https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=782327#post782327 The above thread involves a friendly, opinionated debate about who will score more goals this year - the REVOLUTION or DC UNITED. See what you think or leave your comments in this space. Also - what do you think about this alignment to begin the season: Quaranta Stewart Etcheverry Convey Olsen Nelson Prideaux Ivanov Petke Reyes Rimando Stoichkov Eskandarian (subs in the last 20) Kovalenko Quintanilla (depth/occasional starts) I can see us moving strictly to a three man back line later in the season, but it might be prudent to start out a little more conservatively in the early going, while guys are still getting used to playing together.
I would say Eskandarian over Quaranta, but I have a feeling Esky will be injury prone this year so I wouldn't be surprised if he made something like 6 appearances this year....and still outscored Quaranta. Kovalenko HAS to be starting in my opinion. Either way there is a lot of (good) depth on this team. I can't wait for April.
This is the likely starting lineup (3-5-2) ....Quaranta.....Stewart Convey...Etcheverry...Olsen .....Kovalenko...Nelsen ...Petke...Ivanov...Reyes ............Rimando I also think it's likely that eventually Etcheverry and Kovalenko will switch positions, and perhaps even Kovalenko will move up top with Stewart slotting in to a withdrawn forward/CM position. For all the praise that Hudson is heaping on Eskandarian, he still has played 0 minutes in a MLS match, so I wouldn't go pencilling him in as starter just yet. He will probably get the nod on opening day since Tino could possibly still be on International duty. I look forward to the battles among the striking pool to see who shakes out as the best combination.
I like this formation a lot. Nice to get Kovalenko on the field. I just didn't know if Ray was definitely settled on a three man backline (especially since Petke has struggled in it a bit). I guess that is what they have been playing in scrimmages, though, and that is what they played in Miami. I agree about Eskandarian.
---------Stewart--------Santino-------- ----------------Etcheverry------------- Convey------------Dema----------Olsen -------------------Nelsen-------------- -------Pekte------Ivanov----Reyes----- That's what I expect to see. Etch and Dema will likely be on different sides of the field (left or right) and switch sides often. Etch will be playing more of a withdrawn forward at times, while Dema will be the central midfielder responsible for getting the ball from the defensive third to the offensive third. Olsen will pinch in to help out defensively and Reyes will provide width up the flank. Convey will run the sideline box to box. When we are protecting a lead, Stewart will drop back into midfield and Convey, Dema and Olsen will play more defensively. For subs, I see Esky being the first sub almost every game (unless he starts or is injured). Hristo will be an occasional sub. The young sub midfielders will get chances here and there, but I'd expect Eliseo to be the 2nd sub much of the time, particularly at home. Hristo's experience may be more valuable at away games, where we have a particularly tough time scoring. For the beginning of the season, we'll likely be without Convey and Santino, so I'd expect Esky to start up top with Stewart and I'm not sure who will take Convey's place. But expect Eliseo, Devin and Curtis (if he makes the team) to see action. Of course, if Hudson lands one of his "surprises" then all bets are off, heh. -Tron
At some point I would like to see Tino and Esky up top together, with Stewart playing the attacking mid. The thing is, who do you push out of the line up? I really love that 3-5-2 and I guess that could happen in Marco is subbed out, you bring Esky on and push Stewart back. Yeah, that would work.
Every match report and comment that Hudson's made suggest that it's Esk and Stoich up top as first choice right now.
Based on how well he seems to be playing right now, I think Stoichkov will get a lot more time than this thread has given him so far.
I don't doubt that Stoichkov would have the highest goal/minute ratio until he is 45. But it might not be best for the team to have him playing too much. But if he ends up starting games and playing for a full 90, he will break down. Most of us are not questioning his continuing talent, I think most of us are hoping he is not overused due to the consequences late in the season. His form and fitness early in the pre-season should be very high. An older player usually arrives with better preparation and needs less time to shake off the rust of inaction. But he will hit a wall midway through the season if he doesn't watch it. Older players like Stoichkov and Wynalda (when he was at the Fire) are at their best when they are not overused.
The catchy title of this thread was just too hard to resist huh Liverpool? =0) And I agree with Todd, we'll see a lot more of Hristo than we though before the trade went through. That is of course barring any major injuries. Ray is never shy about playing the geezers.
Even if he does break down, he can still be a very valuable member in the role of mentor to the younger forwards.
Good point Tron. Hristo has the history of being a player who can raise the team and after last away season, that will be quite an addition to the team.