Well, well, well, it's another struggling team headed into the RioT on Saturday with fireworks to ensue. FCD is arguably or inarguably a better side than SKC but just going through their annual summer slump. I'm thinking this should be a good game and RSL comes out victorious. 3-1 RSL with Cordova with a brace.
FCD hasn't won since May 28th and have gone L-D-L-D-D-L-D for 4 points in almost two months of action. Although they have played a relatively decent schedule Vancouver, Austin, LAFC, Brand Miami, Houston, NYCFCFCFC, Austin but really they ought to have a few more points in that run. So maybe RSL is in for a bit of a fight with a team that is struggling but probably so would RSL if that was their last 7 games or so. Still sticking with my 3-1 RSL victory.
FCD's style of play will be an interesting counter point to RSL's. According to whoscored, FCD attacks through the middle with lots of short passes and through balls. Essentially the opposite of RSL (Whoscored: Long passes, width, crosses often, etc.). Given current form, I agree RSL should be the dominant side here. The curse of a firework game scares me, though. FCD has been close in all of their games recently - a no duh comment with the number of draws - and haven't kept a clean sheet since May 8th. So obviously this will end 0-0.
Forgot to do lineup. Don't change anything from last week unless injury requires it (Loffelsend is who I'd be most worried about with the whack he took from Espinoza) Cordova Savarino Meram Ruiz Loffelsend Chang Brody Silva Glad Herrera MacMath
One of the things I liked about the SKC game was that by abandoning our 2-striker formation we were able to fit all of Savarino, Meram, and Chang on the field. Never thought I'd say this but I think Chang is getting close to undroppable. Each of our first two goals was set up by a good ball from Chang - he got credited with an assist for Cordova's and played that really nice first-time switch to Meram on the second. I think the hesitation to go to this lineup a long time ago might be that all 3 of these guys are most comfortable on the wing and not as an attacking mid, but honestly Rubio adds so little as a second striker that I think we should tolerate playing somebody a little bit out of position.
Solid pre-game thoughts from the both o' ye. I'm off to boo Chelski. Yeah yeah, Abramovic had to sell the club. Tough shit. There's zero reason I can see to not harass their fans. Am I wrong? I wish I had a Huddersfield jersey or something equally obscure.
Rubio adds so little that I think we should seriously consider fielding 10 men before adding Rubio to the starting XI.
We'll be following updates on the website for this one while attending Seattle and the Rapids on Saturday at Lumen Field.
I can't really handle paying to attend another scoreless draw. Can you wish a scoring draw on them - and me - instead?
Getting in a second game during my visit. Brought my dad, brother and friend to this one. Hoping for another entertaining win.
Looks to be the case tonight. MLS says it's a 4-2-3-1, but a 4-4-1-1 works too. I liked it. Really hoping I'm wrong about Cordova, but I hope he doesn't get the Rubio contract after this season. He's not a DP (assuming there's a transfer fee).
Córdova could go either way. He's getting into good positions, but not making that final run, or getting his shot on frame, or shooting quickly enough. Honestly, he could be putting together numbers similar to what Kreilach has. He just hasn't shown that nose for goal, or maybe the fire to get the goal? If he gets to a goal/assist per 180min over say 10games, I'd be OK with the purchase, depending what else the team has in its sites.
Dallas has not won in 7 games, we are undefeated at home? This has draw or loss written all over it. I'm just being my true RSL self, all the way back to the Embratsu days!
Ref is from New Zealand and will be working the WC. Anybody know anything about why he is here? An exchange program or something?