I hope the Acosta naysayers will finally STFU. They need to sit down. This dude has done nothing but rise to the challenge after being away from the USMNT for 2 years. This Mexico game is not won without him. In fact….. this Gold Cup is not won without Acosta. He should have been crowned as the pllayer of the tournament as well. Bullshit that Hector Herrera got it. I shouldn’t leave out Vines. He should have started tonight. He came into the match and was an immediate upgrade over Bello. Mexico quit attacking out left side once Vines came in. Respect. He’s had a great tourney as well.
My thoughts exactly! Here’s the clip of it for those interested: MILES WINS IT FOR THE @USMNT‼️@_milesrobinson_ x #GoldCup21 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/woRfMR8KLf— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) August 2, 2021
Acosta to me was MOTM. Only other player on the same level tonight was Zardes. Those guys really helped keep the game under control and were excellent at disrupting Mexico.
Mexico midfield tonight: Ajax and Atletico Madrid USA midfield tonight: Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) August 2, 2021 Kellyn Acosta now the only US player to feature in every USMNT game this year #Rapids96 https://t.co/6lvHZotHd2— Omar Gonzalez (@OGtweeted) August 2, 2021
@KellynAcosta ‘s heat map tonight… pic.twitter.com/1tV7lLaGai— Brian Crookham (@briancrookham) August 2, 2021
So, with the return of our international reinforcements, Fraser now has a plethora of options. The question is, who sits on the bench and how do we fit everyone onto the field? Acosta will naturally start right back up again where he was before, but with the acquisition of Kaye, things now get interesting. In our current 4-3-3, either the Million Dollar Man sits, or Bassett / Price sits. Not ideal. Let's say no one gets sold this summer. You gotta find a way to get Mr. Million Bucks Kaye, Acosta, Vines, and Bassett all in the lineup until one or more players get moved. That's not a bad problem to have. I wonder if Fraser then swaps to a 4-4-2 Diamond like so: That solves the problem of getting all 4 midfielders out there. And honestly, I think this is our strongest lineup of the season. It's a solid back four, with a stacked midfield, and two forwards who you never quite know what they are about to do. Of course, player transfers / injuries / congested schedule will adjust things. But say no one is transferred and the playoffs started this Saturday? I would certainly feel confident going into the game with that lineup.
First of all, Vines is never playing in a Rapids kit again. So for the short-term Acosta can start at LB. Long term I think Bassett is the odd man out in midfield as his play hasn't been up to the necessary level to demand time.
I agree that the likeliness Vines plays in a Rapids jersey again is low. However, all the rumors and reports said the transfer would've been done already. And here we are 3 days out of the close of the transfer window and it hasn't happened yet. Vine's price, I'm sure, also went up after his performance with the USA during the Gold Cup. There's still a possibility, no matter how small, that Vines doesn't move in the next 3 days. So until he actually transfers, it's fun to think what our lineup looks like at full strength with players still on the roster. As far as Acosta at LB? I think that's a complete waste of his ability. Trusty has shown to be MORE than capable to play LB. We also recalled Anderson - who, while is a natural RB, looks just fine at LB as well. Why would we want Acosta - the USA's #2 midfielder at his position (who's also making a strong case for starting over Adams and be the #1) to play in a position where we nullify his strengths for the Rapids? All we talk about is our lack of a Ruidiaz-esque striker and, even moreso, the lack of bite in the midfield. So lets take the biggest bite out of our midfield and throw it at LB? Where Trusty has proved to be quite strong as a stop gap until this other rumored Brazilian LB comes in? We need Acosta in the mid. Plain and simple. I also disagree on Bassett's play not being good enough. He's been asked to be everywhere on the field, and that's exactly what he's done. He finds good areas, makes good covering runs, slots through good passes, and he wins his duels. That doesn't show on the scoreline, but it makes a difference. Everybody's play hasn't looked as good in the midfield since Acosta went to the Nats. He's a key cog in the defensive rotations. When he's not in, Bassett, not known for his defensive prowess, has been forced to make more defensive covering runs/tackles. Bassett I think has fully deserved going the full 90 the last four games in the row - that's 4 games in 14 days he went the full 90. Anyone who plays that many minutes, in that span of time, and the amount of space he's been asked to cover, isn't going to be perfect. I would MUCH rather see a midfield 4 of Price, Acosta, Kaye and Bassett, then to force minutes to a 3 winger formation and make one of those guys sit.
Also, regarding Bassett, he's in a play or sell situation now. To bench him stunts his value as a transfer target, and as a player in the US international pool. He's going to have growing pains, sure. But so did Busio in KC, and now it sound like he's fetching around $11mil. Vermes stuck with him, and it paid off. Same thing needs to happen with Bassett. If Bassett doesn't play, then I think we cap his career for the next couple years right there. He's at a pivotal stage being 19 and exploding on the scene. And then get benched for what? Because we transferred a guy in for $1mil? We do that, we say to the world that Bassett isn't worth $1mil. Of course, none of this matters if the Rapids make some moves in the next 3 days. But, say they don't (which would be right in line with the FO), then you need to find a way to play Bassett.
1 point of clarification, the MLS transfer window closes in 3 days, but that doesn't matter for Vines going to Europe. The transfer window that applies to any transfer is the window for the league you're going to, not the league you're coming from. I haven't confirmed the Belgium window but what I saw is that its open until the end of the month so there's still plenty of time. Also the last I heard from talking to people is that they were at the dot the i's/cross the t's portion of the deal last week, so my bet is that they decided not to announce it until after the Gold Cup. IF he's still a Rapid come Saturday night with no announcement then I'd raise my eyebrow about the deal getting done. I said short-term. We saw Wilson go down injured against FSL and we don't know if he'll be back against SKC. That would leave us either playing Abubakar and Trusty inside and Beitashour/Anderson at LB, or moving Acosta there. We also, supposedly, have an LB on the way from Brazil. Once Wilson is healthy and/or Esteves is transferred and got his visa then I'd agree, playing Acosta at LB is not the best use of his skills. But for the next game or two it might be the best way to get the strongest team on the field. He also hasn't improved his ball security. That was fine when he was our second best offensive talent last year, you take that trade off. But he hasn't been as dangerous this year compared to last, so those turnovers hurt more. And, like it or not, we built this team with a lot of skill (and money) on the wings. Going to a formation that puts that on the bench is a waste of talent. Completely overhauling the 4-3-3 system we've ridden to a top 4(?) spot in the league into a 4-4-2 midseason seems to be more risk for little payout. I'd rather seem players confident in the system and their roles even if it means Galvan or Lewis get time over Bassett.
From what I'm hearing, in terms of offers from European teams, he's not. Don't get me wrong, he should be getting offers over $1M, but it sounds like the offers we've gotten have been less than that (notably less). And while I'm all for getting him playing time and working on his career trajectory, the goal here is still to win games first. IMO if everyone is available (sans Vines) the best chance to do that against a generic MLS opponent is to continue our 4-3-3 model and use Galvan at winger opposite Barrios, which leaves no room for Bassett to start.
I get your point about playing Bassett in order to maximize his value. But if he doesn't beat out other players, then he shouldn't play. Not sure I would play someone just on the hopes he gets a big transfer fee. He is a good player and should get some time. Just saying I wouldn't give it to him unearned. And he has earned some.
THAT’S MY RAPIDS PLAYER!!! @ColoradoRapids @KellynAcosta https://t.co/0Ols5KhSqU— Jess (@jesshuh15) August 2, 2021
I guess on the Bassett side of things, I don't see what he has done to deserve a benching? Sure Galvan has looked bright at times, and I for sure want him to see more of the pitch too. And who knows, hey may even have a higher ceiling. But right now, if you needed to go out there and get a W to get in to the playoffs, would you rather Bassett be on the pitch in his natural position or Galvan in his natural position? Today, August 2nd 2021, I'd take Bassett any day. When Galvan starts, just like Lewis, he's proven to be not as impactful as when he subs. Overall, I don't see why you wouldn't try to work out a way to get all four of Kaye, Acosta, Price, and Bassett on the field at the same time until they prove that they don't deserve it. And since we're talking about earning a starting role in the squad right now, if you do a stat for stat comparison between Bassett and Galvan - since he would be the natural starter in the winger position in the 4-3-3 and supposedly forcing Bassett to the bench: Passing: Bassett - 83.8% pass accuracy on 33.4 pass attempts per 90 Galvan - 76.3% pass accuracy on 44.3 pass attempts per 90 That works out to an average of nearly 6 more incomplete passes per 90 from Galvan than Bassett Bassett - 19.2 passes per 90 in the oppositions half Galvan - 17.5 passes per 90 in the oppositions half Bassett - 8 crosses (0.6 per 90) Galvan - 1 cross (0.3 per 90) Bassett - 19 key passes (trails only Jack Price in that category) (1.4 per 90) Galvan - 2 key passes (0.67 per 90) Attacking: Bassett - 3g/1a in 1200 min (0.23g per 90) Galvan - 1g/0a in 272 min (0.33g per 90) Bassett - 1.88 avg total shots per 90 Galvan - 1 avg total shot per 90 Bassett - 15 dribbles Galvan - 11 dribbles So, Galvan, an attacking winger, has an edge here in the scoring per 90 category. Not a huge surprise. Unfortunately there's no stats viewable on how many times each gets into good positions in the box, as that would be an interesting comparison for players. Bassett certainly seems to get open into the box quite a bit, but the pass never comes. Galvan also seems to get into good attacking positions as well. Other: Bassett - 11.1 duels completed per 90 Galvan - 9.3 duels completed per 90 Oddly enough, Cole is also the team leader with 148 duels. Next closest are Trusty (119), Shinyashiki (118), Barrios (117), and Rubio (116). Bassett - 1.42 fouls suffered per 90 Galvan - 2 fouls suffered per 90 Bassett - 10 tackles Galvan - 1 tackle Bassett - 2.7 turnovers per 90 Galvan - 2.3 turnovers per 90 If you're looking at pure numbers only, Galvan has a slight edge in a couple areas, but overall, Bassett's numbers show up in more places on the pitch - and I'd make the case that between the two, Galvan hasn't out played Bassett on the field.. IF, Fraser doesn't want to work a way to get all four of Kaye, Price, Acosta, and Bassett on the field - which again, I'll argue that it makes more sense to have those guys on the field than the depth we have in wingers - then Kaye, the million dollar man, is the odd man out until he beats Bassett out on the training pitch. There's nothing he's done in Burgundy, beyond his price tag, to assume he's the automatic starter day one. He's proven it elsewhere, but hasn't done it here yet. That could take 1 week. That could take 10. Coming from LA, and his hometown being Toronto, the altitude is going to be tough on him. Now, I know it's not easy to just up and go into a new formation. But a 4-4-2 diamond is not all together too different than how the 4-3-3 we currently operate in actually works out there on the field. The only major difference is there's two up top instead of 3. The 4-3-3 defensive covering has us with a deep lying midfielder to cover the center backs when the wingbacks push up. In a 4-4-2 diamond, you have a deep lying midfielder who covers the center backs when the wingbacks push up. In the 4-3-3 we currently run, we have the wingbacks overlap to support the front wingers. In a 4-4-2 diamond, you have the wingbacks overlap to support the attacking mid and connect with the two strikers. I also think having Barrios next to Rubio with Bassett underneath would free up both of them tremendously - especially if you have overlapping wingers, and then Price and Kaye bossing the possession with Acosta covering as the deep 6. Again, in theory, the 4-4-2 diamond suits all of our guys fairly well. Then Shinyashiki and Galvan drop to rotational guys, with Lewis et al being the 'super subs'. Anyways. All I'm saying is, that on paper - it wouldn't be that hard to find a way to get all 4 of our midfielders on the field. I also think that running those four guys out there makes us a more formidable opponent - again, on paper - than with one of those guys on the bench.
That's fair, and yeah, maybe it doesn't happen this week. But we didn't drop $1M on a guy mid-season to have him sit the bench over Bassett based on their current play. But his play so far this year is enough to send Bassett to the bench in a 4-3-3 once he gets acclimated unless Bassett steps up his game in the near future. And yeah, maybe Bassett is better than Galvan, though I think its pretty close, but sometimes that's what happens. If a team wants to stick with a certain shape your best XI may not fit that shape. That means the players that don't fit need to be able to adjust (like Barrios being able to play winger or striker) or will have to sit in order to get a better match for the formation. If all these players stay together into 2022 I would fully be behind shifting to the 4-4-2 formation, but I don't think the middle of a very successful season is the time to make that switch.
Yeah exactly. Again this was all based off of if no one transfers out. It’s crazy to think about what could be done with every player on the roster right now. Definitely stacked
'Vines strijkt weldra neer in Antwerpen om pen op papier te zetten' : https://t.co/9CvioKwB2S #RoyalAntwerpFC #ColoradoRapids— VoetbalPrimeur.be (@VoetbalPrimeurB) August 2, 2021 Translation: "Vines will soon be in Antwerp to put pen to paper"