From what I’ve heard and been reading (since no one has seen DCU play in preseason), I believe Lesesne will go with 3 in the back with Herrera as one of the three. This acquisition from Tampa seems to also fit that role as well. The formation likely will have 2 forwards, which was what Lesesne used in New Mexico. The real question is whether or not this will be a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-1-2.
With no idea what formation they might roll out, here's my depth chart and some starting lineup guesses. I've slashed Jehaze, Rodriguez and Miller since we haven't been able to gauge their recoveries. CF:Bentke, Dajome, Murell SS: Ku-D, Dajome, Fletcher WF: Rodriguez, Ku-D, Stroud, Dajome, Santos, Hopkins, Fletcher AM: Klich, Pirani, Ku-D Shuttlers: Klich, Rodriguez, Stroud, Canouse, Hopkins DM: Canouse, Peltola, Herrera, Garay RB/RWB: Herrera, Antley, Peltola LB/LWB: Jehaze, Santos, Herrera, Rodriguez CB:Birnbaum, Peltola, Akinmboni, McVey, Bartlett, Tubbs, Sargis GK: Miller, Bono, Zamudio, Crockford 442 diamond: Benteke, Ku-D Rodriguez/Stroud, Pirani, Klich, Canouse Jehaze/Santos, Birnbaum, Pletola, Herrera Miller/Bono 433: Rodriguez/Stroud, Benteke, Ku-D Klich, Pirani, Canouse Jehaze/Santos, Birnbaum, Pletola, Herrera Miller/Bono 361 box: Benteke Jehaze/Rodriguez/Santos, Klich, Pirani, Canouse, Peltola, Herrera Akinmboni, Birnbaum, McVey Miller/Bono 352: Bentke, Ku-D Jehaze/Rodriguez/Santos, Klich, Pirani, Canouse, Herrera Akinmboni, Birnbaum, Peltola Miller/Bono 3412 Benteke, Ku-D Pirani Rodriguez/Jehaze/Santos, Klich, Canouse, Herrera Akinmboni, Birnbaum, Peltola Miller/Bono
Barring catestrophic injury to Benteke or Klich, I'd expect us to float right around the red line and might even come down to decision day. I am concerned with our CB situation, because Birnbaum has struggled when partnered with a weaker CB. A rookie or Pines had we not let him go seemed to leave him looking like he was covering someone else too much and not being focused on his game. I like Rodriguez at left wing/mid or even left forward should we play a 433. I liked his speed and him constantly making runs and looking for a line breaking pass. I can't see Dajome starting much at all. He was thoroughly underwhelming at his salary last year. We could have had a couple of deck chairs, a bag of balls and some new GK gloves for Talon with that money. My bold prediction is for Teddy KdP to put a scare in 10 goals. You don't watch many games do ya?
Stats acquired from the United States doodoo division though, so we'll see. Also odd to see someone say he can do it all and then provide data that shows he can do a few things and other things he cannot do.
This guy can do it all, except win most aerial duels, win tackles, fulfil defensive actions, provide service or crosses, play forward, etc. Reminder that defensive actions so far as I have seen them calculated include tackles, interceptions, challenges (failed tackles), fouls. Being low in this score means low grit.
I look at him as a 3ATB depth solution along the lines of a poor man's Gressel. He can defendish? But he's a wingback intended to push play. If Herrera isn't available in a 4ATB scenario, I'm guessing we put Peltola outside, or we've used Canouse like that before as well.
I'm hearing what you're saying, and while it makes sense it's like telling someone your restaurant doesn't have dessert but your options include putting some of the little smuckers jam packets on a piece of toast, or adding some complementary sugar to your tap water.
I think Peltola was brought in to play in midfield. Either to supplant Canouse or play alongside him with Klich a bit forward of those two. I also think that Pirani starts on the bench given that he hasn’t been with the team at all so far this year. One final thing, don’t sleep on Akinmboni. He will be the break out player this year.
Yeah, I think we are relying on Herrera to have high availability. But we're not without options, especially in a 3 back I can see us even using Stroud, Rodriguez or Hopkins out there. Smuckers is my Jam. EDIT: Assuming we're using a high-pressing style.
That's likely, but I'm not sure he's a starter over Canouse if they're competing for the slot. At worst he's second string at the position, if for no other reason than the depth discrepancy at RB means Herrera will be living out there. I like Akinmboni a lot, and I expect and hope he gets a lot of minutes this year. Not having watched much of McVey, Barrett or Peltola, It's hard for me to say what Akinmboni or Peltola's roles will be with any kind of authority. I could certainly see: Benteke, Ku-Di Jehaze - Peltola-Klich-Canouse-Herrera Akinmboni-Birnbaum-McVey Miller I think Bartlett is going to primarily be Birnbaum's backup, and the rest of them are competing for the other side or LCB/RCB. Not a terrible situation.
That is a total train wreck in the back. Hopefully our new style of play can hide our deficiencies in the that line.
Sources: Austin FC finalizing deal to sign center back Brendan Hines-Ike. Out of contract, formerly with D.C. United.Hines-Ike, 29, made 46 apps with D.C. Source adds his deal is significantly less than what he was on last year, which was $467k per MLSPA https://t.co/DJLCL3p5vJ— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) February 14, 2024
Any of Klich, Benteke or starting defender gets hurt and we're in ********ing trouble. What a shite roster. I mean we got rid of some real garbage but come the ******** on. People work for this club and make hundreds of thousands a year and this is what they put together? THIS?
He's still recovering from what could have easily been a career-ending hip injury. I hope for the best for him, but I don't think it's likely. Neither does Austin, nor should anyone else, including us.
New primary jersey dropped today, along with a new front of shirt sponsor, Guidehouse. The deal with Guidehouse is for 5 years at $7.5M per year and includes naming rights to the suite level in the East stands. https://www.dcunited.com/icon-kit
Literally the best news all year. You can buy a Jersey now without participating in the scamming of America