And so the Hudson Debacle ends, and we have "new beginnings" all over again. As of right now, the standings (and play) would have this game titled the "Crapids vs the Whitecraps", but hey, poop jokes are far too easy to make these days So, after the players got ripped a new one by Hudson, will Casey be able to inspire them to victory? Will Vancouver come to our "fortress" and run ruffshod over us like many other teams this year? Will Kei Kamara continue to be the ageless wonder-forward? Leave your storylines, predictions, assumptions, and whatever other "-tions" you might have here!
Positives: The Rapids have some players with meaningful experience Kamara is dangerous Howard still can save some tough shots Vancouver isn't a juggernaut It's a home match, and there's actually a reason to cheer this time There's at least some hope that the starting XI will play to the players' strengths Negatives: The back line is still Swiss Cheese The overrated Kiwis are still going to play Hudson may be gone, but it takes time to deprogram players The team still lacks fundamentals Prediction: first win of the season. Hallelujah!
I wish I could go to this game, as I'm interested to see the lineup, tactics, and formation from a coach other than Hudson. Also, I'm keen on seeing if there is a noticable effort or attitude change from the players during this match. I'll have to record and watch later Friday night. If I were the coach, I think I'd be going for a lineup of more experienced players for this game for on field leadership / ownership by players and maybe have the younger guys come off bench. I also think putting Price back at a purely CDM position (or maybe even 2 defensive center mids in front of the center backs) would be wise, since it seems a majority of our goals against have come straight up the middle with most mistakes from center backs. I would also like to see two forwards up top. I guess I'm thinking going back to a 4-4-2 seems to suit our players strengths the best. Anyway, I will be interested in seeing what the on field approach looks like under interim coach Casey.
From Casey's press conference it sounds like he wants an attacking attitude/strategy. Not sure what this means in terms of formation and selection. I'm hoping for Rubio up top with Kamara and Acosta playing deep and with a license to go box-to-box. This is where he's at his best. I would bet there won't be a radical change in the starting lineup from the matches prior to Atlanta.
I wonder how many changes we see here. Probably a true CDM (Price most likely since he did well at it last year). Maybe Basset gets the field again. Really, my hope is we put our best 11 out there in their best positions. Beyond that, I dont know what else Conor has had time to do. And that should be enough for a win this week barring any sort of Stockholm Syndrom.
There is at least the possibility of a win this week. Home game, Vancouver is a pretty bad team, and there's always a bump in effort after a coaching change. It's a great opportunity, not only for the team but for players who don't want to be looking for a job next year. It should be very interesting to see the lineup and formation that Casey uses. Hudson was pretty hung up on formations and insisted on using his "system" even when it didn't work and the rest of the league had figured it out. If I was Conor, I'd set up a simple 4-4-2, put the best players in each position, and let them play soccer.
Wish I could go. As others have said; New coach bump - bad team in Vancouver. Home game. Perhaps a win? Hope... so this is what it feels like.
I think we should keep post Hudson standings and see if we make the post Hudson play-offs. (I think the real ones are out of reach).
Not sure we're at "hope" yet - feels more to me like when you're wounded and the morphine has started to kick in. You're not healed yet, not anywhere close to it, but there is relief.
2-1 win, goals by Kamara and Rubio. Vancouver has the worst offense in the league, we have the worst defense. So I think they'll get one, but only one. Meanwhile I think Casey's attack-minded focus gives us enough to get two and our first win of the season. http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2019/05/let-conor-casey-era-begin.html
Post-Stenotic Dilatation from the cruel boarding school headmaster: Rapids 3-0, and not even that close. Heard it here first. Reserve the right to claim temporary insanity, but with James on Jeopardy, why not?????
Only player in the injury list tonight is Kortne Ford So, Casey’s got a nice wide selection of players
I’m not going to predict a win cause I ain’t jinxing them this time. I’m hoping Casey has a coming out moment that lasts a long time.
Today’s lineup is...interesting? No tommy smith in the first XI, and we have a rehash of the Wynne/Sjöberg CB pairing. Here's Conor Casey's first lineup as interim head coach.📝 https://t.co/S8DO3QE2IE#Rapids96 | #Elevate pic.twitter.com/jvALnJjUBP— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) May 4, 2019
Interesting on several points. Wilson as mid? Guessing Vines plays back a bit, but so might Price. and Anderson getting another start over Basset, Feilheiber, and Mesquida? Definitely shows CC is putting his thoughts on it.
This lineup..... This formation..... Feels like this game is going to end like an episode of Scooby Doo where the RFO is going to rip the mask off of Connor Casey and reveal it was Hudson all along! He never left!