North Texas SC Fall Apart at Tacoma, 3-0
The game was over pretty quickly, with two first half goals putting away the visitors. North Texas SC head coach was rightfully angry about the performance.
Two own goals and a chipped goal from Tacoma striker Rothrock were more than enough to take advantage of North Texas SC who continue to struggle defensively.
The defensive performance leaves many questions for this young roster. Youthfulness can only be the culprit to a degree. At some point, these guys need to get better. Mistakes continue to dim their post-season chances.
Head coach Javier Cano agreed after the game. “I am disappointed because we can’t start with a low intensity and level. We can’t afford to concede goals like the first two goals in the first half. The level that we showed today was definitely not playoff quality.”
Offensively, the team generated close to 14 shots. While zero found the back of the net, it showed that the attacking side of things still brims with potential, especially with star winger Hope Aveyevu continuing to work his way back to fitness. The team managed spells where they made life difficult for Tacoma.
But in the end, a three goal deficit is tough to make up for.
Cano was displeased with the effort and professionalism on display. While reinforcements are coming, it’s going to be up to the players to take the necessary steps if they want to taste the postseason.
“The players need to show up every second, if we are not prepared it makes it impossible for us. The players not being prepared and waiting to turn up at kick off time does not work. We need to take care of our chances,” Cano told reporters. “I always tell our players that we have a set standard that we want everyone to show, and it seems like some of them are not there fully. Next week we have Houston Dynamo 2, and we need to be prepared for it. We will turn the page ahead of the next game.”
What makes the result especially painful is that two of the goals given up came off of North Texas defenders. Own goals are by their nature unlucky. North Texas SC were scrambling, trying to clear the ball and disrupt the attack only to see disaster strike. It happens. (See the USA-Canada match.)
But Cano indicated that some of the mistakes were due to miscommunication.
“They need to review their own game plans. They need to reevaluate how they are coming to the field. I cannot do anything else. How can we stop the miscommunication between players?” Cano said. “They need to be humble and recognize when someone is not having a great day or committing mistakes. Recognize it and work to change it.”
Obviously, reinforcements will help, and Cano has promised that some signings are on the way. Not only will fresh faces insert some competition into training but it might also give Cano some tactical flexibility that this team needs.
There is still a core set of players who are dynamic and intriguing. There is something to be built here, though time is beginning to tick down for this season.