We go to DC with the same record as our hosts - 1 win, 1 tie - but they will definitely be favored. They have yet to give up a goal (winning 2-0 at home against Atlanta and tying 0-0 at NYCFC), and they are generally considered a top 5 team this season (we're around top 15). First trip to their new stadium.
I didn't see the NYCFC match, but Luci Acosta and Paul Arriola were fantastic against Atlanta. They're going to be a handful for the RSL backline.
This might sound odd, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Petke start Bofo over Savarino on the road. Bofo contributes more defensively, which we will need, and appears to be in better form right now. Plus, it might motivate Savarino.
This is a big test of Petke's new "understanding" of not going at games with the mindset of "losing 1-0 or 5-0 is still losing" Given the talent on the other side of the field, I'd setup in a 4-5-1 or even 5-4-1 and look to spring counters all night. An idea: Johnson Rusnak Baird Luiz Beckerman Besler* Herrera Onuhoa Silva Lennon Rimando Bench: Putna, Beltran, Portillo*, Kreilach, Savarino, Bofo, Schmitt Something interesting I noticed the last two games - Portillo has made the gameday 18 over Mulholland.
I noticed that too but figured Luke has a knock? Anyway, your inclusion of Besler in a 3 D-Mid formation is interesting. It gives us more people back there, but complicates the roles and communications. It also removes Kreilach. Basically, it’s rolling the dice. On the road I don’t mind some gambling tbh.
Besler would almost function as a 3rd CB as opposed to a 3rd DMid, in my mind. We haven't tried anything like this through preseason, though, so I doubt we try it here.
RSL will be lucky to get out of DC with a draw or better. DC is a solid team and they've made their new stadium a fortress.
I think RSL still struggles with finishing and whenever the game gets tight instead of finding a teammate with the extra pass Sava, Bofo, Baird and the other young guys try and take the game in their own hands and it doesn't work out well. At the end of 2017 when this team was flying high and scoring it was because they were remarkably unselfish. Not so much anymore. Tight game. DC ends it early in the second half with the game ending goal to win 3-1.
a fortress? It isn't a fortress until they have a promo video where the players kick soccer balls at the opponents like its medieval warfare and that would do anything...
KSL stream says not available in my location. YouTube TV says this program is unavailable for streaming. Great.
That one is all on Herrera. Terrible turnover and BOOM. We aren't scoring two. Zero points for this one.
Remember those first fifteen minutes? Those were fun. Savarino played a full half (it was stoppage time when he got tossed), and he wasn't very good. Terrible start to the season from him.
My feeling on it is that you don’t kick high unless you are sure it is safe to do so. The Red was deserved.