LA without Califf. KC without Chris Klein. Strikes me that KC has a lot of attacking options, and while Klein is an effective and honest player, he wont be missed. On the other hand, how do we set up in the back line? Apparently Bo has played at right back, so do we see Alexi and Bo on the field together in our back three? Or do we move EZ back and use another mid-fielder. This is not a Bunker Bob Special - KC is attacking at will and will test LAG's mettle. We, however, have that not-so-secret weapon, Victoria Street and a true 12th man crowd. And, will Chacon finally surface? Hint: do not pick him for your fantasy squad.
Wolves 67 came on our forum and said that the field is being narrowed to 75 yards. Is this true, anyone else hear this? I think that plays to LA's advantage with KC's attacking options and slight speed advantage (slight though it may be). Preki should benefit from the 820 or so square yards less to cover if the field is narrower. I think if the game goes high scoring 2-2 or more, KC has the advantage. If it stays low and LA can keep KC out of its net, LA should win because Ruiz will probably get another. Who else sees red in the future of this game. If Garcia and Ruiz make it the whole game I'll be utterly surprised.
If wolves_67 said it, it is likely true. There was nothing that stated it would happen this week though nothing that stated it would not. It was from MLS Confidential which is "Soccer America".
It all depends. Do we get Kevin Terry or do we get a referee? Last time I checked (yesterday) the officials were not posted on MLSNET. Ben, it looked to me like Simutenkov (sp?) has been playing at top form since he came into the league. Your thoughts on him?
<crosses fingers, hopes for Kevin Terry> As for Simutenkov, the guy is amazing when he's on. His assist on the Wolff goal last week was an amazing outside of the right footer that left Wolff with a one time shot for goal. He has a pretty good vertical for a "White Russian" that could draw a shorter defender and lead to trouble for LA. Really though as long as he stays healthy (calf strain kept him out a few games) him and Wolff could cause loads of trouble for any team, especially on a larger pitch. So far his finishing has been better than we've seen from Wolff, but neither seem to be able or willing to shoot from outside the box. As always stopping Preki from shooting outside 18 or servicing Wolff and Simu into the 18 is the key to stoping KC. I think that when you look at the possibilities of facing Wolff, Simu, Preki, Quill and Arnaud (Klein's replacement) you're looking at a pretty fast, dangerous and skilled counter attack. Without Califf LA should be forced to use Bo and Lalas together right? If I recall that hasnt worked so well this season.
Well, Lalas and Bo have not worked well together, but mostly that was because Sigi moved Bo up to defensive mid in front of a back three with Lalas flanked by Califf and Marshall. Bo clearly was not comfortable in that role and there was a noted lack of coordination in the mid-field. We have not seen both Bo and Lalas in the back, as part of a 3 or 4 man back line. Any I don't think it is likely we will this week - mostly for the speed reasons you allude to. However, some Korean fans have posted that Bo played very well in the role of right back in the past, so we will see. We could go back to a flat back four with Bo and Lalas both central, and move EZ back to the right back position. The only reason that doesn't make sense is that we have not seen the team play with a flat back four since Diallo toasted them for a bunch of goals in NY last year. It may be my immagination, but I do think Bo is communicating better with the team now than earlier in the year. He certainly was always in the right spot at the right time last week against Crapids, and he seemed to have the back line organized. But, no question in my mind that Wizards present a much tougher challenge to defend, even with Klein away.
As far as replacing Califf, I do not know why you would want to move EZ back there. He is a defensive liability as a midfielder and playing a 4 man back line. I would hate to think of how much of a liability he would be in a 3 man back line. I would think we will see a back 3 of either: Lewis - Bo - Marshall or Bo - Lalas - Marshall. Although there are many who will think/say so what... keep in mind that Elliott is also missing. This arguably weekens our d-mid, especially with Vagenas still being injured. Although I suspect we will see Ochoa.
Only suggested EZ because he did play 2+ seasons as the right back so he knows the position. I do like what I have seen of Ochoa. He keeps his game simple and plays with a little bit of an edge that I like.
So the LA starting lineup is still up in the air? I'd 95% guarantee that you'll see this from KC: Meola Conrad-Talley-Garcia Zavagnin-Gomez Arnaud-Preki-Quill Wolff-Simutenkov Zotinca/Gutierrez(if healthy) defensive sub Brown/Armstrong offensive sub If Gutierrez is healthy you could see him come back as a starter, but with the results we've been getting I'd be surprised at that.
Danny and Simon will be gone. Peter is doubful (still) and Nick Garcia is a bitch. BTW, I don't expect the pitch to be much narrower than last week. Who thinks Lewis might make his first start on Saturday?
I just hope the Garcia/Ruiz tango doesn't turn into another edition of a WWF episode. I like tough soccer, but watching those two guys wrangle gets old quick. The Wizards will offer MUCH stiffer competition than the Rapids. Should be a good one. btw, I'd expect the Bo-Lalas-Marshall back line. I don't see Sigi giving Lewis his first start in this one.
I wouldn't worry about the Defence.. it is pretty much shored up. Lalas and Bo will stay at home keeping us from being caught out on a break. The only problem i see for the Galaxy saturday night is the distribution in the mid-field and to the forwards. Only one thing is for sure... Nick Garcia will try to kill someone out there.... and the Galaxy without Califf is missing our enforcer, Sh!t !!!!!!!
Well maybe they won't stay at home all the time. It's almost as if Bo is watching all the "nothing" going on in mid-field and says.."enough" and takes over the role. It sure paid off for the 1st goal against the Rapids. I know that's not the real case and he's supposed to mix things up a bit, but we really do have a midfield problem and Cien is just not capable of doing enough now, it seems. Maybe Simon will get back some of what he has shown at times in the past.
I agree this Garcia/Ruiz crap has gotten out of hand. There are a couple of problems (reasons) that I dont see it going away any time soon. 1. They've both been punished, either by sending off or fine, this year and last. These punishments havent seemed to calm them down a bit, so I see no reason why they'll all of the sudden change. 2. Garcia, from what I see, isn't so much "dirty", he's more of the "do what I gotta do to get the job done" type of player. If it takes him pulling, pushing, tripping, hacking Ruiz to get inside Ruiz's head, Garcia seems more than willing to do so. Ruiz really doesnt seem to like the constant pestering Garcia gives him and fouls back, then its on. I hope the two can have another hard fought battle. Lets just hope no one steps on hands, takes a swing, or rolls around on the ground to cause another event like May 24th. TequilaJoal: I dont see how you can say your defense is "shored up" when you're missing Califf. I think with Bo and Lalas out there at the same time you give a lot of speed advantage to the Wizards.
I'm not worried about K.C. i see a 1-0 or 2-0 victory for the Lad's... Wolfie is too inconsistant these days to take seriously. Klein is out... and preki's trademark always messes with guys the first time they play him... after that he struggles. and there defence is very lax suseptable to quick counter attacks and free kicks. I liked to see APC in for Elliott but come on... APC was kidnapped weeks ago
HAHAHAHAHAHA, thats funny. Is that why he leads MLS all time in points? Havent you ever heard fans say: "Dont let him cut left, dont let him cut left, dont let him cut left...DAMN IT you let him cut left!" KC will score. They're averaging nearly two goals a game. If they dont score I'll be very surprised, and that will mean LA turned it into a boring game.
Fixed your post. Sorry buddy, but the LA D only allowed 2 goals in two of their 8 road matches. Considering the way they played in those matches comparied to the way they looked last Saturday. I can see KC being shut out. Especally if Bunker Bob employs his famous Bunker Tactics in the hope of leaving LA with a point.
These 5 white Russians might have a differing opinion: Rome 1960 SHAVLAKADZE, Robert Tokyo 1964 BRUMEL, Valeri Munich 1972 TARMAK, Yuri Seoul 1988 AVDEENKO, Gennadi Sydney 2000 KLIUGIN, Sergey All 5 USSR/Russian Olympic gold medalists in the Men's High Jump. Simu can jump. He does come up short (no pun intended) when used as a target up front. Because of this I have to think Brown and Wolff are the best combo of styles up front overall. With LA presumably starting Bo and Lalas, precision and speed should be the more effective tactics over target play making Simu and Wolff the choices to start Sat.
Have you watched KC at all this year? Get the Shootout package, you'll enjoy it and you might learn something. As to KC playing for a scoreless draw: I'll bet you anything and everything I own against anything of yours with like value over odds that a scoreless draw will not happen. Hartman and Meola not playing with any kind of remarkable form, the most dangerous and returning-to-form players are offensive, and defensive starters are absent. Never mind KC presumably being a step up in competition from LA's opponent the last 2 weeks, the stadium effect, or KC's #1 offensive record so far.
Do not doubt our power @ the HDC.. the lack of L.A. participation on bigsoccer no way reflects the attendance @ the stadium, The wiz like rapids will cower under our incredible noise making and threats from the riot squad calling INS on half of your illegal communist team. Hear me K.C. you will pay, and pay big!!
I've heard the same said about what some would disdainfully refer to as "flopping" by last year's league MVP. He's getting the job done. BTW: he could get body-slammed, then hit over the head with a folding chair in the box, and the ref would let it go (& fans of other teams would call it "flopping"). He's done his share of embellishments, but hardly all of them are.