Pre-match: MLS Matchday 14 : Crew @ F!re 6/23

4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1

No matter how it's sliced, the 4-5-1 will likely be played against an in-form Chicago in Toyota Park... where we haven't won since 2006.

Ug-lee

 

Chicago is actually a very similar team to New England. They have mediocre talent that occasionally shows flashes of brilliance, one good young center back with a sometimes shaky partner, decent but not spectacular outside backs, an aging, but still solid defensive mid, a sometimes brilliant sometimes invisible playmaking mid, and exciting but inconsistent wingers. What they don't have are a consistent scoring threat and solid keeper like New England have.

None of that matters, because we're totally incapable of scoring. I see a boring 0-0 draw, 1-0 Chicago win, or a 1-1 draw if we happen to score another low percentage goal like the long shots we've lived on this year. Afterward, we'll grumble about how it was ugly, but at least we got a point on the road, and we'll still have a game in hand on Chicago. The rest of the East will continue to slowly pass us by, but hey! we'll still be unbeaten in the last so and so.

 

We'll 'win,' 0-0. Unbeaten in seven. Extend all contracts.

 

Campeones de Junio!

 

Instead of a 0-0 tie like last weekend, I think this will be a slightly more exciting 1-1 tie.

That said, I wouldn't be shocked if we stole this one. We're due for some goals, and sometimes when they come, they come in bunches.

Who's going?

 

13 played: 13 scored and 13 conceded. I'd love to know what to expect other than failure to finish chances, but truth is I don't. We lose by one just cause the Fire are playing better and are at home.

 

I'm going with a 1-1 draw. If we play well.

 

I'm going....We will win

 

Lose by 2.

 

I'm not going...chance for a victory

 

I like George but we may need someone that isn't afraid to shoot and can get a shot on frame to play next to Miro. I'm fine if Miro is going to be more two way than attacking mid but if that's the case we need another two way next to him. I think George is already competent on the defensive end and his passing is good but he might need to get his confidence up in his shot in the reserve league before we can count on him there. Duka isn't an option so I guess I'm ready to see what Miro/Birchall looks like we've got to put some fear in the other team that our mids can score on them.

 

They certainly aren't scared of our "forwards."

 

What you mean stats like 1 goal every 432 minutes played or 1 every 633 don't fill the opponent with trepidation?

 

the Tuesday injury report:

Mendes is now out, but Francis, Schoenfeld, and James have been taken off the report entirely.

 

Its the kind of injury report that builds Coach-of-the-Year type stuff.

 

Wow! 68% (at the time I post this) voted for achieving a result AT Chicago, with the most votes going for 3 points.

Last time we lost on the road: Philly 4/12 - We've taken 6 of the last 12 on the road.
Last time they lost at home: Seattle 4/12 - They've taken 10 or their last 12 points at home.

This could/should be a very tight match.

 

... and didn't I see something (maybe twitter) that our road defense is the best in the league??? I hope I'm not making that up.

 

I voted lose by 1.

With Tchani entrenched at RM, our usually moribund offense is even more so. I don't see us scoring. Or even coming close.

Injury report is getting shorter, somewhat:
Out: Heinemann, Hesmer, Balchan, Marshall, Urso, Duka, Mendes
Doubtful: O'Rourke

Hopefully we see:
-----------------Gruenebaum---------------
Miranda---Williams---James---Vukovic
--------------------George------------------
Gaven----------Mirosevic-----------Birchall
-----------Renteria----Schoenfeld-----------

I could also live with Gaven as a WF and either Meram, Finlay, or Speas wide. If we must go 4-5-1, then let Tchani/George be the DM's and go 4-2-3-1. Still, Robert will go ultra defensive and go 5-4-1 with Tchani at RM, and we won't score.

 

I would really prefer something besides a 0-0 tie. I have seen too many of those in person in Sh!tcago... would really love a solid win.

 

I am going 1-1 tie. Both goals coming in the last 20 minutes.
But I have a new theory. When did we start our good road streak? When RW got the awesome one of kind jacket? Could it be that the jacket is the brains behind the scenes? I am going to say yes. So. . .
Dear Awesome One of a Kind Jacket,
Ties on the road are good but we could really use a win. How about a real diamond 4-4-2? And leave Gaven on the wing. How about
G-Baum
Miranda - Williams - James - Vuko
Gaven - George - Milo - Meram
Renteria - Vargas

Un abrazo, Awesome One of a Kind Jacket.​

PS - Vargas did not know you were alive when he sat on you. He is sorry.

 

I started voting tie last month and I am going to continue voting "tie" until we start having negative results.

 

What the H - E double hockey sticks. AHHHHH!
Adam Jardy ‏@AdamJardy
#crew96 midfielder Milovan Mirosevic undergoing MRI right now. Was at practice before opened to media. Status unknown for Saturday.

 

Please tell me Meram is going to be playing forward instead of left midfield. We need our guys that maybe some days possibly if they feel good can put the ball in the net up top.