Didn't Plata be deemed expendable because of the Wiedeman signing? Why are they keeping him now?
The they who did that are no longer the they in charge. He's the #4 forward right now. No use getting rid of him and eating the cap hit.
Not to mention that it was the NE turf that took out Koevermans in the first place.
My XI for this game:
BendikWhat!!!? NO EARNSHAW????
Richter - Caldwell - O'Dea - Morgan
Laba - Bostock
Osorio
Brockie - Silva - Convey
- Yes no Earnshaw. He's been off form for weeks now, and when he isn't scoring goals, he really isn't doing a whole lot of use. He reminds me of Jermaine Defoe like that.
Silva's not much of a target man, but he can feed Convey and Brockie the ball, and can combine with Osorio (who plays well in the AM role). And despite screwing up some good chances in the last game, he CAN score goals.
I'd also like to give Bostock one last chance in the the team, and in his natural position for once. He was pretty good there in the reserve game, despite his embarrassing attempts to win fouls. Also because I think the Laba and Hall pairing is too static. Hall plays well as a lone DM, but not so well with someone parked right next to him. And as much as I've come to like Hall, I'll take Laba over him
I'm hoping Morgan is ready to prove himself again, but it might be wiser to wait until Koev returns when he'll actually have someone to swing crosses in to. This one's a bit of a toss up (put O'Dea at LB otherwise).
There's no way Frei takes Bendik's spot. Bendik has been great, and despite what some people would like to think, Frei isn't our own van der Sar. Bendik has kept us from being blown out in several games this season, making huge stops that no goalie would be expected to make and completely bossing his box. In fact he has yet to let in more than two goals in a game. Frei when called upon didn't make those saves and got blown out 6-0. Different scenarios, sure. But Bendik has come up big on many occasions when needed, whereas Frei hasn't.
Heads up: Canada is going to play next week and I believe they will start their training camp this weekend. So this means we might be missing some of our players (like Morgan)
I'd switch Osorio with Bostock in this formation (or start Hall in place of Osorio at CM and swap Osorio in as a sub for Bostock at AM). Bostock's been an AM his whole career and I'd still like to see him get at least one game there before we unceremoniously ship him back to England.
Don't think we'd have to eat it. He would need either a guaranteed contract or a certain number of years MLS experience to avoid being cut during the season with financial penalty.
The only question is whether we are past that magical date where all contracts are guaranteed for the rest of the year. But I think that's around July 1st, so I would expect he will be gone by then.
Depending on the U-17 WC Jordan Hamilton has he will have to consider signing him or face losing him for nothing similar to what happened to Aleman. Probably a better use of the spot, especially with the USL-MLS partnership ramping up.
As a winger. Put him in a defensive position and it's not the same thing. Can't be a worse defender than Morgan and would be more trustworthy on the ball. Gets O'Dea together with Caldwell, which should be a priority. Opens the door for Osorio and Bostock. Kills a lot of birds with one stone.
New England only has 2 more wins than us and from what I've heard TFC has been working on shoring up the defense. Game will start slow but TFC will sneak one in. 1-0 TFC.
Califf out (stomach flu), Frei out (hamstring), Ecks out, Russell. Convey achilles knock, so precautionary not playing on turf
Why has Ecks been out so long ? Thought it was a minor injury
It's going to be 6 degrees and raining, feeling like 3 degrees, at game time. Ugly, especially on that plastic pitch.
^I'm trying here, I really am.
This team, 6 degrees, rain, on plastic, that horrible stadium, probably be 1000 people there (this game starts before the Bruins game ends).
I say this as a fan, as a member ... I think I'd rather rent a movie.
Can someone explain why anyone should waste a Saturday night on watching this?
it's a shame that MLS allows this crap field to be even used?......if the players had a union it would have to go.....How can one expect teams to even give it there best when the 'stars' certainly are worried about injury's . then with the cold and rain,....it's a disgrace.......it's a throw-away game, win or lose.
they do have a union.
http://www.mlsplayers.org/
I imagine there is "right-to-work" for players who hate unions...
Assuming you have watched most of the last 25 games are you sure you want to take the chance of missing the 2nd win in 26? Even though road wins are scarce I never miss a game. Maybe it's getting to the point of rubber necking but I always want to know how the boys will do, even on a disgraceful pitch and numbing atmosphere. :noidea:
Looks like Brockie out wide, little choice there with Convey out, Bostock gone, and Ephraim playing as he has. We really need wingers.