As for Leo Chu’s coming out, I’m reminded of a wise proverb: “Jeffe, you cannot force open the petals of a flower. Flower’s ready, it opens itself up to you.”
Not to over-index just on That Save, but it felt like Cleveland made several athletic saves which I can’t imagine Frei doing anymore. I’m a big Frei defender, but what would it take to have a keeper controversy on our hands? I think you’ve mentioned before that Schmetz might value Frei’s passing and control over an acrobatic keeper, is that the main difference still?
I'd say there remains no controversy right now, because Frei is still good, but, the fact that Cleveland is still here says a lot to me. He's clearly starting quality, and I don't totally understand why he's still here instead of starting somewhere else. What I think is a very difficult decision to make, here, is what do we do for next year? Because I'm not sure the case is super clear between the two with another year of age.
Frei has solid enough positioning and footwork he doesn't have to make those kind of saves that often. And I think Cleveland could improve on coming out of the boxes and taking crosses out of the air.
In the post game interview, Schmetzer seemed so hesitant to fully compliment Léo Chú on his performance even in a week where he then ended up being "MLS Player of the Week". Have noticed this in the past too, he seems to hedge and said that Leo has tremendous "attacking talent" and has "room to grow". He then called out how he lofted a ball to Nico instead of delivering on the ground. Sheesh, the kid had two goals in the game!
Is this just a case of tough love, or not wanting Chu's ego to get too big, or is Brian still such a defense first guy that he's not loving the defensive gaps in Leos game?
Yeah, It’s been pretty apparent who he’ll give public constructive criticism to and who he won’t. Given he’s supposedly a great people manager, I’d chalk it up to what Leo needs and can handle. In contrast, recently he wouldn’t even agree Lodeiro’s service needed work, before this last game.
As for Leo Chu’s coming out, I’m reminded of a wise proverb: “Jeffe, you cannot force open the petals of a flower. Flower’s ready, it opens itself up to you.”
Not to over-index just on That Save, but it felt like Cleveland made several athletic saves which I can’t imagine Frei doing anymore. I’m a big Frei defender, but what would it take to have a keeper controversy on our hands? I think you’ve mentioned before that Schmetz might value Frei’s passing and control over an acrobatic keeper, is that the main difference still?
I'd say there remains no controversy right now, because Frei is still good, but, the fact that Cleveland is still here says a lot to me. He's clearly starting quality, and I don't totally understand why he's still here instead of starting somewhere else. What I think is a very difficult decision to make, here, is what do we do for next year? Because I'm not sure the case is super clear between the two with another year of age.
Frei has solid enough positioning and footwork he doesn't have to make those kind of saves that often. And I think Cleveland could improve on coming out of the boxes and taking crosses out of the air.
In the post game interview, Schmetzer seemed so hesitant to fully compliment Léo Chú on his performance even in a week where he then ended up being "MLS Player of the Week". Have noticed this in the past too, he seems to hedge and said that Leo has tremendous "attacking talent" and has "room to grow". He then called out how he lofted a ball to Nico instead of delivering on the ground. Sheesh, the kid had two goals in the game!
Is this just a case of tough love, or not wanting Chu's ego to get too big, or is Brian still such a defense first guy that he's not loving the defensive gaps in Leos game?
Yeah, It’s been pretty apparent who he’ll give public constructive criticism to and who he won’t. Given he’s supposedly a great people manager, I’d chalk it up to what Leo needs and can handle. In contrast, recently he wouldn’t even agree Lodeiro’s service needed work, before this last game.