Pre-match: Revs @ DC United, April 17th ... Singles Night!

probably crabs, why do you think the eagles are screaming?

 

I can't even think of DC anymore without this image coming to my mind.

 

Sausagefest 2009

 

isn't every night game at RFK, singles night?

 

http://instantrimshot.com/

 

are you going to use that in every thread?

 

Yeah bc mingling with locals worked so well for Montero. How long before Taylor gets taken for a drag through the mud by the Herald?

 

I used it one other time, big friggin' deal.

 

it is a pretty big deal

 

Coke or Coke Zero? I'm going with Zero.

 

They had a golden opportunity in Joey Franchino; they obviously have bigger fish to fry.

 

OK, the break is over and we can get down to business again. I hate by weeks but I'm sure the Rev coaching staff and the players on the injury list were glad of the weekend off.

Watching DC last night against RSL it's clear their attack can be lethal but their defense is vulnerable. They were missing Olson and their all time scoring leader last night but both are expected to be available on Friday.

Hard to say who will be healthy and available to play for the Revs. I think they start the game with a 4-5-1 with Ralston as a withdrawn Striker and switch to a 3-5-2 if their chasing the game.

I'm going to hold off making a prediction till later in the week when we know whose available.

 

Anyone interested in the fact that we have a game this Friday or is everyone just zonked out from eating to much Easter candy?

 

I actually think SanJo, in SanJo, was a tougher task. I still think SanJo is better than DC this year, and playing on the West Coast is never easy.

But you are right about history, and the flopping Moreno. I will be very happy with a point, and if we could take all three, that would be immense.

 

DC is always a tough match up. They are a decent side and will give the Revs everything they can handle. Their rookie Pontius looks to be an early candidate for ROY. My hope is that Alston is back. I also hope that Nicol sticks with a 3-5-2. If nothing has changed over the last two weeks I see
...............................Knighton
.....Albright..................Barnes............Heaps
....................Shalrie..............Larentowicz
Nyassi.....................Ralston..................Thompson
...............Dube......................Mansally
or
.......................Knighton
Albright.........barnes.......Heaps...Tierney
Nyassi..............Shalrie....Jeff..........Wells
...............Ralston........Dube

 

From Goff's Blog:
(quote) REVS INJURY REPORT
Kheli Dube (concussion) and Well Thompson (ankle) are probable. Jeff Larentowicz (hip) and Matt Reis (knee) are questionable. Kevin Alston (hamstring), Gabriel Badilla (back), Mauricio Castro (hamstring) and Taylor Twellman (neck) are out. (end quote)

As always when we play DCU IMO this game will be won or lost in the midfield. NOT GOOD to have Larentowicz out. Sure helps to have Ralston healthy. I would prefer Alston to Albright.

I don't think we will be going with a 3-5-2. In fact I think we will be playing a 4-5-1 to clog up the midfield and blunt Gomez, Fred, Emelio and Quaranta who call all be quite potent in the attack..

This one is going to be tough. I see a tie.

 

Dube - - - - Mansally
Ralston
Thompson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Nyassi
Joseph
Igwe - - - - - Barnes - - - - - Heaps - - - - Albright
Knighton


Please
​

 

I like it.

 

I wonder if we'll see Videira get a run out?

 

Tierney had some pretty poor free kicks - so it will be telling to see if he gets the start over Igwe. If he does, then that says a lot about where Igwe may stand.

Bummer for Alston to pick up that hamstring strain - he was primed to take and keep a starting spot.

Also, while Knighton has played well, I am still missing Reis back there.

If Larentowicz is definitely out, then we might(and I hope) as a sub

 

Until they prove otherwise, I expect any formation with 4 on the back line means

- Lots of long balls (4-5-1 means one less guy to chase)
- Little possession in the attacking third
- Low total shots, very low shots on goal
- A ton of time defending
- In short playing for a 0-0 tie or, with a very lucky counter, a one goal win.

 

Why? Especially if there are 5 in the midfield, there is plenty of opportunity, and skill, to link the ball from back to front. This is a baseless conjecture.

 

You are entitled to your opinion but I don't think we've seen much exciting offense with 4 in the back nor great control of the midfield. This includes most of the latter half of last season. I think that is a base. You can declare it as firm or soft as you please. Even this year, the first two road games with 4 in the back were not (to me) very satisfying when on offense. We looked better against NY, a much lesser team I think than SJ, but not great.

At home we had to switch to a 3-5-2 (it looked like a 3-5-2 to me anyway) to come back and win. I don't think the 4-4-2 in the first half inspired anyone.

So, your point, the point, is that it is a 4-5-1, not the 4-4-2. Maybe that is the magic combination for the REVs when using 4 in the back. We'll see. But until they prove otherwise I'm worried.