PBP: NY Red Bulls @ Montreal Sat-May 19, 2012 at 7:30PM [R]

Montreal has improved since the last time we've played them.

However, We will continue to struggle with Marquez in the starting lineup.. He's just a liability out there. Backe and management really need to call him out or just tell him to go home. He;s been acting like a kunt for two seasons now.

Lade needs to replace Miller. Miller is just a poor defender who makes too many mistakes. Agudelo needs to start in place for Ballouchy, Free Juan! I would consider starting Palsson in the midfield as he did good against Philly if Solli is still not ready. I think it's time for Dane to get a break and come in as a sub to burn the opposition with his speed.



The subs will depend on the lead. Marquez should sub in for Palsson at the start of the second half. Dane comes on for Solli around the 70th minute to give them hell and Miller in for Agudelo or Cooper to add another mid/defender, it can also be Ballouchy

 

A full week of rest will help coming after this tough week. Montreal has gotten better since we first played them. They haven't lost at home and we have to play on their terrible terrible turf.​

The turf will make this tough but it's a winnable game.​

I think we should stick with the 442 and hopefully Agudelo can start and maybe even go the full 90. He's gotten some playing time this week and with a full week of training I hope he gets his fitness up so he can go the full 90. ​

I think the backline stays the same as the Philly game.​

Interesting decisions for the midfield. No way Dax should be benched and definitely not Joel. Rafa will probably also find his way onto the field. Keep Solli of the field or bench Richards for Solli? ​

 

I'd like to see Lindpere - Dax - Rafa - Solli but this time put Marquez in front of Dax, not behind. Rafa puts in absolutely no defensive effort and leaves our defense completely exposed on the counter. Richards was also pretty bad tonight, too many giveaways in the attack and too little presence in defense, not to mention he must have had 5-6 fouls just to himself.

 

I agree. Also we have to keep in mind Solli's status for the game. I don't think it makes much of a difference if it's Solli or Richards. Richards hasn't really gotten going yet this year but he isn't a black hole either.

 

IF Rafa has to be on the field I agree with this. I'd prefer for him to be benched. I'd also add Miller to the list of guys who need to be benched.

I've seen just about enough of everyone to say that if I were running this team this would be my preferred 11:

---------Henry-Cooper
------------Lindpere?
Newbie--------------------Solli
--------------Dax
Lade-Newbie-Conde?-Barklage
-------------Meara

Agudelo fills in for one of either Henry or Cooper if they are injured and is first off the bench if we need firepower. Dane is second off the bench for offense. Tainio and Palsson are the first guys off the bench to defend a lead.

Lindpere could POSSIBLY be replaced by a high profile CAM, but I think he is excellent in the center of midfield. He puts in a professional shift, helps out on defense, and has an uncanny ability of making that late run into the box and is an excellent finisher. He's our Michael Bradley.

Dane has had a lot of time to get his act together. It hasn't happened. I would prefer to put Solli into that role and try that for a while.

I think it would behove us to sign a high profile pure left mid. A Brad Davis type who has great service and can shoot from distance. Having Solli and that player on both sides of the field would be deadly and give us many different ways to attack. Additionaly, taking Dane out of the midfield, inserting Solli, and signing a skilled left mid would GREATLY help our possession game. Backe has said he wants Marquez in there to improve those numbers, but frankly I think he is hurting this team more than helping.

Dax has won his role. Bench Tainio and Marquez.

Lade should be starting over Miller.

We 100% need another CB. Hopefully this legal thing with Conde works out, but if not we could be looking at a need for 2 CB's there. Holgersson has gotten better, but his lack of quickness could hurt us in a high profile game. Ruthven did a bang up job, but I think we saw his ceiling against Philly. Keel is a decent backup, but we need more quality (healthy) competition here.

Barklage has been excellent.

Meara has been excellent. (Sign a cheap 3rd GK though!)

 

Mehdi can't travel outside the US so he won't be available.

 

I think the biggest question as far as the realistic lineup is whether or not Agudelo is healthy enough to start. I think Hans is eager to get him into the lineup in Henry's absence so if he's ready to go I think we'll see a more straight forward 4-4-2, especially since we don't have Ballouchy as an option for the withdrawn striker role. If Agudelo can still only go for one half I can only picture another 4-5-1, and hopefully Hans has learned that Rafa can't play DM and uses the same midfield that beat LA, just with Rafa in Ballouchy's place.

 

For this match I want:

---------Cooper-Agudelo
------------Lindpere
Solli------------------------Dane
---------------Dax
Lade-Ruthven-Hulk-Barklage
-------------Meara

If Solli can't go:

---------Cooper-Agudelo
--------------Rafa
Lindpere-------------------Dane
---------------Dax
Lade-Ruthven-Hulk-Barklage
-------------Meara

 

Where do you get that Hans has learned that Rafa can't play DM? He had him starting at DM and then switched him to CB/Sweeper type role when he took out Ruthven and decided to bring in Paulson who he used as DM. #1 - I AM NOT A FAN of Marquez and I would rather see him gone but only if we replaced him with someone like Nesta. #2- If we can't get rid of Marquez during the July transfer window, we have to hope he plays like he did yesterday and if he does, we have a chance at the Cup. Relying on McCarty as our solution as DM and Lindpere as our CAM, is just wishful thinking as they are playing at the top of their game right now and that won't be enough against Seattle, RSL, etc.. in the playoffs.

 

Why is it wishful thinking? With Dax at DM and Lindpere at CM we have 4 wins in a row. Without Conde, without Henry, and despite Rafa walking around the pitch. That is pretty f#cking impressive if you ask me.

Replace Holgersson, Ruthven, and Dane. Get Henry back to health. That is a GOOD team.

 

It is wishful thinking. I have watched those games as I am sure you have. Yes, we won, but the level of play was more grit and with a decent amount of luck. We should have lost vs Houston at least, we got one shot against LA, etc.. I am thrilled that we won those 4 games and thanks to Backe for realizing we had to hunker down to give us a chance, but the level of play is not one I believe will give us a shot at the cup even with Henry back. We need Rafa playing like he did yesterday or replace him with someone like Nesta if possible. Paulson played well, but I am not sure we can count on him at least not yet. Ruthven while certainly an improvement over a past defensive sub solutions which is a good sign, but not as a regular starter and I hope we have Conde back (not in jail) and healthy. We are weak in the middle of the field in the way we can hold possession and move the ball to help create quick transitions which is why we need to make a big DP move this summer or two if we get rid of Rafa.

 

You make your own luck. That's all I have to say about that. And 3 wins in a row on short rest? That's a LOT of luck.

Keep in mind that fans were screaming for more grit and ground out wins last year.

I agree the level of play can be improved. I disagree that Rafa is the answer. IMO sorting out our CB's, and signing another left mid and/or CAM/CM is the answer.

Dax helped us to 3 clean sheets in a row as a DM. What happened when he was taken out of there?

Lindpere had an MVP season playing as a CM when he first got here. He had a slow start this season, was moved to CM, and is firing on all cylinders now. Dax and Lindpere are just fine. It's the outside mids and defense that need to be figured out. Better possesion from them, plus Henry back and this is a very VERY good team.

 

Dax retreated back into the DM role after Ruthven was subbed, Palsson was playing higher up the field in the position that Rafa should have started in. Take a look at his chalkboards, before the 64th minute he only had a single touch around our area, after the sub he had many more. He still got plenty of touches up field after the sub but that makes sense considering we had switched to a more attacking 4-4-2, were up a man and were going for the win.

 

I'll cry if Lindpere gets put back on the left. He starts the season in a lull, it's talked about how he prefers playing a central role, he gets to play that role finally and has got two goals and shows us once again why he is called the Beast from the East. When he's in that central role you see him hussling up and down the field, he doesn't just sit around.

 

He played against Philly on the left and did well and scored.

 

Well, digest this:
Dax the way he has been playing the last four games make him essential on the line-up and get in you mind for one and for all that Backe while Marquez is available he will not sit him....
So, we only have room for two CMFs, if Lindpere have to play, will be at LW...
Entiende compadre!......

 

First, I disagree with wholesale changes to the lineups that have gotten us 4 wins in a row. I think a 4-5-1 on the road is not a bad lineup for us in the beginning of the game. Lets control the pace of the game, and make sure we don't set ourselves up for the type of speedy counter attacks I've seen from Montreal. If Rafa is part of the 5 in the midfield, move him up ahead of McCarthy. His vision for the long pass to Cooper would really help make the 4-5-1 a success, as would keeping Joel in place to make runs into the box to support Kenny. Bring Juan, Solli, Paulsen or other subs in to adjust as needed. Last, even if he's ready, let's not throw Henry back from injury on turf. But I haven't heard anything that indicates he's ready to come back.

Cooper
Ballouchy - Lindpere - Marques - Richards
McCarthy
Miller/Lade Ruthven Holgesen Barklage

 

At the end of the day, Hans is not going to sit Marquez. He is forced to play him by the powers that be. Simple as that. He may be underperforming but Hans has to take that into account and put him where he will cause least damage. A ridiculous scenario. The guy is a coach's worst nightmare. I say put him in centre mid with Lindpere and Dax behind them. Hopefully he will deliver some good balls forward from there. I want to see more of Palsson at centre mid. . He should sub in for Marquez at the soonest opportunity.

 

Ballouchy is still on his 6 year hunt for a green card so he cannot travel to Canada. If Solli's quad is healed by next week then put him in Ballouchy's spot, if not then maybe move Miller up there?

 

Or Lade. Kid's got wheels, good cross, and a decent shot from distance.

 

I agree with this 100%. I know he's not a CAM, but that's where he would do the least damage.

 

--------------Cooper
Solli/Roy-Lindpere-Rafa-Dane
----------------Dax
Lade-Ruthven-Hulk-Barklage
--------------Meara

That's how I would play it since Marquez MUST play and Ballouchy can't travel to Canada.

Solli is obviously preferred if he's 100%.

 

I forgot about Montreal being in Canada.

This is close to what I'd expect.