It’s amazing how great the disinformation is from this club. Just bravo. Can’t even be mad anymore.
What did I miss?
It’s amazing how great the disinformation is from this club. Just bravo. Can’t even be mad anymore.
Is Maxi going and if so is he 100% (not that you can answer the second part).... he's the most crucial cog, and there's a real fear that he's been redlining after the last stretch of matches - basically playing the entire field, left/right/middle/front - so his effectiveness against an intense press will dictate how we cope/transition/lay siege. He hasn't looked himself the last two matches, and whether that's because he's tired, his teammates aren't raising their games to his, or a combination of the two, I don't know.I'm not as negative as everyone else about this game. To the extent I am, it is because of our historical record at RBA, which sucks. But I'm not too worried about the injuries and short rest.
We're missing just 3 players after playing without 6-7 over the last few weeks.
Sands is great but we've shown we can handle his absence. I guess his main benefit would be to spell someone in the midfield who played a lot recently.
Mitrita might contribute but nobody expects it, and so I can't call his absence all that vital.
Shradi is the main guy I would like to have right now, but Heber is back, and that's a fair trade.
Of the teams who played midweek USOC games, Orlando and Minnesota won at home. LAFC won in Houston which is a very hard place to get road wins, Portland drew (with 10 men for 35 minutes) and only Canadian Cup participants Montreal and Vancouver lost. That's not a the best possible set of results but it hardly makes a loss inevitable.
He also played on the front line the last 2 games, which for him usually means paying both his usual midfield role and winger. It's no wonder he wasn't himself. We can (I hope) play Heber, Taty and Medina [I know] up front and let Maxi slide back. Bring GMS in to replace Medina later.Is Maxi going and if so is he 100% (not that you can answer the second part).... he's the most crucial cog, and there's a real fear that he's been redlining after the last stretch of matches - basically playing the entire field, left/right/middle/front - so his effectiveness against an intense press will dictate how we cope/transition/lay siege. He hasn't looked himself the last two matches, and whether that's because he's tired, his teammates aren't raising their games to his, or a combination of the two, I don't know.
I’d go 2 up front with either 4 or 5 midfielders. No reason to let Medina set a foot on the field.He also played on the front line the last 2 games, which for him usually means paying both his usual midfield role and winger. It's no wonder he wasn't himself. We can (I hope) play Heber, Taty and Medina [I know] up front and let Maxi slide back. Bring GMS in to replace Medina later.
Great way to beat the press with two in-form-ish strikers too. I'm with it.I’d go 2 up front with either 4 or 5 midfielders. No reason to let Medina set a foot on the field.
Heber Taty
Parks Maxi Ring Haak
Sweat Callens Chanot Tinny
Johnson
The midfield is fluid - not lined up horizontally.
This game has Haak’s name written all over it. He’s young, fresh legs, can patrol the middle and get in to the attack, and he’s got 4 years of big games against the RB Academy so no love lost. I’d roll the dice with him.
The scenario you’re describing is exactly the reason to start Haak. Artificially placing a level of importance on the match that says this is a more difficult game than any other breeds a mindset of defeatism for a young player. Haak has more of a history of beating RB than anybody else on the Senior team and he’s actually won meaningful matches that led to championships - I hardly think today’s game would leave him doe-eyed and in awe of the situation. His height and youthful legs bring more to the match than a one-legged Ofori or glass-physique Medina. Give him the chance and let him make something of it.It's a ballsy idea, but I can't imagine a scenario in which Dome gives a first-career start to a 17-year-old in a Derby game. He would have started an MLS game before this one had that been the plan.
I'd bet it looks something like:
Maxi-Heber-Tati
Mata-Ring-Parks-Tinn
Ibeagha-Callens-Chanot
Johnson
Maybe Medina for Maxi if he can't go after playing 110' on Wednesday.
Diamond?Heber Taty
Parks Maxi Ring Haak
Sweat Callens Chanot Tinny
Johnson
The midfield is fluid - not lined up horizontally.
This game has Haak’s name written all over it. He’s young, fresh legs, can patrol the middle and get in to the attack, and he’s got 4 years of big games against the RB Academy so no love lost. I’d roll the dice with him.
It's a ballsy idea, but I can't imagine a scenario in which Dome gives a first-career start to a 17-year-old in a Derby game. He would have started an MLS game before this one had that been the plan.
I'd bet it looks something like:
Maxi-Heber-Tati
Mata-Ring-Parks-Tinn
Ibeagha-Callens-Chanot
Johnson
Maybe Medina for Maxi if he can't go after playing 110' on Wednesday.
I think Maxi will drop between Heber and Taty anyway. 3 in midfield should do itWell, this seems prophetic now.