Post-match: Another March South - MLS Matchday 30 Crew @ Trashville Wednesday October 20th 8:30pm

Hope I'm wrong...

 

We need a draw worst case but i see a loss

 

A win here would be fantastic! I hope we get it but it seems ineptitude or perhaps Inaptitude will likely rear its ugly head. Classic tale of too little to late.

Change my mind , Lose by 1 in heartbreaking fashion

 

My wife and I will be heading down to Nashville for the match.

Any idea if there will be any semblance of a visiting supporters group on Wednesday night?

 

Well, this is a biggie. Not the last chance to snag that must-have road win, but the next to last chance.

Will be really interesting to see how Porter rotates guys. 5 matches in 16-17 days. On paper, Nashville away is our toughest game. Do you go all in with the A team & rotate for Red Bull? Or do you rest some A team talent, and try for a smash & grab late on?

For me, I go for it here. We do not have opportunities to waste:

Room; Moreira, Mensah, Williams, Valenzuela; Fraser, Nagbe, Zelarayan; Santos, Zardes, Etienne.

 

Maybe don’t start your best attacking players try to counter and get to half 0-0 or up 1

 

Nashville doesn't lose at home. Rest the starters, play the kids!

 

I think there's something that says you get more points playing your best squad versus a weaker team on short rest.

 

Let's sneak down and steal a victory.

 

FWIW, NYRB do not have a game mid-week, thus having 6 days between matches while we have 2.

And the other teams (save NYRB) are also dealing with the same fixture congestion we are. They will need to rotate at some point, too.

Hopefully Mensah & Diaz will be available for this one..

 

We have to go for the win in every game. No time to play it safe with managing minutes. We need the points.

 

Berhalter wasn't on the verge of elimination when choosing his lineup for Panama. The Crew are. Nashville isn't invincible so we need to play our best lineup and hope.

 

I'm with POd. Winning all of our remaining games isn't a guarantee for the playoffs. We need every point we can get. The next set of 3 points is available on Wednesday. We need to go and get all 3. The good thing is that we were able to give Mensah the weekend off (by choice or by rule, doesn't matter), so our #1 center back is as fresh as could be expected for this time of the year. That's the only squad rotation I foresee. Wormgoor sits out for Mensah. Moreira didn't got 90 and is still gaining fitness, so I would expect him to start and maybe come off again at 60 depending on scoreline.

But, all things considered, I really think this one might be the one where it all falls apart. Taking a hapless Miami squad behind the woodshed is all fun and laughs, but we're heading into a game against a solidly in the playoffs team that has made their home a fortress.

This one is tough, but in no way can we do anything but play our best players and go for the W.

 

We can rest everyone when we are eliminated.

Until then, it's all hands on deck and fight like hell.

 

We get 5 subs. They can be used for squad rotation in addition to tactical or injury changes.

 

These guys should be begging to play, as if their careers depended on it.

Because for a lot of them - ideally, the coach included - it is. At least their careers in Columbus.

 

Megabus should start. Zardes has played in 4 games in 10 days. Even if he didn't start in all that's a lot.

 

Agree.

They're the ones who played some pretty half assed soccer this summer. Now they have to suck it up.

Waaaaah waaaaah I'm tired doesn't cut it. They simply cannot afford to leave a single point on the table.

 

GK and the CBs should be good, even for 3 in a week. And with Mensah returning we have some rotation there. The guys who did not play internationally just had a pretty oong break. 6 in 20 is crazy, but the rested guys should be able to string at least two together.

That leaves 8 spots. Minutes by our starters last week. In order if how essential they are.

1. Zelarayan. 73'. Played twice for Armenia during the break, starting but not finishing IIRC. Should be good for at least 60'. If we get ahead early, or trail by 2, pull him for NYRB.

2. Nagbe. '86. No international duty, so a plus there. Porter leaving him in so long suggests to me he is gonna get rotated. Or at least not start. I mean, no way he starts 5 matches in 16 days. Fraser has been pretty good. On the other hand, with no INT duty, his batteries should be fully charged, maybe he is good to start vs Nashville. I'd go for it.

3. Zardes. 78'. Played in all 3 over the break, but only started once. Zardes is a machine. He has missed tome this year, his batteries should be OK for this one. Start him.

4. Santos. 73'. Is Diaz gonna be able to play yet? Only other wide option is Tiny Vampire or Hairston. Porter got him out fairly early. Best match of the year for Pedro playing inverted on the right. I say ride the hot hand for 1 more match. No INT duty.

5. Valenzuela. 90'. A bit concerned here. Milton really looked good last game and has not been healthy for too long. Francis made the bench last week. I think there is a chance we see Francis for at least a half. No INT duty.

6. Moreira. 86'. He looked really good, like Milton. But I do not know what his fitness level is. I think King Harrison is likely. But there was no INT duty for him, so maybe not.

7. Etienne. 90'. Looked pretty good inverted on the left. Not a lot of wing depth healthy at the moment. Not sure where Diaz is at. He's young. No INT duty. Run him out again.

8. Hairston. 90'. We only have 3 CMs I trust at the moment. Gonna have to be some rotation. I think we see Fraser for someone.

I get KC's point, but I'd be planning to rest each A team guy (non GK or CB) once the next 4. We have a week off before Chicago.

 

Porter out with covid tonight.