Is there anything more beautiful than a midweek match? I suppose there is, and for some, they represent a real pain — I've been in that situation, what with having been a traveling supporter from the southern end of the state last season. Still! There's nothing like a match to make the infamous "hump day" go more smoothly, unless, of course, you get rather anxious on match day, which I usually do.
At any rate, there's a bit to discuss before the match, so let's get right to it. First, we'll talk injuries — and my oh my, there's some good news on that front, at least if the injury report is to be believed. The only three players on the list now are listed as 'doubtful' are Cody Arnoux, Enzo Martinez, and Nico Muñiz. Gone from the list? Will Johnson. Nat Borchers. Everybody else. Four games in and we're almost entirely injury free. I don't know that it will stay this way, but I'm still quite pleased about it.
But the one thing a lack of injuries presents is a selection problem. It's a problem every coach wants to have, but it's certainly not the easiest situation for a squad of players. At any rate, it's early days yet, and some of our guys will have to remain patient. I'd have it no other way.
It is certainly a problem Jason Kreis is cognizant of — and if it weren't obvious enough, he spoke directly to that in yesterday's interview with ESPN 700. http://espn.kall700sports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Jason-Kreis-4-3-12.mp3
"It's early this season, and it'll probably happen again. For me, playing three games in a week doesn't often lend itself well to top-quality soccer if you're playing all the same players."
As if we really needed reassurance that Jason Kreis was paying attention. We've got, I'm fully convinced one of — if not the — smartest coach in the league. He may not be a tactician in the way some are, but he's put together perhaps the best squad in MLS, managed things incredibly well, and has adapted to every situation that's come his way. It's easy to be hyperbolic about your own management, but there's nobody in the league I'd rather have at the helm.
Right, then. On to the predicted lineup.
At the back, none other than Nick Rimando will be starting in goal. This is not particularly a surprise, is it? Good.
In front of Nick, I'd imagine that one of Borchers and Olave will be given a chance to rest, and as Borchers is only just back from injury, I suspect it may be him. Olave didn't look particularly gassed against Portland, but there may be some thinking to save him for one of our marquee matches, Saturday's battle against the Colorado Rapids. Or perhaps that's the case with Nat Borchers. In this case, I'll go with… ergh… ugh… can I decide later? No? Olave and Schuler, or as I prefer to call them, Schulave.
On the flanks, this is the match I'd peg Tony Beltran to sit, especially after he was brought off on Saturday as the game neared its close. While that had a tactical knock-on effect, I'd imagine the decision wouldn't have been made if he hadn't looked tired. In the interest of preservation of Tony, I'll go for Terukazu Tanaka starting. Besides that, I'd like to see him play for once. On the other side, I'd go for Chris Wingert, who has been in fine form. So, Tanaka and Wingert get the go for me.
In midfield, Kyle Beckerman will likely continue to serve as the anchor. A word about him, though: He's been slated for some less-than-savory performances (though very, very rightly praised for his goal against Portland) and I'm thinking that might be a bit wide of the mark. He surely hasn't been in scintillating form, but I'm beginning to think he's being asked to play a slightly less conservative role for us. I've got no real evidence to back that up, and perhaps later this week I'll try to come up with that. At any rate, he's been caught out because he's been generally pushing further forward than he was last season, and while that may also partly be down to absences, I think there is a degree of purposefulness here. It does, after all, take work to really come to grips with new tactical assignments, and I think we've already seen that Jason Kreis has employed a few of those in the early season. Still, I'm going for Beckerman for the start, unless burnout (so early, though?) is a concern.
Around Kyle, we've got our first real questions. Will Mr. Kreis continue with this strangely inverted diamond midfield? Will he go for form over all else? What concerns are there that we don't know about? I'd love to see a midfield of Jonny Steele and Sebastian Velasquez, but that would seem to lack a little balance. I'd also pick Javier Morales to come in from the bench — not because of form but simply to not rush him along too quickly. In his place, I'd expect Luis Gil. The three I've gone for, though, are probably not experienced enough as a group, so I doubt it what's we move with. Perhaps Steele on the left, Will Johnson on the right, and Luis Gil up top will be enough, but there are more question marks over this one than you'd find in a Super Mario Bros. game. I've got to pick somebody, though, so I'll go with Steele, Johnson, and Gil.
Up front, we're guaranteed a little rotation after Jason said this: "I'm somebody that believes in rotation, and I think it's a fair approach that each of them plays two of those matches." He clarified a bit, too, stating that Fabian Espindola is expected to start tonight and Saturday. This is quite nice to hear. Two home matches will give him another chance to reach that elusive goalscoring record and for us to serenade him (or, you know, something like that).
I'd reckon that Saborio will be saved for the Rapids match, given its stature and all, and Paulo Jr. will be given a chance to run rampant against the Impact. I'm excited to see how our front line performs, and while I don't love what Paulo Jr. has been doing, Jason has spoken highly of his performances and his fitness, so perhaps I'm overlooking something tactically. I suppose he certainly does draw defenders out of position — his passing charts seem to show that — and that opens up space for the midfield and for Fabian to stake a claim on goal. Jason: "Other people judge strikers based on goals, but I don't. Luckily for Paulo, I'm the coach."
This one's relatively easy: Paulo Junior. Fabian Espindola.
Not too long left until this one gets underway, so let's get to it. Enjoy the work day (or day off, if you've got one, or if you've not got a job, the day, or what have you) and enjoy the match.
Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
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