So I'll start a game thread. At LAFC without Rusnak, Baird and Johnson. If memory serves RSL has played relatively well without Rusnak in the past. Not having Baird would have interesting if Johnson could have been able to fill that role but with Sam gone too this could get interesting. Add in Jefferson and Silva not available and this has holy crap written all over it. LAFC looks pretty good, especially at home. They have beaten FUKC and destroyed PTFC to go with a tie on the road to NYCFC. I put the percentage of RSL pulling out three points at around 0% or lower. They're playing a team probably looking for a little pay back from being eliminated in the playoffs last season at home with 5 starters unavailable for RSL. So what does the starting lineup look like? Rimando Lennon, Besler? Onuoha, Herrera Luiz, Kyle Boofo?, Ruiz?, Portillo? Kreilach? What is the MLS record for most goals scored in a game? Looks like 8 if wikipedia is correct. Let's hope it stays that way.
Might be my turn to miss tuning in for a game. Mrs. Ismitje and I get to attend the Orlando at NY Red Bulls game at Red Bull Arena (very cool place to watch a game) and might not be back to the hotel in time (because hey, it's New York City).
how are you seeing a game at Red Bull Arena but saying you're in NYC? Joking aside.. We're going to get our asses kicked. I doubt Petke changes his tactics any to address this. If he was smart he'd park the bus and play straight counter, instead he'll boast how we're going to play our style and trust the depth of the squad. Oh, speaking of which, what is the over/under on number of times Dunny uses the lack of "starters" for our demise in this one? The XI I would roll out: Plata? Kreilach Bofo Luiz Beckerman Portillo Herrera Besler Onuhoa Lennon Nicky I have no ********ing clue what to do with the available players, honestly. Is Plata healthy enough to play yet? Beltran didn't make the 18 against DC, I doubt he suddenly starts. Same with Mulholland. I guess Ruiz could step in. Jesus christ we really are going to test that 8 goals against record, aren't we
I updated my post to be actually available players. Here is a fun activity: make the gameday 18 for this game. Not even the starting lineup selection, just pick 18 players that travel to LA. GK (2): Nicky. Putna DF (6): Lennon, Besler, Onuhoa, Herrera, Toia, Holt MF (5): KB, Luiz, Kreilach, Portillo, Ruiz FW (4): Bofo, Schmitt, Vazquez, Arriaga Are they healthy?: Beltran, Henley, Mulholland, Plata That is literally every other available player on the RSL roster
I say we just abandon any pretense of trying to score in this game and just hope for a boring 0-0 draw. Something like: Kreilach? Saucedo Luiz Beckerman Plata Herrera Holt Onuoha Besler Beltran Rimando Let's just pack 11 players behind the ball. Maybe we get lucky on a free kick.
Da bus, park da bus. Catenaccio. All eleven players behind the ball. Nobody ever crosses midfield. Go for the 0-0 tie. No goals, no highlights. Make Bob Bradley say "In all my years of playing and managing soccer, I have never seen such a poor display of anti-football. RSL management and fans should hang their heads in shame. Shame, shame, shame." Blah, blah, blah.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, and so on. This is the deepest team in RSL history Dunny? I agree if you mean by deepest the farthest it's ever been from being relevant then yes, this is the deepest team in RSL history. Looking at the "roster" I would definitely park the bus. I would also start Vasquez just for the heck of it. He's 17. Go run around like a chick with your head cut off while the rest of the team isn't allowed to cross midfield. Sounds like a plan. I know it's all doom and gloom at the moment and yes, the season is just starting but damn, this team is bad. Not expansion team bad but for crying out loud but it's definitely not MLS 3.0 expansion team good either. So far 4 points in 3 games. Will they get to 10 points in 10 games with the following schedule the next 7. My guesses: LAFC Away 0 FC Dallas Home 1 Seattle Away 0 Orlando Home 3 FC Cincinnati Away 1 LA Galaxy Away 0 Portland Home 1 Pretty pessimistic and generous all at the same time but if I'm at all close and RSL has closer to 10 points than 15 I think fans are going to be pretty restless and #Petkeout will be all over the place. As always I'm wrong a lot of the time but this team sucks and the ceiling is squeaking into the playoffs with this roster. There's always next year.
You'll never believe this, but the soapbox predicts that Tony Beltran will be in the starting lineup and be the savior we've all been missing. I'm really ********ing sick of people on that site thinking he is the missing piece. It's turned me into a "Beltran Hater" and I'm honestly to god not. I just don't see how people watch this team and go "you know what, lets get rid of the wingback idea". That is how this team creates. I want to watch attacking soccer (this week the exception with players missing). It's driving me ********ing nuts
The road points at Cincy and FCD qualify that stretch as a “fast start” per Petke after the Casa Grande training.
He's also their pick for best dressed of Salt Lake City and the Democratic presidential nominee. They freaking love the guy.
He honest to god could be part of the ticket for 2020 at the rate the Democrats are putting names out there...
So the Beltran point may be moot after all: Tony Beltran not training on the field right now. Team says he is in the facility doing rehab, but did not specify whether or not he was hurt. #RSL— Alex Vejar (He/Him) (@AlexVReporting) March 21, 2019
I don't do humble brags. I'm more of a blatant brag kind of guy. Mostly because the chance to brag doesn't present itself very often.