Well here it is, the first game of the 2026 MLS Season! The excitement is palpable! You can cut the tension with a knife as we head toward the opening day of the season. Ok, maybe not. Maybe you can't cut the tension or excitement with a knife but there is something in the air. Apprehension? Concern? Apathy? Elation? It's one of those for sure I would imagine. Starting line up with no actual idea who the starters will be. Cabral Yedlin Glad Engel Gozo Spierings Caliskan Katranis Luna Morgan Olatunji I don't know if Morgan will be available and I honestly don't know who will actually be starting. I will see if I can make it to practice this week some time to get a better read on who is available and who will be in the starting line up in Vancouver. In all seriousness I think the best word to describe my expectations for the game, and maybe the season, is Curious. I'm curious to see how the off season player moves were beneficial and a step up, step over, or a step down. I'm curious to know how the season will unfold. Will the first 15 games finally doom Pablo M's tenure or will we be surprised at how well things are going? Curious to see how the Messi saga plays out and how detrimental it will be for PR at RSL if he doesn't play and what their back up plan is to quell an uprising. For Saturday I am curious to see how far RSL has stepped up in the offseason from last year and how much Vancouver has dropped, if any. I'm going to stick with my 7-1 RSL victory because why not? Stranger things have happened. Every season is different but somehow this one feels like it could be a rather seminal affair. Things either come together or they come completely apart. If I were a betting man I would lean towards us knowing what the season will be by the World Cup break. Cheers. Come by the Break in Murray if you are in town to watch the game. It will be a great time.
Curious is where I’m at too. I think Vancouver having a competitive match under their belts and playing at home makes them an overwhelming favorite. 2-0 or 3-0.
Having a midweek game before RSL means they are probably rotating already, but they did that better than anyone last year. I think RSL is mostly ready and the newness of the formation and rotation means they catch them by surprise and it's an ugly 1-1. Goal by Olatunji.
I new I was forgetting Sanabria. There could be some players not available because of visa and other issues so we may not have the #1 starting lineup for a couple games. We shall see. They could all be available sooner rather than later.
Curious is a good word for the game/season. There are a lot of changes in personal and position (maybe just Luna, but that could be a big hinging point for the season) and in theory tactically.
Seriously have zero expectations for this season but I will hang my hat on the idea that our ownership and coaches know more than I do.
I don’t think you see Vancouver rotate too much given it’s a home opener to the season and they are home again midweek. A lot of that hinges on how their game goes tomorrow in champions cup
You could be right. It's a road game in Panama. I don't know if they go down there with their best XI and end it quickly or just try to get a result with their high quality backups.
Pablo said 2 of the new international guys should be in the lineup (Engel and ?). Guilavogui might not and someone picked up an injury that will keep them out 5 weeks. 2 others (by my count) still have visa issues. Sort these players into the above categories: Solans, Guilavogui, Sanabria, Spierings, Engel and Arias. Eneli is 6-8 weeks out. Moisa will get the start apparently. They hope to know for sure about the visa status by Friday, especially for Guilavogui. I find it hilarious that Spence only talks about the international additions (especially Solans, a draft pick) but never mentions the local kid, Booth.
Since it's RSL and they have terrible luck when it comes to immigration paperwork, here's my guess right now for Saturday. Cabral Yedlin Glad Engel Gozo Caliskan Luna Moisa Katranis Solans Olatunji
Just a reminder to come join us on Saturday at the Break in Murray to watch RSL defeat Vancouver 7-1. That's my prediction. With a midfield of Caliskan and Moisa how else could it turn out? There will be prizes. Also the Gary the Manager at the Break said his Budweiser guy is a big RSL fan and will be there with stuff. Should be a good time. https://www.tiktok.com/@rslrandomfa...1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7569743643000342047
Man, a pivot combo of moisa and caliskan against someone like berhalter or cubas is a wild matchup. Reminiscent of Caliskan and Brody going out against Messi, though obviously not as extreme. Granted, it looks like muller will definitely play against rsl as he started on the bench in costa rica
Dumb question; the break in Murray identified as a bar like other locations, right? State legislature made them put the sign up?
Watching Vancouver in their champions cup game - they’re markedly better but haven’t found a way through. It’s also a reminder how far rsl has dropped. Remember how we were in this tournament last season?
What a time to be alive: at a tiny ass stadium in Costa Rica, Thomas muller is playing with an advertisement for Saudi Public Investment Firm (pif) in the background
So with VAN not getting the win last night and the added pressure to win next Wed, how does that affect what they do vs RSL on Saturday? They were the only MLS team to not get a (decisive) win in the first round.
Made it to practice and injury bug has hit. Engel might have an MCL injury, Rumor from a guy that was at practice yesterday, and Olatunji got a foot to the face. RSL could be down 5-7 players for the next 3-4 weeks. I don't think that my 7-1 RSL victory prediction is in jeopardy yet but will keep you posted.
I think you have the correct number of goals, but have mixed up the teams. It's a good thing RSL has 37 players on the roster, being down 5-7 is no big deal. Truthfully, I do want to see who is on what part of the roster. I believe teams have to send that info to the league tomorrow. How do we get them to share that info with fans?