This one should be a "Classico" of the first order. I guessing tyhat we will go after them and while tring to stay tight and composed in defense try to get the first goal. I'm a bit concerned about the card issue. Whats the rule for the playoffs? I'm seeing this one as a 1-1 tie
Cards and caution points got reset at the beginning of the playoffs, but they do accumulate throughout. Pressure up high, like we have been, starting with Taylor, who has been very aggressive with this. We can't sit back and let them walk into our half or third before we close it down, not for 90 minutes. Contest every bit of possession they have, force the turnovers, then counter attack. I think you're right, Doc. 1-1.
Think Nicol will go with his first choice, Kamler, instead of Cancela? After all what has the latter done for us lately.
It depends what you mean by "lately." Is setting up the 2 goals that got us into the playoffs not recent enough?
OUCH. Sounds like you have a few negative preceptions about SN's coaching choices. The question about Cards is still on the table. I know the meter gets reset at zero to start the playoffs but what are the rules in the playoffs? If I'm corrrect two cards in the playoffs results in sitdown for the next match. Right now we need to get past the Crew which is still a tough nut to crack but if Joseph et al get a card in the next match we will be dead meat in the Conf Championships.
Nicol seems to have a short memory when it comes to that sort of fluff. Besides, we already have a lead!!!
fwiw, great job. Ending the streak, and here's to you doing it in cow town as well. I friggin' hate the crew. And while they put together a good record, it was mostly skin of their teeth jobs, This is like a new season, and I can see Noonan, Clint, and Twellman being really scary in a one game scenario, especially when you guys have a goal advantage.
Early pressure and the first goal is the most important thing for this up coming game. Yes it's important in every game but this one is special. A 1-0 lead going into the game isn't all that it's cracked up to be. if the crew score first it's 1-1, and then the tables have turned amost completly around. If we tie we go into Extra Time (or is it Golden Goal?) and thats almost too much for me, i don't think i could survive watch that. I do like our chances, the Revs are known to tie on the road so if we do get the 1-1 then we win and hurray. But the revs can not lean to much on there 1-0 buffer. The revs seem to do that a lot and i wish Nicol would yell at them for that. So i want the res to score line back up, and score again, and line back up and score again, no celebrating, no smiling, keep your heads in the game. Early pressure, and constant pressure for 90 minuts will bring us to the conference finals.
One goal lead for next 90 min isn't enough. I say, we pressure early to get the first goal and at the same time keep the composure at the back. It will be all over if Crew score first. I mean, if Crew scores early we will still be tied, but we will have to chase the game (score) in order to win and which will open up some wholes in the back. Secondly once we get the goal (or if scoreless after 30 min), play possesion football. I know it's not an home game, but everytime we get the ball, keep passing it around, build it up patiently, and let the crew chase game. Third, play smart. The crew will be aggresive, so don't make any stupid mistake. A give away at midfeild might cause a Crew goal. Don't loose a ball unless it's near the other goal line.
Didn't Kam play left back for DCU in a previous life? OTOH, I can't remember him ever playing left back for Revolution.
- - - - Reis - -Heaps Pierce John ---Dempsey Joseph Ralston---------Kamler -------Cancela Noonan Twellman
This would be my lineup. Cancela is too creative to keep on the bench and Kamler is a lot better than Marshall at keeping possession and he can defend as well. While Kamler in front of Franchino made me very nervous about the speed we had on defense, Kamler in front of John with Joseph and Dempsey as holding mids is not so bad.
This is what scares me the most about our pontential lineup. I can see Nicol wanting to go back to his favored 442, instead of the 352 that was able to keep Columbus off balance in the midfield. Columbus was able to win a lot of close games by controling the game in the midfield. We can not let them do that, which would likely happen in the 442. Nicol's potential line-up: -Heaps---Pierce-John---Leonard Ralston--Dempsey-Joseph--Kamler -----Twellman----Noonan I hope for more of the same with ---Heaps--Pierce--John -----Dempsey--Joseph Ralston-------------Leonard ----Cancela/Kamler/Dorman ----Twellman----Noonan I want Leonard on the wing for his speed in a 352. One thing that amazed me last game was that Hejduk looked more tired then Leonard at the end. With Kamler not fleet of foot anymore and missing the last 2 games, could he keep up on the wing all by himself in a 352? Kamler does have more skill, but I want the speed, quickness and endurance that Leonard has. I prefer Cancela at the AM position in a 352, but Kamler and Dorman may be able to do the job and provide a little more defensive help then Cancela normally gives. This is the type of game where an AM that can hold the ball at times waiting for an attack to develop can be to a good advantage. My keys to win: * Keep up the attack to keep Columbus honest, do not have everyone bunker. * Maintain the back line and have only one of the two defensive midfielders attack at one time. * Play the ball through the midfield then onto the forwards on the ground. Columbus has greater size then we do in the midfield and their defense compared to our forwards. Long high balls will usually resulted in giveaways. * Let Columbus make the mistakes. Pick a few times when Columbus overcomits to spring the fast counter. Lets get an early goal and cruise to a comfortable Rev Win!
I'm never comfortable with a Rev's win until the opposing team is showered, on the bus and halfway to Logan.
The Revs finally are back in a good groove - this is NO time to be changing around the lineup. In fact, all the lineup changes are what's held the Revs back all season. Intially it was because of injuries; later it was trying to fit different players in different places. Now, with the exception of injuries or suspensions, it should be all settled. As for last Saturday's lineup, instead of a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2, it looked something like a 3.5-4.5-2, i.e., Leonard played as a fullback or a mid depending on the situation. One of the key things in the game was having Leonard get deep up the wing to create an extra option for the ball carrier. Even when the Revs lost possession, Leonard's exceptional speed allowed him to fill his defensive responsibilities. Leonard's speed and versatility, along with Avery John's ability to play center or left make this a real promising formation (Leonard sees the opportunity to go forward, John shifts over to the left and, voila, the 4-4-2 has become a 3-5-2).
It seemed to me Leonard was playing left mid in a 3-5-2 last game. I meant I thought Kamler was more suited for a left midfield role than Leonard.
I thought Leonard played well at left mid. He kept Hejduk under wraps all game, which says a lot since Hejduk can run all day. I would sacrifice technique and overall offensive ability(Kamler) for a fast defensive wide mid(Leonard) who can keep up with a player such as Hejduk for the whole match.
It looked like they shifted Hejduk over to the left to match up against Ralston for at least half the game- I don't remember exactly when I noticed. But I agree that Leonard played well, and I feel good with him at left mid. Plus, Ann and my wife both think he's hot after watching the makeover story on TLC, for whatever that's worth. They weren't as taken with Kamler. Edit: As a straight guy, I have no problem admitting he's hot. There, it's on record, Ann.
Actually forcing play through Heyduk worked well, his crossing was terrible. Columbus lacks the skill outside to counter a packed in middle (although the poor playing surface also helped us alot) and I think Nicol will continue the same tactics. Keep in mind that with the season on the line and the team needing a win against Chicago, Nicol intended to sit Cancela and play Kamler. Only an injury to Kamler forced a change. Clearly Cancela saved our as....ses. Who knows how Kamler would have worked out. Now we need only a tie. Will Nicol play for that, or will he come out playing to win?