Enough talk about shooting technique... This is a really big test for the club. Playoff implications aside, this Seattle side hasn't lost since June. A win here would be a real feather in the hat of Petke and his new vision. I don't expect much rotation that isn't required via injury. That means, however, that we likely see Yura start. Ugh Nicky Tony Silva Glad Acosta KB Luke Sava Rusnak Plata Yura Bench: VanO, Wingert, Horst, Sunny, Brooks, Bofo, Hernandez? Not really sure who takes the last spot on the bench if Luis is injured.
I feel better about this one than the last one against Portland. Don't know why, but I do. Maybe this is the game that Yura gets his groove the back? Yes? No? Maybe not. It is actually Kind of exciting that we are in this position at all. If you would have asked me at the end of April or May if this team would be in a position to make the playoffs I would have laughed at you. Last year at this time I was hoping that they bombed out and did not make the playoffs so that we could work on finding a new and better coach. Too bad we had to wait. Regardless how this season ends next season, from the last kick in 2017 through the off season and to the start of next season should be filled with nothing but promise. I'm almost more excited about that than the playoffs. Although if RSL does squeak into the playoffs it's all fruit baskets and 2009 all over again. With that said I think RSL gets the victory. Don't know how. But I think they take to them from the first whistle and make it a great game. Knock on wood.
(I apologize for the ball striking thread-jack) I am extremely worried about how the offense will flow with Yura playing the 9. He really wants to play a 2nd forward, so he tends to drift away from making the initial runs in the final 1/3 and instead falls back to the top of the 18. Unfortunately, that is where we want Rusnak, Plata and Sava to have the ball with enough space to get the shot off or combine. Rusnak should have a reputation now...the whole stadium sits up the moment he looks like he may shoot as there is a good chance something positive will happen. The Sounders HAVE to know that as well, so they should be stepping early to try and deny him any shot, which should create space for intelligent runs. I just don't have ANY confidence in Yura's ability to make these runs. To me, with Yura, this has a low scoring tie vibe.
I'm curious to see if Seattle watches the tape from our Portland game and implements the same defensive strategy. I mentioned it in the Portland thread, but the press that Portland applied after the 30th minute really frustrated RSL. It wasn't direct pressure on the ball, but it suffocated the passing lanes and forced careless turnovers in bad spots. Reminded me a bit of ATL, just not with the same speed. If Seattle tries the same strategy, our center mids have to be better. KB and Luke/Sunny can't be so careless with the ball. Especially with Dempsey and co. on the other side of the ball. Not that Valeri was some schmuck, but I felt like Portland left us off the hook a time or two last game. Seattle won't be so kind. I too have a vibe with this game, assuming Luis is out, that we'll draw. The lack of chemistry when Yura is out there, especially compared to when Silva is, is shocking. Not to mention how easily Yura is dispossessed.
Not sure how a discussion of how to kick a soccer ball is off topic on a soccer discussion board, but I enjoyed it. As for the game, I agree with 15, that our central midfield doesn't have what it takes to address a tactically sound defense, and that we lose this one. Which will be nice, because then everyone will be logically compelled to shut up about RSL making the playoffs, even though we wouldn't be mathematically eliminated yet. Right?
I know it seems weird to say, but DAMN RSL could use Barrett when teams compress the midfield like Portland did. For years he has been known for the timing of his runs. (Of course, he needs 5 fantastic chances to score one, but...better than Yura.)
Heavens no... We still need a real backup GK though, VanO is absolute garbage and Sparrow needs more seasoning before he's a bona fide number 2
Look forward to watching in person, first time in months. The team's form has been well-worth paying to see for some time now. I don't regret cutting season tickets because the previous 1.5-2 years were a disintegrating disaster, but I'm glad it's turned around.
Nope. Jeff A could still become a pretty good keeper in MLS but nothing like Rimando or some of the other top keepers in the League. That doesn't mean he won't be successful. He reminds of Stefan Frei. Pretty good and on a good team he won't necessary carry or kill you but in the end still not a top keeper in the league. I would use Jeff's attempt to save Rusnak's goal last week as an example. That looked a lot like Frei some of the time during the season. He will make some pretty great stops and then let one slip right through his fingers. I do really like Sparrow and think that he has as much or more potential as Jeff but RSL does really need to find their next No. 1 keeper. Soon. Rimando is not the Rimando of old. He looks like he's put on 20 pounds this year and is not as quick and nimble as he used to be.
We may be a decade before we have a keeper to reminds us of the quality of Rimando. We should begin to accept that now.
Houston tied NYCFC on the road. San Jose is getting blitzed at DC. Dallas trails Minnesota 2-1 at halftime. The stars are aligning today.
So far so good, Minnesota is looking like the better team. Lennon starting in place of Silva at striker. How far Yura has fallen.
Lack of bodies I would assume. If Barrett was back, it wouldn't surprise me to see him out of the 18.
Wow! Dallas with a PK to tie saved by Minnesota, then Minnesota scores again to go up 3-1 with 20 left.
Unless he really was a locker room issue, or he really didn't get along with anyone else. This makes me believe he's just an odd piece on this team, and not producing, rather than a real issue on the team.
Plata has not been clean so far at all. I want to like Lennon at the striker position, but so far he's just not connected.