my lineup for home opener considering ivanov will be out: g:rimando drideaux,petke,reyes mlsen,etcheverry,kovalenko,nelson,convey f:quaranta,stewart subs:stoitchkov,eskandarian,stokes any opinions?
i guess i might continue to have question marks about both brandon and ryan and their health for the opener. even if they play one or both might not be ready to go too long, especially if nelsen plays at dmid. i think you might see namoff subbing for nelsen if he plays in the midfield. i guess the other wildcard would be ray's recent allusions to accquiring another player, that could change things somewhat, depending on who that was and when they came in.
Personally I think Stoichkov looked better than Q1 in open practice. I think he will see playing time but not the entire match.
Stoickkov will definitely see playing time but no way as a starter unless Q1 can't go. Stoichkov still has all the skills but he just doesn't have the wheels anymore. We need Stoichkov to make it through the whole season, there is no point in burning him out early.
I realize he won't go all the way. But I have heard the theory that he could start and play about 60 minutes and then come out. He shouldn't play an entire game all year. It depends on how Ray wants to use him. Does he bring in Hristo and set the tone and start him. Or does he wait and use Hristo if he only needs a goal late? We shall see.
Welcome aboard rayhbr! Excellent post. I think you may have nailed the opening lineup and subs. I also agree with the additional info that Red&Black posted. I definitely believe that we'll see a more experienced lineup at away games, so Hristo will see 20-30 minutes in the second half I'd guess. I wouldn't be surprised to see Esky get 20+ minutes that game as well though. I think the key to the KC game will be to score first and keep Chris Brown off the scoreboard. He has an uncanny knack for getting the first Wizard goal of the season ... and precious few others. But at home, I'd expect Hudson to give the kids a little more playing time. So, I'd expect to see Esky and Eliseo (E2 & E3?) (Earnie is E1 ). The Fire will be very very hard to score on, so I will not be surprised to see Hudson try to protect a one goal lead. But until that first goal, he may pour on the offense and press the defenders forward a bit. Thus, I wouldn't be surprised to see Faria burn us for a counter. -Tron
Team seniority over national-team caps, right? E1 would have to be Eliseo, bit I do think he should remain with the Ques--and put Alecko with the steak sauces: he can be A1.
I think there would be some sort of a formula, with Earnie's 8 gazillion caps out weighing Eliseo's short DC stint so far.