June 13, 2009 by f4denz.

Well I am not sure if Jason is reading my blog before matches or not, but I said I would go with the 4-3-3 and sure enough that appears to be what Jason is going to do with this lineup:
Rimando
Wingert-Olave-Borchers-Beltran
Johnson-Beckerman-Morales
Mathis-Movsisyan-Espindola

We are just minutes away from the start so let’s see if there are any last second changes, I like this formation it should put LA on their heels from the start of the match and I am sure RSL will be looking for an early goal, don’t be surprised if it comes from Clint Mathis. Nice to see Dunny having his spiked hair even on TV, and it looks like it is a very late arriving crowd (if at all) in LA tonight. RSL will be playing without either of the Robbie’s as I stated in my match preview, also out is Andy Williams who is up in Seattle with the family as Marcia has gotten her transplant and according to Andy on facebook, everything is going well so far.

I have to say I hate when Direct Kick goes to that horrible music and logo instead of showing the advertisements on the local coverage, get over it already.

0-10 Minutes

Here we go and so far it is RSL being more aggressive from the start, so this will be interesting as RSL is pushing up a lot early, a early throw for RSL and the first shot is Espindola but a bad shot that goes well wide of the goal. RSL gets it back but Rimando’s clearance ends with a LA foul and RSL gets the ball at midfield, Beltran is really pushing up early and this is the first attack by LA , but RSL breaks it up well by collapsing on the ball. So far the passing has been good for RSL and I like the energy from Espindola early, the second shot for RSL is Beckerman who fires from distance but it goes wide as well.

Of the first 5 minutes RSL has controlled 4 of them, this is a good sign as the new formation appears to really have LA wondering what to do. I am sure that was part of the decision, LA counters but Gordon can’t get it off his foot or turn, good coverage by Rimando. Corner for LA and punched away by Rimando but it falls back to LA and they fire a shot that Rimando pushes over the bar and out, great save. Another corner for LA, but Rimando gets it easily this time, and out to Espindola and the attempt to cross slows things up but RSL is back on the attack. Mathis fires a shot but like the other two this one is wide as Clint didn’t get as much on it as he would have liked. The first 10 minutes have been exciting with both teams getting chances, but RSL is far more aggressive, and RSL gets a throw in deep in the LA end of the pitch. Will Johnson fires a shot and into the arms of Ricketts and LA takes over and are looking to see if they can keep the ball, and the answer is no as it goes back over to RSL who give it right back.

10-20 Minutes

Some good passing and aggressive play for RSL and a good counter by LA as the clock hits 10:00 with the score 0-0. LA attacks but RSL shuts it down but it ends up back in LA’s possession and they get a deep throw in of their own but Olave gets is clear and LA puts it out and RSL gets a thrown in. Nice 176 shots and 70 shots on goal so far for RSL to lead MLS in both, Yura gets a goal for RSL and we are up 1-0, it looks like Yura might be back. So much for those Yura haters, it looks like the goal against the Rapids might have been what he needed.

So Jason’s bold formation has already paid results, now can they keep the pressure up and add to their total? They are still attacking and Espindola is in the box and they call a hand ball on him as he was knocked down and run into the ball. Kovalenko attacks and Nick makes a huge save again, wow two already, and LA can’t take advantage of the rebound and Nick covers it up. Talk about dodging bullets, it looks like Dema is still looking for his first goal of the season and would love for it to come against his former team. The backline is suffering because Beltran is pushing forward so much to support the midfield and the attack, we will need to ensure that we have someone helping out our backline. Out for LA deep in the RSL end, but it goes back over to RSL.

Talk about an action packed start of the match, our second road goal of the season and two monster saves for Nick Rimando, it sure hasn’t been boring. LA is countering but Beckerman gets back in the defensive end and clears the ball and LA fouls at midfield as RSL reset their formation. I really do like how aggressive we are, we do give up a bit on the defensive end but we are holding possession and controlling the match.

20-30

No idea what the hell Donovan Ricketts is thinking as he is out defending against Yura far outside the box, he did a nice job of using his size and RSL can’t take advantage of it. Another RSL attack as Espindola drives a ball into the box but Mathis isn’t able to get to it and it is pushed out of the box by LA, but they give it away and Fabi is going one on two but as he cuts he falls down and nothing comes of the chance. It almost looks like we are playing a 3-4-3 with as high that Beltran is pushing up. The amount of possession is just overwhelming so far as RSL is doing a good job of passing the ball and making LA run after them, the difference from the first half last weekend is that RSL was able to convert an early goal.

The Galaxy are attacking but Borchers kicks it out and they have to settle for a throw in and then they commit a foul and RSL get the ball back again, clearly 20 of the first 25 minutes have been controlled by RSL. It looks like the HDC is about 50-60% full, not a great crowd without Beckham or Landycakes. RSL has slowed the pace down for the last few minutes but are still doing a nice job of controlling it, but Javi stopped his run to stay onside and LA get the ball back and they are trying to do something with it, but RSL is back on the attack and Yura takes a half hearted shot that is blocked by Todd Dunivant and it goes back over to LA. A long ball into the box but it is cleared out by RSL and a call against Yura as he is pulled down, a bad call giving the call to LA.

30-40

La is doing a bit better in connecting some passes together and trying to look for gaps that they can attack, they are slowed down but keep the ball and eventually the ball is cleared by Beltran but LA is looking more dangerous. RSL gets it back and Javi leads the attack into the LA end of the pitch, now Wingert is pushing up in attack but his attempt to get the ball into the box ends up in the possession of LA as they try to get organized. Both Javi and Kyle look better than they have in recent weeks, the time off last week appears to have helped them get some more energy. It sounds like the LA fans are putting forth a good effort in supporting their team, but so far the club hasn’t responded.

RSL is back on the attack as they calmly build their attack, wow that is like 13 passes in a row, some nice one and two touch passing. Beckerman fires a shot but nobody is there for the rebound and Ricketts gets to the ball to cover it up. LA plays a ball into the box but it sails through untouched and out for a RSL goal kick, but LA gets back on the attack but Gordon takes a shot but it sails over the area and out for a goal kick. Our backline has to do much better at keeping LA’s forwards better covered when they get into their attack.

Nice to hear the TV crew talking about Real Blue, and I have been overwhelmed with how popular the pictures of the unveiling have been as I have had request from 3 major MLS blogs to link to the photos. LA looks to finally be settling down a bit and keep a little possession but as soon as I say it RSL gets it back and is attacking again. Javi has made some really nice runs so far in the first half, best half I have seen from him in a very long time.

40-halftime

Some strange calls so far in this match, almost a bad turnover by Will but we dodge the bullet deep in our end and we start moving forward in the attack again, so I have to wonder what types of adjustments we will see at halftime, I can almost guarantee that LA will bring in Chris Klein to get some better possession. I love how Yura and Fabi both are really pressuring the LA defenders when we don’t have the ball. Borchers pushes a ball out for a LA throw in to break up the attack, Wingert is there to break up the attack in the box and it goes out for a RSL goal kick.

This is the best half that RSL has played on the road this year, and a little luck on the defensive end has let them hold on to their 1-0 lead, a nice run as the clock gets close and what a ball in by Mathis is headed by Johnson but Ricketts is there and the whistle blows as RSL is up 1-0 at half. RSL has owned the possession and while LA has had a couple chances, Nick Rimando has made a couple great saves.

You have to love the confidence as Yura states in the halftime interview “I’m Back”, hey Aj, how about them apples?

The stats don’t show how one sided the match has been, a shame we don’t keep possession numbers, they would be 75-25% for RSL and how impressive is that on the road?

45-55

Well I was right as Klein comes in for Tudela, and right away LA looks better. It will be how does RSL adjust and do they continue to attack? A early second half call gives RSL a free kick from about 15 yards outside of the box, what can Javi do with it? He puts it into a dangerous position but nobody is there and it goes back over to LA, but they go down the pitch and put it out for a RSL goal kick. Wow so far LA has been much more aggressive in this half, but not much more effective than they were in the first half.

RSL is pushing back forward and Fabi takes a shot that is blocked out for a RSL corner kick, can Olave get his head on one? It goes long to Mathis who puts it back in the box and Borchers pushes it past Ricketts and RSL is up 2-0. As LA looks stunned and the decision to play a more aggressive formation and style than any other road match is looking to pay off. It looks like once again that the HDC is going to be where RSL gets their first road win of the season (this would be the 4^th of 5 season that it would be the site of our first road win). Wow LA is back on the attack, and what looked like a dangerous chance for LA is blocked by Olave and Magee’s effort goes out for a throw in, but it is cleared out to midfield.

55-65

LA isn’t packing their bags yet, they are actually playing much better than the first half and looking dangerous, but RSL has been up to the task so far. Can RSL get a good countering chance to add a third goal and put this one out of reach? Gordon gets his head to a ball but it goes out for a RSL goal kick, but this shows why Klein is back in the match as he played a great ball into the box. Wow LA gets another good ball into the box and Olave is there to head it out of the area, nice coverage. I think RSL needs to bring in some fresh legs, a yellow card foul on Mathis for dissent, for arguing a yellow card about the yellow on Johnson and LA get a free kick in a dangerous position but it goes out for a RSL goal kick.

It looks like RSL is playing a more defensive posture but hasn’t changed their formation yet, but everyone is playing just a bit further back, a run by Yura who waits for help and eventually goes out for a RSL throw in. RSL keeps it but Yura would have been offside he had made a run on that one, RSL is doing a nice job of possession and Fabi is called for offside and the ball goes back to LA but they turn it over to RSL as LA makes a change and Magee is out and Kirovski and someone has a red card? It looks like Lewis is getting it for throwing the ball at Javi who was on the ground, he was upset because Kirovski got a yellow card just seconds after coming in. Javi is on the sideline hobbling.

65-75

Wow LA is down to 10 men and has used two of their subs, while RSL is up a man, up two goals and has all three subs left. LA is still attacking and they have a corner kick, but it is cleared by a diving Johnson, but eventually goes back over to LA. I fear that RSL might get too defensive with both the lead and the man advantage, and eventually it goes out for another LA corner kick. I like the blue kit that Nick has on, I wonder if it being Real Blue week had anything to do with his choice?

RSL looks like they are going to spread it out a bit and make LA chase for their chance to get the ball, Yura is down and holding his arm, it looks like he might have hit his funny bone or something but nothing too serious. LA is again trying to attack but Will takes the ball away and RSL is back in control and attacking but Javi isn’t fast enough to get to the great ball played by Beckerman, and LA counters and Rimando makes a save again as it goes out for another LA corner kick. But again it is cleared by Will but LA keeps possession. Big collision between Gordon and Rimando, but both are up and look OK as RSL gets the ball back. I am waiting to see who Jason brings in first as RSL gets a deep throw in, but can’t do anything with it.

75-85

RSL is still in front 2-0 but LA is looking much more dangerous, even when down a man than they did in the first half. Wow not sure how that didn’t get called as Fabi goes down after a challenge by Dema, but it wasn’t called and LA has the ball back but they give it over to RSL but the Javi to Kyle pass is just a bit strong but RSL get the ball right back as they are again establishing the pace of the match. Fabi tries to cross the ball but it is blocked out for a corner kick. Dunivant out for LA and Jordan comes in for them and Mathis goes out and Grabavoy comes in for RSL.

RSL’s first corner goes out for another corner and this one is short but LA clears it out of the area but RSL keeps possession of the ball as the clock hits 80:00. Funny that the announcers say that it is rare to see RSL up 2 goals on the road, well yeah it would be tough considering they had only scored one goal on the road this year. A RSL goal kick and it goes back to Rimando abut RSL keeps possession and another no call as the ball goes over to LA. But now a call on light contact goes LA way for a free kick from 15 yards out and wide of the box, but Beckerman clears it but it goes out and RSL has a throw in their own end. Wow RSL dodges a bullet as LA gets behind them but can’t get a shot off, they still are attacking but it is cleared out of the area and another bad turnover gives it right back to LA.

85-final

Another LA corner kick, as there are just 5 minutes and stoppage left, again RSL clears the ball out of danger but neither side can really get control of it until a midfield foul is called on RSL and LA gets a free kick but Rimando is there and cleans it up and boots it long but Fabi can’t control it and it goes out for a LA throw in. Fabi is out and Tino Nunez gets his first action of the season, I can wait to see what he can bring to the attack. RSL is playing with fire as they allow LA way too much possession of the ball.

Well it is starting to look like C&C might be the curse on the road, and thus banned from all future road matches (not really). Ned gets a shot but it deflects off the arm of a LA defender for a RSL corner but they play it short and it ends up back to Rimando. Kevin Stott gives them 4 minutes of stoppage time, it should be about 2, but hey why not give LA a few more chances. A hard foul from behind on Yura and a yellow card for LA as Gonzalez picks it up. RSL is playing a bit of keep away from LA, but they eventually get it back, but Buddle can’t get anything going but RSL gets it back on a foul by Buddle.

Just a minute left in stoppage time and RSL is still leading 2-0 and up a man as we look like we will finally get that road win that has been hard to get and break our 7 match winless streak and end LA’s 10 game streak without a loss. It looks like LA is finally out of gas as RSL just connects a bunch of passes together and make LA chase them, and that is the final whistle as RSL gets the win 2-0 and pull even with LA in the standings.

A well deserved road win and talk about a total effort, way to go boys. Here are the final stats:

OK time to go get some dinner, can’t wait to see how the team plays next week against another hot team in Houston.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

Posted in The soapbox | 1 Comment »

June 13, 2009 by f4denz.

Well RSL is mired in one of the longest winless periods in team history at 7 matches, there have been 3 draws in that stretch but after winning 3 of their first 5 matches many people had Real Salt Lake listed among the elite teams in MLS. Now most people have use at the bottom with just 2-3 teams below us, there are rumblings among fans and pundits that changes need to be made. Could it be players, coaches, or other staff members? I am not in the group that is in panic mode, because when I look at 4 critical matches in the last 7, I see that flukes and bad luck play a role in the results.

The 2-2 draw was a match that RSL should have won, a unlucky bounce that hit Will Johnson’s hand changed the match from a likely 1-0 win to a match with 5 minutes of the most frantic play in MLS history and the first match in league history where 3 goals were scored in stoppage time ending the draw. The next week we play Chivas at the HDC and while we play a very defensive style and only get a few offensive chances, it is the normally sure footed Kyle Beckerman who fails to clear a ball cleanly that directly leads to the only goal of the match, but 9 time out of 10 that ball is cleared out and the opportunity for Chivas is gone. When a team heads into RFK they usually plan on coming out getting a loss handed to them, but RSL went in and played a 4-5-1 and dominated the match but a couple shots off the frame of the goal keep the score 0-0, but this one could have easily been a RSL win. Finally last week, a stupid yellow card for arguing with the officials made all the difference, if Robbie Russell doesn’t get that card, then the foul just minutes later would have been his first yellow and not a red card and Colorado wouldn’t get a man advantage. The result would have likely been a 1-0 win over Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado, instead of the 1-1 draw.

Now we head on the road to end our season series with the Galaxy, and if you only knew that Beckham still wasn’t with the club and that Landycakes was out on National team duty you would think that RSL would be sitting pretty. That would be the case if you hadn’t watched the LA @ TFC matchup from last week, not many teams go into BMO field and out play Toronto, but that is exactly what LA did. Was it a fluke? No in fact the lone goal by TFC should have been disallowed for an obvious offside call, but LA was sharp and looked like a team that was working for just their second win of the season. Gone was the LA who was playing every match like they just were trying not to get beat, gone was the team with 9 draws in 12 matches. In fact who would have guessed that LA is one of only two teams to have not lost on the road? The fact that we are entering the middle of June and that RSL doesn’t have a win on the road is no stretch, in fact they have never won a road match before June.

What Would I Do?

So in RSL last 3 road matches they have played well in two matches (Chivas and DC United) with the 4-5-1, and horrible against San Jose in the 4-4-2 when they inserted a new duo up front (Fabi and LME) and played without Clint Mathis in the starting lineup. So I am facing a LA side that is without their stars, and with a match at Houston next weekend this might be my best chance for a win on the road before September. Do I go back to the 4-5-1 and hope that somebody can score? We had good chances in both the Chivas and United matches, but we didn’t convert. Do I hope that the traditional 4-4-2 will work better this time? I know I can’t play either of the Robbie’s as Russell is suspended and Findley is hurt with an ankle injury and didn’t travel with the team. Do I push my luck and play the 4-3-3 that caught Colorado by surprise for the first half last week?

LA has given up 7 goals in their 6 home matches, they have also scored 7, and they have just one win (a late PK given that lead to their 1-0 win over New York). I know that I have (again) a very inexperienced head official in Jasen Anno who had been in charge of just 6 MLS matches and has issued 4 red cards in those matches. I also have the wild card factor of Kevin Stott (league’s worst official) but at least he is relegated to the 4th official. I know that last year both matches ended like the one last month at Rio Tinto in 2-2 draws, and that a win in this match would pull me even with LA in the standings. I know that all time the series with LA is almost dead even as LA has 5 wins to RSL’s 4 and 5 times the matchup has ended in a draw, that LA has scored 23 goals in the 14 matches and RSL has found the back of the net 22 times, this is as dead even as it can get in MLS.

I go big and I play the 4-3-3 at the start and look to take control of the match, last year in the road leg of this series, RSL scored an early goal, that was waved off by the officials incorrectly. It was that goal that lead to the back flip that effectively ended Espindola’s season last year. I am going to tweek the line up a bit from what was used last week and go with:

Rimando
Wingert-Borchers-Olave-Beltran (if Joy is healthy enough to go at least 45 minutes I start him in place of Wingert)
Grabavoy-Beckerman-Morales
Movsisyan-Mathis-Escalada (the Escalada over Fabi decision is based on how they have played in the last two matches, if either had a better week in practice it could change the decision)

I attack LA in a way that they haven’t had to deal with and shoot for a goal in the first 10 minutes, RSL has had nothing but problems scoring on the road and my hope is that this change will show the confidence I have in our team and our offensive capabilities. I adjust at halftime based on how the first half goes, if we are ahead then I drop back into a 4-5-1 to get more possession and be prepared for any LA adjustments.

If we are tied or behind, then I move Mathis to the midfield for Grabavoy and bring in Espindola. I reevaluate at 60 minutes and if I am still in the 4-3-3 and ahead I adjust to the 4-5-1 for the final 30 to shut down LA, if we are still tied or behind, then I bring in Nunez for whichever striker is out of gas and pull a back and bring in Johnson to go with a never played by RSL before 3-4-3 and pour it on. Listen what is there to lose? We are in a position of being out of the playoffs, at least I would show everyone on the team, all the fans, and every other team in the league that we are willing to do whatever to get the win. It could force teams to really have to wonder what will RSL do next. Remember ‘Audentis Fortuna Juvat”

Match Prediction

Well you now know what I would do, but I am nowhere near qualified to coach a MLS team. Here is the official match guide and what the projected lineup will be:

I don’t believe that this lineup is right, I have to believe that Clint Mathis will be in the lineup. At San Jose the team looked lost and confused without his leadership and creativity on the pitch, so the question is who comes off, Johnson or Grabavoy? Depends on what type of mentality Jason is using this week, you would think you keep Grabavoy in if your being more defensive in your approach and Johnson if you want more offensive energy.

The Galaxy are lacking depth on defense with injuries to Franklin and Marshall have them listed as out, so they will have to deal with having guys like Leonard Griffin who has just 16 minutes of MLS playing time this year and under 900 minutes in his 3 year MLS career, or oft injured Tony Sanneh who has been in and out of the lineup this year. LA will likely start two guys with a ton of experience in Todd Dunivant and Gregg Berhalter and two guys without much experience in AJ DeLaGarza (the 19th pick in the 2009 MLS draft) and Omar Gonzalez (3rd pick in the 2009 MLS draft)who is the only LA player to have played every minute of the 2009 season.

For RSL the biggest threat is likely to come in the form of two former RSL players, Chris Klein has probably been the saving grace of LA for the last 2 years and well Dema Kovalenko hasn’t lead LA to many wins (they only have two) he has added grit to their midfield. We will also need to watch out for the Toronto killers, Alan Gordon and Edson Buddle both scored last week in the LA 2-1 win over TFC, but one has to remember that of the 15 goals that LA has scored this year 10 of them involved Landycakes (6 goals and 4 assists).

While LA hasn’t lost a match since April 4th and RSL hasn’t won one since April 25th, we have been streak enders a number of times this year already. We handed DC United their first loss and their only loss until two weeks ago. New England came into Rio Tinto undefeated and got trounced 6-0, for their first loss of the season. But what can RSL do on the road? I look to history and remember that last year on June 14th we headed into the Home Depot Center to face Chivas side they had never beat on their home turf, but we were able to pick up our first road win of the season and our first win over Chivas at the HDC. Can RSL turn their season around once again and make a little history in the match?

Of course they can, and I believe they will get their road win of the season and break out of their 7 match funk, while ending LA’s 10 match unbeaten streak. So I have to pick RSL to win, and I am going to pick the score line that was the result of our road win at HDC almost one year ago 1-0 on a goal by Clint Mathis.

Other Matches

Chicago 2 - DC United 2
New York 0 - Toronto 1
Houston 2 - FC Dallas 1
New England 1 - KC 1
San Jose 0 - Seattle 2
Chivas 2 - Columbus 2

OFF MY SOAPBOX
‘Audentis Fortuna Juvat”

Posted in The soapbox | 1 Comment »

June 13, 2009 by f4denz.

Well RSL is mired in one of the longest winless periods in team history at 7 matches, there have been 3 draws in that stretch but after winning 3 of their first 5 matches many people had Real Salt Lake listed among the elite teams in MLS. Now most people have use at the bottom with just 2-3 teams below us, there are rumblings among fans and pundits that changes need to be made. Could it be players, coaches, or other staff members? I am not in the group that is in panic mode, because when I look at 4 critical matches in the last 7, I see that flukes and bad luck play a role in the results.

The 2-2 draw was a match that RSL should have won, a unlucky bounce that hit Will Johnson’s hand changed the match from a likely 1-0 win to a match with 5 minutes of the most frantic play in MLS history and the first match in league history where 3 goals were scored in stoppage time ending the draw. The next week we play Chivas at the HDC and while we play a very defensive style and only get a few offensive chances, it is the normally sure footed Kyle Beckerman who fails to clear a ball cleanly that directly leads to the only goal of the match, but 9 time out of 10 that ball is cleared out and the opportunity for Chivas is gone. When a team heads into RFK they usually plan on coming out getting a loss handed to them, but RSL went in and played a 4-5-1 and dominated the match but a couple shots off the frame of the goal keep the score 0-0, but this one could have easily been a RSL win. Finally last week, a stupid yellow card for arguing with the officials made all the difference, if Robbie Russell doesn’t get that card, then the foul just minutes later would have been his first yellow and not a red card and Colorado wouldn’t get a man advantage. The result would have likely been a 1-0 win over Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado, instead of the 1-1 draw.

Now we head on the road to end our season series with the Galaxy, and if you only knew that Beckham still wasn’t with the club and that Landycakes was out on National team duty you would think that RSL would be sitting pretty. That would be the case if you hadn’t watched the LA @ TFC matchup from last week, not many teams go into BMO field and out play Toronto, but that is exactly what LA did. Was it a fluke? No in fact the lone goal by TFC should have been disallowed for an obvious offside call, but LA was sharp and looked like a team that was working for just their second win of the season. Gone was the LA who was playing every match like they just were trying not to get beat, gone was the team with 9 draws in 12 matches. In fact who would have guessed that LA is one of only two teams to have not lost on the road? The fact that we are entering the middle of June and that RSL doesn’t have a win on the road is no stretch, in fact they have never won a road match before June.

What Would I Do?

So in RSL last 3 road matches they have played well in two matches (Chivas and DC United) with the 4-5-1, and horrible against San Jose in the 4-4-2 when they inserted a new duo up front (Fabi and LME) and played without Clint Mathis in the starting lineup. So I am facing a LA side that is without their stars, and with a match at Houston next weekend this might be my best chance for a win on the road before September. Do I go back to the 4-5-1 and hope that somebody can score? We had good chances in both the Chivas and United matches, but we didn’t convert. Do I hope that the traditional 4-4-2 will work better this time? I know I can’t play either of the Robbie’s as Russell is suspended and Findley is hurt with an ankle injury and didn’t travel with the team. Do I push my luck and play the 4-3-3 that caught Colorado by surprise for the first half last week?

LA has given up 7 goals in their 6 home matches, they have also scored 7, and they have just one win (a late PK given that lead to their 1-0 win over New York). I know that I have (again) a very inexperienced head official in Jasen Anno who had been in charge of just 6 MLS matches and has issued 4 red cards in those matches. I also have the wild card factor of Kevin Stott (league’s worst official) but at least he is relegated to the 4th official. I know that last year both matches ended like the one last month at Rio Tinto in 2-2 draws, and that a win in this match would pull me even with LA in the standings. I know that all time the series with LA is almost dead even as LA has 5 wins to RSL’s 4 and 5 times the matchup has ended in a draw, that LA has scored 23 goals in the 14 matches and RSL has found the back of the net 22 times, this is as dead even as it can get in MLS.

I go big and I play the 4-3-3 at the start and look to take control of the match, last year in the road leg of this series, RSL scored an early goal, that was waved off by the officials incorrectly. It was that goal that lead to the back flip that effectively ended Espindola’s season last year. I am going to tweek the line up a bit from what was used last week and go with:

Rimando
Wingert-Borchers-Olave-Beltran (if Joy is healthy enough to go at least 45 minutes I start him in place of Wingert)
Grabavoy-Beckerman-Morales
Movsisyan-Mathis-Escalada (the Escalada over Fabi decision is based on how they have played in the last two matches, if either had a better week in practice it could change the decision)

I attack LA in a way that they haven’t had to deal with and shoot for a goal in the first 10 minutes, RSL has had nothing but problems scoring on the road and my hope is that this change will show the confidence I have in our team and our offensive capabilities. I adjust at halftime based on how the first half goes, if we are ahead then I drop back into a 4-5-1 to get more possession and be prepared for any LA adjustments.

If we are tied or behind, then I move Mathis to the midfield for Grabavoy and bring in Espindola. I reevaluate at 60 minutes and if I am still in the 4-3-3 and ahead I adjust to the 4-5-1 for the final 30 to shut down LA, if we are still tied or behind, then I bring in Nunez for whichever striker is out of gas and pull a back and bring in Johnson to go with a never played by RSL before 3-4-3 and pour it on. Listen what is there to lose? We are in a position of being out of the playoffs, at least I would show everyone on the team, all the fans, and every other team in the league that we are willing to do whatever to get the win. It could force teams to really have to wonder what will RSL do next. Remember ‘Audentis Fortuna Juvat”

Match Prediction

Well you now know what I would do, but I am nowhere near qualified to coach a MLS team. Here is the official match guide and what the projected lineup will be:

I don’t believe that this lineup is right, I have to believe that Clint Mathis will be in the lineup. At San Jose the team looked lost and confused without his leadership and creativity on the pitch, so the question is who comes off, Johnson or Grabavoy? Depends on what type of mentality Jason is using this week, you would think you keep Grabavoy in if your being more defensive in your approach and Johnson if you want more offensive energy.

The Galaxy are lacking depth on defense with injuries to Franklin and Marshall have them listed as out, so they will have to deal with having guys like Leonard Griffin who has just 16 minutes of MLS playing time this year and under 900 minutes in his 3 year MLS career, or oft injured Tony Sanneh who has been in and out of the lineup this year. LA will likely start two guys with a ton of experience in Todd Dunivant and Gregg Berhalter and two guys without much experience in AJ DeLaGarza (the 19th pick in the 2009 MLS draft) and Omar Gonzalez (3rd pick in the 2009 MLS draft)who is the only LA player to have played every minute of the 2009 season.

For RSL the biggest threat is likely to come in the form of two former RSL players, Chris Klein has probably been the saving grace of LA for the last 2 years and well Dema Kovalenko hasn’t lead LA to many wins (they only have two) he has added grit to their midfield. We will also need to watch out for the Toronto killers, Alan Gordon and Edson Buddle both scored last week in the LA 2-1 win over TFC, but one has to remember that of the 15 goals that LA has scored this year 10 of them involved Landycakes (6 goals and 4 assists).

While LA hasn’t lost a match since April 4th and RSL hasn’t won one since April 25th, we have been streak enders a number of times this year already. We handed DC United their first loss and their only loss until two weeks ago. New England came into Rio Tinto undefeated and got trounced 6-0, for their first loss of the season. But what can RSL do on the road? I look to history and remember that last year on June 14th we headed into the Home Depot Center to face Chivas side they had never beat on their home turf, but we were able to pick up our first road win of the season and our first win over Chivas at the HDC. Can RSL turn their season around once again and make a little history in the match?

Of course they can, and I believe they will get their road win of the season and break out of their 7 match funk, while ending LA’s 10 match unbeaten streak. So I have to pick RSL to win, and I am going to pick the score line that was the result of our road win at HDC almost one year ago 1-0 on a goal by Clint Mathis.

OFF MY SOAPBOX
‘Audentis Fortuna Juvat”

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