P/I/P Match 14: Revs vs CHI, Sat 5/27/23 7:30p [R]

Philly also presumably built depth for the Champions League, so likely better able to weather multiple games than the Fire

 

This would normally should've been an easy game, but it's going to be a real challenge with half a squad available. Arena's staff is going to have to earn the salaries coming up with a winning scheme for this one.

That said, 3 points is vital in this one, as we've got a couple more on the road again right after.

 

Givens who is left i think the best lineup we could field is a back 3

Vrioni Wood
Buck Blessing
Ema Polster Jones
Romney Omar Farrell
Petro

Bench: Edwards, Sweat, Makoun, Jack, Esmir, Rennicks, Jozy, Bolma

If Polster cant go, flip the midfield triangle and start esmir. And before anyone asks, the bench is literally just every senior roster player left minus Jackson who is healthy. Someone pitched the idea that Maciel might be back soon too so maybe we can punt Bolma or Jozy

 

Bolma is a 21 year old kid who was drafted a few months ago. I know he's had a couple mediocre performances in the open cup but I think punting on him now would be way premature.

 

Punt them from the GameDay roster. As in, not have them be available to enter the game. Hes clearly not ready to impact MLS games positively right now, and I dont think that's at all controversial?

Removing Bolma from the 30 man makes no sense. He occupies a supplemental roster spot and as a GA player his salary is payed by the league. He does count as one of out 8 INTL roster slots, but still have 2 available and currently only 1 vacant roster spot so no urgency to make room for more.

 

I agree that Bruce is going to have to change something if we're going to actually create chances (assuming Gil isn't back).

My out-of-the-box suggestion is to push Buck into the no.10 role. It's not ideal, I guess, to play a kid out of position like that - but without Gil, Bou, and Borrero, he's probably the next in line when it comes to chance-creating abilities on the team. I'd certainly rather see him on the ball 30 yards from goal with options ahead of him than, say, Panayotou, Esmir, or Rennicks (or, God forbid, Jozy. But somehow, Bruce starting Jozy in a deeper position seems like a horrifyingly genuine possibility.)

 

I think this is an interesting idea. I've heard people say it's not a natural position for him, but I wonder if that's just because he hasn't been tried there yet? He's definitely been open to looking for the breakthrough pass and does seem assertive enough to impose himself on the game ... and he's also pretty comfortable when he gets near the box.

It's going to be Panayotou, I'm pretty sure. I think they're just going to go with him and keep giving him chances to grow into the role (will be interesting to see if he's used tonight for Revs II - I think that will be a clue).

Interestingly, Gil is not on the injury report ...

 

Count me in the camp that suggests we start Esmir.

Does his game still need maturing? Sure, but that will come faster with more minutes, and the opportunity is there. I say put him in. I think he's shown he has more natural ability and skill than Panayantou, and I certainly don't want to see Jozy out there.

 

Hope Gil is OK. Without him we have no chance. Beyond that, Arena HAS to make changes and I see no sign he will do that. Only thing good about it is that thanks to MLS, I dont have to watch it.

 

Line up is out, 3- 5 -2 Virroni and Wood up front, Gil is on the bench, sadly, Jozy is still included in the 18.(any Revs 2 player would make more sense, they would hustle and have a lot to prove).

 

Ugh … @ 10:00 mins by Koustias…. Revs totally inept level / poor quality of play at 26:00 mins.

 

Revs makeshift 3-5-2 playing like they have no clue what they are doing. 2-0 fire.

 

Maybe a stupid question, but what the hell do these guys do during practices during a week ~ adjust for injured teammates / prep for next opponents?

The question is posed because they absolutely SUCK when repeatedly they get on a field to play a game. I simply don’t understand their repeated, habitual mindlessness!

Buck righteously (thankfully) scores at 38 mins., but what about the first 37 mins?!?!?

Wood’s 40th min. header goal is fantastic, but what else is in their tanks?

 

Woods ties it up!

 

When, ever, are MLS refs going to begin to call diving? At least 2 deliberate dives on Chico, but Emma gets hauled down in the 18 and no penalty…

 

WE now have a role for Jozy, he stands within a foot of the backpost, and waves his feet.

 

he did everything he could to miss that. Swung and missed with his right and it bounced off his left ankle.

but he did score.

 

That seriously was the most Altidorian moment possible...but I'll take it.