Just don't give up another hat-trick

RSL heads to LA this weekend and I have zero reason to be optimistic about the game. RSL, in their last two and half games, has looked anemic. We can't defend, we can't attack, we can't really do anything. Add that to losing one of the most vital pieces to our team - Beckerman - and there is plenty of reason to be doubtful of points this weekend at LA. The Galaxy are riding high, coming off a huge midweek win against Morelia in CCL action and have tons of momentum on their side. Unless something drastically changes for both teams, this game could very easily be quite one-sided.

I think the best RSL can hope for in this game is a draw. To achieve that, they'll have to play one of the best games of the season. Here are three key areas to RSL having any form of success at the Home Depot Center:

1. Don't give up many set pieces

  - LA has Beckham on their team, a guy who can pick out any single players head on a set piece. Or, if he is in the mood, pick out the top corner on a shot of his own. RSL can't let LA have multiple set pieces in this game or they will be burned on them. Highlights of LA's goals this year are filled with corner kicks and dead balls roughly 20-40 yards away. Our defense is rather shaky on these, so avoiding them is key.

2. Limit space for LA on the ball

 - LA's midfield is absolutely stacked. Between Beckham, Juninho, and Donovan RSL will have their hands full. To disrupt their play, RSL's midfield has to do a lot of movement off of the ball and be willing to close space out wide. In the last two games we've really lacked composure on closing down players space quick enough and have been burned for it. LA has better players than DC and Chicago, so its obvious this area needs massive improvement.

3. Be willing to make a dangerous pass

 - In the offensive end, RSL is going to have to be willing to take some risks if they want to score on a very stout LA defense. A lot of this responsibility will fall on the attacking mid - likely Luis Gil. Instead of making the predictable pass every time to simply keep possession, Gil needs to be willing to try something a bit more creative and dangerous. We do this, and we might be able to catch their defense off guard.

My Starting XI for RSL
GK: Rimando
LB: Russell
CB: Olave
CB: Borchers
RB: Wingert
LM: Johnson
CDM: Alvarez
RM: Warner
CAM: Gil
FW: Paulo Junior
FW: Saborio
Bench: Melia, Schuler, McKenzie, Williams, Morales, Alvarez, Espindola
 - Williams and Espy, in my book, are in need of a bit of rest in this one.

Key Player for RSL: Yordany Alvarez

 - Yordany will have to step in, once again, for KB in the center of the park. This time, though, it'll be against a much better opponent. He struggled really bad in the Chicago game with his positioning, but part of that is because he was having to cover so much down with us being down a man. Hopefully he can play like he did in New York - simple and effective.

Prediction: LA 2 - RSL 0
 - LA is just too damn good - especially at home - to get a result in this one. RSL has the talent to possibly pull it off, but recent form of both teams suggests this one will be very one-sided.

FORZA REAL

Cheers,

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