RSL makes a midweek trip to Atlanta tomorrow. Both teams are in a poor run of form. RSL, however, is much better in terms of overall standings. Atlanta sits at 11th place in the East, with 20 points through 18 games played. They have been far from invincible at home with a record of 4-3-2 (WDL). Atlanta is coming off a 3-0 home loss to Austin and had some public leaks of locker room frustration. If this was over a weekend with a week's rest, I'd say this game is one RSL has a chance to grab a point, or even possibly the full three. Given this is on short rest with another game just 4 days after, I'm just not optimistic. I think we see rotation; the interesting thing will be just how much rotation happens and where. My XI: 4/5/1 Cordova Schmitt Caldwell Luna Besler Chang Brody Silva Kappelhoff Herrera MacMath
I'm stealing this from Matt at the Soapbox, but I like the thought process he went through. 3-4-2-1 Rubin Luna Savarino Hidalgo Besler Caldwell Schmitt Holt Orozco Kablan MacMath I think Rubin will do much better with service from guys like Luna and Savarino. He's not Wood, we have to play differently with him if we're expecting goals from him. Pretty sure we've seen that when we look at him scoring last year. Cordova should be available as a sub, but I don't like him as a single forward. Maybe it works if Rubin can't go 90? Anyone heard about Julio? It's been strangely quiet. I only expect 45-60 minutes from Savarino. Meram or Chang or both should get 30-45 minutes in the match. Joni isn't expected to be available. He's supposed to be in Argentina for his expected loan move. I think Besler and Caldwell can stay home and be defensive like they need to be for this to work. Jasper and Ruiz would be a good sub for 15-30 minutes. Bode and Tate provide width and a focus on defense. Herrera and Brody should be available as emergency subs. The back 3 deserve some minutes. Need to see them start with the first team. Might be asking for trouble, but it's a midweek road match on turf. It's probably not going to go well anyway. Kappelhof would be my bench CB. Gomez is my 20th player on the bench.
No matter who starts this game has disaster written all over it. I thought Cordova needed a break last game. Continuing to start him is only making things worse. Let him come of the bench and get the weight of his shoulders for game or two. The Soapbox 11 3-4-2-1 Rubin Luna Savarino Hidalgo Besler Caldwell Schmitt Holt Orozco Kablan MacMath I like the thought of rotation but holy crap that lineup gets obliterated in my mind. I would love to see it though and be totally wrong but damn. I also have $10 bucks on Orozco never ending up a true CB unless he grows about 2 to 4 inches.
I forgot about Holt. He should start over Kappelhoff. I don't think Silva gets dropped, though, he's been captain. I prefer the idea of a 4-5-1 or even 3-5-2 with defensive wing backs. Orozco isn't going to start - he didn't even make the gameday roster against the cRapids and the Monarchs have a game this weekend. He'll be with them. I have zero faith in Rubin doing anything. I'll take Cordova if you're going to make me pick. Both are in terrible form, but one actually has a goal to his name (3, in fact... and an assist!) this season. The other is on 404 minutes and doesn't have a goal or an assist. Hell, start Garcia or Hidalgo up top over Rubin. I'm done with him. I think Sava should be on the bench with the expectation of subbing in between 45-60 depending on game needs. Same with Meram.
after this last weekend for Atlanta, I expect them to come into this game wanting blood. Another loss or home draw would be serious red flags for that team/coaching staff
Orozco has played center back and defensive mid for the Monarchs. I'm personally undecided where he might play most long term. Also not convinced he'll ever be only one or the other - having positional flexibility is a plus, not a minus, IMO. Javier Mascherano is that exact height too, and Mascherano played in UCL finals at CB and DM. Maybe we'll want Orozco to get minutes at both spots and maintain that flexibility long-term.
I'm not getting my hopes up. Knowing us, we'll do well enough to have hope for points, only to give up a pointless penalty.
Some rotation: MacMath Herrera Holt Kappelhoff Brody Ruiz Besler Schmitt Luna Rubio Meram (Or something) Bench: Gomez; Kablan, Silva; Loeffelsend, Caldwell, Hidalgo, Chang; Cordova (We're one short on the bench. Didn't travel 20, or someone out due to injury or illness?)
David James with last week's talking point - that RSL has given up set piece goals on 10 of 22 goals against - when it's now 12 of 24 following the collapse against Colorado.
Especially if, like on that last attacking sequence from Atlanta, neither of the two d-mids are within 20 yards of the backs.
This is about the worst lineup choice I could think of. ESPN says 4-4-2, several playing out of position.