Game: Club Deportivo Árabe Unido vs FC Dallas Date: Wednesday, March 1st Time: 7:00 PM [CST] Location: Estadio Armando Dely Valdés, Colón, Panama Weather Forecast: Chance of a Thunderstorm; H 88, L 75 Competition: CONCACAF Champions League Last 5 For Opponent: L-L-L-W-L Live TV: Univision Deportes; Facebook Live Radio: ESPN Deportes [Spanish]
Keep it simple, don't get baited into any stupid cards, get out and get ready for the semi finals and MLS opening weekend.
My guess is that he'll roll out a B+ lineup. Enough starting talent to not blow a 4-0 lead, but he'll hold players back with an eye on the league opener on Sunday, and if that B+ lineup gets to the half with a four-goal aggregate lead or even a three-goal lead with an away goal, then I can see that B+ lineup become a B lineup over the course of the second half.
I think you're right. A couple of minor changes. Could they go to a defensive 4-2-3-1 with Acosta in the 10 spot? That could save Colman's legs for the Galaxy game. Urruti has bionic legs so he will be fine. Not sure who the other CM would be - either Cermeno or the rookie whose name I can't remember and oddly is not listed on the team's roster page.
LOL! Sometimes I think he is a video game player and the guy controlling him is holding down the sprint button...
If it doesn't the meltdown would be epic and tank the whole season. Don't think it's possible either.
Paxton Pomykal wasn't on the bench in the home game, but made the travel to Panama. Hopefully he gets some significant minutes and has the opportunity to build on his impressive offseason. In almost every interview with players, he is one of the first names on their lips when discussing who has impressed so far.
Hayes, Cannon, Pomykal...pick two to start and the third on the bench. Akindele in fairly early for Colman. Since Figueroa picked up a card, start Chala? Who really cares if the kid's raw.
If they sit Figueroa, then Guillen will start at LB. We could see a backfield of Cannon- Harris-Hedges-Guillen I don't think they sit Figueroa
My starting lineup for Panama: Seitz Harris-Hedges-Guillen-Figueroa Barrios-Gruezo-Cermeño-Pomykal Colmán-Tesho I'm starting an experienced backline, and resting my high energy guy (Zim), and the Fullback that will be going forward the most against LAG. I'm resting my box-to-box midfielder (Acosta), and resting the winger who is in the lesser shape of the 2. I'm also resting my highest energy forward. I will bring in Cannon in the second half at RB, and shift Attiba to CB. Hedges stays at CB, Guillen shifts to LB and Figueroa comes out. I bring in Hayes in the second half for Gruezo. I bring in Morales at CAM, for Barrios, and shift Tesho to RM.
I'm worried about cards. I have no idea how it works in this tournament but if you can avoid playing Figueroa, saving him for LA, to insure he does not get another yellow card and face an automatic suspension in the next round that's something that should be looked at. Otherwise I have no problem with Guillen at LB. I'd for sure start Akindele for one of the forwards. The other starter only goes 60 or maybe even 45 each between Urruti and Colman. I'd like to get Cannon a game and while the atmosphere will be crazy the pressure in this game is way lower than the home opener against LA. I want to give Barrios a seat so he's super fresh against LA. As much as I'd love to see both Hayes and Pomykal start I'm not sure Pareja will do that. Getting Guillen a game so that Cemeno can play wing instead of FB would be an option for me too. Pareja has to balance youth and veterans but I'm really hoping he says ******** it and plays the kids. Throw them in the deep end here and see who rises to the occasion. 4-0 aggregate leads are rare. Take advantage of it especially since they play LA on the weekend.
I could see Cermeño at LM and Pomykal at RM with Hayes alongside Gruezo. So long as the backline starts as l predicted. Also if FCD has scored at least 1 goal, i don't bother bringing Javi Mo in.
This is where we miss Hohead, Ulloa, and Chala. I would have started all 3, and Hedges would have been my only starter on the field.
Newsflash! Fidel Caesar is out for Arabe Unido due to card Accumulation. That's their team captain and best defender. Their other CB (Chen) got victimized on a couple of those goals, and the 3rd CB hardly ever gets on the field. I say, start a reserve heavy line up!
Start the team with 4 changes from the 1st leg, while switching to a 4-2-3-1. As long as the game is progressing as planned, I'd provide debuts for Hayes, Cermeno, and Pomykol in the 2nd half. ------------Tesho-------- Lamah---JaviMo--Barrios -------Acosta-Grueso------ Figueroa-Hedges-Zim-Harris ------------Gonzalez Anybody look at the selection problem LA has for this weekend? Egads, their squad's gonna be all over the place. Their defense is in shambles. So I'll use a B+ lineup for this game, and a B roster for the LA game.
Not trying to get ahead of this match but didn't LA lose Keane & Gerrard? Not to mention Bruce. This is a bit of a rebuild this year for them. Always a tough place to play but I'm expecting a good showing from our boys.
They have a bunch of guys out already in defense. I think I heard that Ashley Cole and Robbie Rogers are both out. It looks like they're gonna start midfielder Rafael Garcia at right back and centerback David Romney at left back. What I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't take "too many" chances with our roster against Arabe Unido. Let's make 3-4 changes to the starting XI, but keep the core the same. I'd actually be more comfortable starting some kids like Reggie Cannon against the Galaxy.
I'm okay with Pareja prioritizing CCL. I made my peace with it a long time ago. If FCD walks out of LAG with a draw, I'll be ok with it.