Suppose the day before the game is the best day to start one of these. When I've started a thread our record is abysmal because obviously that somehow matters. This is a must win game. We can be cute and say it's April and those things don't exist yet, but come on. We've lost 4 straight. We have just 4 points on the season. There is already a gap on the red line between teams and we're on the wrong side of it. This team's last home performance was one of the worst of the season. It's early, sure, but it's also game 7 so that excuse is fast disappearing. I'm expecting Petke to be reserved with the lineup selection. He'll have to make a choice at CB and LW, but that's nothing new for the season. Silva looked to have picked up an injury and the LW spot suddenly has Plata back in the mix. I'm expecting: Kreilach Bofo Rusnak Sava KB Everton Herrera Onuhoa Glad Lennon Rimando Bench: Putna, Toia, Besler, Mulholland, Plata, Johnson, Schmitt
I know Petke said he's done in that role but would anyone else like to see Kreilach paired with Everton? Also I'm predicting Orlando wins 2-1.
This is the game where everything comes together. The boys are getting used to playing together and anticipating each other and things are really going to gel. Expect to see pinpoint passes and teamwork from a well-oiled machine. RSL 5 - 1 Orlando. .
With how Petke has shown he wants this team (typically) to play this 4-2-3-1 - converting to a 3-4-3 in possession- I agree. However, if we played a more disciplined 4-4-2 or even 4-5-1 I think the pairing could actually work. Especially if you put he and Rusnak as pivoting 8/10's with Luiz role of just sitting behind them and doing the dirty work. It would be worth a try, I think. It allows Johnson to play ahead of them and keeps Sava on the right with Bofo or Plata or Baird or whoever on the left. But it's not happening. KB isn't sitting a any minutes until an injury, yellow card accumulation, or red card. Petke has shown zero desire to sub there.
I attended the Orlando at New York Red Bulls game a couple of weeks ago, which OCSC won 1-0. It was a battle of ineptitude that Orlando started the way we start our games this season, but somehow NYRB didn't score and then they hung around long enough to pip a goal at the end.
I like the insertion of Toia at leftback, and Herrera shifting right - especially against Toia's old team. Not sure I like Albert being pushed back out wide instead of running centrally. Glad to see Glad with Onuoha; happy to see Plata on the bench.
Moutinho didn't blow that shot all by himself - he beat Herrera and Glad, and they yanked him back pretty good. Coulda been a PK.
Here's to Sam Johnson popping up so quickly after he fell in the box - caught OCSC totally by surprise. He kicked the crap out of the shot, too. Savvy quick restart from Damir. Our first shot, too.
Big difference in attacking power for Orlando as Nani and Dwyer are coming in for the final 35 minutes. We look good in the attack this half.