Well, I guess I give this a go again. The Galaxy come in to the Riot in 3rd place in west with 16 points on 5-1-2 record. Just looking at their record they seem to be playing relatively solid defense while not scoring a ton. 10 goals in 8 games but they have only given up 6 goals so far with 5 clean sheets. Should be a great test for this RSL club. Which team will show up? The one that put it together, for the most part, against PTFC or the one that didn't bother to show up the rest of the time last week? I have no idea but I will for sure be there to see which one does make it to the RioT.
I'm sure there's a lot more to it, but I don't like it when the team plays a back 4. Going back to the KC game (first time playing a back 4 this year), they are 0-3-2 (W-D-L, like it should be everywhere, btw) in MLS with 3 goals for and 10 against. Granted, there is only 1 home game in there and they scored 2 goals. For the most part the team is overly defensive and doesn't create enough chances. I think they have to get the wingbacks to help the offense. I know they'll likely lose if they give up more than 1 goal, but you can't win if you don't score and points are the name of the game in the regular season. Just don't give up the first goal, it'll allow LAG to bunker and they seem to be pretty good at that this year when they need to (see their road games).
anyone watch the City v Madrid game just barely? If we can get anything close to that level of open/fun soccer I'll be happy. I know those are two of the best teams in the world, but man... And it starts with what they want to do from the back. They push forward. Even Madrid, who was sitting in (understandably) was willing to push bodies forward.
Well, Madrid kind of had to push forward, after giving up two goals in the first 12 minutes. One huge difference between that game and ours on Saturday is that if RSL goes down two goals early on, we're usually done. 6 - 0 done, that kind of thing. To the point about the Gals' relative lack of production, maybe this would be a good time to throw everything forward early and see if we can get an early goal. It would likely backfire, but it might be worth considering. Give the boys the green light and see what happens.
Fair shout I think their first leg at Stamford Bridge shows that they aren't like their city rivals in wanting to just sit in and make the game boring, though. They purposefully look to hit teams on counters. Something this RSL team could do, but would have to be willing to (i) accept that as an identity and (ii) probably harder to accept - admit players like Kreilach just don't fit it.
That Vini Jr is something special. The dude is so fast. That step over to get past Fernandinho was awesome.
the goal was so basic (run from midfield in essentially a straight line) but the pace of it, as you pointed out, and the dummy to set the whole thing up, was truly amazing. Watching a person with the ball out run defenders is simply amazing.
It's earlyish still in the season, but it is interesting to see who teams have beaten and lost to thus far. The Galaxy? They are responsible for the only loss LAFC has. That's really impressive. However, the Galaxy are one of only 2 teams Seattle has beat in league play. They also loss to Orlando at home - but Orlando looks a decent side. Current form is very much in LAG's favor. While RSL hasn't won a game in over a month, LAG hasn't lost a game (aforementioned Orlando/Seattle losses) in over a month. In their last 5, including USOC, LAG is: WWDWW. RSL, on the other side, in the last 5: DLLDD WhoScored has a cool feature where, based on their data, they give an analysis of what strengths the team has at and their style of play. LAG has the following, the last one being of big concern for RSL: LAG Strengths: - Creating chances through individual skill - Shooting from direct free kicks - Attacking set pieces LAG Style of Play: - Short Passes - Possession Football - Control the game in the opposition's half - Attacking down the right
The last 15 or so have been a lot better But we have absolutely no game changers in the final third right now
I had to chuckle. My back was to the TV when I heard David James say, “Will Ruiz give it a go? He will.” And the flat unamused delivery of “he will” said it all.
Galaxy own the middle third unless we’re looking to hit them on a counter. It’s frustrating, as Herrera pointed out, because the opportunity is there. The runners aren’t good enough - especially both wings - and the speed of play has been woeful outside one or two moments chang and meram should come off at half. They won’t, but they should
That was a great build up and pretty good shot too. Too bad it didn't go in.... And there goes Silva on the corner! I wish he didn't take off his shirt.
So wild that Kleijikistanovich is still playing. He played on Chivas! 60' subs? What is this sorcery? Well, not for RSL, so it checks out.