Robin's Boys vs. RSL - pre/pbp/post 5/7/11:: 2pm [R]

I have no idea, and I'm sure Kreis doesn't either, of who will start.
I'd expect Espy to be a lock, but outside that its a bit fuzzy, honestly.
[LINEUP-4-4-2]Espy, Sabo, Johnson, Javi, KB, Ned, Wingert, Olave, Borchers, Tony, Nicky[/LINEUP-4-4-2]
Bench: Reynish, Schuler, Russell, Gonzo, Warner, Paulo

Be prepared to get nothing on goal.
I predict this to either be a loss or a 0-0 draw as of right now.

Fraser built RSL from the back just like he is in LA for Chivas. They have given up 6 goals this season, but only 2 in their last 5 matches. If we aren't all of the sudden a whole lot better in front of goal, we could easily be shutout.

Oh, and Braun's mom will be there so who knows what it'll be like...

Add this match to the news of Paulo possibley going home and we are looking at a very different season than we were looking at a week ago.

No doubt. Where did these dark clouds come from?

This team might just be going all Weezer. Who pulled that thread?

Paulo possibly leaving and playing against a Coach who should really know how to stop a team he helped build.

I wish I could be at the game to help cheer RSL on but the 2pm start sucks for us.

The outcome of this game will be very interesting. It is a long season and every team has it's ups and downs. I hope this is just a little bump in the road for RSL.

I'm not that worried about Chivas. Of course Fraser absolutely knows how to slow RSL down - like you said, he helped build it. But he just doesn't have the horses to do it.

If Phil Jackson left the Lakers and went to the Jazz, would the Jazz suddenly have the Lakers' number? Not a chance. Obviously he would tell the players what to do, but in the end it comes down to execution by the players. And if the players can't execute at the same level as the opponent, they won't win.

You can tell CJ Miles everything he needs to know about stopping Kobe Bryant, but he won't be able to do it because he's a big dope. Same thing is about to happen to Chivas (if RSL can sort out their identity crisis, that is).

how about we put out our strongest 11 and get at crushing victory to rid all of us of our hangovers!!!

With a week to figure out all the kinks. Let's pray that they can make a much needed change in the attacking third. All of our strikers look like the 2010 Findley.

Ugh, is THAT ever the truth... I never thought I'd see this group looking so toothless in the attack. If it's because they were overconfident before, one would have to think they've been brought back down to earth a little by now.

The bottom line is, they have GOT to get back to quick ball movement, and there has to be better passing in the final 1/3, particularly from the forwards. I have full faith in the coaching staff to get the ship righted. Thankfully, it's early days yet, and there is still plenty to play for.

What better way to appease the soccer gods than by sacrificing a few goats, am I right?

We'll be fine. This team just needs time to get in sync and the coaches are good, they'll identify what's going wrong.

I think this match hinges on our forwards. I noticed the midfield being frustrated with the lack of participation of our forwards in the match against Portland. If Sabo/Espy/Lefturo/Paulo(if he's still here) don't come out swinging and looking hungry, I really worry about our ability to score. Keeping that in mind I see it going two ways.

0-0 or 4-0

I think it has to start with Espy being hungry and putting in the work. Maybe, just maybe, if he scores and shows up Sabo it might light a fire under his arse to equal the task. I really wish we knew what would motivate these guys.

I shaved the beard and cut my mullet like i promised to do once RSL lost...

that means a fresh start and hopefully i can get a santa beard that'll last me til christmas.

On a more important note--- I hear the leaders of the SG's are meeting tomorrow to determine Saturday's events and activities for the game.

you need to clarify when you say this: will LBR or UR be there?
- I've noticed lately that when people say SG's they tend to not (for whatever reasons) include those two gigantic and loud groups.

Revenge of Mrs B. She's gonna have to open up a bottle early for this one!

Did I miss something why is Paulo Going home?

Paulo Jr.'s going nowhere.

We missed Beckerman for the CCL. Portland, they were missing some starters and Paulo (injury). If they'd played the starters and Paulo at the start, it would've been a much different game. I was there, we were easily the better team in Portland - minus Saborio, who didn't seem to know which direction the net was.

A game in that atmosphere was no place for half a B team. I always knew our B team were a little green, and that people were too over-confident in them. New England is one thing, Portland in that atmosphere is a whole different thing. Despite Portland not being that good (the fans themselves admitted that to us), their atmosphere makes up for it and it is not a place for newbies who haven't experienced places like Saprissa.

This week things return to normal, and I do mean normal.

I feel like I need to collect some hysterical people around here and slap them silly.

I wouldnt say hysterical, just got a bit of news and wanted to know if anyone else heard about it too. And with the absolute hope that it wasnt true at all.

On topic, if Paulos (still here - hah! couldnt resist) hammy is better I would prefer to see him start with Espy. Admire Sabo to the fullest, but I think subbing him on will create the desire to play that hes been lacking for a little bit.

I can see a good matchup since Chivas will be on a win high from beating the Revs and we are in a little bit of a low with our 2 losses. Both hungry to prove something.

Except that our lineup had 8 starters in the first half and finished with 10/11.

This doesnt hold water.

Yeah, we had better possession. But on the grand scheme of things, they created much better chances.

We were scouted very well for that match and they took it to us.

The pitch (plastic and wet and narrow) didn't help either. But that is what home field advantage (the crowd as well, as you mentioned) is supposed to be.

I am feeling better about this game as the days progress. However, them having Fraser and a team that is working on defense first scares me. I'm leaning towards what El lama (spanish for... the lama) said above. Either we'll kill them or we won't score at all.

I was just coming back on here to say that I'm starting to feel good about this game, too. I haven't for the last two games. But I feel a win coming on. RSL is not going to lay down and die, especially at fortress Rio Tinto, which is still very much a fortress. One loss doesn't change that. It's all a matter of 'tude, and we do not look kindly on losing at Rio Tinto.

Chivas is not all that, as much as their upstart fans would like to think so. They are not Monterrey. Their fans may underestimate us, but I doubt Frasier will.

I actually think Chivas fans respect us more than you might think. I've had more interaction with them than any other supporters through the MLS Cup and USMNT games to know they consider RSL a top tier team. They just love their club and we have that whole sibling rivalry thing going.

I'm thinking Chivas will employ more players to the defensive side of the ball. Seeing 5-6 guys defending the 18 the rest clogging the midfield to push us to the flanks. To me this game is going to be won/lost in the midfield. If we can bounce back with the early season swagger, control the midfield, and open up Sabo/Espy to make runs on goal its a slam dunk. Lose the midfield, we're in for a long night.

Last Wednesday was the best night I've ever seen for coordination between the groups and getting the rest of the crowd involved. Hopefully everyone can build upon this in the coming months starting with our match against the goats. Portland has set a fine example for the rest of the league to aspire to. I'll be recording and watching this one to see how it goes. Wish I could be there but the next few weeks will be tough for me as we are getting ready for a major family event that will require me to be out of town most of the upcoming weekend.

I think it will be won/lost in RSL's attacking third. If Chivas defends with 5-6 around the 18 and the rest clogging the middle, possession shouldn't be much of an issue. RSL will have the ball - the question is, what will they do with it?

Lately - especially against Portland - RSL have enjoyed lots of possession, but their possession has lacked purpose. I think that's a Bible verse: possession without purpose is dead, or something like that.

That's why I said the key to the game will be in the attacking third. Scoring on a bunker defense is one of the toughest things to do in soccer. RSL will need to be more decisive around the goal than they have been lately, and the finishing must be better.

I tend to think that if RSL can nab an early one, it could be a blowout since Chivas will have to abandon the bunker as they try to equalize. But the longer the match goes without an RSL goal, the tougher it's going to get. I could see this game 0-0 as easily as I could see it 4-1.

You always have to score first to avoid bunker teams. That's nothing new. That's what we did to LA, and they didn't like it one bit.

exactly
the longer its 0-0, the more it plays into their hands as our outside backs get sucked up and the counter down the flank opens up more and more.

I think a player like Gonzo is needed in situations like this. Putting in Andy/Ned does nothing, really. When the spaces get tight because of so many guys back for the other squad, we need a burst of speed and creativity.

I really hope to see, for multiple reasons, Gonzo and PJ in on this match.

Do we really think Gonzo is finally out of the doghouse to play this weekend? He played in the reserve game today. Also PJ sat out todays practice nursing his hammy.