It's a couple weeks away, but the next one in the queue, so might as well start talking about it. Toronto is looking really good so far this season: three games on the road, two draws and a win. March 31st will be their home opener, and it's going to be a real test for our squad. What I'd like to see: No Besler/Zusi injuries in San Jose. Medranda at left back. Blessing/Saad at right forward. Substitutions.
Agree with all of the above, except I actually think Sinovic has been playing quite well. I saw nothing against the Earthquakes that led me to think that he should be benched, especially with the two week break. Medranda is the one who needs to ride pine IMO.
I just fear for Sporting when Sinovic starts against particularly quick or clever wingers. That's where I would favor someone with more recovery speed. And Medranda isn't quite known for that, but he's not Seth level at least...
I don't know. Obviously he's lost a step or three. But clever? I think Seth has that in spades. In fact I think he's severely underrated. He knows his limitations and works within them. He knows when to make the smart foul, when to bump, and even when to take a card if he has to. But I rarely see him make a completely boneheaded play. He's healthy, so as long as he's getting enough rest in between games, I'd say he's got LB locked back down again.
Sporting has looked a lot better defensively with Sinovic than Medranda, Besler specifically looks much more comfortable with Sinovic compared to Medranda.
Agree with all the positive flow towards Seth. We've allowed a single goal in over 270 minutes. I say, let's let it breathe. That said, I'll be curious how we do when we have to deal with real top flight speed on the wings.
TFC plays a 3-5-2 with Morrow and Beitashour as wingbacks. Not a lot of pace there, but Morrow has been pushing up on the left quite often on overlap. Speed shouldn't be an issue for SKC defenders on flanks, esp for Sinovic if he's defending against Beitashour who doesn't have pace and is conservative on attack.
I would love to see PV do something similar to what the Mighty Bruce did with the USMNT. Pinch in all the creative players and let the width come from the fullbacks. Make the other team defend our attack. [4-3-1-2] Miela Zusi - Opara - Besler - Sinovic Fernandez - Sanchez - Espinoza Benny Saad - Dwyer
Fernandes pinched in seems like something he just can't do based off the first 2 games. The man plays as far wide as possible. To say nothing of putting him in a role with more defensive responsibilities as that formation would.
is giovinco still out? i love watching him play, but i would be just fine if he was sitting this one out.
It really seemed that before the injury this season, his teammates were in total agreement with you on that. Espinoza and Zusi both went 90 on a Tuesday, will we see either one on a Friday?
If SAS is healthy, he might get the nod for that reason. If not, I expect Zusi. Roger probably will start too.
The paper says we might get a look at Blessing, but I'm reminded that Will John was the same size as Blessing and John's physique prevented him from cracking the lineup of what was probably a weaker team.
Interesting to find out who PV considers Feilhaber's backup to be. In previous years I'm sure Nagamura would have been plugged in, but now? We really are thin in midfield depth. Maybe Saad tries to play there, or Zusi, with SAS at right back? Or does Mustivar come in and Ilie pushes farther up?
Medranda played there in preseason, he's my guess to play there tomorrow. Which in a way goes against everything I would expect Vermes to do, because it involves making another change to the starting 11 (moving Medranda from the wing).
So... Saad - Dwyer - Gerso ------- Medranda ------ -------- Espinoza ------ ------------ Ilie ----------- Seth - Bes - Ike - Zusi
or maybe Saad Dwyer Gerso Medranda Ilie Mustivar Seth Bes Opara SAS I know both Z and E can go 90 after 90 on Tuesday, but not sure it's a good idea this early in the season.
With Mustivar and especially on the road, I think the midfield would be more of a triangle with Mustivar (or Espinoza) sitting deeper with Ilie.