Preseason finale and Coach Cruz Q&A

For my last preseason post, let’s recap the last two events that fans could attend: the preseason finale vs. One Knoxville and the Q&A for season ticket holders with Coach Danny Cruz.

The first thing I saw upon entering Lynn Family Stadium for the preseason finale vs Knoxville was Brian Ownby running laps around the field. It wasn’t glorious just to see Ownby, or to see him running (which it is), but for the uninformed, a player doing laps before a match usually means they are not participating in that match. Flashback a year ago, and it was this preseason match that Ownby suffered his season-ending injury. The fact that he wouldn’t even test fate again was great news!
The weather was absolutely miserable and freezing, and being down near the river, of course the wind was swirling which only helped.
The starting lineup was very strong, with: Las, Adams, Ordonez, Totsch, Manny Perez, Dia, Kevon Lambert, Taylor Davila, Jansen, Serrano, and Goodrum. I have to remark here that Lambert, the loanee from Real Salt Lake, looked absolutely massive. We haven’t had a physical presence in our midfield before and he looks to be the first. Overall though the starting unit left a lot to be desired. They struggled to link up and lacked fluidity. Knoxville had the better opportunities of either team and our starting unit really struggled to take the game over.
Coach Cruz made a number of subs at half, and that unit controlled the game from there on out. Carlos Moguel came on and started owning the midfield and dominating play, which was a great sign after a very tough season last year. Adrien Perez also came on and provided an attacking spark as he took on Knoxville players and ran at them. It was Perez who scored the winner, a fantastic drive from outside the box. Rookie Josh Jones also got some minutes along the backline and I have to remark here again how huge he is.
The game also got quite chippy with a number of scuffles and a few yellow cards, including a Knoxville player getting booked twice and sent off! See, I believe he did it just to get to the locker room sooner with how freezing it was, he didn’t fool me. Even with all the intensity, it was a solid outing simply because no one left the field hurt!

The Season Ticket holders then got an opportunity to have an evening with Coach Cruz and ask him their questions. I have to comment first that Danny was fantastic with the children in attendance, who asked the first few questions. He had them come sit next to him and genuinely answered every question, except one: who is your favorite LouCity player!
He was asked a couple of questions about the tournaments that City competes in:
– In terms of the U.S. Open Cup, he was asked about the decision last year by MLS to essentially sit out. He said he didn’t like the way it was handled, and that this is a historical tournament. In terms of City playing in it, it is another trophy, and one we want to win
-In terms of the debuting Jagermeister Cup, he said we want to be the first champions.
-His overall attitude towards schedule congestion and tournaments is to balance and rotate to win the game and play it the way you want to play it. It has to be about putting players in the best position to play their best.
He was asked how this year’s squad compares to last year at this time of year and said very similar even with losing two key pieces. He is happy with how the new players have integrated, but it has been a different preseason with weather issues and travel. Overall the offseason has been too long with how the season ended.

In terms of roster updates:
– He said Goodrum is your lead striker followed by Gleadle, Ownby, and Jansen Wilson.
-Jorge is in Spain still recovering
-Ownby is the Captain.
-The new players were brought in for skill and fit, but specifically to add toughness and physicality, especially in relation to playing Rhode Island and JJ Williams
-When asked about the goalie position, he said it was an open competition. It is open until someone takes it between Las, Faundez, and Troutman. That is how they handle every position. He said Las is having a great preseason, but everyone needs to remember he is still a young keeper. He feels very good about the spot we are in

Coach Cruz was asked about the new top level USL league forming, and immediately said that is more of a question for his boss James O’Connor, who was in attendance. Danny said he is always more focused on the now, but he is excited for how it will impact soccer in the country. No matter the level, we want to win. When prodded by moderator Jeff Milby, he also said he thinks pro/rel would be great for the USL
James O’Connor also addressed this question at the end of the night. He said he was very excited for this league, and not just for teams like us. This presents an opportunity for City to showcase our club and our supporters and truly put the city on the map. We want trophies in any league we play is how he summed it up

Danny was asked how he balanced last year’s historic regular season with the tremendously disappointing postseason. He said he can be proud but unsatisfied. He said it didn’t too long to get back to work. He feels the same and shares the emotions of everyone in the room. He said you can’t take away the pride for an achievement that took over 10 months.

He was asked how the team planned to counter the new boogeyman (my words) in Rhode Island. He said we are going to be bigger and more aggressive. We have to nullify the threat of when we push and they play it long to their 6’5 linebacker of a striker. That is one reason why Lambert and Jones were brought in.

Danny said the league has become more about strength and speed and less about technical quality. City wants to attract the opponents to create space. He said the refs are doing “the best they can” with a wry smile.

He was asked how they planned to replace Wilson’s production. He first said they weren’t surprised that Wilson ended up departing, but the decision wasn’t officially made until a couple of days before the announcement. They conduct a lot of long-term planning that includes eventually losing guys. He said that Goodrum (Phil to Danny), knows what it takes and how to score, both from a data standpoint and from video. We were a goals by committee team last year and he is not worried from a goals perspective.

Cruz was asked how this group has come together in terms of chemistry and said that 6.5 weeks of preseason is never enough time, but this group is light years ahead of last year in terms of culture. He stressed that adversity makes you stronger and that he feels really good about where they are at.

Danny wrapped up with some fun remarks. He was asked about the toughest place to play and said it was Detroit for the kind remarks of the supporters and said the field was like playing on the floor we were standing on. He was asked if he does double takes when seeing the hair choices of his players and he said too often.
He concluded by saying he is an open book and feels what we feel. He doesn’t take his position lightly and takes a lot of pride in it. He is extremely proud and thankful of our support.

James O’Connor pulled a swerve and came up to conclude the night. He said he was very excited for the new season and excited Coach Cruz signed a new deal. He is very thankful for our support. He asked Coach Cruz to summarize our style of play.
Danny said it is principles over formation. We want to be on the front foot and gain territory.
In terms of without the ball: If we win the ball closer to goal, we have a better chance to score. In terms of pressing, when one goes, we all go. We have to take away time or space, one or the other. If we give time, we have to take away space, and vice versa. He also wants a relentlessness in getting the ball back
When we have the ball: He is looking for verticality. We want to invite the other team to create space for us. There have to be 4 players in the box for a delivery. When we win the ball, he wants it played forward, and players have to have a willingness to run.
Players should walk off the field and have nothing left.
When asked who resembles our playing style the most, Coach Cruz responded Liverpool (blah). They emphasize verticality and exude relentlessness. They focus on intent and intensity.
O’Connor wrapped up by saying they do not take the responsibility of leading this team and representing this city lightly and he praised Danny as the brightest young coach in the country.

Overall it was an informative and lighthearted evening and really helped to emphasize that these guys are humans just like us. I walked away with a much better sense of where the club and team is and more trust in Coach Cruz and his process. O’Connor made sure to make the rounds before the event began and did more than just the obligatory handshake by engaging each table of supporters. I will conclude by saying let’s be thankful we have such an amazing club that makes themselves as available and open as they do.