P/I/P Leagues Cup Semifinal: Cruz Azul @ L.A. Galaxy, TUESDAY 8/20/19, 7:30pm PT

Who starts?

‐-------‐--------------------Zubak---------------------------
????-----------------------Efrain-----------------Antuna
------------------Kitchen--------Corona-------------------
Traore----------Romney-------Steres-----------Araujo
----------------------------Lampson------------------------

 

Forgot about that. That's really slim pickings then if avoiding any of the starters. Maybe start Rolf?

 

With the LAFC game looming, I don't expect any potential starter for this one (except for Steres).

Koreniuk/Efrain Zubak Cuello
Juninho Carrasco
Kitchen
Romney Steres THA ?
Lampson
​

Traore has completely disappeared recently, I guess he's injured so I don't count him.

 

Is Pontius injured again? I know he made a cameo against DC.

If he’s available I’d like to see him up top in this game.

 

What do you think is our most likely back four on Sunday?

I'm guessing : Polenta - Romeny - Gonzalez - Rolf

Just because Polenta did a good job on Vela in the last meeting. So with that being said, we might not see Romney get extended minutes.

I'd prefer the above to anything that relies on Skittles defending Vela from the left back position. In fact we should start Skittles on Tuesday night.

 

Traore was loaned out to make room for Pavon. I say put Pavon in as striker. At least for a little bit to see what he can do when scoring is his sole job and he gets more acclimated to the team.

 

Maybe they get sub mins?

 

Maybe they are writing off an away game vs a team that is 10-0-1 at home?* Well not writing off but not prioritizing. I know that is blasphemy but when you are having to rotate players the best strategy is to play them in the most winnable games. Also may just indicate they value this League Cup.

*Ducks head, expecting - and probably deserving - incoming.

 

I wonder if they got a message from MLS headquarters saying that they had better play some starters. I think this tournament is a waste of time but it seems important to Garber.

 

Mhmmmm... Sounds like they are going for the trophy to have something to show for the season. Interesting.

 

We’ve seen two MLS coaches lose their jobs soon after getting knocked out of this tournament.

Might be sending a message to future coaches in the tournament that are on the hot seat.

 

Very similar to 2007.

 

I think you’re probably correct. Sunday is relatively far from Tuesday, so if it’s tied, with 30 minutes left, Pavón and Zlatan could be subbed in to grab a late goal or win in penalties (no overtime).

 

Last round Liga NX teams were told to play their starters and MLS teams didn't. Maybe MLS has pressured to play them now

 

If that s true, it’s because 80% of the fans that bought tickets to those games were fans of the Liga MX teams that played.

There’s a reason why the 1st game this week is being played in Houston, and not in Mexico. When these federations stage games in the US, the teams can’t dick around by playing their bench or youth sides. There’s no chance that these clubs and federations disappoint their dollar paying fans in the US.

 

I fear the repetition of two games per week for Zlatan could lead to an injury at the worst moment of the season...

 

I think they play sub minutes only if the game is close.

 

I'm thinking GBS sees this as a training scrimmage for Pavon and Ibra so they will get 45 minutes in with this game.

 

I would like to see the following,...

-----------------Pontius
--Carrasco---E.Alvarez---Cuello
------Corona---------Juninho
Skelvik--Steres--Romney--Feltscher
---------------Lampson
Subs : Gonzalez--Ibra--Pavon--Llegett--Antuna

2nd half subs
Ibra for Pontius
Cuello or Carrasco for Pavon
Antuna for Alvarez

 

All you people penciling Juninho into your lineups will first have to convince me that he's alive.

Anyone have a proof of life?

 

I want that for Romain Allesandrini.