This is difficult for me to do, given recent events, but we meet KC this weekend at Dragon and we'll have to be ready... ... or even inspired?
I think this one will be interesting. How does the Burn line up? No ROB in the middle, so you would think Vaca slips over. Now there is no right wing. So what does Jeffries do? I have written and said that I do not beleive that Davis can scheme. Might as well find out. Put him in the middle, and let's see. I think we will see a lot of backwards passing from the Burn. Prove me wrong, Davis and Jeffries.
or just take out the middle guy and add an extra forward. I'm sure the line up is going to be interesting.
Davis did, however, serve up an excellent cross for Kreis' goal. And he took all the right side cornerkicks. I've heard mention that MJ considers Brad to be a good distributor of the ball and would like to try him in the middle sometime. Maybe now is the time. I know one thing for sure tho, I want to see Brad shoot. He's got a cannon and hasn't been called upon to be a threat with it. Maybe now is the time.
I like the Brad Davis at center mid idea. Better than I like him wide right. Alternative: Play Cerritos wide right and play Vaca in the middle.
If Cerritos is ready, I like that line up. Now, Cerritos might be ready, helathy, and in game shape, and Jeffries still might hold him out. I wouldn't blame him for that. In which case, I would like to see Davis in the middle. I don't think it will work, other people do, let's see who is right. It just might be time to experiment anyway. Without Oscar and ROB, this will be a tough game anyway. Might as well see if the burn can improve on the performance in Oklahoma.
Cerritos can play, but is not 90 minutes fit. KC lost Jose Burciaga to a ACL tear. Practice Observations are up for today. http://www.3rddegree.net/
Why do I feel that after the ROB injury the wheels have come off this team even before we really got started? Am I over-reacting but suddenly even making the playoffs looks like it will be a struggle. And I have a real fear we will never see ROB in a Burn uniform again.
IT's 3 games into the season, Jeffries is still looking to add one, maybe two now, players. Remember last season when the Burn peaked in April and May? You are over-reacting. 8 of 10 teams make the playoffs.
Hear, hear, You're overreacting. We peaked too early last season and things never really worked out the year before. Jeffries should have a better idea about managing the team to peak at the right time. I think that's why he's been so patient in the forward department. The defense is improving. Remember, Ryan is learning a new position and so Bonseau. Things are definitely not sorted in the midfield and with Kovalenko's criminal act, it's going to take longer to sort out. However, if there's one area where we could take such a devastating blow, it's in the midfield where we have the talent to more than put things back together. I'm with 3rd degree in hoping that Vaca makes that next step and that Jeffries gives him the chance. Pareja is on his way back and Davis has unlimited potential. Martinez has been looking good and Deering is in his prime. There, I'm convinced ;-)
re: Cerritos' fitness Does it matter that he's not a 90 minute player yet? Davis has come on for one of the wide mids at some point in every game so far, and even if he's unable to do so I think Rhine could do an adequate job there.
Re: re: Cerritos' fitness Only in the sense it limits your flexibility. If you KNOW you are gonna have to burn one of your three subs. instead put him on the bench and let him play the last 30 or so. He can still be effective and have impact, and you can bring him in where he is needed instead of being forced from the get go to bring him out at some point.
We can't even get HSG to touch up the lemonade mix we call field markings because of the cost. I have have a hard time believing that we will be seeing any new players brought in or signed any time soon.
I am still fuming about the ROB incident. However, as difficult as it is, the Burn must focus on this game. We need a win desperately. I hope Davis gets a shot at central midfield. At some point the Burn have to find a replacement for Pareja. Davis just might fit the bill. Also, I want a Burn player on the national team one day. I am tired of seeing other young Americans getting a shot without proving much in MLS. The only way a Burn player will make the roster is if we are one of the top team. Every fan who truly is a fan should be at that game supporting the Burn. This is an important time to rally around the team. If the Burn can win a few games, it will go along way in alleviate the damage caused by ROB's injury.
I'll be there trying to rally the library. heres to the Burns first win, come on I know we can do it, lets just put our foot down and get it done.
TV? Shootout? Is this game showing up on anybody else's Shootout package? I won't be able to make the drive up from Austin this weekend and according to my local cable gods this game is not on the Shootout package. Is the game on locally in Dallas? MLSnet and soccertv.com say the game is on HDNet, but fat lot of good that does me. I think I'm out of luck, but somebody please let me know if the game is on any form of non-HD television. P.S. Any Austinites out there who have an HD TV and are feeling like letting me come over?
Re: TV? Shootout? My Shootout schedule doesn't usually come up until Wednesday, so I'll check this eve and post it here.
Re: TV? Shootout? It should be on the shootout package - but I am going to be at the game this Saturday so I can't help you out. I feel a bit better today than yesterday. The ROB injury is depressing the hell out of me. I had picked him to be the catalyst of any success we would have this year. Who knows what's going to happen. Now everyone Vaca, Kreis and everyone will need to raise their game a level to have that same kind of success.
Not that there can be anything positive about an injury like ROB, but with Pareja out as well, it forces Jeffries to let some other guys try and prove themselves (Vaca/Davis/Stone). I think Jeffries has been too conservative about getting our young talent some serious p.t. and this situation forces his hand a little bit. Hopefully something good comes out of it, much like last year with putting Broome in the back to cover for Gbandi. Now I think Gbandi really has his work cut out to be the starting left back.
The game is not on the Shootout package. A lot of the Wizards fans are getting together at a bar in KC that has HDNet because we cant see it at our place. rhouston55, better find a bar with HDnet. Got to http://www.hd.net/sportsbars.html and check out Texas. It will show you all the places near you that have the channel. then get a few buddies together and go watch the game there, make sure you call the place before you go. As for the game, KC is barely holding on to its ass. Dallas is having trouble, but I dont think they are a bad team or on the way down. Should be a good game, just hope both teams can come out injury free for once.
On the Texas list is Addison Point 4578 Beltline Rd. Addison, TX Phone: (972) 661-2230 which I am plugging since they sponsor my indoor team.
Much thanks BenC1357. Looks like my backwater-of-a-town doesn't have any bars or restaurants on that list though. I'll call around and ask, but I wouldn't be suprised if that list was accurate. I've never had much luck watching MLS at any restaurants or bars around Austin. Northside, any ideas? If anybody else is interested on Saturday night I'm going to be at Fry's struggling for about 2 hours about whether to buy an HDTV or not.