Strategy for Saturday [r]

[Hedbal]

We're up 2-0 and playing at home. The "Stars" will be going all out to score. Do we field a defensive lineup and play not to lose or do we try to take advantage of a weak defense and try to score early and often?

My own biases are clear: when we play not to lose we often do. But NY/NJ can score against anyone, so we could get burned if we overemphasize the attack. What do you think?

FWIW, I would sit Dema to avoid the inevitable yellow card, but keep Earnie in the lineup because of his superb defense and intelligent runs. Gros has the speed and fitness to play a two-way game on Dema's wing. If they stick with their plan to swarm Jaime, he has to be instructed to lay the ball off earlier than he likes to so he doesn't get dispossessed. And let's get subs in for Gomez and Jaime as soon as they are blown, so we keep the tempo up.

[Sanguine]

I say go with the same lineup we would use if game one had ended 2-2. If Dema picks up a second yellow, so be it. We can always put Gros in that spot next game if need be.

[MikeLastort2]

Funny you should ask. I posted what I thought about strategy in the "Sitting Pretty" thread.

Here's what I wrote there

You better believe that the MetroTards are going to be going at us early, and will be trying for an early goal. We're going to have to absorb those attacks and keep our heads together on defense. No stupid mistakes, but I'm not that worried if Nelsen is back there controlling things. He'll have to be careful of getting another yellow, because if he does, he'd have to sit the next game out and we cannot allow that to happen.

So I think for the first 15-20, we're going to have to play like we're the road team, hoping to absorb the Metros' attacks and go for a counter down the wings or through midfield. I think we ought to go with the same starting lineup. Earnie Stewart played his butt off on Saturday, and if he can bring that same game to RFK on Saturday night, I'm not worried about the shape of our midfield.

Saturday cannot get here fast enough this week.

[sch2383]

Same starting lineup, but I expect we bring in Prideaux around the 60' mark assuming we are still up and shift to a 4-4-2.

[Entropius]

i think the Metros will look for the long-range bomb, that way they are less exposed to the counterstrike. Rimando made some great saves but can he get them all? NJ will try to get free kicks near the box and open space for Rico to unload. So, go with the same lineup and pressure/control the midfield.
If DC goes into the half 1-0, i'd put Freddy in for Carroll and move Olsen back.
NJ would really have to push forward and then we could use Freddy's speed on the counter.
And yes, i can see Dema getting another yellow when he goes looking for Ziade.

[Winoman]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeLastort2
You better believe that the MetroTards are going to be going at us early, and will be trying for an early goal. We're going to have to absorb those attacks and keep our heads together on defense. No stupid mistakes, but I'm not that worried if Nelsen is back there controlling things. He'll have to be careful of getting another yellow, because if he does, he'd have to sit the next game out and we cannot allow that to happen.

So I think for the first 15-20, we're going to have to play like we're the road team, hoping to absorb the Metros' attacks and go for a counter down the wings or through midfield. I think we ought to go with the same starting lineup. Earnie Stewart played his butt off on Saturday, and if he can bring that same game to RFK on Saturday night, I'm not worried about the shape of our midfield.

Saturday cannot get here fast enough this week.
===========================================

Mike, I agree but would add (maybe it's implied in your post) that we MUST maintain possession when we get the ball and not just wildly clear it down field every time. If we just clear the ball every time, that will allow them to re-load and keep attacking, time after time. That would be a recipe for disaster, IMHO.

If we can absorb their opening attack, maintain possession, and mount our own (counter) attacks, we should have no problem.

My prediction, DC 2:1 NJ

[gnat]

FWIW, I would sit Dema to avoid the inevitable yellow card
First of all, I say (and believe we will) stay with same strategy. Clog up the mid-field and make nasty counters. You're correct that the Mutts should be going balls out for goals from the whistle, but I think we can absorb it well enough that any counter we get will make them sweat hard.

I would actually leave Dema in. I would like to have him next game (assuming he gets another yellow), but I would rather him take the yellow Sat and sit in the final vs taking a yellow in the final and missing the Cup (should we get there).

Heresy though it may be, Nelsen is the one I would sit unless our defense is really stinking it up. Use him as a sub if needed. My logic is that we have the two goal pad, so our D would REALLY have to suck (and offense be inept) Saturday for us to be in real trouble. If Ryan plays and picks up another stupid yellow, as has been his wont in recent weeks, we are without him for the conference final. If we face NE, i'm not too worried about that, but if we face the Cows I want Nellie there as I believe that would be a single goal game (and I just hope it's ours).

-dave

[Hedbal]

Sitting Nellie is counterintuitive, but it just may make sense. Nellie is much more valuable than Dema and is a "must have" for a conference final, so perhaps taking a risk by sitting him (or both of them) is the way to go. Who would replace Nellie - Petke or EZ? If it's Petke, then Prideaux takes his place on the left. If it's EZ, Petke stays put and Prideaux is a potential sub if Peter wants to go to a four-man backline.

[gnat]

Sitting Nellie is counterintuitive, but it just may make sense. Nellie is much more valuable than Dema and is a "must have" for a conference final, so perhaps taking a risk by sitting him (or both of them) is the way to go. Who would replace Nellie - Petke or EZ? If it's Petke, then Prideaux takes his place on the left. If it's EZ, Petke stays put and Prideaux is a potential sub if Peter wants to go to a four-man backline.
If Nellie sat, i'd start EZ and let the rest of the defense remain the same (i.e. muck with as little as possible).

The up side if we choose to sit him (vs yellow cards), we can bring him in if really needed. I think EZ can do the job that is needed though, he just can't wander too far forward like does from time to time.

-dave

[MikeLastort2]

Nelsen has to start. Period. Not starting him would be insane.

[griffin1108]

Sitting Nellie is counterintuitive, but it just may make sense. Nellie is much more valuable than Dema and is a "must have" for a conference final, so perhaps taking a risk by sitting him (or both of them) is the way to go. Who would replace Nellie - Petke or EZ? If it's Petke, then Prideaux takes his place on the left. If it's EZ, Petke stays put and Prideaux is a potential sub if Peter wants to go to a four-man backline.

IMHO you have to start Nelsen on Saturday and choke off the Metros in the first half. If the first half is scoreless or we have a lead, then think about subbing Nelsen sometime early in the second half (assuming he has not yet picked up a yellow). When Nelsen comes out, EZ goes in for him, remember how he played in the middle against the Metros when Nelsen was suspended? That leaves Prideaux as a later defensive sub and better utilizes EZ's and Prideaux's abilities.

[GrillMaster]

First thing to do is send a missive to MLS/USSF asking discipline committee/referee coordinator to please review the olympic diving qualifying going on by scumsuckers anytime they get near the 18. Second thing to do is to remind the center ref about their diving.

cheating bob is at it again, hoping to capitalize on the diva's FK ability from 20 to 25 yds. i hope the scumbag forwards look like yellow post-it men if they pursue their aquatic dream.

For the game you've got to go with what brung ya. Esky needs to keep going right at Pope and harrass his outlets with little love taps to his feet. Nellie will play and must keep his head about a needless yellow -- if there's a need, go ahead, but no dissent yellows please. Dema will play unless Q1 shows amazing fitness in training -- nah, Dema starts but Q1 gets some PT. Carroll must stay since he is playing very, very well. If Freddy goes in, it's for Gaucho or Jaime.

We've got to exploit any match-up advantages, like Esky/Gomez on perch and we've got to press the possessive attack so that the diva has to retreat deep to get his touches. If Gaucho plays, we obviously need another big COMPLETE game (as in playing defense too) from him. Nick needs to keep talking with Nellie's boys and follow whatever routine he's been practicing for the last couple of weeks.

If we get a couple up on the slime, let Thompson loose up top to leave a few bruises on the erstwhile defenders while Dema, Olsen, Carroll and Stewart clean up stray passing attempts by the boys who would be men. Let the diva self-destruct when his head goes down and he loses concentration -- no need to waste a card on that. Now, if Lisi comes in the game, I say let him have it studs-up for that shield smooch bravado last year.

cheatin bob is beating the bushes for people who will maintain possession through the middle third and enable crosses from width to neanderthal man. I expect gilberto/diva/gaven/cow-boy and Leitch (as sort of a crossing midfielder and fourth man at the back). At the back I expect perch, pope and Parke. Up top I expect woly and your pick of magee/glen/el rey/taylor.

With the 12th man at their back, the good guys should send the scumbags back to their petri dishes for vacation and cultured rehab.

GM

[ursula]

You dod the same thing next Saturday that you did last Saturday, and what you did for the last month.

As good as we look right now, we can improve. To improve, the starters need more playing time.

It makes no sense sitting anyone now.

As for strategy, we do the same things that we have been doing. We don't sit on the lead or worry if the metro come out aggressive or do anything reactive. We play OUR game. We control the midfield, cut off their forwards, and keep posession, while looking for goals.

This isn't magic folks. We don't have to worry about the other guys. We play our game until we win the Cup.

[CHICO13]

DC's been clogging the midfield and they can't deal with it. I say stay with it, withstand their early 15-20 scum barrage and then go at them. ONE goal puts them away. No way they're scoring four goals on our D. Then we go out to the parking lot and light some pyro. :cool:

Simple as that.....

[JRHokie]

Nelsen has to start. Period. Not starting him would be insane.

Succinctly put! Leaving guys out could also give them extra motivation - ie the "they don't respect us" angle. Right now they have to be way down. Let's not let up at all. Play like it's 0-0

[Cweedchop]

I may be wrong here, but don't the same yellow card rules apply in the playoffs as if they were in the regular season?

If so, then Dema or Nellie getting a yellow will not suspend them for the conference final.. It depends on the severity of the yellow card based on a point systen and Nelsen's yellow on Saturday would seemingly be the lowest amount allowed..

According to MLS rules, if you have yellows in three consecutive matches, you sit out a suspension..

This has to be considered..

As for the game plan, keep on keepin on.. Don't change a damn thing.. Playing defensive is against this teams nature right now.. What are we, the Kansas Wizards? Hell no, we actually know how to play from behind, be it necessary..

[Bill-DC]

No Mercy!

Put 'em away, don't let 'em recover!

[gnat]

ie the "they don't respect us" angle.
Start Stokes!!!!! :D

I agree, Nellie will play. I was just offering my opinion on an option that I think would give us the most benefit.

-dave

[griffin1108]

I may be wrong here, but don't the same yellow card rules apply in the playoffs as if they were in the regular season?

According to MLS rules, if you have yellows in three consecutive matches, you sit out a suspension..

This has to be considered..



This is what I picked up from the MLS website. Looks like 21 caution points or three consecutive yellows in games merits a one game suspension.

YELLOW CARDS

A penalty point system will be used to weigh the tactical significance of various yellow cards. Players accumulating 21 penalty points shall be suspended one game and fined. Players are suspended an additional game and fined $1,000 after the accumulation of an additional 11 points and each 11 points thereafter. Should a player accumulate 11 points in three consecutive games in which he appears, he shall be suspended from his next regular season game, but not fined.

For the second consecutive season, a Good Behavior Incentive will allow players to reduce their caution point total in situations whereby they are between ONE (1) and FOUR (4) caution points away from being issued a suspension. Playing three consecutive games without earning a caution, red card or sanctioning by the MLS Disciplinary Committee while in this state of "warning" shall reduce that player's caution point total by FOUR (4) points. Each Player will be afforded one opportunity per season to have FOUR (4) caution points removed from his personal record.

CARD CARRY OVERS

Any suspension resulting from caution points earned in a players final regular season game will NOT carry over into the playoffs or the next League season, although any applicable fines will be collected. However, point accumulations from yellow cards will begin anew in the playoffs. Any player who receives a red card in his last game of the season (regular or postseason), will serve the one game suspension during their next game, regardless of if it occurs in the playoffs, MLS Cup or the first game of the following regular season. Postseason caution point suspensions earned in a player's final postseason match will not carry over to a player's next League game. All red card and caution point suspensions will, if necessary (in the event of a trade or other personnel moves), follow a player to a new team.

[Th4119]

I'm in favor of getting Ezra a big chunk or playing time this game for a couple reasons.

First, he's a good player who can help the team. If Nowak thinks Bradley's plan is to lump balls forward because Guevara is pushed so far back, then Hendrickson would be a great addition on the back line for this match.

Second, if you want to sit Dema for fear of a yellow card, Ezra can also play well on the wing. The best thing about having him there is that unlike Gros, he is defensive minded which is what you are striving for first in a series you lead 2-0. Despite this, he doesn't lack the ability to go forward, and the thought of him, Nelsen, and Petke all in the box for set plays and corners could be devestating for the Metros.

Third, he's done it before. He's a championship experienced player, which is something that seems to be important for Nowak in this series. Freddy didn't see a single minute last week and Gros came on as a sub, and the people who got time in front of them are experienced leaders. Ezra is one of the few people on this team that has ever been named an MLS Best XI, and it's not like he's past it completely now. He can still get the job done.