Minnesota had two red cards in last few minutes yesterday. We have injury concerns. Will be interesting to see who travels for us.
Interesting to see who starts at the wing opposite Antuna. Boateng came off the last match injured, and posted online that wis ankle was hurt after the match. I also doubt Drini and Rolf will be available either.
My guess is Carrasco, Alvarez and Cuello are candidates (possibly pushing Lletget outside) along with Araujo if he wants to put Gonzalez at RB or Traore if he flipped Antuna to RM. This assumes Pontius still isn't ready. Reality is we probably could use some squad rotation anyway given the quick turnaround.
Maybe try out a 352 with Araujo and Skeljvik has wing backs and Antuna and Zlatan up top? Other option would be to stick Zubak on one of the wings and keep the formation the same. Potentially start Gonzalez in the back for Steres.
I could see Lletget going wide, maybe Carrasco or Juninho starting with Corona pushed into the middle? Frankly this should be a comfortable rotation: Jona-Corona Lletget Juninho-Jona Corona Juninho-Corona Jona etc.
Time to start thinking about what we are doing and where we are aiming. Is it to have a competitive season or to win something? For the former we are already there and tweaks and adjustments will makes us a team to be wary of the entire season and into playoffs. If it's the latter then we need to start working with all players in hand and looking to serious trade and acquisition strategy because this Ibrah -centric approach is not gonna win much in the long run. There already teams out there who are championship material as-is. It looks like we did not acquire any bad personnel. Let's put them in the mix ASAP if we mean for this season not to be just a year to acquire and rebuild.
I didn't think Feltscher was likely to come back this early, but at least there is confirmation he's not available Wednesday GBS said Alessandrini scheduled to see doctors today; will know more regarding his status afterward. Feltscher is getting better; GBS said hopes to have him on field for Sunday, but not sure #LAGalaxy— Damian Calhoun (@DamianCalhoun) April 22, 2019
Mid-week road game on short rest, a good time to rotate some players in and rest some legs and let Boateng and Feltscher heal up. And a chance for Skkljekr to look on from the bench and learn how to defend. I wouldn't mind: -------------------Zlatan Lletget---------Corona---------Alvarez -------------JDS--------Juninho Romney--Polenta--Gonzalez--Araujo ------------------Bingham With Antuna and Carrasco our subs off the bench.
We travel today right? Looking forward to forensically examining the "team traveling montage" that will be put out on social media soon to get a sense of who is available. lol.
Pontius wasn't on the bench in the last match so I think we're assuming he's injured. If not, for sure he gets minutes.
Minnesota will be without Opara, Calvo and Gregus, and their defense was absolutely horrible during the last game. We have a chance.
Alvarez is back. I heard he wasn't on the bench last game because he had just returned. So I assume he will be available Wednesday since we need to add some healthy midfielders to the game-day roster since Alessandrini and Boateng probably aren't available. And Pontius was out injured on Friday, so again I assume he won't be ready to start by Wednesday - maybe he could be an option off the bench if we can resume training today. I guess we will find out who's available once @mbar finishes his forensic work analyzing travel photos.
In particular when Ema is playing. He’s often providing the cross but when it’s from the other side it makes me cringe how often we do it. That said - he has an amazing jump height.
We know Lletget, Corona, and JDS can play on the ground and combine. Alessandrini can too, if he wants to. And, I believe Antuna can. So, why don’t we do it more, even when Zlatan is up front? EDIT: But, what I’d really like is more line splitting through balls to cutting runners.
------------------Ibra-------------------- ---Lletget------Alvarez------Antuna----- -------------JDS-----Corona-------------- -Skjelvik---Polenta--Gonzalez--Araujo-- ----------------Bingham------------------ This is what I'd like to see. Even if Boateng is fit, I haven't been very impressed with him this season. Boateng is an impact sub for us imo. When he starts, he is typically underwhelming. Also want to see more Alvarez. With injuries, this seems like the perfect chance for him.
I like that lineup, except if we're rotating, then Romney should be in there, probably for Skjelvik. Also, I notice that Alvarez is getting called up to the U17 Mexican team again for a tournament that starts next Wed. So not sure he will be available v Minnesota or not. I would guess not. At any rate, seems he is more likely to decide on the Mexican NT over the USMNT the way things are going.
I’d switch Alvarez to the right and Antuna back to the left and keep our midfield intact with Lletget near to JDS and Corona in the middle. Plus Romney at LB, just to see how he does in comparison.
#MLSRefStatsWeek 9 Midweek Regular Season Match Experience#MINvLA: Chris PENSO150 REF72 4TH7 VAR#SEAvSJ: Fotis BAZAKOS80 REF82 4TH12 VAR#MNUFC #LAGalaxy #SoundersMatchday #Quakes74— MLS Referee Stats (@MLSRefStats) April 23, 2019