We go into an away game against Vancouver on the back of two consecutive home wins. While nobody could fault us for coming back empty-handed against one of the best defenses in the league so far, it would be nice to keep the momentum going and get our first road result of the year. What will be the single most important factor for us against the Whitecaps?
Dangit there's no poll. False advertising. We don't want to think for ourselves just tear apart anything you come up with. Get with it dude.
In my opinion, midfield play. We need to have someone step up and play positive, forward-passing soccer. Bruno?
I think finding the right center-mid combination is the key factor. Is Villar back to 90%, I would like seeing Leyva get a roll out at his natural position if not, but is he at 90% even? I think it's important we bag the 4-4-2, it worked OK in preseason, but let's be honest, that was preseason. DH, AJ, and one of three (Villar, Leyva, Guarda) in the 4-1-4-1 I think is our best shot to build some offensive cohesion.
nutella and boneall make good points about the midfield, but wouldn't it make more sense to acknowledge that we're weakest in that area and either grind out a draw against a lackluster Vancouver offense and/or bypass the middle by sending long balls to Perez?
Definitely midfield. Not so sure about jumping back to the 4-1-4-1 as I think that's a formation made for DF10 and, well, we don't have him available for the foreseeable future. But I'd be OK with any formation as long we play with only a single DM (AJ or DH, not both). There's just not enough movement between those two..or the MF in general, to hold any sort of meaningful possession.
I don't think trying to hold down with the back four and knock long balls to Perez is a strategy that can get you a draw. Your essentially taking, what might be our biggest threat (wing play), away since you are relying on Perez to be able to beat two defenders every time a ball is played forward and then retain possession to involve a runner. I'd say the likelihood of success in that play is under 35%, which results in tired legs from your wingers having to run up to support a possible outlet and then run back and defend. Then you're asking what has been a rotating back 4 to pitch a shutout when your squad can't retain any real possession to give them some relief. While the 4-1-4-1 might be built for DF, you have to examine what we currently have available and roll out a lineup that does not completely devoid the team of play through the center of the pitch. While DH and AJ essentially are best suited for the same position (DM), AJ has shown he's better than serviceable in the center linking role when some offensive creativity is slightly ahead of him on the pitch. If we stay in the 4-4-2 I absolutely agree DH and AJ can not play together, but if Villar or Leyva/Guarda are available I think the 4-1-4-1 retains the crunch that prevents the opponent from running the middle of the park as well giving outlets to move forward which are not just route one soccer. Though I guess it's conceivable to try to lock down and counter in the 4-4-2, on the road, hoping for no worse than a draw.