Coach Fernando Clavijo checks in with Class VI after a difficult loss to expansion team San Jose.
I. The team play was flat and had they had tremendous difficulty with execution. What are your expectations of your players in being mentally prepared and what is your role in getting them there?
Everyone had a bad night, I can’t remember of one player that performs to his level.
Expectations are always high, and knowing that Chicago also had a bad game vs Kansas City brings even more opportunities for us to recover lost ground.
II. For the fourth game straight, you had the same starting line. Thinking back on the game, is there anything tactically you would have done differently?
No, we stick with the same lineup for many reason, the first was that they had some good results and wanting to keep the group together was always in my mind.
Second half, DiRainmondo was sub because of injury and we added another striker, going to three defender in the back.
III. You've mentioned in the past that the team needs play the ball through Christian Gomez and yet the strategy appeared to be long balls from the back to catch San Jose with speed. Are the players failing to execute the game strategy or did San Jose's play dictate the game?
I believe that San Jose was allowed to execute their game plan and we didn’t execute our game plan.
We never found Christian, and Christian was not at his level.
IV. Each game, Class VI votes for a Rapids Player to be named Man of the Match. Some games are easy, like Terry Cook in the opener. Some, like the San Jose Game are more difficult. Who you pick as Man of the Match?
Looking at your first question, pretty much answer this one, I don’t believe we had any player that perform at a good level.
V. Going into the locker room a goal down with San Jose increasingly controlling the play, what was the message delivered to the team, and what changes did you implement?
That the effort was not good enough, playing against the wind we needed to put the ball in the ground.
Going into the second half we need it to pick things up, create more chances, and get numbers forward.
Going 3 4-1-2, allowing Christian more freedom, and adding another striker.
Our high pressure needs it to be as a group and not individual like in the first half.
VI. This season, Jacob Peterson has sat on the bench in each of the first four games without seeing a minute of play. What is Jacob Peterson's role and under what circumstances would we expect to see him step onto the field?
We are always looking to improve in our offense and Jacob Peterson is one of those players we had put a lot of faith on.
He started in every Pre-season game and didn’t show well, but we all know of his potential, right now we are waiting and hoping for Jacob to pick things up and show us what he is capable of doing.
We're very grateful that we have a coach that will find time for the fans of the Rapids. Good luck in Chicago and bring us back to the top of the Western Conference.
Posted by mark at April 21, 2008 03:38 PM