No rest for the weary. 90 minutes of running above 8700 feet, then 3 days later back to sea level for the League opener. If I know PV, he will trot out the same starting line up against LAFC.
Some rotation. Theoretically, LA is a tougher match than Independiente. I expect we'll see some rotation among the forwards and maybe some midfield changes. I don't expect our defense to be moved at all.
I could see Wallace getting the start. But to be fair did our defense really have that much to do tonight after the first goal? I'd like to see Rowe start, Salloi and Hurtado as well. Because we're headed to Panama for the first leg.
I wonder if Vermes might tuck Seth back in and give Zusi the room to roam back in MLS? I am still baffled that his instructions were to have the most effective forward-playing fullback in the league transition to CB, while the other guy who enabled all that with his solid defensive positioning is now an attacking force... who knows, maybe it was just specific to Toluca and their personnel.
I would throw out the entire second team of field players on Sunday, and I think there is a chance that Vermes just may do that.
The MLS projection has Melia starting, and that's it from our first 11 at Toluca. Otherwise, from the top, it's: Croizet, Hurtado, Salloi Rowe, Kuzain, Busio Wallace, Smith, Barath, Lindsey THAT would be a statement win. Just out of curiousity, any news on Rwatubyaye? Is he practising with the club by now? (edit to add) I'm not suggesting he should or could play in place of smith. He actually needs to play with the side for a while before he gets game time, I'm just wondering where he stands these days).
I guess we'll see, but that's pretty dramatic there. That's a side what would get murdered in LA almost guaranteed. So I'm hoping we see more rotation and less just straight B-squad.
If we don't trot out that entire new starting side besides Melia on Sunday then all the talk about building two teams this year specifically for CCL is all BS.
Really? I remember him saying he needed to have the ability to trot out two functional sides if need be, not that he was committing to 100% rotation between CCL and league play...
Starting 10/11 for the LA game, the work rate at Toluca wasn't that much above training session. Then several subs on Wed at CAI, then starting 11 for home opener plus subs, starting 11 for home CCL game plus subs, smarting 9/10 for away game at Rapids and then we are off the following weekend. If we win CCL match then that doesn't start again until April 3.
I would just caution that TFC thought they could coast in Panama as well. Also, it ended like a training session but it didn't start that way, and in any case it was a training session at 8750 feet. My view: right now, I want CCL more than a fast start in the league. Wining down there makes it very likely that we can do that. I think this is also the management view. I'm not sure it's in the best interests of anyone to start 10 new players against LAFC. But I really think all of our people need to play. I;'d like Rowe, Croizet, Salloi, Busio, Lindsey, Wallace and Barath to get some game time, soon. And, it's a long and congested season, and Zusi, Roger, Seth and Besler are all super fit, but they're also 32. Last year, TFC went with the same 11, until the injuries started piling up and forcing changes, and they never recovered. If we have to sacrifice a game or two to both keep strong and get other players into game shape, that's an easy sacrifice.
IMO ... I'd start nearly this. I'd probably start Besler next to Barath and likely sub in Fontas at halftime. I'd also likely start Illie for Kuzain. I'm in the camp that don't sing the "we've built this roster deep and for multiple competitions" and then run your starting XI into the ground week 2. There is NO reason not to use some of this depth. The downside is getting off to a slow start ... and we got punked in our home opener last year for that slow start and it ended up just fine. Vermes also said Busio and Lindsay (and IMO to a lesser extent Kuzain) need to get more minutes (MSL, USL, Open Cup, etc) than last year ... and if you really think that ... then this is the perfect time to start it. Rowe, Salloi and a few others should be looked at as "starter level" anyways so it's not like you're throwing out a group that has NO MLS level starters in it. Time to put up or shut up about the "squad rotation" and "our team is built so deep". Act appropriately and give most of the starters a rest ... not 2 or 3.
We're going to see. I mean where we are *right now* is as perfect of a start as could have been scripted. Two wins and overall, we didn't run the boys into the ground in Mexico to do it. No injuries and full squad. There are no other factors here that should complicate PV's plan. Now we see what it is. Personally, I like the idea above. Besler, Illie, and Melia to start. They make the spine to get the game going and under control. Everyone else rests. Sub Besler at half. Get Illie out by 60. Use the other sub to bring on someone to make a difference if needed.
This sounds like a workable idea. Of course, we all know that it won't have to do with anything beyond what the numbers tell them. If the entire first 11 scores in the fully recovered zone by tonight in the blood, piss, ekg, etc reports, they could all start. If they score in the not recovered zone, they will all sit. I mean, have you seen the LAFC series? Their obsession with hydration piss tests is eye opening, and I'd be surprised if we were any different. Managers used to think a player could or could not handle back to back to back matches. Today, they know.
Since Busio apparently has a minor knock and Kuzain already played for SPR, I would also start Gutierrez and have Espinoza replace him at halftime, wearing the armband with Besler out. That still leaves one more sub for injury or tactical reasons.
And now we know... So much for rotation. The XI.#LAFCvSKC // #ForGloryForCity pic.twitter.com/E4gB2Y60gF— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) March 4, 2019
man, you did. i had a good chuckle when you wrote it because... i mean, come on, you knew it was possible. but seriously? not one change?
I can see the logic. It's early in the season, for all we talk about the altitude and the travel, the guys are fresh. In fact, PV is probably thinking it's better to keep the momentum going than to switch things up this early. But I thought Nemeth had picked up a minor injury? Guess we'll see if PV was just blowing smoke and if he's got his finger on the right pulse.