So, we start playing soccer again this Saturday. Trip to the cRapids. The radio ads for this have been... well about RSL level quality. Loud, lots of words, no real substance. Anyways. I don't know what to expect, at all, in this new phase of games. If RSL is going to have any hope with the grueling schedule laid before them, they have to start on the right foot. I'm not hopeful of that, but crazier things have happened. In terms of how the team will come out... is Nedum going to travel? This seems reasonable given the tight timeframe of actual travel, not being away from family, lower risk of exposure, etc. Silva is serving a suspension for his red card against San Jose (right?), so it seems a perfect time for Nedum to step back into the lineup with Glad. KB is suspended too, I assume, so we don't even see him in the gameday roster. I'm guessing we have a couple injuries despite no games in awhile because we're RSL. But, here is what I think we see start in Colorado: Dougy Rusnak* Kreilach Baird Everton Pablo Toia Glad Nedum Herrera MacMath** *Is Rusnak back to full fitness? **Is Ochoa back to full fitness? MacMath should lose his spot after the performance against SJ. All in all, I'm not sure what to expect. Are they still going to allow 5 subs? I hope so. Just so Freddy will actually use like 3 or 4 subs. This feels like a loss in the last 15 minutes. 2-1
I understood that the 5 subs and water breaks are here for the rest of the season due to the congested schedule, but I could be wrong
So we can expect to continue using 2 subs per game. That way the team doesn't get used to the benefit of 5 subs just in case the league goes back to 3 subs.
Isn't there a game Saturday? Is this the game(s) thread for first phase? I need to know where to post all of the angst and crap.
that was my intention. No need to create 6 threads with how short of time there is between each one, not to mention the abundant interest.
I figured this was the place. Just needed to post something. Looks like a lot of people are not that focused on sports right now. Wonder why?
Hmmmmm . . . It's even hard to Embratsu right now. In the Embratsu days there was a sense that we were inevitably going to rise. The last several years it's more of a slow leak out of an innertube or something. GK is Putna DF is Herrera Glad Onuoha Toia Mid I is Ruiz and Luiz Mid II is Baird Damir Rusnak FW is Douglas No Rossi on the bench.
No Jeizon either, which bothers me. He's had about three more weeks to get in shape from when he was training with the team in Florida. Yeesh.
Douglas got his bell rung for sure. I am surprised he was allowed back on the field and glad he got off pretty soon after that.
After Freddy and Dunny harping on the fact that Douglas starting was important for RSL to have speed to counter the high press from Colorado, its interesting to see Meram replacing Douglas instead of Sam.
I think Meram "replaced" Damir and Damir moved up top in place of Douglas - but the commentary on relative speed stands. Two shots on goal for us in twenty minutes of play is (sadly) impressive.
so far press of Colorado, and RSL's poor play from the back is effective for the Rapids. If this continues, they'll scores soon.
Yes, but we have three shots on goal in thirty minutes! Baby steps? Ruiz has been shaky with a couple of bad turnovers.
We have controlled the midfield, our backline looks solid, yet every time we have the ball near the box it seems like all ideas dry up. This team needs to spend coin on a striker who knows how to finish. A striker who gets service because his team mates know they will be rewarded by getting him the ball.