It's the annual 4th of July (or thereabout) game where we typically suck! With a short rest for both teams I'm not expecting too high of quality of play. That's without mentioning the current place in the league table for each team. Since Berhalter left, Columbus seems... lost. They haven't scored in their last two league games and haven't won a league game since the beginning of May. So this is all shaping up for RSL to do what they almost always do on firework games and play like utter shit but somehow steal a point that makes us all happy. With a game this Saturday in San Jose, I'm not sure what Petke is going to do. In an ideal world he would rotate players a bit but who knows. I really don't want to see Marcel Silva on the pitch again. Nicky seems ok to go at GK, though a rotation there wouldn't hurt. I really don't know who to rotate in. Where the hell is Plata with this team? Will Savarino be rested enough from Copa America play to go right away? etc etc. If I was in charge I'd go all in on this game. A home game against a bad team is a must win. Saturday's match would be a tough one on a full week's rest and everyone healthy, I think focusing here and then making rotation Saturday on the road makes more sense then trying to get points in both and risking getting neither. With that said, XI I'd roll out: Nicky Herrera Glad Onuhoa Toia Besler Luiz Baird Rusnak Bofo Johnson Bench: Putna, Lennon, Silva, Kreilach, Savarino, KB, Plata
I'll be bringing a huge group of people to this game--lots of first time RSL fans. I'm hoping for a good match for their sake, but I'll settle for good fireworks. [emoji2368]
Agree that we should push for a win tomorrow and rotating on the road. I haven't been paying a lot of attention to the rest of the league this season, but understood that San Jose was playing well--or at least that Almeyda had been doing something novel with the defense. I was surprised to see that they've only got 2 points more than us, only 60% chance of making the playoffs, and are ranked below RSL using Sagarin's system (where we benefit from having played the 3rd-most difficult schedule so far). They'll probably be viewing our visit the same way we're looking at Columbus: a must win home game against a bad team. I don't see us rising to that challenge in the best of conditions, let alone on short rest.
Mike will make sure that when rotating players we will have equally weak teams on both Wednesday and Saturday. That's all I know. Also, Plata has been quite the professional and hasn't been causing any grief during these troubling times. Love, Dunny.
The coach brought in a novel system and SJ lost their first 4 games while looking like crap. They started to learn, he added Wondo back in (modern day Giorgio Chinaglia), the team accepted the system, and they have been kicking A$$ while playing an extremely entertaining, wide-open style. It will be very interesting to see how Petke / players adjust to this style.
Columbus are in a near-free fall, losing five of their last six (tied the other one). Players are away on NT duty; they are on the road at altitude. This has to be three points, handily. 3-1 RSL.
We need all three points in this one. No excuses. Johnson with another brace, this time he steals one from Baird.
In previous years I've rooted for a draw against the Crew. However, some of their fans got so shitty during the Save The Crew thing that I've actively stopped being a fan. It's one thing to want to keep your team in your city, it's another to attack people for taking other jobs, to attacking fans of other clubs and being blind to some real harsh truths about the business side of your club. I'm glad they're saved but my goodwill for them is gone. Besides, my real Ohio hometown now has a MLS team to pull for (though they're garbage right now). That said, I hope RSL puts a touchdown on the Crew.
So big question for RSL fans sitting on their couch, do you watch RSL or US National team? Club over country?
I'm watching the Nats and recording to watch RSL later. The US team is suspended for lightning right now.
One on the television, one on the computer. If it wasn't the semis (or final) of the Gold Cup, then just RSL.
We hadn't seen Brooks at RB for so long - his sub appearances of late coming on the wing - that I thought the experiment was essentially done. Toia to the bench, Herrera back out left.
Long review for a possible penalty - question must have been whether Rimando initiated contact or was stepped on.
We look truly terrible over the first 25 minutes. No shots, no possession dangerous spots, nothing of note. Hope the fireworks are great.