RSL vs Kansas City Wiz, 5/16/09 (Pre/In/Post) [R]

[15 to 32]

After another disappointing and lack luster game on the road (we still havent scored on the road yet, is that some kind of record?) RSL returns to the safe confines of the RioT. KC isnt a pushover team, Arnaud is very talented and will likely test our backline often. The questions for RSL this week leading to this game:

Do they bounce back from two games where they probably should have gotten at least 4 points and only got 1?

Is Ian Joy ever going to play with this team?

How is Rimando's hand and will Seitz have another good game (no deflection/assists beckerman)?

Does Yura deserve to start/Will Yura start?

What is the lineup and formation?

I am not sure if Espindola is ready to go a full 90, heck I dont know if he could even do 60, so do we see Escalada/Findley up top?

Does Kreis try a 4-5-1 @ home and if so who is that top man?

Many questions for a game that is REALLY big for the morale of this squad and for the overall season I think.
I see RSL getting a win if they come out in a 4-4-2 with a different mentality (this supposed attacking one we have...) but if they sit back another 2 points will be dropped at home and we will always be playing catchup this year.

Come on RSL!

(also, we will get to see how well the pitch is after a concert just a week before the game... should be interesting)

[BalanceUT]

I see 3 points for RSL. KC is no great team and RSL has shown confidence and consistency at home. There is no reason at all to think it has changed due to the draw with LA (who specializes in late rallies) or the loss at Chivas. Both games the team was dealing with tired legs late due to all the recent play. They will have a full normal week to prepare.

Score, 3-1.

[15 to 32]

I see 3 points for RSL. KC is no great team and RSL has shown confidence and consistency at home. There is no reason at all to think it has changed due to the draw with LA (who specializes in late rallies) or the loss at Chivas. Both games the team was dealing with tired legs late due to all the recent play. They will have a full normal week to prepare.

Score, 3-1.
rock paper scissors for who's thread we use? yours is shorter and a whole lot more optimistic...

[BalanceUT]

rock paper scissors for who's thread we use? yours is shorter and a whole lot more optimistic...

Yours was first, but you've started more game threads.... Mods will decide... ;)

[ccb1212]

Does Yura deserve to start/Will Yura start?


I can only think of one good reason for Yura to start. He will be playing against his old team. I think he would really be up for this match because of that. If he still doesn't produce afterwards, then you bench him.

[15 to 32]

I can only think of one good reason for Yura to start. He will be playing against his old team. I think he would really be up for this match because of that. If he still doesn't produce afterwards, then you bench him.
I hope he can, when he actually looks up and for goal he is good. Lately it seems he is trying to do too much with the ball. This is what I loved about Espy on Saturday, did anybody else notice how simple he made the game and how many 1 touch passes he made to open up the pitch a bit more? That is what we need from our forwards, but likely will never happen as Yura loves to keep it and Findley has the first touch of a rapist

[keeptheslinrsl]

I hope he can, when he actually looks up and for goal he is good. Lately it seems he is trying to do too much with the ball. This is what I loved about Espy on Saturday, did anybody else notice how simple he made the game and how many 1 touch passes he made to open up the pitch a bit more? That is what we need from our forwards, but likely will never happen as Yura loves to keep it and Findley has the first touch of a rapist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo
That reminds me of this...

YouTube - MVPs - Kobe & LeBron (Chalk)

[Blitzz Boy]

Will there be tailgate parties?

When do they start & what should we bring?

[aosthed]

Since we don't know how to get points on the road, EVERY home game becomes a "must win" game... all the pressure is on us.

[15 to 32]

Since we don't know how to get points on the road, EVERY home game becomes a "must win" game... all the pressure is on us.
absolutely true... it is going to take more than 40 points to get into the playoffs this season so we need to find a way to win every home game from here on out or start figuring things out on the road...

[smackdowntay]

Since we don't know how to get points on the road, EVERY home game becomes a "must win" game... all the pressure is on us.
Every game counts! But the home games are obviously a bit more important now. It will be a sad day when we end up behind the likes of Dallas and LA... We were riding Seattle's coat tails for a second there... but ... sigh... to no avail.

[aosthed]

The good news is we've shown we can handle pressure.

[blank stare]

[15 to 32]

Every game counts! But the home games are obviously a bit more important now. It will be a sad day when we end up behind the likes of Dallas and LA... We were riding Seattle's coat tails for a second there... but ... sigh... to no avail.
that gap is just going to get bigger and bigger with how we play on the road

[smackdowntay]

Against the Wiz? I would love to see it!


Mathis Goal

[15 to 32]

so our XI?

Seitz
Russell Olave Borchers Wingert
Johnson Beckerman Javi Mathis
Findley Yura

Do we see any changes? After 2 games of dropping points greatly, is it time for JK to make a change in the formation or personnel at home? Here is what I would like to see:

Seitz
Russell Olave Borchers Wingert
Mathis Beckerman Javi Cox
Espy Escalada

I bench Johnson cuz he hasnt been doing to great and a message like this could be what pushes him back to the form we all love of his.
I bench Yura cuz he hasnt done shit, he got a goal against NE... but i think anybody could have scored that game (nearly everybody did)
I bench Findley not because he isnt performing, but because his speed is so much more dangerous as a sub.

Another Idea, what if we put Andy up top with Fabian? Would that work as an essential 4-3-2-1? just a thought...

Seitz
Russell Olave Borchers Wingert
Clint Beckerman Cox
Andy Javi
Fabian

[goobx1]

Since we don't know how to get points on the road, EVERY home game becomes a "must win" game... all the pressure is on us.


Maybe when RSL subs you in you should play harder.

As a fan I do feel all the pressure.

There are no must win games in May. There certainly are points given away and points stolen that teams will either be thankful for or wishing that they had not given up goals in stoppage time to snatch a tie out of the jaws of victory.

But DAMMIT, quit worrying about the F&*king playoffs in May. Sh*t, it sounds like a bunch guys bitching about the refs after a church ball game.

RSL is 4, count them 4 points out of 2nd place with a game in hand.

What if, what if, what if.

But your point is well taken. RSL does need to learn how to win on the road.

[15 to 32]

Maybe when RSL subs you in you should play harder.

As a fan I do feel all the pressure.

There are no must win games in May. There certainly are points given away and points stolen that teams will either be thankful for or wishing that they had not given up goals in stoppage time to snatch a tie out of the jaws of victory.

But DAMMIT, quit worrying about the F&*king playoffs in May. Sh*t, it sounds like a bunch guys bitching about the refs after a church ball game.

RSL is 4, count them 4 points out of 2nd place with a game in hand.

What if, what if, what if.

But your point is well taken. RSL does need to learn how to win on the road.
we see the writing on the wall and it would be nice to qualify for the playoffs before the 90th minute of the last game of the season...
You dont qualify for the playoffs in may, but you sure as hell make it a whole lot easier/harder on yourself then

[aosthed]

Maybe when RSL subs you in you should play harder.

As a fan I do feel all the pressure.

There are no must win games in May. There certainly are points given away and points stolen that teams will either be thankful for or wishing that they had not given up goals in stoppage time to snatch a tie out of the jaws of victory.

But DAMMIT, quit worrying about the F&*king playoffs in May. Sh*t, it sounds like a bunch guys bitching about the refs after a church ball game.

RSL is 4, count them 4 points out of 2nd place with a game in hand.

What if, what if, what if.

But your point is well taken. RSL does need to learn how to win on the road.

This is the only point I'm making - when you don't earn points on the road you can't afford to drop points at home IN ORDER TO BE MEDIOCRE.

I have less problem with the GAP (4 pts as you point out) as I do with the TREND... 10 pts in 8 games (4 home, 4 away) would give us 37-38 pts over 30 games - it doesn't make the playoffs.

I'm not panicking. I have very low expectations for RSL until proven otherwise. I'm just disappointed they give away points (like the LA game) - it's a sign to me that this team still is a long way from where they need to be.

4 games on the road with zero points and zero goals is embarrassing.

[keeptheslinrsl]

so our XI?
I bench Findley not because he isnt performing, but because his speed is so much more dangerous as a sub.


You dont bench the league leading goal scorer. I think he is dangerous enough as a starter.