June 02, 2008
CVI Questions with Coach Clavijo: Chivas Loss (Late)
Well this is a bit late due to some circumstances beyond anyone's control, but I wanted to get them out there since Coach Clavijo gives us some answers to questions many people are wondering
I. The team came out in the first half looking sloppy and having no sense of urgency. At half time, Pablo Mastroeni told Altitude Sports that the biggest change that was needed was a change of attitude. Was Pablo accurate in describing the most serious problem with the team?
Absolutely, the attitude was not right, but it is up to every single individual to motivate yourself, you just said it before, how anyone can not embraced this game. But it happens, we hope that was only 2 games and we are over with it.
II. Referee Baldomero Toledo let the game be dictated by physical play, which Chivas seemed to take advantage of. Is having an opponent who's style is exceptionally physical something the Rapids need to address as a weakness?
Our league is physical, and anyone that is not prepare to receive that kind of play is in the wrong league,
I hope that the league and the referees do a little better job in protecting the skillful players a little more
III. When Pablo Mastroeni went out of the game, it seemed perhaps he hurt his knee. Is there any injury concerns for Pablo?
Pablo was sick, and never was reported back to the coach because he wants to play, I only find out when at half time he was having big problem breathing
IV. We were fighting hard for a goal after Tom McManus' beautiful long range goal and Christian Gomez was substituted for Conor Casey in the 84th minute. What was the reason that Gomez was selected as the player removed to add another striker?
Gomez is one of the most skillful players in our team and in the league, but sometimes his lack of movements becomes an easy target defender.
V. Unable to put together back to back wins this season, the biggest challenge you seem to face is getting the players to find consistency. When you have made large tactical changes to the team, they have always responded well. When you stick with the players that brought success, they seem to come out flat on you the very next week. Why is this team having problems maintaining success game to game?
I know for a fact everyone wants to win; the issue is that not many people know what it takes to win.
Players sometimes get to comfortable on there positions and field that the effort that brought them to play is not needed, so this is why you see changes,
VI. Terry Cooke hasn't seen the field since May 4th, but has been on the bench for the last few games and hasn't appeared in the injury reports. Has Jacob Peterson beaten out Terry for the starting position?
Terry was complaining of hamstring problems from May 8th on, just about 10 days ago he is back healthy and we are looking to get him back into the lineup.
Sorry again for the delay!
Posted by mark at June 2, 2008 09:34 AM