OK, so after the disjointed performance by our offense against a weak Chicago defense, it appears the lineup could use some reshuffling. Against the Fire, we looked like this: --------------Rimando--------------- -----Petke--Nelsen--Prideaux---- -------------Kovalenko-------------- ----Olsen---Stewart---Convey--- ------------Etcheverry-------------- --------------Q1---Q2--------------- To me, Stewart seemed pretty invisible other than the one nice flick to himself in the box. He needs to see more of the ball. Also, I thought Quintinilla seemed to be most effective when he pushed out wide, i.e. on the disallowed goal. Conversely, Convey seemed more effective when he drifted towards the middle of the field. So, against the Rapids, here's what I'd like to see: --------------Rimando--------------- -----Petke--Nelsen--Prideaux---- --------Kovalenko------------------- ------------------Convey------------- ----Olsen---------------------Q2---- ----------------Etch------------------- ---------Stewart----Q1-------------- The Rapids are usually pretty strong playing up the wings. Pushing Q2 to the outside forces Henderson to stay back and defend a little more, but if he does get forward, Convey can slide over and help Prideaux defend that wing, and Kovalenko and Olsen can combine to shut down Chung. Earnie can get more involved in the offense, even switching back and forth with Marco, and the open space in the center of midfield allows Convey and Dema to push forward when they're able.
When will Ivanov be back? If he's back soon, here's what I'd prefer to see start the game. ---------Stewart-------Santino----------- -----------------Etch-------------------- Convey---------Dema---------------Olsen --------------Nelsen--------------------- -------Prideaux--Ivanov--Petke---------- -Digital
Well until we hear otherwise on Ivanov, it seems a reach to speculate him on imediately starting. If he does come back, than DT I think your lineup is correct. That gets us to what you wrote Kenobi about Q2 at left wing. I'd be worried about him matching up against Henderson simply because Chris has the legs to run Q2 to the ground while still getting into the attack- and leaving Q2 in the dust- at will. The rest of your lineup I like, BTW. So who again at left wing? Namoff, who will provide extra defense vs Henderson: ---------Rimando Petke----Nelsen----Prideaux -----------Dema Olsen----Convey----Namoff ---------Etcheverry -----Stewart-------Quaranta It's high time for Earnie and Tino to start working together; I think Hudson has been way off base moving Stewart to midfield the past two games.
Digital, Your lineup would be ideal, but I didn't think Ivanov was ready to come back yet. In that formation, I think our defense would continue to be rock-solid. Plus, Dema would be able to get more involved in the offense having Nelsen behind him and also be able to flip-flop with Convey on occasion to get Bobby into the center of the field.
Thanks for that insight, but this should not bother you, as you can conviently pick up supporting the Quakes, as you've noted, when we dissapoint you, now piss off. That being said, does anyone think Hristo will feature in any of Rays lineup plans for Saturday now that he is back from suspension? I wouldn't think he'd get a start but possibly a second half sub?
Yes DC Loyal, I think Hristo would have been a 25 minute sub in both games if he weren't inelligible. I definitely see him subbing into the Colorado game, as United tends to wilt away from RFK. Our defense is solid (which is a major relief to me), but we need someone who can score against a bunkered team. I think Hristo is one of those guys. -Digital
I think he can score against bunkers too. At age 37 the question is just how much of that ability he has left. If we lose to Colorado, we're already in last place. I agree we should have a lineup change. My lineup to start the Colorado road game: Rimando Petke-----Nelsen----Ivanov----Prideaux --------------Etcheverry------------------- -----Kovalenko------------Quintanilla---- ----------------Convey---------------------- -----Stewart-------------Stoitch-----------
Yeah Digital. For 2 reasons: -He can spend more time wondering about where he's gonna be pimpin w/hot women after the game, and thinking about how to get players more money as a leader of the newly-formed MLS Players' Union. He can also start planning his move to Nottingham Forest. -He may be finished. Last game he was terrible. We practically got NOTHING out of the right side. Look-Olsen plays hard and gets back on D and makes stuff happen. But I saw Quintanilla play well last game. In 2002 Kovalenko had 1 goal 8 assists in 2034 minutes (WAY better than Olsen who had just one assist in 718 minutes). We've got so many midfielders someone has to sit As you can probably tell I'm STILL upset over that pathetic performance.....good thing next game is only 6 days away I can forget about it.
THE SOLUTION IS TO PUT ME IN THE LINEUP!! 1000X This week I scored 2 of our teams' 3 goals, assisted on the 3rd in a 3-2 win. Course I played on some easy pathetic scrub coed league. But I was one selfish SOB only 1 assist to go w/the 2 goals Seriously back on topic we need a lineup change.
Chicago has a good goalkeeper, one of the best young defenders in the league, a defender who's outstanding in the air, the national team defensive mid, and the best defending attacking mid (Beasley) in the league. They have an experienced coach and they bunkered the whole game. Definitely the Stewart move was probably a mistake and Olsen had a bad game but why judge our offense by this game rather than the KC game? And KC's defense is pretty good too. If I make any changes it's probably the Q2 to the wing and Convey to the middle switch along with Stewart up top.