The "Not That Good" Match Honestly, a pretty fitting bill for two teams that are, well, not that good. I'll leave it to KIR to give his very good game thread updates/topics. Those are an awesome addition to the year - thanks @kirsoccer. Some things that I find interesting: Form - RSL 8th place in the West (2W/1L/2D) 8 points through 5 games (1.6 PPG) Form through last 5 games (recent to oldest): DDLWW +2 GD: 8 Goals For / 6 Goals Against - MNU 12th place in the West (2W/4L/0D) 6 points through 6 games (1 PPG) Form through last 5 games (recent to oldest): WWLLL -5GD: 5 Goals For / 10 Goals Against What instantly stands out here is that, while RSL sits above Minnesota in the standings, Minnesota has found a "run of form", if you will, through their last two games. After starting the season 0-4 and giving up 10 goals, they have put together successive 1-0 wins against fellow bottom of the table teams Vancouver and Dallas. Is that form more about the quality of the opponent or is this team starting to play to the perceived level they had before the season started? Lineups - RSL Expected XI: Rubin Julio Kreilach Rusnak Ruiz Besler Toia Glad Silva Herrera Ochoa - Brody could switch with either outside back. I doubt Luiz is ready to go just yet. Meram is a possible winger, but with a full week's rest I just don't see Freddy rotating much, if at all. - MNU Expected XI: Lod Dotson Reynoso Finlay* Gregus Trapp Gasper Kallman Boxal Metanire Miller - The only difference for MNU in their two wins was Finlay for Alonso and Raitala for Kallman. If Finlay cant go, then it appears Gregus will slide into the attacking portion of the midfield and push Reynoso wide. The CB situation could rotate. i don't pretend to know what the situation is there Storyline The focus will be the Ochoa incident to start the season for RSL / home opener for MNU. Which, for me, is a bit unfortunate. When looking at the run of form, this is truly a test of a team that seems to have started hot but lost its way lately (RSL) against a team that was a garbage fire to start, but has seemed to found their way lately (MNU). Figuring out if those trends continue makes for a pretty good storyline and will/should affect the managerial safety of each team.
Sounds like Reynoso is doubtful for this one. Has a knee "niggle" as Adrian Heath called it and sat out practice yesterday and today.
Also just realized Ochoa is in this lineup, but he'll be away with USMNT. Seems like Macmath is 2nd choice keeper? Although wouldn't be surprised to see Putna. Also, thanks for the shout out 15. I used to enjoy watching games across the league and analyzing other teams. Haven't done it in years, but have tried to keep on top of things this to this point this season. Unlikely to continue once we hit July and the backloaded schedule kicks in, but enjoying it for now.
Ochoa being gone really takes the bite out of the game for that storyline, at least. I expect this to be much more calm because of it
OK. I want to know what he thought he was saying. Also, no Reynoso would be helpful for our prospects of getting some points.
For real, learning a 2nd language is nothing but a blessing. How the hell would he have picked up on that word and retained it? Super impressed.
I wrote a long preview here, but got a BS error when I tried to post. Summary - Reynosa likely out: newly acquired DP Adrien Hunou may debut as he's been training with the club. He's known for his finishing ability something this squad desperately needs. Franco Fragapane (left winger) may also make his debut. In addition, CB Bakaye Dibassy likely will also make his season debut (I would expect for Kallman) as he returns from injury, and he represents a significant upgrade along the backline. Neither team hitting on all cylinders, but RSL has been better of the two squads despite Minn 2 recent wins (against poor competition). Both teams at bottom of league in SOT %, but RSL has converted more - 8 goals in 5 matches vs 5 in 6 matches for Minn. Minnesota has been more stout defensively in past 2 matches, but I'm not fully convinced, even with the return of Dibassy. Because of Julio's injury, along with Herrera's injury which has hurt the RSL attack some, and because of difficult playing situations last 2 weeks (against NashSC club with a frustrating defensive approach at Rio Tinto, and road game at Dallas), I think we may see more of a breakout game for the RSL attack in this one. RSL averaging just 3 shots on target and I expect that to at least double in this match. I'm still concerned that this squad is dead last in duel % in this league, an underrated stat that reflects how well a team is doing in the middle of the park. If RSL isn't winning those first or second balls, they're spending more time defending and less time in the opponents half. Generally they're doing okay in the aerial duels, but the 50/50 balls on the ground are being won by the opponent more often than not. Note: Silva's return last week and the eventual return of Luiz will help with this stat as they're both strong in this category. My prediction: 2-1 RSL.
To support your observations, I posted that Nashville seemed to get every free ball when they played RSL. Minnesota’s recently improved results concern me. Yet, they will be on the road, at altitude. As far as duel %, Brody and Julio are the only players who seem to win duels. Many of our other okayed don’t even try to duel. It’s a big weakness imo.
New GK but same defense as last week: MacMath Herrera Glad Silva Brody Ruiz Besler Julio Kreilach < - > Rusnak Rubio Bench: Putna; Holt, Toia, Morgan, Schmitt; Portillo, Chang, Meram; Douglas Unless I am reading it wrong, we have three people backing up Brody - Toia, Morgan, and Schmitt. Unless Schmitt is a forward again.
I'll be curious to see how Mastroeni and Freddy addressed the massive defensive holes this same back six allowed last week.
I also think Besler's overmatched, but he's improved a little. I thought he was decent last match. I'd like to see us give Brody the right outside back spot, at least for a half, and see if Herrera can handle the left side. Stadium looks good - great weather, sunny day, tons of people. Crowds still weird me out a little bit, I just see racism and disease - in my head.
Agreed. I was not excited to see him in the line up last week but was pleasantly surprised by his play
I almost feel bad for him at this point. Great plays by Glad to steal the ball/start the play, and then Julio to lay that pass across for Rusnak to run onto.
You beat me to this post by just a few seconds. Great play...turned to nothing with a Rusnak shot into the crowd.
OK. That goal kicked ass. Minnesota was not awake. EDIT: Do I need to wait a minute before posting again?