Okay, didn't see this annual thread so started one, if I just missed it, please someone just delete. In our third preseason match, 3-3 with Portland. Very nice goal by Roger. Really nice ball in from martins and touch in for the score by Shelton, and after three games i am wondering: Is Harris a decent bench option for late game goals? He looks like he can score, and score against MLS players, though granted, preseason. But he looks strong and calm on the ball, and has great placement with his shots. Three things I was not expecting from him in this camp. If you missed it, the viddy of the match. quite a lot going on. We don't look bad.
Some really good highlights in there. Martins's ball to Shelton was perfect. I know Vermes had some angry quotes about losing the lead, but the truth is that Portland was playing a lot more first-teamers at that point and it's just no longer an even match. If Pete wanted to win he wouldn't have been doing so much subbing (which we as SKC fans know is anathema to him in a close game). Decent positives for me. I'd like to see more Pulido and Russell goals here soon, but the team is generating and finishing chances, which is all I really care about in a preseason game!
Given the injuries we had last year, I have no problem treating Pulido gently, and certainly this early in preseason
Not going to see any Pulido goals, he won't get another game for us until the opener since he's with Mexico.
Damn, forgot about that. This has just been a completely awful year for international soccer to exist.
It isn't going to get any better with Olympics, Nations League, and Gold Cup this summer. Plus WCQ's this spring/fall (especially fall for Mexico) that will be 3 games in each window. The good news for us is Pulido is the closest thing we have to a guaranteed call up on the roster. Kinda may get calls by Israel but not guaranteed, same with Russell. Lots of other teams are going to get hit a lot harder.
I admit i was angry watching them against Wales, leaving Pulido on the bench when they needed a goal. i don't like to see our players get called up, esp not in pandemic times, but it means a lot to them, so I root for them anyway. I really boil at the idea of call ups just to make up numbers. Maybe Tata hates Vermes?
He apparently had a knock that kept him out of the first game, and news came out today that he'll also miss tomorrow's game...
Serious question: the MLS site keeps listing our probable starting 11 as including a midfield three that has at least Ilie or Roger, and sometimes both. I thought it was in ink that Walter and Busio were breaking through for those two, combining with Kinda. I'm quite excited about seeing Kinda, Busio and Walter. I know Vermes says Isi is too new to the club to know if he will be ready to start our first match, but Walter has been in all camp and should be ready. I wouldn't think we'd give Busio the 10 shirt to bench him. Anyone have any insight on this, starting mids? This is not intended to insult Roger or Ilie. I still like them on the roster, but I'm not sure they've got everyday starter in their futures, as much as in the pasts.
Everything I've seen so far has just been speculative. I think those positions are probably the most up-for-grabs on the field. I'm excited about it, though. We've had so many situations in the last couple years where our midfield was locked down and any starter not being able to play meant a significant drop in quality. I'll be pretty happy with a rotating cast of Kinda/Busio/Espinoza/Ilie/Walter. And I'd imagine that, depending on how they play in relation to each other and how they play in relation to the attack/defense, we'll probably see the starters get switched up a bit over the course of the season.
Was that for sure? I thought Busio or Lindsey were a risk to get called into the full tournament. Shows what I know!
I mean it’s possible they could have, but if they weren’t on the qualifying roster when they could have been, they’d have a hard breaking into it after.
Vermes seemed a bit miffed at the decision to leave Busio off the squad. I sensed a bit of schadenfreude
Again, the MLS site lists our roster with two disturbing notes. First, it lists Remi Walter as unavailable. Is he injured? Second, it still lists Felipe G as being an SKC player, but out with a season ending injury. I'd suggest that they merely forgot to update the roster, but, as noted, Remi (and Isi) are on it, as well as the passle of younguns. Any insight?
They haven't officially updated things for 2021 would be my guess. Since they haven't reached roster compliance date yet (honestly not sure when exactly that date is this year).
Martins, Fontas, NIM, Lindsay in the back. After 45 minutes against LA, Sporting still have some gaping holes in their defense. Busio better than ever. Cisneros surprisingly good. Harris, yawn. Walter...too soon to tell.
Full time 1-0 Sporting courtesy of Busio’s nice strike from the top of the box. Nothing special happened in the second half due to a complete team substitution. Second half looked like a pick-up game. No sign of Pulido, Russell, Kinda nor Salloi in either half.
The Zusi interview on 810 seems to re-enforce what we've been hearing, that Busio is stepping up his game. I couldn't see this game, other than highlights. Do we see what folks are talking about, Busio wanting the ball at all times, putting the team on his shoulders, etc?
After watching the LA pre-season game, its apparent that Busio is a starter-quality midfielder. The qualifier for my last statement is that I watched him perform in pre-season for half of the game against a preseason first choice line-up for LA. He was subbed out for the second half. His abilities have always been there, but his maturity and decision making on and off the ball have matured. In my opinion, he is easily a better choice than Kinda if it comes down to a choice between the two for a starting option. Busio is very good, but not yet the guy that can carry a team on his shoulders.