Have to score to have any chance of advancing. We're missing our playmaker. On the road against a team with the third best overall GD in the league (best in the West). SKC has only lost twice at home all year. (LAFC had only lost once, though). I don't have much confidence in this game, but it's the playoffs and you never know what will happen. I fully expect a close game and for us to be on the wrong side of it, but a lucky bounce or two can change that. The XI I expect: Baird Plata Kreilach Savarino KB Sunny Herrera Glad* Onuoha Lennon Nicky *Talk is that MSilva is "day-to-day" but groin injuries are scary shit. I expect we see glad next to British Olave.
I have no idea what will happen tomorrow. Would be a very interesting rematch with Portland. A team that I hate with a passion. I can't stand the bull crap that they pull every damn game. I appreciate their talent but with crybabies like Valeri and the baloney that Chara pulls every game makes me want bad things to happen to them. How Kyle hasn't punched that bastard in the face I will never know. Maybe if Kyle was playing in his last game... I don't expect RSL to get past KC but boy would it be nice. They did play pretty damn good when Rusnak was away this summer so that could bode well.
It'll be a blowout. We won't be in the game at any time during the full 90. Prepare for full-on depression.
Petke sure isn't scared to shake things up. At LAFC, it was giving two guys their first starts of the season (Nedun and Luke), and today it's welcoming back Luis Silva and starting Nick Besler - with Tony on the bench.
Baird was injured in practice yesterday and is out due to concussion protocol. It’s already hurt us. Also, why wasn’t anyone marking Gutierrez and Rubio? Both Beckerman and Mulholland were watching the ball and had no situational awareness. Besler at CB is a disaster.
A defensive partnership that hasn't played together in a game ever, and a defensive midfield partnership that is rusty to say the least = an odd way to approach an elimination game on the road.
Good news, of the seven players on the bench, we do have one attacking option. Goalkeeper: Andrew Putna Defense: Justen Glad, Danny Acosta, Tony Beltran Defensive Midfielder: Sunny, Pablo Ruiz (also has played defense this year) Attacking Midfield/Winger: Seba Saucedo
I wonder if Glad is slowed by a knock. It’s the only reason for Besler to start. We need to unload M Silva. He misses way too many games. As far as midfield, I was surprised Sunny didn’t get the start over Mulholland.