1st Leg v Dallas

RSL hosts FC Dallas this weekend in what is the first of two games the teams will play against each other in a matter of four days. This first leg, hosted at the RioT, is MLS regular season play. The second leg, in Dallas, is for a semifinal place in the US Open Cup. Both teams try to play attractive, flowing soccer; so both games should be entertaining to watch.
Dallas comes into Sandy this weekend as, in my opinion, the best team in the league. They are simply on fire, even with the injury to Ferreira, and seeming to get better each game. Brek Shea, in particular, has just had a stellar season. To be perfectly honest, at the "mid-point" of the season, I have them as best team, Schellas Hyndman as Coach of the Year, and Brek Shea as MVP. They've simply done an amazing job and continue to get great results while sticking to the attractive soccer approach.

Its because of this that the game, even without the second leg looming, would be a gigantic test for RSL. While RSL has seemed to be improving over the last little bit, the truth remains that they are just 3-3-6 since the devastating loss to Monterrey. What's even more devastating is that 2 of those 3 wins were against the Canadian teams in the league (both at the RioT) while the third was against Chivas in a game that will not be remembered for RSL winning, sadly. RSL, it seems fair to say, is struggling. Thus, we have two teams going in somewhat similar directions but one (Dallas) doing it in much better and more effective fashion.

If it were just this one leg, this game would be a huge test for RSL. What makes this match all the more interesting - and honestly hard to predict in any fashion - is the US Open Cup match just 3 days later. Coach Kreis has made it well known that he values the Open Cup very highly and views it (correctly) as the easiest way back to Champions League soccer. Kreis showed last season that he is willing to put out a team filled with more reserves than starters in league matches if it means he can save his first teams legs for a bigger match. I see this happening this weekend. Kreis will want his best XI ready for Tuesday in Dallas. This means anybody with nagging injuries, who looked gassed at the end of Monday's match, or simply is in need of rest won't be starting this Saturday.

The Starting XI is a complete toss-up, but this is what I think we'll see:

GK: Reynish
- Nicky is in need of some rest. Reynish could use the experience against a very good opponent.

RB: Beltran
- Because of our lack of depth, Tony is going to have to start. I wouldn't be surprised, however to see him get subbed off.

CB: Schuler
- With Borchers suspended Schuler was already going to be a starter

CB: McKenzie
- The risk of using two younger defenders is high, but Kreis needs to get Olave some rest for Tuesday.

LB: Wingert
- This all depends on the health of Wingert, but if he can go, he should get a start to get his legs back under him

RM: Johnson
- Little Willy has an engine that seems to never stop. He'll likely be asked to put it all out there for both of the matches

CDM: Beckerman
- The choice to bench Kyle on Monday might actually pay off. I could see him actually starting in this one despite being one of the players you would circle as very important.

CAM: Warner
- He played 5 minutes against New England, his legs can take it.

RM: Grabavoy
- I would almost guarantee that Grabs gets subbed for Andy in this match. Those two need to be preserved as much as possible for Tuesday.

FW: Gil
- Espy still needs time to recover and Gil has been a great surprise up top. Give the kid another go.

FW: Aghasyan
- I want Sabo to start, but the guy has played a lot of minutes lately, he could use a night off. If Arturo can possibly start, I'd put him out there over Aghasyan.

Player to watch for RSL: Chris SchulerChris is going to have a really tough night filling in for Nat. He has done it on multiple occasions before, but nothing quite like this. Dallas is a damn good team with incredible speed. If we are going to be sound defensively, Chris will have to have a career night.

Player to watch for FCD: Brek SheaI've made it no secret that I am quite a fan of Shea's play this year. Even with that thing he calls a hair-do the guy simply is on fire. He'll be flying down the wing constantly and could really be what decides this game. If he is on, I'm not sure RSL has an answer.

Prediction: RSL 1 - FCD 1
- Gil gets his first goal in response to a Jackson goal for Dallas.
- This is, honestly, a rather bold prediction by me. We probably should lose this game, especially if we field a team with more reserves than starters. Dallas simply is the best team in the league right now. To get this result, even with the first team, would be a success in my mind.

One last note. It seems a bit foolish for RSL to place so much weight in a road game when they are in desperate need of points if they want to win the Supporters Shield. With our history on the road, especially in Dallas, this seems like we are setting ourselves up for two losses. What is making Kreis, then, so (potentially) willing to risk a loss here in order to win on Tuesday? Well, it was just announced that if we are to win that game against Dallas, we get to host the semifinal against the winner of the LA/Seattle series. That alone should be convincing enough reason for RSL to take this risk. It might sting really bad on Saturday, but it could pay off huge if we can win Tuesday and then again in the semis.

FORZA REAL

Cheers,

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