Hopefully Boateng is buried on the bench and either Pontius or Antuna is starting up top. I have no idea what we can do about LB at this point.
Clearly the Galaxy are a team that is totally dependent upon its 3 DPs. I expect a loss against Orlando and a bleak run of games during the U20 WC and Gold Cup. I hope I am wrong.
Based on the video and pictures of LA's training in Orlando yesterday, Zubak made the trip, as did Kitchen. Not sure that's the cavalry we were hoping for (if either of them even make the bench), but the options are limited.
That's reassuring to the extent that we may actually play a different way for change, which Schelotto hasn't been capable of doing.
Kitchen was awful last season and Zubak is struggling at the USL level. There is a tiny, tiny bit of logic I guess about Zubak - the guy is at least a forward. But for the most part, turning to these two players sounds more like classic "grass is greener" wishful thinking than a team development plan.
Not that so much. I don't expect them to be saviors, but they can allow us to shift the formation and play for a tie. (Although, having an actual striker in your 11 in Zubak is a good idea). Right now, we've only seen this team have on MO, even when Zlatan's out -- dominate possession, dish to the wings, cross.
I fail to see how Kitchen slowly walking around the middle of the pitch is going to help us get a tie. Playing with him last season was like playing a man down.
I'm willing to give him another shot, and so is Schelotto apparently. He's gotten utility from guys who were awful last year.
He has? Who was awful last season and GBS has playing decent this season? It is true that Skjoiuj is "hurting us less" but that was mainly due to signing a very good cb that allowed Rolf to make his mistakes farther from the goal. Bringing Kitchen and Zubak back into the fold is the opposite of adding very good players.
Rolf, Skolpada, Steres, Bingham; even with the recent losses, our defense has been much better. Kitchen and Zubak don't have to be difference-makers; they just need to play a role in a game like this. Zubak, at least, is an actual striker and without him we don't really have one in the 18.
Cross-country travel, three hour time difference, short week and high heat is not a great combination for LA 1132021302884274176 is not a valid tweet id
Lineup is out. It's a change, although not major from a formation perspective. Cuello for Boateng. Skjelvik back at LB and Polenta isn't in the 18. Kitchen and Zubak are both in the 18. The #LAGalaxy XI in Florida!#ORLvLA | @ModeloUSA— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 24, 2019
Here's the update on Polenta. Although Gonzalez and Steres have played before, I don't think Gonzalez has played next to Skjelvik. Should be interesting. Polenta ruled out for today’s game for a knock of some sort.Told it’s a “day to day” type of thing. #LAGalaxy #MLS— Corner Of The Galaxy (@GalaxyPodcast) May 24, 2019 UPDATE: Ankle injury for Polenta. Happened just before the travel day. Not serious. Getting a break for today. #LAGalaxy #MLS— Corner Of The Galaxy (@GalaxyPodcast) May 24, 2019
With Boateng and Pontius both on the bench, it’s interesting that Cuello starts ahead of Efrain. I would assume that’s solely because of the defensive responsibility of playing on the wing. Could also be because GBS isn’t sure yet that Alvarez can go a full 90– especially in this heat. And Alvarez subbing for Alvarez makes sense.
If this was just about defense, I expect Pontius would be a more defensive-minded wing player than Cuello. The three man line of Cuello, Alvarez, and Lletget look more central and interchangeable. We might see them moving around during the game.
Having a hard time convincing myself to watch what I’m sure will be one of the ugliest games of soccer ever. Sadly, I’ve already got the channel on, and my trusty good luck Galaxy hat on.