So RSL comes back from Dallas with a surprising point? Any point in Texas is a good point for this team especially against a club that has had their number from the jump. FCD has the most wins of any MLS club at the Riot. That was interesting to hear. Anyway, the third place team in the West, PTFC, rolls in to the Riot on Wednesday night to play against what will, and should be an interesting RSL line up. Vera didn't practice last week so I don't know how you can start him on Wednesday. Farnsworth made the bench and with two games in the week does he make an appearance? Quinton may not be there either but he was out on tuesday for precaution when I was at practice so maybe he is good to go. Would they even think of starting Ruiz with game congestion to spell Ojeda or Eneli who have been playing a ton of minutes? Can you sit Gozo who has been one of the two best players the last couple of games? Does Diogo get a rest from whatever he has been up to? You can't sit Luna but does Marczuk get a starting shot? Does Barea get the start over Piol. Are they looking at the winnable game being in Colorado and willing to make the bigger roster shuffle at home? Good question. Universe? Cabral Caliskan, Quinton?, Junqua, Katranis Ojeda, Eneli Gozo, Diogo, Luna Piol
It sucks for the home fans, but you should probably rotate a bit in this one. Caliskan Glad Quinton Junqua Ruiz Ojeda/Eneli Marczuk Luna Brook/Wolff Agada In the back, you have to rotate some guys, Hidalgo is very versatile, so keep bringing him off the bench until you have more guys available. Katranis comes off the bench and goes 60ish on the weekend. I don't want to sub CBs. Ruiz has to start playing, rotate Ojeda and Eneli with starts and subs, they'll still get plenty of minutes. I want to see Luna get minutes with Agada. Both probably need subbed around 60. The wingers should be able to go 90. Likely subs: Katranis, Ojeda/Eneli, Piol and Russell for Junqua, Ruiz, Agada and Luna in the ~60. Save the last one for Hidaldo/winger as needed. I'm not sure it matters in this one though. I don't think they can keep a clean sheet and can't keep up in a shootout with Portland. 3-1 as they give up the third chasing the draw.
D'Oh! Replace Agada with Piol and Barea with Piol then. Built in excuse to not start Luna, but I don't think they do that to the home fans. I'm sure Pablo isn't even thinking about how to manage 3 games in 8 days and he'll worry about it Thursday and really blow the RMC matchup.
Also, Glad is out for yellow card accumulation. This may be the game where you just give it to the kids. Cabral Caliskan, Farnsworth, Junqua, Katranis Ruiz, Ojeda Marczuk, Diogo, Brook Berea See what they can do. lol
We are out FOUR center backs tomorrow: Real Salt Lake William Agada - Not Due to Injury (Out) Matthew Bell - Hamstring (Out) Javain Brown - Knee (Out) Justen Glad - Not Due to Injury (Out) Zac MacMath - Hamstring (Out) Philip Quinton - Hamstring (Out) Brayan Vera - Head (Out) Kobi Henry - Hamstring (Questionable) Nelson Palacio - Leg (Questionable) Unless Henry is healthy, it's Junqua and Farnsworth I imagine.
I'd play Hidalgo at CB before Farnsworth. Might have to look at an actual back 3 with wingbacks? Cabral Caliskan Junqua Hidalgo Marczuk Eneli Ruiz Ojeda Katranis Luna Piol Play Ruiz as a deep lying playmaker and Ojeda and Eneli as pressing 8s? Russell, Brook, Wolff, Gozo, Barea and Goncalves on the bench? Just not much depth in the midfield if we go this route. I'm not sure why I even wasted time thinking about this. Pablo will force guys into this "game model" 4-2-3-1.
I like that pass from Hidalgo. Please let's keep the long diagonal pass in our pocket as an option when building out of the back isn't working
I traveled all day with students and am in DC, tired and with the game on. But I called my wife and said I wasn't going to make it past halftime. The day plus the play tonight is a tough combo to beat. Good night!
Our attackers are showing a growing confidence as the game progresses. They are less tentative with the ball in the attacking 3rd.