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Friday MLS Forecast: Week 21
The Forecast contemplates Nery Castillo's role in Chicago before sharing its Week 21 selections.
Aug 20, 2010 5:32:00 AM
By Kyle McCarthy
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The fanfare surrounding Nery Castillo's arrival in Chicago may have glossed over one important point placed in stark relief after Castillo made his first start for the Fire in Wednesday night's 2-1 win over New England.
For this team and under these narrowly tailored short-term circumstances, Castillo remains a gifted player without a place to play.
In contrast to Castillo's wanderings at the club level over the past few years, this particular problem involves where to deploy the Mexican international in the starting XI.
Chicago coach Carlos de los Cobos revealed his own confusion on the topic by deploying Castillo in a rather unfamiliar role on the left wing. It was, by and large, an injury-enforced gambit that failed spectacularly.
De los Cobos essentially placed Castillo in an untenable position by selecting him to fulfill a role designed to expose his current weaknesses. Castillo understandably lacks match fitness and sharpness after featuring in a handful of competitive matches over the past couple of years. In some positions on the park, Castillo could regulate his runs and nurse himself through his time on the field while remaining effective.
No such flexibility exists in the wide areas, not even with the generally excellent Gonzalo Segares restored to left back to limit those pesky defensive burdens. By shunting Castillo out onto the left flank to help fill the void left by Patrick Nyarko's concussion concerns and Marco Pappa's corresponding shift to the right side, de los Cobos saddled Castillo with a modest dose of two-way responsibilities he isn't particularly inclined to embrace even when fully fit and reduced his ability to influence the match in the attacking third because his legs can't absorb the extra wear.
Castillo's ineffective performance and halftime withdrawal inevitably underscored those concerns. New England midfielder Sainey Nyassi didn't run at Castillo often enough to truly punish his defensive indifference, but it didn't help Castillo at the other end of the field. Castillo offered little movement and panache in the attack and struggled to wriggle free from Kevin Alston's rapt attention. When Castillo did manage to find space, his first touch often betrayed his dearth of game action and he reacted somewhat belatedly when opportunities were presented to him. Castillo's primary impact on the proceedings came in the form of an elbow to Alston's left cheek that could draw attention from the MLS Disciplinary Committee if it chooses to review the off-the-ball incident before the Fire's clash at Houston on Saturday.
The next few weeks will inevitably see Castillo improve substantially upon this performance as he increases his fitness levels and starts to influence matches with regularity. The passage of time will make Castillo a more effective play, but it will also amplify de los Cobos' selection issues within the side's current 4-4-1-1 system.
Castillo may find himself on the left wing again simply because de los Cobos has no other place to play him. Freddie Ljungberg and Brian McBride currently inhabit the two advanced roles best suited to Castillo's abilities and neither player looks likely to vacate his spot in order to slot the new arrival into a more suitable position.
After watching Ljungberg's man-of-the-match performance against the Revolution and witnessing his revival since his arrival from Seattle, de los Cobos can't in good conscience shift the in-form Ljungberg into a wider position and hand the keys the out-of-sorts Castillo. Ljungberg's creativity and movement has added a new element to the Fire attack by essentially replacing Cuauhtemoc Blanco with a more suitable option to facilitate the counter with pace and inject a bit of nous while maintaining a high tempo.
McBride offers a target presence Castillo does not as the lone striker, though the Fire still haven't quite discerned how to best use his talents under the de los Cobos regime. With Ljungberg buzzing around to locate gaps and exploit them, the more stationary McBride presumably serves as the reliable touchstone to ground the attacking movements when required. Castillo offers a different and tempting spin on the role with his ability to get in behind defenses, but it is an approach better suited for a substitute than a starter with the constant movement in midfield.
With Ljungberg and McBride presumably entrenched in their current roles, Castillo's options dwindle quickly. The wings appear covered with Nyarko and Pappa forming one of the best wide duos in the league and Castillo isn't suited to play the deeper roles usually filled by Baggio Husidic and Logan Pause.
The most appropriate solution may involve using Castillo as an impact substitute when everyone is healthy. It isn't the ideal way to use a player earning $1.8 million a season, but it is certainly more palatable than ripping up the current setup and switching to another system – most likely some flavor of 4-4-2 – to force Castillo into the starting mix. In some ways, it makes perfect sense. Castillo changes the attacking approach off the pine depending on his deployment and possesses the ability to alter the course of the match with his considerable talent.
As the relationship between Chicago and Castillo continues, the Fire will find a way to use his talents in a suitable way from the start. In the interim, Castillo may have to exhibit some patience as he regains match fitness and supplements the squad and system already in place. It isn't quite what Castillo signed on to do, but it may prove the best option as the Fire continues its push for a playoff berth.
Last week: 5/7 (71%)
For the season: 63/126 (50%)
Saturday
New York @ Toronto FC – 1:00p.m. (CBC) – Goal.com Preview
TFC will make it difficult for New York to play through midfield and should cope well if the Red Bulls opt for a more direct approach. This fixture doesn't look like a particularly comfortable one for Henry, Marquez and company even with Julian de Guzman suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Prediction: Toronto FC win.
Los Angeles @ San Jose – 4:00p.m. (Telefutura) – Goal.com Preview
With Jason Hernandez serving the first game of a two-match ban, the Earthquakes will enter this match with all four of their starting defenders sidelined. The problems presented by the lack of defensive personnel appear particularly damaging when facing a Galaxy side that ruthlessly punishes any and all mistakes.
Prediction: Los Angeles win.
Colorado @ Columbus – 7:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
After generating a host of chances on Wednesday night only to see Jaime Penedo stand on his head to limit Municipal's damage, the Crew will try to find more than a solitary goal against an organized Colorado side.
Prediction: Columbus win.
Chivas USA @ FC Dallas – 8:30p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel) – Goal.com Preview
Does anyone know of a southern California charity in need of four Chivas USA season tickets?
Prediction: FC Dallas win.
New England @ Kansas City – 8:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
Character isn't in short supply in the Revolution changing room, but it may be difficult for the gritty visitors to overcome the stomach punch Chicago dealt to them on Wednesday night.
Prediction: Kansas City win.
Chicago @ Houston – 8:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
Houston's back four looked relatively assured with Geoff Cameron in central defense last weekend, but the onus in this match will fall on the Dynamo midfield to compete against the extra man and limit the Fire's effectiveness in possession.
Prediction: Draw.
Sunday
Philadelphia @ D.C. United – 2:00p.m. – Goal.com Preview
The battle for the wooden spoon continues in what should be an open and relatively entertaining matinee at RFK Stadium.
Prediction: Draw.
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSsoccer.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The fanfare surrounding Nery Castillo's arrival in Chicago may have glossed over one important point placed in stark relief after Castillo made his first start for the Fire in Wednesday night's 2-1 win over New England.
For this team and under these narrowly tailored short-term circumstances, Castillo remains a gifted player without a place to play.
In contrast to Castillo's wanderings at the club level over the past few years, this particular problem involves where to deploy the Mexican international in the starting XI.
Chicago coach Carlos de los Cobos revealed his own confusion on the topic by deploying Castillo in a rather unfamiliar role on the left wing. It was, by and large, an injury-enforced gambit that failed spectacularly.
De los Cobos essentially placed Castillo in an untenable position by selecting him to fulfill a role designed to expose his current weaknesses. Castillo understandably lacks match fitness and sharpness after featuring in a handful of competitive matches over the past couple of years. In some positions on the park, Castillo could regulate his runs and nurse himself through his time on the field while remaining effective.
No such flexibility exists in the wide areas, not even with the generally excellent Gonzalo Segares restored to left back to limit those pesky defensive burdens. By shunting Castillo out onto the left flank to help fill the void left by Patrick Nyarko's concussion concerns and Marco Pappa's corresponding shift to the right side, de los Cobos saddled Castillo with a modest dose of two-way responsibilities he isn't particularly inclined to embrace even when fully fit and reduced his ability to influence the match in the attacking third because his legs can't absorb the extra wear.
Castillo's ineffective performance and halftime withdrawal inevitably underscored those concerns. New England midfielder Sainey Nyassi didn't run at Castillo often enough to truly punish his defensive indifference, but it didn't help Castillo at the other end of the field. Castillo offered little movement and panache in the attack and struggled to wriggle free from Kevin Alston's rapt attention. When Castillo did manage to find space, his first touch often betrayed his dearth of game action and he reacted somewhat belatedly when opportunities were presented to him. Castillo's primary impact on the proceedings came in the form of an elbow to Alston's left cheek that could draw attention from the MLS Disciplinary Committee if it chooses to review the off-the-ball incident before the Fire's clash at Houston on Saturday.
The next few weeks will inevitably see Castillo improve substantially upon this performance as he increases his fitness levels and starts to influence matches with regularity. The passage of time will make Castillo a more effective play, but it will also amplify de los Cobos' selection issues within the side's current 4-4-1-1 system.
Castillo may find himself on the left wing again simply because de los Cobos has no other place to play him. Freddie Ljungberg and Brian McBride currently inhabit the two advanced roles best suited to Castillo's abilities and neither player looks likely to vacate his spot in order to slot the new arrival into a more suitable position.
After watching Ljungberg's man-of-the-match performance against the Revolution and witnessing his revival since his arrival from Seattle, de los Cobos can't in good conscience shift the in-form Ljungberg into a wider position and hand the keys the out-of-sorts Castillo. Ljungberg's creativity and movement has added a new element to the Fire attack by essentially replacing Cuauhtemoc Blanco with a more suitable option to facilitate the counter with pace and inject a bit of nous while maintaining a high tempo.
McBride offers a target presence Castillo does not as the lone striker, though the Fire still haven't quite discerned how to best use his talents under the de los Cobos regime. With Ljungberg buzzing around to locate gaps and exploit them, the more stationary McBride presumably serves as the reliable touchstone to ground the attacking movements when required. Castillo offers a different and tempting spin on the role with his ability to get in behind defenses, but it is an approach better suited for a substitute than a starter with the constant movement in midfield.
With Ljungberg and McBride presumably entrenched in their current roles, Castillo's options dwindle quickly. The wings appear covered with Nyarko and Pappa forming one of the best wide duos in the league and Castillo isn't suited to play the deeper roles usually filled by Baggio Husidic and Logan Pause.
The most appropriate solution may involve using Castillo as an impact substitute when everyone is healthy. It isn't the ideal way to use a player earning $1.8 million a season, but it is certainly more palatable than ripping up the current setup and switching to another system – most likely some flavor of 4-4-2 – to force Castillo into the starting mix. In some ways, it makes perfect sense. Castillo changes the attacking approach off the pine depending on his deployment and possesses the ability to alter the course of the match with his considerable talent.
As the relationship between Chicago and Castillo continues, the Fire will find a way to use his talents in a suitable way from the start. In the interim, Castillo may have to exhibit some patience as he regains match fitness and supplements the squad and system already in place. It isn't quite what Castillo signed on to do, but it may prove the best option as the Fire continues its push for a playoff berth.
Last week: 5/7 (71%)
For the season: 63/126 (50%)
Saturday
New York @ Toronto FC – 1:00p.m. (CBC) – Goal.com Preview
TFC will make it difficult for New York to play through midfield and should cope well if the Red Bulls opt for a more direct approach. This fixture doesn't look like a particularly comfortable one for Henry, Marquez and company even with Julian de Guzman suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Prediction: Toronto FC win.
Los Angeles @ San Jose – 4:00p.m. (Telefutura) – Goal.com Preview
With Jason Hernandez serving the first game of a two-match ban, the Earthquakes will enter this match with all four of their starting defenders sidelined. The problems presented by the lack of defensive personnel appear particularly damaging when facing a Galaxy side that ruthlessly punishes any and all mistakes.
Prediction: Los Angeles win.
Colorado @ Columbus – 7:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
After generating a host of chances on Wednesday night only to see Jaime Penedo stand on his head to limit Municipal's damage, the Crew will try to find more than a solitary goal against an organized Colorado side.
Prediction: Columbus win.
Chivas USA @ FC Dallas – 8:30p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel) – Goal.com Preview
Does anyone know of a southern California charity in need of four Chivas USA season tickets?
Prediction: FC Dallas win.
New England @ Kansas City – 8:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
Character isn't in short supply in the Revolution changing room, but it may be difficult for the gritty visitors to overcome the stomach punch Chicago dealt to them on Wednesday night.
Prediction: Kansas City win.
Chicago @ Houston – 8:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
Houston's back four looked relatively assured with Geoff Cameron in central defense last weekend, but the onus in this match will fall on the Dynamo midfield to compete against the extra man and limit the Fire's effectiveness in possession.
Prediction: Draw.
Sunday
Philadelphia @ D.C. United – 2:00p.m. – Goal.com Preview
The battle for the wooden spoon continues in what should be an open and relatively entertaining matinee at RFK Stadium.
Prediction: Draw.
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSsoccer.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page.
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