A couple of games against Vancouver still bug me: away when a prone Collen Warner was called for a penalty, and home last year when a poor clearance led to one hell of a tying goal with the last kick of the game. Man was Vancouver fun to watch this season until this weekend. So much young, fast, attacking talent.
What about when Borchers was called for the pk up in Vancouver after he slipped on their shitty turf and accidentally hit the ball with his arm (and really there was nothing he could do)? We've gotten the lousy end of the stick playing those guys a few times, that's for sure.
That was one of the worst hand balls ever. No attacker near him. The ball moved about 1 inch. Awful. We owe these bastards. That late goal to beat Nick still lingers in my head like some of the other disastrous goals we've seen in the RioT.
Well, we did go to Vancouver and play a second string lineup a couple years ago and win on a Sandoval goal, which had to frustrate them.
My prediction: 2-0 RSL with Sabo scoring (Garcia & Javi assist) and Garcia scoring (Sabo assist) - just because they both know they need to score my fantasy team some points or I heave their sorry butts.
The XI I want to see out there: Nicky Tony Olave Elias Phillips Luke Javi KB Allen Sabo Olmes Bench: JeffA, Schu, Mansally, Stertzer, Gil, Sandoval, Saucedo I absolutely don't want to see Gil jump Luke or start on the wing again. Allen showed he does better as a starter in that position. I want Phillips to get a start. Even if he has to sub at 60, get the guy on he field. I felt the defense looked a lot more comfortable with the CB duo of Olave and Vasquez. I doubt it happens, but I'd like to see Elias get more and more time as he has real potential.
are Rimando and Beckerman going to be available for this game? I'm not sure when they get back. If not do we start Javi, Luke, and Gil in the midfield or is that way too offensive?
RSL sent out a tweet yesterday that said Rimando & Beckerman will be available for the game. I guess it will just depend on how much they play against Mexico, and whether or not they make it out of the game unscathed.
The US game is tomorrow in San Antonio Barring injury and KB doing a full 90 they both should start. Nicky can do two games in a week KB could, but I doubt Cassar would want him to. My bet is they split time
Vancouver has started the season well. Three points at home should be expected but I see us getting a draw.
Don't forget that (Pedro) Morales is out on a red card. I don't know if that translates to a guaranteed win, but we should be able to benefit from it.
IF Beckerman is 100% ready to go this weekend that would be a blessing. He came off injured last night but it doesn't look too bad. As I mentioned in the News thread, KB tweeted out that he was okay, but let's see what the MDs say. I do expect Rimando in goal though.
who do you play in the middle if you don't have KB? I'm scared to think how Cassar would fill that role. A trio of Mulholland, Gil, and Javi seems the likely choice and one that would be murdered on the defensive side of the ball
I have no idea why Kyle was on in the second half at all yesterday... I questioned it when I saw him out there and was pissed when he got hurt. I'm not too concerned, though, as the guy could have his limbs sliced off and he'd simply call it a flesh wound. But how many times have I witnessed Kyle leave a game?
A (still hypothetical) KB5 scratch would NOT be worst thing in world... Silver linings: His form has appeared unusually ragged last 2-3 matches Extra days' rest in midst of busy Club+Country schedule RSL technical staff can assess other midfield combinations A depleted WhiteCaps at home still winnable--with or without KB #blessingindisguise
Field conditions for Saturday. Any guesses? I'm sure the snow will be gone, but I wonder about drainage, etc.
Drainage for this modest amount of snow is no problem - heavy rains haven't clogged it up. RioT has a great drainage system...
Well, I had 7 inches at my house near Sugarhouse, wouldn't exactly call that a "modest" amount. Pretty significant given we haven't had a storm like that all year. I thought I read somewhere the field could handle an inch per hour or water, it might be soggy if it does get up into the 60's tomorrow and it all melts in one day. Of course the ground is so dry it'll probably soak it all up no problem. Stupid Utah weather.
the south and west side of the valley didn't get hit as hard as the east benches. I bet the RioT had an inch or two. I live 5 minutes from it and I had an inch on my patio