Given how the teams matched up in Panama, this one shouldn't be a problem - regardless of how hot/cold. But just saying that makes me nervous. But, I think the Revs are going to be very frustrated about what happened in DC and are going to impose their will on Independiente.
I hope you are right. Philadelphia had a one goal lead entering last night and barely made it through, needing a goal in stoppage time and then surviving 2 shots hitting woodwork in the final minutes to make it through 6-5 on aggregate. I don't know what happened with the players strike in Panama the announcer kept talking about last week, but a bit worried about tired legs with 3 games in 8 days and guys having to chase so much being down a man for 65 minutes Saturday
While I agree with your wariness, Saprissa is one of the better known clubs in the CONCACAF region. That was always going to be a tough first match for Philly.
According to the CONCACAF bracket page, the winner of this round hosts next Wednesday, with the away leg on the 14th. So the Revs, if they move forward, would be playing two games a week the first four weeks of the season. The Revs fifth league match of the year (hosting Chicago on March 23rd) would be the first game they play with an actual week in between games (well 6 days, but who's counting). If the Revs make it to the CCC Quarterfinals, they would have about a ten day break (after the Fire match) before they play the first leg of that in early April.
Cincy and Nashville both dominated leg 2 last night, despite heavily rotated lineups, each winning 4-0. I think the Revs might rotate some (i.e. Panayotou could start), but I hope they take a page from last night and go for the throat. This is the first time the Revs have hosted the 2nd leg (not including Cavaly's withdrawal last year) since... Joe Public. Time to exorcise those ghosts from September 2008!
Preview | Revs carry 1-0 aggregate lead into Thursday night showdown with CA Independiente Jeff Lemieux posted: Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024, 03:31 PM I guess that implies the strike happened? Edit: OK, maybe not: https://us.soccerway.com/national/panama/lpf/2024/apertura/r80020/
I'd like to see them send out the A squad tonight. There are plenty of games to go in the regular season, let's see if they can win a trophy. Or at least come close.
He can't play Sunday, so I would assume he starts tonight. He owes his teammates, so hopefully he has a monster game (flashback to his Leagues Cup hat trick last summer).
Bobby Wood Dealing With Knee Soreness Porter: "He probably is not going to be available for [Thursday’s] game but we’re hoping for Sunday that he will.” Seth Macomber theblazingmusket.com Feb 28, 2024
They've had 4 full days with no games - and only a quick flight back from DC, so I think they'll be rested enough. And Kaye will be fresh and available - and maybe Kessler as well. Farrell will probably be back in and he's rested. Buck didn't see too many minutes in DC and neither did Harkes. And Esmir is a young pup, so tired prolly isn't in his vocabulary. And Vrioni should be pretty rested. Another overlooked factor is that until Saturday night, these guys hadn't seen there homes in probably a month or so - that's pretty mentally fatiguing as well.
I'll probably have an extra ticket, so if anyone is interested LMK - right at midfield line (though I think you'd be able to sit anywhere you want).
There are going to be a lot of unused tickets tonight! It's a miserable night for a game, and I think the attendance is going to be in the hundreds.
Caleb Porter Reaffirms Belief in Giacomo Vrioni Porter: "There will be a time when Giacomo finds a goal to win us the game, and I’m hoping it’s Thursday." Seth Macomber Feb 29, 2024
Had high hopes for vrioni this year and it's still very early but I just don't think his heart is in it
3-0. Ema on a very nice pass from Vironi. Oops. Questionable VAR ruling. Revs got a little CONCACAF’d on that one…
So obviously the quality of the competition should weigh into the analysis, but - Esmir was sure something. He came in for Gil, and the Revs actually looked better for it. That's about the highest praise possible for an attacking Revs player. If Esmir keeps this up, he's going to give the Revs something they haven't since Tajon: A guy who makes s*** happen by running at defenses. He's got that mix of skill and cockiness where he sees a defense on their heels, and his first instinct is to take them on. And sure, it doesn't work out every time (just like it often didn't work out for Tajon), but the fact that there's a guy on the field trying it opens up so much space for everyone else. Also, as someone who slammed Vrioni post-DC, I'd like to say I'm pretty pleased with his performance today. Not a great touch before the (absurd) yellow for simulation, but he was pretty electric in the second half, especially for that third goal. I still have concerns about his movement (he pulled up on one run where Esmir would have played him in behind beautifully), but maybe there's hope for him still...