Hello, I figured it was time to start the game thread. Similar teams with similar records and Timbers havent won in 6 games so far. I think this one will be a tough battle.
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Pre/Game Thread: Toronto FC vs Portland Timbers Wed, Aug.15 @ 7:30pm on TSN
Hello, I figured it was time to start the game thread. Similar teams with similar records and Timbers havent won in 6 games so far. I think this one will be a tough battle.
I hate to do it but given the amount of players we have missing I think there could be some money to be made on Portland. Half the back line is going to be changed (Emory & Henry out) which could create some communication/positioning issues as guys are adjusting to their new partners. Dunfields absence could go either way and should be interesting to see. I think RJ's absence will hurt too as his work rate and physical ability is much better than the depth players we picked up recently (IMO). Looking at Portlands website, it looks like only 2 depth players will be MIA due to international call ups. Bet 365 is offering 7.2 on Portland -1 AH and it might be worth a cheeky punt as I'm really worried about our defense. We have had some extra time to prepare in training so hopefully it'll be enough to get a plan together and have the projected starting 11 comfortable with it. Prove me wrong TFC!
With Henry, Dunfield, and Johnson all away on Int'l duty we're in very tough. Molinaro just tweeted that Hall is not fit for tomorrow night either and Dicoy Williams is also away.
We are going to have a number of players out there who have not played much recently. I guess that can go either way. They could all step up to show they deserve more playing time or the rust of not getting many minutes could bite us in the ass. My concern is how tired these players may get as the game goes on and what mistakes they may make.
International Duty:
Henry
Williams
Dunfield
Johnson
Suspended:
Emory
Injured:
Hall
Any more to add to that list?
I wonder how many will be on the bench for this game. If Mariner is dressing six when we have a full roster, there will be just the starting eleven today.
OR maybe finally some of our academy graduates will play!
^^
Cann has said he's ready to go but I don't know if the TFC medical staff have given the OK.
According to mlssoccer.com, Stinson is out as well.Originally Posted by T-boy
Any thoughts on a potential starting 11?
Kocic
Ecks Maund/Harden Cann Morgan
Frings
Lambe Silva Avila
Wiedeman Hassli
o'dee with ireland
Updated.
From Kurt Larsson Probable 11: Kocic, Morgan, Cann, Ecks, Harden, Maund, Frings, Avila, Silva, Lambe, Hassli
Maund will be playing in the midfield and the team will be playing a 4-4-1-1
It's the Battle of the Losers!
TFC at 19 points
Portland at 20 points
We lose and we are -4 points down to the second worst team in MLS.
Our players need to give 150% and win for pride!!!
Last edited by asterix606; 08-14-2012 at 12:05 PM.
uh. hmmm. the return of harden. glad its portland. hope we have a defender or two on the bench? check that ... hope we have a bench.
How is Maund being used in midfield?
If it was me, I would go with this in light of all the players that are out of the lineup...
-----------------Kocic----------------
Eckersley--Harden--Cann--Morgan
Lambe---------Frings----------Avila
-----------------Silva----------------
--------Hassli--------Wiedeman----
I assume we can't just promote an academy player for this one game? We would have to sign him up fully to the roster? (otherwise I was thinking if TFC could put Pasher in the squad tomorrow to cover RB).
I would get Silva up front with Hassli as I find he is invisible in midfield and our old school CB pairing, now with ample rust, scares me so much I think you'd have to put Stinson or Maund in a DM role (maybe both) to keep things reasonable.
Probably have Amerikwa and Maund coming off the bench depending on the situation. Wiedeman over Maund if we are down one late.
--------------Kocic--------------
Eckersley--Harden--Cann--Morgan
Lambe---Frings--Stinson-----Avila
--------Hassli--------Silva----
Last edited by Ultra & Proud; 08-14-2012 at 03:40 PM.
Stinson is out with injury.
Remember The Man, The Legend, The Goal 5-12-07 and All That #9 Left On The Pitch, Thanks For The Memories !!!
What will probably happen is that Maund will start and we'll go up 1 nil fairly early and coast (with ample chances on goal) for about an hour. At which time I will turn to my friend Brian and say 'You know, Maund isn't that bad at CB. Maybe he just needed to get his shit together in training.". Then within two minutes he'll get caught sticking his thumb up his arse while watching Boyd wrong side him and get the tying goal with an easy tap in. Then we'll push ahead for the win but since we'd already subbed off Hassli & Lambe for Wiedeman & Harden, we have nothing of quality going forward but poor passes and squandered half chances and therefore settle for a 1-1 draw.
Awesome. Maund it is.
I am not saying Emory is a make or break player but really sucks that he couldn't serve his suspension in the Crew game like it was scheduled originally. At least we would not have the extra missing guys for international duty when he was serving the suspension. Now we get an extra hit by doing the right thing for the Crew game and MLS doesn't really care. I guess it isn't the first time they didn't really care if we could have a decent lineup or bench. I hope they can pull it out.
What I preffered (4-4-2)
Kocic
Eck-Harden-Cann-Morgan
Lambe-Frings-Stinson-Avila
Hassli-Silva
What we will see tomorrow(4-4-2)
Kocic
Maund-Eck-Cann-Morgan
Lambe-Frings-Stinson-Silva
Hassli-Amarikwa
wow we have 5 internationals on our club,not too many teams in the world can say that
Harden iv .....HEEE'S BACK, its like a bad horror movie.
I don't think Harden is going to be play that bad under Mariner's system (4-4-2).
Anyway, this should be an easy win for TFC. Portland is an awful team!
When was the last time TFC had an "easy" league game??? I don't remember one except maybe in Year 2, when they won 4-0....
I hope you're right. Play to Wynne, not to Ty! (Sorry I couldn't resist.) Tonight we could really use Efrain Burgos Jr. as well...
Last edited by Fort York Redcoat; 08-15-2012 at 08:34 AM.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
If there was ever a cream puff team waiting to be beaten, it is Portland. 3 points is the expectation.
We should probably hope for a loss. Finishing last gives better draft picks and more allocation money. Why shoot ourselves in the foot now that the play-offs is out of the picture. Remember: MLS rewards losers. The more you lose, the more they give you.
Ugh. Never. Hated that attitude following the Raptors and Leafs and detest it even more in this sport of ours.
p.s. The derision is reserved for the attitude of this particular NA strategy. Not you personally, Supes.
Last edited by Fort York Redcoat; 08-15-2012 at 09:37 AM.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
I hear ya. It's just a very strange feeling that if we win it will hurt us next year. Kinda depresses me. But then the difference between finishing 15-19 is probably not THAT great anyway.Ugh. Never. Hated that attitude following the Raptors and Leafs and detest it even more in this sport of ours.
p.s. The derision is reserved for the attitude of these particular NA strategies. Not you personally, Supes.
3 points for tonight then. Let's see what Mariner can do with this team.
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