Pre-match: Crew at Orlando City SC (MLS Matchday 26 | 2017-08-19T19:30:00-04:00)

Go Crew!

 

Mensah wasn't listed on the warning list of players 1 yellow away from a suspension, but he earned his 4th and 5th yellow cards in back to back matches, which means he should be suspended for this game.

Orlando have played better without Kaka. They average 1.82 ppg in matches he doesn't start and only 0.58 in matches he starts. On the whole, Orlando have only earned 4 points in their last 7 matches. Dom's return should help, but they're still pretty weak in the back without Spector.

 

How does that compare to Mensah?

 

If you listen real close when the wind is blowing just right, you can already hear Kreis complaining about the referees.

Crew win 3-2. Winning goal granted by VAR technology which sends Kreis into an apocalyptic fit. Orlando supporters clubs hand out the address of the VAR ref in the parking lot after the game to prove how tough they are. Orlando watches the playoffs from home.

 

Mensah: 1.29 ppg when he starts, 1.63 ppg when he doesn't

 

Worst DP of all time

 

Pirlo and it isn't even close.

Hope Santos is a go. We need him with Manneh down & Hansen iffy. Pipa should be a go. Who to start in back is the biggest call. I think Sat will be a 4231 & midweek a 343. Pipa's availability driving things.

----------------Steffen------------
Afful--Williams--Abubakar--Francis
-------------Trapp----Artur---------
Santos-----------Pipa---------Meram
---------------------Kamara-----------

Bench: Stuver; Raitala, Naess; Jimenez, Martinez; Jahn + Hansen if healthy or Abu if not.

 

Crewster point forecast. Need some results on the road:

EAST
Toronto 62
Chicago 59
Atlanta 59
NYC 58
NYRB 53
Montreal 51
Columbus 50
Orlando 45
New England 44
Philadelphia 34
WEST
Seattle 55
Kansas City 52
Houston 52
Vancouver 52
Dallas 50
Portland 49
San Jose 47
Salt Lake 44
Los Angeles 38
Colorado 31

There are no tiebreakers, the order of tied teams is random.

 

Lothar Matthaeus.

I rest my case.

 

I get the Crewster points forecast, and it's accurate more often that it's not, but I have a slight quibble with your argument here, just in looking at our schedule.

Right now we have 10 points on the road. That is the same as Chicago, even though we played one more road game. Chicago also sits 6 points ahead of us in the standings, and they have 2 games in hand on us. They've been cleaning up at home (10-0-1, 2.82 ppg).

The Crew has 5 of there next 7 at home before ending the season with two road games, because ponies. The Crew has been good, but not quite great at home (8-3-1, 2.08 ppg). They have had some brutal losses against teams without their best players (NYC, TFC) and just dropped points they shouldn't have dropped.

Now of course, we are 6 points ahead of Orlando (who has a game in hand) and a win this weekend pretty close to eliminates Orlando even though we go down there one more time. 9 points is steep hill to climb even with a game in hand. And granted, Montreal has two games in hand and is 6 points behind us as well.

My point is, of course we want points on the road. It would be great and make our job a lot easier. But, looking at this stretch we have upcoming, if we take care of business at home it makes those two road games in October MUCH less daunting.

 

Mensah: 1.29 ppg when he starts, 1.63 when he doesn't
Shea: 1.14 ppg when he starts, 1.53 when he doesn't
Movsisyan: 0.93 ppg when he starts, 1.5 when he doesn't
Pirlo: 1.00 ppg when he starts, 2.36 when he doesn't
Kaka: 0.58 ppg when he starts, 1.82 when he doesn't

For shiggles:
Giovinco: 1.79 ppg when he starts, 2.60 when he doesn't

 

How do we usually do in big games?

Orlando wins 3-1.

 

Not strictly a DP

 

New ride at Disney. A bunch of hands kneed your face from behind. They call it the Kaka!
I am glad Orlando is not coming back to Columbus this year. I would have to make a mask with hands on it and a write, "It's okay because it is funny!" on the forehead.

 

Somehow it's bad they play better without him

 

Bad

 

Santos' visa should be done this week, so he'll be available on Saturday.

Also, mensah isnt suspended afterall.

 

Good news , bad news

 

Erickson's tweets say Mensah not suspended, Santos' visa issue should be good to go, 3G saying Pipa looking good, & Crew waiting for MRI on Manneh's ankle. Boot precautionary.

 

Selection headaches then

 

Mensah needs rest...lots of rest..several games of rest...can he sleep til Christmas? Rip van Mensah?

 

huge if true