P/I/P Game 2: L.A. Galaxy v Portland , SUNDAY 03/12/17, 4:00pm PT

Clearly it was your fault because I think you didn't say this last time.

 

So the objective is to hold Portland to fewer than 5 goals? Deny Adi a hat trick? Those may be realistic goals.

Oh, and maybe actually score from the run of play. Or is that too much to ask?

 

We just played Portland. They looked a lot better than us. We can try to contain with our backline and central midfield, and run a break with Ema and Seba and use McBean as an outlet. But since Ema won't be on the field unless there's an injury, I'm not sure what to suggest. Maybe if Portland is pressing and we get the ball out quickly, Gio will have more space to work in.

 

Not if Gio keeps dropping back to the defensive third to pick up the ball himself.

 

Let's not think too much of Portland beating a weak Minnesota team. Demidov (Minnesota's main central defender) had an absolute horrific game and I expect Jelle will do a much better job against Adi. The rest of our defense, probably not, but at least we have Jelle.

Portland's defense didn't impress me a ton last game but if we keep just hoofing it into McBean, I doubt we have much success. Gio needs to stay high and keep the defenders honest.

Also, no more Lletget at rightback! Nathan Smith is on this roster for a reason, even if that reason is to suck a little less than Rafa at right back. I'd take Husidic (or a plethora of other options) at rightback before moving Lletget back there, neutering one of our biggest weapons.

Plus, Portland is super anti-American, only having one American in their starting lineup.

 

Just watched the full replay of Portland's home opener and although it was against an expansion team, they looked really strong and cohesive. Downright scary good. Much stronger than their preseason closer at our house.

I'm not saying we're doomed, anything can happen, but do we have 4 or 5 goals in us? Because they're going to score too.

 

Can we bring posters of De Jong to scare the Portland supporters? Is it to soon after Nagbes death to joke about it?

 

Not to be too pessimistic, but I can see this game getting out of hand for us very quickly.

 

It'll be Support Local Soccer Night. Sounds like a pretty cool poster up for grabs.
http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2017/0...ght-during-march-12-match-vs-portland-timbers

btw, what happened to the gameday posters? That was a really cool deal; hope we see it again.

 

For the season countdown they teamed up with http://www.off-foot.com/

 

Yeah! They painted Uncle Sam green, too!

 

I want to change things up. Assuming Zardes is still not fully fit, this is what I'd go with:



We lacked creativity and Dos Santos doesn't really fill me with confidence playing behind the striker. I think he should be in a wider role where he can find the ball more often. Lletget's greatest strength is his dribbling, so I think he'd work well in the hole. We just need some creativity.

If we really want to be ballsy, I'd go with this:



It's what Chelsea use and we actually have similar players for it. Obviously our players are not of Chelsea's quality, but the types of players we have are similar. Two DMs, target forward, creative wingers, wide midfielders who can track back, and a rock in defense.

 

That's actually not a bad idea at all, given our personnel. Nice work.

 

Yeah, is Blanco fast? I don't remember. Starting Boateng to spread the field and get some early pace in transition could be a thing.

 

You could make a pretty strong co-ed 11 there

 

Rumor that Jones is being suspended for that yellow card tackle. Disc. Committee deeming it a red card offense.

Total horse shit.

 

So he is being "De Jonged"?

 

Total horse crap, But.......

I wouldn't mind seeing Seba in advanced mid role with Ema and Alessandrini on the wings if Jones sits. Jones is an animal though, he was all over the pitch.

Just sayin.....

 

********!

 

I definitely want to see both of these. I thought we were going to see the first one once we got Alessandrini. And I really want to see the second one after looking at our four in the back .

 

I'm sorry but I have no problem with an ankle breaking. That's an awful tackle and we were lucky he didn't get a red card straight up. That's a potential ankle breaking tackle and it has no place on the field.

 

Agreed. I was pretty surprised it wasn't a red. Hopefully Onalfo's solution is to move Lleget centrally where he's better suited IMO and bring in Boateng on the wing.