the middle of the park, with each of them bringing unique skill sets to the table. The Orlando City manager has to figure out which two can establish themselves as the new engine room for the Lions.
Defending from the front will be important for Orlando if they want to compete with MLS' best. When attackers buy in on the defensive side of the ball, it becomes exponentially more difficult to play through a team. In Ivan Angulo, Orlando has one of the best defensive forwards in the league. Angulo is extraordinarily quick and has unending energy. He presses high, but crucially, he tracks back. And he does so better than virtually anybody else. This is a big reason why Angulo is an ever present in the starting 11. The Colombian's positioning when Orlando has possession is unique. If another player has made a run high on his flank, Angulo will adopt a conservative position to fortify the Lions' rest defense. Most wingers would tuck inside and look to attack an inside channel, but not Angulo. He will pick up a spot next to a deep lying midfielder or provide cover in the back line. With Robin Jansson, Ivan Angulo, and plenty of options in center midfield, Orlando has all the ingredients to become a top defense and add to their trophy cabinet this year.
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In short, no. Since the World Cup break, Orlando has put an emphasis on maintaining a high line. This tactic has its benefits: it gives less space for opponents to build through, especially when Orlando can keep their defensive lines compact. However, it's also risky, especially with a backline that isn't built for chasing forwards in open space. Dorsey loves to go forward and is released high in virtually every build out sequence. Brekalo struggled to contain Embolo in the open field, and while Jansson's experience gives him an extra couple yards, he is 34 years old. So the center backs need help from their forwards. Playing a high line necessitates pressure up front to deny the opposition the chance the time to pick out a composed, accurate pass over the top. I worry about Orlando's ability to consistently provide this pressure. They press out of a narrow 4-3-3, with Angulo tucking into the midfield. The de facto wingers invert and the striker(typically Griezmann) assumes a withdrawn role slightly behind the wingers to cut off service to the opponent's deep lying midfielders. This structure leaves a lot of space in wide areas, so it requires immense levels of discipline for the midfield to remain connected and compact. It also depends on the two players spearheading the press to keep their defensive energy high. Ultimately, this Orlando City side is one built to attack, and one that can too easily be exposed.
3. What lineup can Pat Noonan trust to maximize the talent on FC Cincinnati's roster?
3. What lineup can Pat Noonan trust to maximize the talent on FC Cincinnati's roster?
This season, FC Cincinnati's offense has been one of the best in the league. Since Evander got healthy around April, he has been far and away the best player in the entire league. However, their defense has faced some significant struggles. Perhaps the biggest issue is that Noonan plays with a rotating cast of central defenders, seemingly unable to find a backline that he can trust. With talks of Matt Miazga's departure, Miles Robinson could permanently move to the center of the back 3, where he's looked most comfortable this season. Noonan has been playing Samuel Gidi, a defensive midfielder, in the backline for much of the season, and he's looked shaky at best. He's not the only midfielder that has played out of position this season for the Knifey Lions. Another interesting tactic that Noonan has deployed this season has been slotting Bucha, normally a central midfielder, at the RWB position. Bucha is a player that Noonan trusts, and is known for being clean and tidy on the ball. And, with Evander's vision and passing ability, that's all FC Cincinnati needs from Bucha, who has logged 7 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this season, already his most productive season in the MLS. This switch has displaced Ender Echenique to the left hand side, where he still has electric pace but isn't quite as confident providing the final service. On the other hand, they also have a natural left wingback in Bryan Ramírez, who is yet to really star for this Cincinnati side.
New signings Julián Malatini, on loan from Werder Bremen, and David Doudera might solve some of these issues. Malatini, a natural center back, will slot in at RCB and Doudera is a RWB. Another option that Noonan might look to play 17 year old Andrei Chirila, as the youngster has been composed and shown promise in his starts this season. Assuming Gidi's best position is in midfield, then Noonan has a tough decision to make between Obinna Nwobodo, Gidi, and Bucha all vying for just 2 spots in midfield once everyone gets healthy. Will Noonan try to prioritize getting all his midfielders on the field? Or will he sacrifice one of them to try to play everyone in their natural position and shore up their defensive woes? FC Cincinnati will have to be at their best on Wednesday to stop the red-hot Union, so it will be interesting to see who Noonan trusts and where.
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In FC Cincinnati's clash against the Philadelphia Union, an early red card to Obinna Nwobodo tipped the scales of the game. What ensued was a 5-0 rout by the Union in which the Orange and Blue tallied just 0.02 xG. This defeat comes directly off the heels of a 4-0 loss to Nashville. Obviously, changes are going to have to be made if Cincinnati wants to get back to winning ways.
The early red card made the game a hard one to judge. Even before the red card, the Knifey Lions were having trouble building out of the back and getting out of their own defensive half, so after they went down a man, the Union took complete control of the game. One of Cincinnati's best moments of the match resulted from Echenique's pace, showcasing his importance to the side, especially when they are playing in transition. Whether on the left side or the right side, Echenique should be a lock for one of the wingback positions. For FC Cincinnati, this was a very disappointing result that sees them continue to slip down the Eastern Conference standings. Pat Noonan has some work to do if he wants Cincinnati to enter the playoffs with momentum.
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