So looks like we have our squad for at least the first half of 2017, so what do you all think our ideal starting xi looks like? I think the biggest challenge is playing Lletget in, arguably, his best position as a CM/CAM since Gio operates in a very similar space. I think we see this: -----------------------Zardes--------------------------- ---Lletget-------------Gio------------Alessandrini--- ----------------Jones----Joao Pedro------------------ Cole--------Van Damme----Steres-----------Rogers ------------------------Rowe-------------------------- I think this could be very interesting but not sure if our players can execute the system or if we will ever see it: Zardes---------------Gio---------------Alessandrini -------------Lletget-------Jones---------------------- -------------------Joao Pedro------------------------- Cole--------Van Damme-------Steres-------Rogers ----------------------Rowe----------------------------- *this fundamentally changes our system and our players must be able to do a tikki taco system again and keep the ball on the ground giving it to Gio's feet consistently. He simply can't play a target position. This would definitely make our midfield very strong, could make Gio a false 9, and SUPER relys on Cole, Zardes, Ale, and Rogers to give us all our width. Cole may not have the legs for it, Rogers the footwork
Like to see us try a 3-5-2. Best 11 seems well suited to this formation ------Zardes-------Gio Aless/Boateng---Lletget---Rogers/Alles -------Pedro------Jones Cole------JvD-----Steres -----Rowe
I think if you play Zardes as a "Target Winger" it might work, but I think we're better off if Zardes can occupy the central defenders to give the space behind him to do Gio things.
We'd need to be 2 deep on each wingback and we're not. I also wouldn't like to see Cole in a back 3. AJ would have been great there.
If everyone is healthy, I expect Phoenix's first lineup to be what we see. I think that puts pretty much everyone in the position where they play best, and are most comfortable.
Based on Onalfo's quotes where he refers to #6, #8, etc. I think this is it. Then there are variations that use McBean, Husidic, Boateng too. Or the likely what to do when Jones is injured.
The starting 11 seems to pick itself. Only Boateng to me could have a reasonable shout to start at the expense of anyone in the expected 11. That's not a good thing, by the way. Would be better if we had a back ups that were closer to the starters but its hard in MLS.
I don't know - I think we're kind of spoiled. In the past typically there would be one or two players who you would wish weren't in a starting lineup. Last year was kind of an aberration where we had a lineup where 12-15 seemed like a good idea to insert often because we have such great veteran depth, but maybe that's because certain starters were performing at such a low level. To me this year's lineup on paper has only maybe Steres who has something to prove to solidify his standing as MLS starter. But as they say about lineups on paper...
I think that's it too. If you want to get fancy, in the attack it spreads out as: -------------------Zardes--------------------------- ------------------------------Gio-------------------------- ---Lletget-----------------------------Alessandrini--- ----------------------Jones------------------------------- ------------------Joao Pedro--------------------- Cole--------Van Damme----Steres-----------Rogers ------------------------Rowe-------------------------- with Jones as the 8 and Joao as the 6.
It'll be interesting where Alessandrini plays actually. He's left footed, so playing him on the right would make him an inverted winger. That's where he played mostly for OM. However for Rennais he played on the left wing.
If Alessandrini can play both sides effectively it will provide flexibility on the wings as Letgett and, to a lesser degree Boateng, can play both sides also. Lineup flexibility and in play dynamics which should tend to confuse defenses.
I can see the logic in having a top heavy lineup, with the majority of the payroll applied to an obvious starting 11. The MLS is getting another expansion team next year. 12 teams have applied for a future expansion team. I suspect all will eventually get one. I think MLS is going to expand to 40 teams eventually, by 2030. I also think USL is going to be at 40 teams as well. At that point we're going to see either a firm West/East leagues to cut down on travel costs and extensive road trips. Or we will see some form of pro/rel from 1.MLS to 2.MLS and seperatlly 1.USL to 2.USL (sorry NASL). That being said, we're going see too many expansion drafts for the next 13 years. What's the point of signing quality players across the board. If we can have 11 studs, one in each position, and surround them with quality HG players that we've developed I think that will protect the team from being poached. All that time, effort, and scouting won't be wasted on players that will benefit other clubs.
I'm sure that soon expansion will mean we are like the NFL and stop playing every team in the league every season. Even at 28 teams, you play home and away in your conference and then just play 8 teams in the other conference (4 home and 4 away) to make the current 34 game season (if my math is correct, which isn't always the case).
This is how I see it. Gio is more of secondary striker than a playmaker. Zardes gets to be up top finally and he can spread the defensive line. Gio can finally comfortably check into the midfield
If we really want to get fancy and we had the system to execute a more advanced formation then this would be very VERY interesting. -----------------------------Zardes--------------------------------- -------------------------------Gio----------------------------------- Boateng-----------Lletget---------Jones------------Alessandrini ----------------------------Joa Pedro------------------------------- ------------------Cole----Van Damme---Steres------------------ -------------------------------Rowe--------------------------------- Alessandrini and Boating would have to get back and really be smart with their runs which I doubt they are that type of player. However, who knows... If Moses can do it then I feel like anyone can learn. I also think Cole would be a perfect fit for this system with his aging legs and he still has the brain for it.
The issue I have with Cole playing as LCB in a 3 man backline has to do with his size and his speed. He'd be tucked in more centrally and I think teams would target as the weak link in our back line. Assuming we had 5 midfielders we'd most likely (hopefully) be in control of the game possession wise and my guess is we'd play a high line. For as smart as Cole is, giving any forward 30 yards behind Cole to run onto is a dangerous proposition.
I know we were playing a 4-4-2 in both lineups last night, but anyone who was there and could see the actual movement have a sense of whether it really operated like that in practice? Seems like McBean and Lassiter are too different as players to mimic the positioning of Zardes and Gio, but otherwise it felt like a Bruce formation where an outside back like Lletget was free to roam inside as needed.