And just like that, our long arduous wait was over, and so it was that we returned back to our fortress of relative solitude — er, dominance — after a long haul of time spent away and at rest. Our opponents, the speedsters FC Dallas, are in form befitting a donkey, it would seem, giving our side both a glimmer of hope and a reason to worry ever so slightly.
You know how those sides in bad form go: "Oh, hey, we're off to go play the best team in the league. Would you chaps rather like to, well, put in a good shift today?" And inevitably, they do. It is one of the pitfalls of being among the league's best — everyone thinks they'll come in, slay the giants, go home, and be the right old heroes for the weekend before dipping back into delectable form.
But as much as that's the worry, you've only need to look at our record to see that, well, it hasn't really happened that way, thankfully. We're, you know, doing well. There's no substitute for good form, especially in easing such tedious worries as these.
Right, let's get on with the lineup, shall we? There are a few changes to expect, so it would be in our best interest to talk about those briefly.
In goal, Kyle Reynish is set to start in the absence of Nick Rimando, who has set off with the international men of leisure known as the U.S. Men's National Team. Reynish is a strong keeper with quick reactions, and while he isn't quite as good with his feet as Nick — how many goalkeepers are, really? — he'll be looking to prove himself in front of the home crowd.
At the back, Chris Wingert will likely be absent through injury, so I'd expect a back four of Terukazu Tanaka (bless you!), Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, and Tony Beltran. Beltran, as he did so often last season, should be shifting to the left in Wingert's absence, and Tanaka should be on the right to burst down the flanks and push forward in attack. It would be the Japanese right back's second start of the season — his first came against Montreal, again at home.
In the middle of the park, we've got our next conspicuous absence, as Kyle Beckerman continues his national team journey. It's nothing less than deserved, but it does leave us in a little bit of a bind. However, the slightly young (for the position) Yordany Alvarez — newly 26, even — is pegged to start for this and Tuesday's US Open Cup match, and it should be a spectacular opportunity for him to show that he's matured from his appearances late last season.
Around Alvarez will likely be Will Johnson and Ned Grabavoy, who have worked up a fine partnership through the years. It gives us a nice balance of cover and attack, with Will typically sitting a little deeper than Ned, such is the former's defensive stability and the latter's attacking thrust. I'd not be surprised if either of them nicked a goal, though — wouldn't you say it's about time? It's not a criticism of them, though. We've scored goals when needed, but I think those lads deserve something for their work and effort.
In the playmaking spot, Javier Morales is still absent, which means that the wise-beyond-his-years Luis Gil is in line for another start already this season. Little (not so little anymore!) Luis is a maturing player who, at this point, is still trying to find his feet in attack a little bit. This, I'd imagine, is because he's focused on the defensive side of things, which is fine by me — but we do miss the attacking thrust and creativity of Javier. Such is to be expected.
Up front, the strike-and-slash duo of Saborio and Espindola will be looking to continue their almost psychic connection, and hopefully we will see some of those spectacular through balls, inventive runs, and swashbuckling (I couldn't not say it, you see) dribbles that give the crowd much to cheer about. It's the little things, you know? (Yes, yes, I know.)
Right, then. Not much else to do than wait. Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
Comments