The doubters have made their voices known, and the enemy has made its plans known: We have a battle on our hands, and our biggest enemy is our own self-doubt. After a shattered season like the one we had, a lesser side might be excused for falling to a strong, defiant Seattle side. But us? Falling to Seattle isn't an option. Not really, at least. Certainly not a practicable one, to my mind.
To really succeed, though, we'll have to click not just in our passing, but in our tactical approach. That will, I think, not make terribly much difference in our selection, as we'll need to play our strongest side to really fulfill that tactical goal. I suppose, rather than just referring nebulously to that tactical setup, I'll, you know, describe it. In the form of notes.
- The back line mustn't get too narrow. Though it's worked when we've decided to bunker — surrender the wings and defend the center — it's a risky proposition for a playoff match. So instead of getting narrow, the two central midfielders ahead of Kyle Beckerman must be absolutely robust in guarding the back and helping to plug holes between the center backs and full backs.
- This leaves Kyle Beckerman needing to get forward a bit more, such that he can link up with Javier Morales and help maintain possession. He won't want to be further forward than the midfield pair in front of him (tactically speaking), but I suspect a more flat midfield three will be seen tonight.
- Javier Morales will probably have to drop a bit deeper to get the ball after our midfielders win possession, which could play into our hands. If Seattle pushes further forward, it'll give Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio a little more room to play off the shoulder a bit.
- If Sabo and Fabi can break free of the defensive line, we should see them bursting into space, and as they're both quite quick, we'll be able to stretch the Seattle defense enough to score a couple goals.
- If that happens a couple times, Seattle will be forced to press less, largely to avoid conceding a deadly fourth goal against Real Salt Lake, and we can play out to a 0-0 draw at their ground.
- However, if we do score a goal or two, we can't then bunker — it'll be essential that we remain vigilant in remaining true to our tactical approach, else we risk the next round of the playoffs.
It's certainly not done yet, but it's time that we prove that we're an actual playoff team. With deep concentration and great focus, this team can achieve a win.
The predicted lineup:
Rimando
Russell - Borchers - Schuler - Wingert
Williams - Beckerman - Johnson
Morales
Saborio - Espindola
There are some necessary caveats to the prediction, particularly where the back line is concerned: If one of Borchers and Olave is fit, they will start alongside Schuler. If both are fit — which would be a bit of a surprise — then I expect they'll both start, but if we do play Schuler, I'm not at all worried. (What an improvement from that young lad!) If neither is fit, I expect Robbie Russell will move to the center. If Tony Beltran is fit, he'd move to the right back spot, but if he's not, then I expect Chris Wingert will move right, Will Johnson will drop to the left back spot, and Ned Grabavoy will start in the midfield. Other things could certainly happen, but those seem the most likely options.
So let's go on to it. We've got a playoff match to win.
Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
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