Playoffs Game 1: RSL at Seattle, 8:30 MDT, Fri. 2 November 2012

fixed.

I know this goes against the grain for what we've been seeing from RSL games as of late, but my prediction is 0-0 with goals coming from nobody. /sarcasm

You going to be able to make it up to the game, @Ismitje? You had said your earlier trip got axed because of the change of date. Hopefully you can make this one. My parents and little brother are heading up to Seattle on Thursday for some family stuff (planned months ago) and will now be able to go to the game. My uncle and aunt who live up there are massive Sounders fans, so that should be a fun group to listen to after the game is over.

This should be a really intriguing series. Hopefully Eddie Johnson pulled his hammy and is done for the season. Without him on the pitch, we seemed to have their attack rather harnessed with our makeshift backline. There are about 2 or 3 spots in the starting XI that are hard to figure out, the rest (as always) is predictable.

The XI I bet we see is this:

Bench: Reynish, Olave, Yordany, Velasquez, Grabs, PJ, Gil

• Make this clear: I don't want Steele to start, but I bet we see him in - especially with the focus being defense in this first leg. I would rather we play both Yordany and KB in this leg, but that simply isn't going to happen.
• Also, despite Steele being one of the most left-foot only players I've ever seen (Up there with Arturo Alvarez) he'll play on the right side of the diamond and drift wide right for crossing. Because we simply hate to put guys on the side of the pitch that they are strong footed. Everything about this team goes to the middle. EVERYTHING
• Gil has been really inconsistent since the 2 games @ LA and I simply don't trust him in this environment. He disappears really bad at really bad times. We can't have that.
• Viana and Velasquez have been fighting for that last bench spot, I feel, and to not give it to Velasquez would be a joke. The kid, I feel, should be our first or second sub regardless of the situation. His change of pace is awesome and very VERY much needed on this squad
• Hopefully Espy and Sabo, with Javi on the pitch, decide they want to score in this one. I would rather tie this 1-1 than 0-0, if we are going to tie, simply because it means our offense created.
• I wouldn't risk Olave in this one. Even if he is fit to play, the turf is just asking for a re-injury. Rest him with that Thursday home game being the one circled for return.

I really wish I could go up to this game...

Actually, in contrast to the last 3 games, I would really happy with a 0-0 final in this one.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't away goals one of the tie breakers in the playoffs? Or am I mixing up CCL and MLS again? Personally, I'd rather have a 1-1 tie, if it is going to be a tie. I'd like RSL to get a goal and boost their confidence a bit.

Away goals don't count in MLS.

Also Fri/Thurs were the absolute two worst days they could've picked for both games. Barring some miracle I won't be watching/going to the games.

The best Birthday gift I could receive this Friday would be an absolute thrashing of Seattle! Light 'em up, boys!

This is why MLS playoffs tend to have that really negative feel to them. There is zero incentive for the away team to play anything remotely open.

With that said, I expect Kreis to approach this game with the mindset of going for the win. We don't play well, historically, when we are content with just sitting back and trying to get a tie.

Considering that RSL & Seattle are two teams known for their attacking prowess, it's amazing to see that in the three regular season matches, only 1 total goal was scored (by RSL) So that's 1 goal scored in 270 minutes head-to-head...contrast that with last year's playoff series where there were 5 goals scored in 180 minutes.

Notice that Seattle hasn't scored on RSL all year. And now Seattle is possibly without Eddie Johnson for the series. That doesn't bode well for their chances to get off the schniede.

I think this series could come down to whether or not RSL scores. I could easily see it go 0-0 away and 1-0 RSL at home. Or it could stay 0-0 and go to PK's, which in my mind are a tossup. But I'm glad the PK's will be at home...I don't think RSL have ever had a shootout at home.

Seattle is like England in shootouts, too.
So we would have that going for us

I really don't hope we repeat that 2009 run of pk shootouts. My knees still have the rug burn from my emotional slides across my parents basement when we won in Chicago. I nearly cried when Espy and Javi missed... I don't need that shit in my life, again

******** the sea chickens
go vikings and RSL

Agreed. My heart just about stopped when Andy missed his in the Cup final. Those shootouts were a terrible emotional roller coaster ride.

I cried when Russel won the shootout.
I couldn't go through that again.

I still get chills when I hear Bill Riley's call of that play on ESPN 700. They use it on their intro to the show. Love that call.

Is anyone noticing that comcast(xfinity) is showing CFL Football for the timeslot that is suppose to be RSL v SEA? Is anyone else getting this? Am I looking at the wrong channel. Here in Portland, Oregon it is channel 32 or 732 HD. Any help or reassurance that it is indeed listed as NBCSN on Friday night 7pm PST 10PM EST would be very helpful. Unfortunately the wife will not let me go to the game. She promised a trip to MLS Cup if they made it, so I am holding out. To all who are traveling, BE LOUD. And ignore the douche sounders fans. They have been rude and obnoxious the last two games I have gone to in Seattle. LETS GO RSL!!

They've all, but 1 in the fancy section my parents sit in @ the Riot, been very nice to me. Maybe they just sense the Portland in you.

Very possible. Damn portland hippies.

Why not give Valazquez the start over Steele at least Seattle will have to play Seba honest and not get used to receiving pass after pass from Steele.

Have we won a match where Steele played a majority of minutes this year?

Unfortunately, this match is probably going to be blacked out on NBCSN in PDX - but it should be on ROOT Sports down there.

I say we bunker down get a 0-0 draw and then bring on the hot sauce here at the Riot!

I say we hope for another red card send off in the 30th minute and then do what we did not last time in Seattle, take advantage and get a goal. I hope the Sabo, Espindola combo gets hot for the play-offs.
One more thing that might help is if someone could please take Steele to Chuck-a-Rama this week, I will pick-up the tab.

I would agree with the red card thing, but if I have to hear/read Seattle fans/coach/players whine that much for that long again, I will hang myself with my shoelaces.