RSL @ you SuKC %#$hole.....4.14.12 6:30 MT pre/pbp/post

Well well well, what do we have here? Why of course, it's what will probably be the most hyped match of the year so far between the top 2 teams in the league and their respective conferences. You know what that means, the quality of match is inversely proportional to the hype said match receives, hence this will probably play out to some boring 1-0, maybe 1-1 finish. So what do we have? Well, two teams who are on a tear defensively with KC setting a new league record for longest stretch without giving up a shot on goal. RSL isnt doing so bad defensively themselves, pitching a shutout the last two games. So what happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force? Black holes open up, the space time continuum is torn to shreds, life grinds to a halt and everything ceases to exist. Or a boring game plays out.

Luckily for us, these two teams are fairly talented going forward as well.

Also of note, this will be the only time these two teams meet this year. Unlucky for us it's an away game (******** you schedule makers, you REALLY screwed us with the schedule this year). Last year didnt go so great, 2-0 to the bad guys. Will that game be on the boys minds? Plenty of reasons to be "up" for this match from a motivational perspective, I expect an effort more like against the cRapids and less like the one against Montreal.

So....my "why fix what isnt broken" lineup:

[LINEUP-4-4-2]Espy, Sabo, Johnson, Beckerman, Gil, Tian, Wingert, Bor, Lave, Beltran, Rimando[/LINEUP-4-4-2]

What say you?

I could see this being a game where a Paulo comes in late (75 or so) and makes a difference against a tired back line.

I like that First XI.

Jason should play this like a FIFA12 match.

Put Paulo and Sabo up top and put espy in for Tian.

Press Release:

You are a genius!

RSL will get a result this week unfortunately it will be a 1-1 draw.

I thought this article about SKC's defending was really interesting. They've been pretty successful at breaking up the opposing team's possession, but then they haven't played against RSL yet, which specializes in that.

With Espy playing so wide, Meyers on SKC will have a hard time tracking Espy because he likes to go forward a lot.

This is going to be a damn good game. Can't wait.

Do you try to land the first punch, or the last? I'm serious here.

Normally at home RSL tries to get the early knock out. KC is the same way. But on the road RSL tends to be more patient. Do you try to pass around KC, let them tire, then make offensive subs and go for the throat? Or do you change it up and try to go ferocious early and see what happens?

KC has excellent skill on their bench too...this will be interesting to watch.

This.
so so so much this

I've watched KC play a few times this year and notice that Myers, the right back, plays outside back like a Dani Alves. Which means he doesn't really play outside back, he's a wing, for all intensive purposes.

This plays right into our strengths. If we can get possession in the middle and exploit Myers going forward with Espy in behind... that big Tico guy aint too bad in the air

I like UP's starting XI too. Unfortunately I also think his prediction will be correct. I see a back and forth game with not too much going on. But I'm hopeful we go in there and show everyone that KC isn't all that great, but that we are the "real deal".

This is RSL's chance to step up and put a serious claim on best team in the league early in the season.

If the game plan is to sit back, weather the early storm, control the midfield and get into the half tied 0-0, we will most likely lose this game 3-nil.

If the game plan is to go out and attack - take it to them - force the issue, blast their xxx minutes without a shot on goal away in the first 5 minutes, one of two things will happen.... we will get an early lead and have a chance... or it could backfire and we give up an early counter which also could lead to a 3-nil score line.

So I vote to go out and attack - let's play RSL soccer and give ourselves a chance for 3 points.

If we play for 1 point, we will leave with 0 -

we'll be picked to, at best, draw this match.

I hope Kreis doesn't throw the kitchen sink at them, but doesn't pull an Paraja and change his tactics that are starting to work.

In more clear words: start Velasquez

Ideally, I'd like to see Kreis tweak things just a little bit to keep SKC on their toes, but nothing over the top. But if that can't be done without making our side a little weaker, then I say more of the same.

I'd be pleased if we drew this one, but I think we can get all three points with good tactics and a strong mentality. This is arguable, but they haven't really faced a quality team just yet. I say go with an aggressive mindset for the first 15, try to surprise them into a mistake, if it's possible.

I'm no coach, so it's possible my idea isn't a good one. So I'll just sit back and enjoy the game, I'm really looking forward to this one. No prediction.

I think KC will come out with this line up

[LINEUP-4-4-2]Dorothy, The Cowardly Lion, a flying Monkey, The Scarecrow, Toto, a flying Monkey, a flying Monkey, The Tin Woodsman, Auntie Em, a flying Monkey, The Wicked Witch of the West[/LINEUP-4-4-2]

Usually Dorothy is paired with Toto up front, but KC's coach, the Wizard of Oz, decided to go with Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion up front to try and psych RSL out, hoping that RSL won't be able to prevent thier mascot from scoring. Unfortunately, Toto will draw a red card for biting the ball during a goal celebration and RSL will win, 2-1 over KC. Goals by Sabo and Espy for RSL, Toto for KC.

I expect one of these each game from now on, El-ahrairah

classic stuff

That's one of the funniest posts I've read here in a while.

Question: Are the flying monkeys using international slots, because if they are you've got an imbalanced roster.

Your schenanigans are becoming my favorite part of the game threads!

Can't wait to see Olave start to run down the Cowardly Lion, only to have him jump into the Scarecrow's arms and concede the ball. Of course, Wingert taking out a flying monkey would be cool, too.

Time to 'Bring the House' on their keeper.

It looks like they have pretty good speed on their flanks.

No. Dorothy, Auntie Em, and Toto are the only foreign players I see on that list...

You could do a whole lot more with this Wizard of Oz thing if you'd go see Wicked.

Back to the game: For me, the important thing here is for RSL to not respect KC too much. I don't mean that offensively toward KC - that's a pretty good team. But last year after RSL lost a winnable away game, I remember a few players saying they respected the opponent too much, in essence giving themselves a mental disadvantage. Ideally you want to be in the situation where you know and understand your opponent's strengths, but still have confidence that you can handle those strengths and exploit their weaknesses.

This is one of those games where RSL, if they're not careful, can lose before they even step onto the field by being in a bad place mentally.

I don't think the team is over-respecting these guys, all you have to do is watch the tape of their games, I haven't been overly impressed with what I have seen. They are all vertical, with the outside backs bombing up and down the wing. Yes, they are athletic up front, but they don't really have a real pure #9 that can run at our back line. They are decent, but not particularly great in possession and most of their goals are off set pieces, kind of like Portland. All we need to do is possess the hell out of the them and expose their CBs, sounds simple. All in all should be fun, if we play like the Colorado game, we will do very well there IMHO.

Kamara is a rare combination of size, skill and aggression.

He gave us fits last year...and he's in form this year.

Game plan from the Colorado worked as did the starting eleven. I would approach with the same plan, with a emphasis on not allowing a early goal, first 15 minutes will be key. This match will have Espindola written all over it as he frustrates and forces the KC back line from pushing forward.
Also don't think KC has yet faced a back line like they will see from RSL.