Will Benny start this weekend?

[Sandon Mibut]

By my calcultions, we have 7 people unavailble for Saturday's, er, "clash," at San Jose.

Ammann (out for the season)
Lassiter ("personal" reasons)
Namoff (loaned to Richmond)
Quaranta (out for the season)
Villegas (visiting sick relatives)
Williams (suspended)
Zambrano (awaiting visa)

That leaves 16 players, which, conveniently, is what MLS allows a team to bring on the road.

I presume Jaime and Q2 will start at forward.

I assume Marco will play his usual QB role with Convey on the left and I'm gonna guess that Ray will opt for Ivan in place of ABMOD at holding mid.

The backline likely will be Prideaux on the and Reyes on the right with Pope and Nellie sandwiched between them.

Barring something drastic, Little Nicky starts in goal.

That leaves right mid. Presumably McGinty and Curtis won't play there and we know Mapp is a lefty so he likely won't either.

That leaves Chino, Alavanja and Olsen.

If Benny were 100 percent game fit, this would be a no-brainer but we know that's not the case.

Chino has played there but isn't really the blazer you like to have on the flanks and Alavanja has played there some this year with minimal success. Certainly neither have been compelling enough there to make a strong case for starting them.

Last week Benny went 44 minutes, coming on at the 56th minute and playing till the end of OT. If he can go 44, then I see no reason why he can't go at least a half so I would start him and, with the halftime break, you might even be able to get another 15 minutes out of him in the second half.

As bad as this team needs scoring threats, it needs its most dangerous players on the field as much as possible and that means Benny. If I'm the coach, I start him.

Of course, if I were the coach, Lassiter and Zambrano wouldn't be on this team and a few other things would be different, too!

[RMDad]

ok, and this is a QUESTION, not a statement.
What about Ivan takes Reyes place, and Reyes moves up to take Williams?
I would certainly like to see Ben get as much time as possible as well.
Mark

[Th4119]

It's a small ass pitch...even Benny can't wear himself out TOO fast!

I'm with Sandon though, he should be able to go a half, and then get gassed up again and last about 15 minutes.

[luvsuperbobby15]

not like he would play, but mapp isn't available for this game, right?

[Z010 Union]

Originally posted by luvsuperbobby15
not like he would play, but mapp isn't available for this game, right?

I think he is out of the country with the u20s

[GoDC]

Originally posted by Bryan_Elon95


I think he is out of the country with the u20s
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=20553&itype=

They leave Monday. I do not know if he is with DC this weekend or not.

[DC Forever]

If he is available, I say start Mapp on the left, and Convey on the right, then bring Benny in for him (Mapp) at 30 minutes, or halftime, or whatever he can do. Given that this game is at best a long-shot, why not give the kid a try -- I'd certainly rather have him be embarassed than have Olsen reinjured.

[ursula]

I can imagine Mappy will get time this game! But only in a blow out. :(

As for Reyes, I expect that he'll be replacing Williams alongside McKinley as twin d-mids. We've had great success lately clogging up the middle and there's no way that ITT can do that alone.

Finally I say Olsen starts in order to press SJ as much as possible. Don't let them get comfortable and he should cause Lagos or Coralles fits. Lineup:

-----------------------Rimando
---Pope---------------Nelsen---------------Prideaux
-------------Reyes----------------McKinley
Olsen----------------------------------------Convey
----------------------Etcheverry
------------Moreno-----------------Q2

subs:

Chino, Lazy, and The Cartographer could all see time tomorrow for Olsen, ITT, and Convey (if the separated should start to bother him.)

[dcc134]

I say start him, but Ray has already said that he is unlikely to be ready to start until playoff time :). Anyway, fitness has always been one of his strengths and I think he may get fit quicker than Ray expects. Maybe he get help get any early goal and he can be subbed for a defensive player, rather than trying to press for a goal at the end of the game.

[revelation]

Originally posted by ursula
(snip)
and The Cartographer (snip)

Ursula, on a one-man crusade to push the worst nickname since the XFL died! Please give it up already... :)


As for Olsen starting, yes he should. Get on top of San Jose early and put them a goal behind! Then let them attack our stingy defense!


Aw, who am I kidding, we won't score... :(

[Lanky134]

Originally posted by revelation


Ursula, on a one-man crusade to push the worst nickname since the XFL died! Please give it up already... :)



Maybe we can get McKinley to change his name to Ray Love Me

Dave

[ursula]

Originally posted by revelation


Ursula, on a one-man crusade to push the worst nickname since the XFL died! Please give it up already... :)


As for Olsen starting, yes he should. Get on top of San Jose early and put them a goal behind! Then let them attack our stingy defense!


Aw, who am I kidding, we won't score... :(

I do it because of you, he he.

[todda74]

personally I don't think Reyes should be put in the middle. His speed used be used down the flank where he and Convey seem to work well together.

[Cweedchop]

Originally posted by todda74
personally I don't think Reyes should be put in the middle. His speed used be used down the flank where he and Convey seem to work well together.

Flank play is pretty much eliminated on a narrow pitch (they say it's 68 yards wide, but more like 60-65)..

This will be one ugly game to watch....

[revelation]

Originally posted by Cweedchop


(snip)

This will be one ugly game to watch....

The key will be that we can watch it! Much improved over the last few away games... :)

[dcc134]

Originally posted by revelation


The key will be that we can watch it! Much improved over the last few away games... :)

Is there any correlation between the scoreless streak and the tvless streak?

[revelation]

Originally posted by dcc134


Is there any correlation between the scoreless streak and the tvless streak?

I sure hope so!

[dcuinvermont]

Originally posted by revelation


The key will be that we can watch it! Much improved over the last few away games... :)

I second this one! Plus, games on that pitch are at least fast, so even though it may not be as pretty, it has the potential to be exciting.

[DigitalTron]

Yeah, it would be ideal if Olsen could start, that way he could go a half and when he gasses out we could bring in a fres second half sub, but oddly enough, that's now what I want.

My biggest concern is Olsen's health. With our current situation I'd rather finish dead last then get the 8th playoff spot. At least if we're dead last we get the first pick in the SuperDraft, and while there is no clear cut standout yet, this is going to be a very good draft so I want the pick of the crop. ;)

Regardless, I'd still like to win every game, especially those nationally televised or at home. If we do get that last playoff spot, this is where we'll be playing, so let's kick some azz!

But, I don't want to risk Olsen re-injuring himself by playing defense. Put him up top and let him decide when the situation is too dangerous for re-injury. Besides, he's our best second forward at this juncture. So, I'd like to have him play the second half or be a sub again. Let's have him there at the end of the game when we will likely have the run of play (b/c SJ is bunkering protecting it's lead) and let Olsen take a lot of shots. He needs the practice. ;)

I want him around when we play the Metros, because if we can at least salvage the innaugural Atlantic Cup, we can have a reason to be excited.

-Tron

[todda74]

Originally posted by DigitalTron
At least if we're dead last we get the first pick in the SuperDraft, and while there is no clear cut standout yet, this is going to be a very good draft so I want the pick of the crop. ;)


why? who will be in next year's draft?