Morning, all! A short one today as we've got a 5 p.m. kickoff, so let's have at it. Yesterday, on the official RSL blog, The Sovereign, I addressed some tactical concerns for the match tomorrow. If you've not read that, that'll give us a starting point. I also discussed this yesterday here: The most interesting statistical note, to my mind, is how well Vancouver does without controlling possession.
When it wins its matches, the Canadian side averages around 40 percent possession. It's quite a disparity from, say, us, as when we win, we sit around 53 percent. We're a side that does better when we've got the ball than without, but against a side like Vancouver, we'll have to be extra aware when we don't have it.
Whether that means more pressure on the ball or simply soaking up pressure, I don't know. We'll have to focus and stick together, but that's sort of always the case, isn't it? So we are forced to make a tactical decision in our defense. Offensively, we'll want to remain relatively the same as ever (well, better than recently). This goes rather without saying.
So do we pressure them and allow them even less time on the ball? They've got a bit of a ruthless streak, so if I were Jason Kreis (I'm not, in case you thought this was my secret, shorter and hairier identity or something), I'd instruct our full backs to hold their runs a bit — but only a bit. With Espindola and Saborio up top with Morales just behind, we'll need Fabi and Javi (such great names, those) to take up wide positions up top, leaving our remaining three midfielders a bit more room to push forward and regain control of possession while pressuring passes.
How we respond to counterattacks will be vital. We've seen this side do well that way, and though Barry Robson might not be the fastest player in the center of the pitch, his playmaking abilities will serve well with two speedy wingers taking up the Vancouver wide positions.
Who can we expect to see? We clearly won't see Olave (of this I am 100 percent positive, particularly as he was training some kids nearby where a group of us play soccer on Saturday mornings — mostly, I just wanted to mention that), leaving room for Kwame Watson-Siriboe to step in again. It's another chance for the kid to make his mark on the team. Further, I suspect we'll see Will Johnson starting, but his recent appearance on the injury list (a "probable" listing with an ankle sprain) throws that into just a little bit of doubt. The back line, I suspect, will be Beltran, Watson-Siriboe, Borchers and Wingert. Though I'd like to see more of Kenny Mansally, this sort of game is perfectly suited for the defensive prowess of the Wing Man. Or, you know, whatever fun nickname we can give him. You choose.
In the midfield, I suspect we'll see our "best four" — Beckerman, Grabavoy, Johnson and Morales. There is a slight chance we'll see Jonny Steele start, which is sure to raise the ire of some (I honestly think he's more than just an impact player, despite those early season goals) and delight others.
Up front, Javier should be looking to feed Saborio and Espindola, with the former taking up his strong central positions as usual, and the latter taking up wider positions than even we might normally see him. Espindola will need to connect with Ned Grabavoy and Will Johnson, who I suspect will step just slightly higher than usual to compensate for deeper full backs. You know, if that's the route we take and all. I really, truly don't know.
Right, let's go out and grab this thing, shall we? Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
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