Re: RSL: Lineup Predictions for 5/5/07 If we stay in the 4-5-1 I would expect either Cutler or Besagno to fill in where Kreis was playing. It's time for Besagno to be allowed to sink or swim.
Re: RSL: Lineup Predictions for 5/5/07 While I was trashing Mr. Cutler after the opening game (not here, but in flesh and blood), I was very impressed with what I saw (the latter part) of his USOC performance. I wouldn't mind giving him a shot if we keep the 4-5-1, although I'm not convinced that that's the best route.
Re: RSL: Lineup Predictions for 5/5/07 For better or worse, the injury report says Cutler is out with a groin injury. I think the most interesting lineup I can come up with is: ---------Seitz--------- Torres---Pope----Forko ---Lancos---Talley----- Klein--Ballouchy--Jimenez ----------Adu---------- ------Cunningham------- Man it sucks not having a solid left mid. Adu is more of a liability than a talent out there. Put him somewhere where he may actually be motivated to be a difference-maker. He just dissapears on the left wing. Especially because of his lack of recovery and effort after he loses the ball. Or start Atiba up top (with Cunningham) to beat up and tire out NYRB's back line. Then bring in Adu to run them in circles once they're winded. Say, what about Talley on the left? He's got all the hustle and the touch to run out on the flank. Maybe this: ---------Seitz--------- Torres-Besagno-Pope-Forko --------Lancos-------- Klein--Ballouchy--Talley ----------Adu---------- ------Cunningham------- I wasn't going to go the game this week in protest of the lack of passion from team and coach the past few games. But now that on field changes are at least possible, I'm intrigued enough to come watch if they materialize.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> Okayyyyyyyyyy.. Head Coach: Jason Kreis will do... It's one of the biggest cliches in the book...new coach comes in, players rally around him and make him successful in his debut. Guess what? I'm buying. 2-1 RSL. Don't know how. Don't know who. We win.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> If Kreis starts Chris Brown at striker, I vow to nail myself to a cross on the pitch in protest.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> It means that RSL has to go out and invest in another cone to throw in the training bag.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> Just do it on your front lawn... the last nail is a tough one to get in by yourself, so make sure you have a friend around to help with that. Besides, he can douse you with gasoline and light the match. See you in hell!
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> I don't think Adu is fast enough to be a winger, in a 4-4-2 he needs to be on the inside with Ballouchy. In the Diamond formation he needs to play point with Ballochy to the right or the defensive midfield. Adu needs to get into the middle of the field where he can use all his passes and vision and where top speed isn't the most important quality. Dribbling passing, vision, and holding are what you need in the middle. Right now he's only weak in holding, which he will improve with age and a little more strength. I think RSL is in for some hard times folks...but don't despair, the season is young and only hopelessly lost much, much later, hope for the best and be happy!
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> I think RSL is worse off now than before. I questioned Ellinger player assignments, etc.......but now I am really worried to see what happens on Saturday. I think some of the younger benchwarmers should get a shot to shine. I just hope we can manage 1 goal. I really don't see us winning.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> <grumbling about "us" and "we" when looking at soccerbum23's teams in his profile> Do you mean Dave Sarachan and players like Plotkin, Carr, Telesford, and Jeff Curtin? But the game against New England is on Sunday.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> If you are looking for free tickets to the game tomorrow, go to Fashion Place mall between 1pm and 4pm. Bill Riley will be doing his show there and there are 6 sets of 2 tickets that will be given away. Lots of other things will be given away as well..... Adidas - Pins and waterbottles MLS - Hacky sacks and books MLS Camps - Free scholarship to an MLS camp KFC - Snackers and ice cream (no not together ) Famous Daves - Big Bucks, Wings, sauces Biaggis - $10 gift cards Monster - Drinks, Hats, Tees Momentum Wireless - Accessories Possible some other things as well.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> This is a repost of the lineup I wanted to see in the Colorado game, and still do for this one: Seitz Lancos Pope Torres Forko Talley Besagno Ballouchy Adu Cunningham Atiba We need another defensive presence in midfield, and it's time Besagno proves his worth with a few starts.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> Maybe I missed it, but do many MLS teams use 2 defensive mids? I hate not placing more player up top or at least in a offensive minded-midfield. I guess RSL's defense has been rather weak lately (always).
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> Yes. You'll be playing one. I don't consider Claudio to be an a-mid at all. A holding mid at best. Dema will be next to him in midfield.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> I hope we play Atiba against Dema. That should be a fun one to watch. $10 bucks says someone leaves on a stretcher.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> According to an article in the SLTribune, Pope has been named captain.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> Put the crack pipe down or quit smoking the lettuce. How can you justify Atiba and Besagno starting???? There are far better players that deserve the start. Both Atiba and Besagno have blown several chances to show their worth.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> I spoke with one of the players yesterday and he confirmed that Pope is the captain as well.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> So...assuming that JC is going to play with a 4-4-2, who else would you start? I understand that most of the fans either hate Atiba or see that he has potential and can pull a little pressure off Cunningham...and that you are obviously in the first group. But who else can play that second forward and give us a credible threat? And who will play in the midfield to help Talley defensively? This just in, he needs defensive help. Last year Ballouchi played defensively and took the role, do you want to see him do it again, or do you want to push him forward. AND, how many times have we seen Besagno play the D-mid role? How can you say that he has blown his chance at that position when we haven't seen him play it?
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> Word. My thoughts exactly. Put that in your crack pipe and smoke it, soccerbum. edit - Who are these "much better players" you speak of, anyway? Chris Brown? Jeff Rowland? I want to see what Tejada's got, but he obviously isn't fit yet, is he? Hashimoto is an energy guy off the bench, same with Watson. You're more than welcome to flame me for my lineup if you are willing to grace us all with your own brilliant takes on it. Otherwise, cram it.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> you guys think that attendance will go up now that Ellinger was fired and that now our faithful captain has been named coach??? lol if it happens
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> I think there might be a bump in attendance this week with the curious coming to see what the big deal is. I think also because New York is in town you'll probably get some coming for that as well. If the team improves then it will continue to grow. I for one have been most disappointed in how the team hasn't seemed to be really out to win and how about half the team have not been leaving it out on the pitch, I can handle a loss if they play hard, but if they don't or just give up, then no and I know I'm not the only one in that boat. You can tell when players are just mailing it in and there have been too many doing that which is really deep down what got Ellinger fired, he could not motivate the players. If Kreis can do that, he'll be successful.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> I wouldn't worry about what he has to say... this is a guy who rips Eddie Pope and says he needs to hang his boots up... Besagno is still young and will make some mistakes from time to time but thats how you learn... oh well eveerybody has there own take on it.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> Agreed. RSLs performance versus Colorado was absolutely lackluster until they were down 2 goals with 10 minutes left. They need to play with that sense of urgency for 90 minutes. The playoffs depend on it.
Re: NYRB @ RSL May 5th <<Pre-PBP-Post>> I believe Cutler should get the start this weekend. The way he played during the KC Open Cup game was great. Destroyed the KC attack with interceptions or led KC to retreat, and led quick counter attacks with sharp passing. These were two things that were lackluster and inevitably led him to the bench in his first 2 years with RSL. He looks to have improved.