I think we shouldn’t take RSL lightly. But our 2 matches vs ATL are really huge. If we lose to them away, we MUST win later in the season at home.
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I think we shouldn’t take RSL lightly. But our 2 matches vs ATL are really huge. If we lose to them away, we MUST win later in the season at home.
I don't think there are very many decisions that have to be made about the lineup. It would be different if we were playing 3 games in a week, but coming off a bye you play everyone that is available.
The midfield is going to naturally rotate as we pick up yellow cards. Let's see Ring in the 18 before we talk about him starting against Atlanta.
The midfield is going to naturally rotate as we pick up yellow cards. Let's see Ring in the 18 before we talk about him starting against Atlanta.
Agreed. Don't take a home game for granted. Play the XI, assess where you are, then get ready for another game five days later.
We also have a young enough team that Wednesday-Sunday should be enough rest. This isn't three games in 8 days, it's 2 games in 5 days. Make sure you get three points in the bag at home, then worry about one of the toughest road games in the league after that.
Wow seems much faster than expected for Mata based on the way he reacted to the injury. Mata is great option to have back, hopefully he's truly ready to go and not forcing his way back too soon at risk of re-injury to try to make it to the world cup.
The guy is so Glass Joe I almost hope we just let him sit until he leaves for Russia. I can’t bear to watch the poor guy have his dreams crushed.
Ideally by some miracle he stays healthy, shows well at the world cup and we sell him immediately.
By the end of the season I don't think our our primary competition for the top spot in the east will be Atlanta. Their top end is as good as anyone and they will be a terror in the playoffs but they still have the typical year 2 expansion team depth issues at a number of positions, particularly defense. Once all of the teams are forced to start rotating due to injuries, yellow cards, call ups, etc. it's hard to imagine that Atlanta can keep pace with our additional depth and other deep teams in the conference like Toronto.
If we play this lineup at home we should win comfortably.
Subs: Stuver, Berget, Wallace, Ofori, Sands, Mata, SAS
Subs: Stuver, Berget, Wallace, Ofori, Sands, Mata, SAS
I hope you’re right. Would love to have a 10 point lead on all other CCL competitors with 10 weeks left in the season.
#1, are we expecting a squeeze play? who’s covering the outfield?
#2. I’d shift Jesus to the left of Isi when we have a right handed pull hitter. Especially in YS.
Maxi is a guaranteed walk every time at bat. Think about that strike zone!
Where is an Eddie Gaedel GIF when you need one?
Only gripe I really have with this is that we would need one of Ibeagha/Hountondji on the bench to provide CB cover.
I personally would also like to see Wallace and his defense on the wings start and have Isi as an offensive option off the bench, but I'm really 50/50 on that, so nothing I would be upset over. Its a good problem to have.
Good catch. Sands has to sit for Ibeagha. Ofori can play the 6&8. And we can always move Jesus to 10 and swap in a winger. You could not have Mata and move Tin to LB and SAS to RB in a pinch. But Mata’s offensive flexibility makes him worthwhile to have out there. Maybe you can argue Berget doesn’t make the 18 because Isi can play CF....
Don’t agree with staring Wallace. Bring him in to close it. Let’s try to bury them with goals first.
Araos reporting that every but Awuah is fit and with the first team. "No rotation plans for coming week."
I mean it's ~4.5 days between games. The first team should be good to go for both.
I mean it's ~4.5 days between games. The first team should be good to go for both.
I don't know how you bench Shradi after the last two games but I'm sure Vieira will start Wallace.
I think there are legit reasons, mainly Wallace's defense. I also think its great to have a legit scoring option available to come off the bench. If Villa is back starting, maybe you don't need the scoring prowess from Shradi starting.
Again, either way, I'm ok with Wallace or Shradi starting. I would prefer Wallace, but won't be upset or necessarily think its a bad coaching decision if Shradi is starting.
I think it could be a novel strategy for PV to play Shradi with Villa and Medina, get a lead, and make the Wallace sub as a method to defend from the front. Wallace always looks labored from about 60min onward, but when he’s fresh he’s a real pain in the ass for opposing defenders; let him harass them when he’s fresh and they’re tired. It’s kinda like what we’ve done with Mata coming in late as a winger to break ankles with his pace.... unfortunately, Mata just seems to break himself.
Yeah, with Savarino on the RHS, not a bad shout.
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