Valour FC bench boss pleased with squad’s performance

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This article was published 06/05/2019 (2649 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s still early in the Canadian Premier League season and Valour FC boss Rob Gale’s task hasn’t changed much.

Gale has been pleased by the performances he’s witnessed in the opening two games (an away victory against Pacific FC and a home loss to Edmonton FC) but he needs to coax improvements from his youthful squad in time for Wednesday’s road match against Calgary’s Cavalry FC.

Better finishing would allow the Valour crew to capitalize on efforts such as Saturday, where they won they possession game (58.1 per cent to 33.7) and outshot the visitors 12-6 but fell behind 2-0 before losing 2-1 to the Edmontonians.

“It was the decisions because we were selfish at the wrong times, especially in the second half. Could’ve been unselfish in the right moments and in the first half, we were unselfish in the wrong moments,” said Gale after his squad prepped for the natural surface of Atco Field at Spruce Meadows with a workout on the grass fields adjacent to Grant Park High School Monday afternoon.

“I think if you just get that right, that’s just decisions. Another day, we are 3-nil up inside 20 minutes.”

Midfielder/forward Michael Petrasso was probably Valour’s most dangerous offensive threat against Edmonton, creating four chances, two shots on goal and scoring on a penalty. After a season slotted in as a right back with Montreal of the MLS and off-season back surgery, the 24-year-old Toronto product believes he is finally rounding into top form.

“I think right now I’m getting opportunities, good chances and I think my finishing and more clinical decisions will come back to me, hopefully sooner than later,” said Petrasso. “I’m building from my performances and hoping to get better.”

Since then, Gale has reviewed video of opening games from Cavalry and HFX Wanders FC, Valour’s home opponent on Saturday afternoon.

Gale is surely contemplating lineup changes to keep his troops fresh, but admits he has no long-term concern about rust.

“You know what, (midfielder) Dylan (Carreiro) looked rusty when he went on against Pacific, Tyler (Attardo) looked rusty when he came on (Saturday)?” said Gale. “Sometimes it’s hard to pick up in those games, especially when the team is just, literally, sitting on the edge of their box and defending their lead. So sometimes it’s difficult to get into the game but that’s what we need from the finishers. If they come on, we’re expecting them to get in the game as quickly as they can and make an impact.”

Thus far, Gale believes wear and tear has been minimal.

“When you have the ball as much as we do, the opposition is doing the work,” said Gale. “I mean, we have to work because we move a lot but I don’t think (defenders) Jordan (Murrell) and Skylar (Thomas) have had an easier professional game, and I mean that in all due respect to the Edmonton side. And they come out with the win. But it wasn’t a tough afternoon for them.”

Lightning-quick midfielder Ali Musse, who came on as a second-half substitute and drew a crowd whereever he went Saturday, could very well get his first CPL start Wednesday.

“I have that feeling but that’s all up to the coach at the end of the day,” said Musse, who will be back in familiar surroundings Wednesday after leading Calgary Foothills FC of the Premier Development League to a title in 2018. “I didn’t really feel rusty (Saturday). I felt like if I had a little bit more time, it was coming. I had to be patient. I felt good out there.”

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Cavalry, 2-1 winners over York9 Saturday, didn’t use attacking midfielder Sergio Andres Camargo and defender Mason Trafford. Head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. could decide to bring them into his lineup.

“I expect them to be a good team,” said Petrasso. “In my opinion, they’re going to be at the top of the league. Their roster is quite good. Obviously, it’s going to be tough to play away from home but we’re going in there full force and we want the three points.”

MAKING PLANS: Gale hinted Valour could announce a major acquisition today. “I’m very optimistic there’s going to be some very good news coming across the wire tomorrow,” he said.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

‘Twitter: @sawa14