Potentially Huge Weekend

RSL travels to DC this Saturday to take on DC United in what is truly a massive game. Both teams are in the hunt for playoff spots, though both at different ends of the playoff standings. DC United is just a point out of the last spot in the playoffs while RSL is in second place, looking to possibly make a move on the Galaxy for that top spot. This game, and this weekend, are huge for MLS. We could see the Supporters Shield essentially be put away by LA, or it could suddenly become a 2 or even 3 team race in the last weeks.

3 Keys to Win for RSL:

1. Midfield Domination

 - With Kyle Beckerman expected to return to the starting lineup, RSL should be that much better in the middle of the park. At New York, on Wednesday, the opening half was pure RSL midfield domination - the second half, not so much. If RSL wants to find a way to get a massive win this weekend, they have to win the midfield battle. DC is without Chris Pontius and the status of De Rosario is still up in the air (possible suspension for his dive). Between Beckerman, Johnson, and whichever other two midfielders Kreis plugs in (Gil and Williams, likely) RSL should be able to win the midfield battle. Win the middle - win the game. That's the typical RSL mantra.

2. Contain Charlie Divies and DeRo (if he plays)

 -  The DC attack is built around these two players. Quaranta and Najar will surely make contributions, but these are the two most dangerous players out there for DC in my opinion. Borchers, Olave, and especially Beckerman have to be at the top of their game. I'd also be in favor of an early hard tackle on Davies for the dive he did when DC visited RSL earlier this year. KB has a fresh start on yellow card accumulation, look for him to likely deliver the blow.

3. Samurai Espindola

- RSL's attack is at its best when Espy gets the ball in dangerous places. The guy is simply on fire right now. RSL needs to use this to their full advantage. Espindola is a headache for every team in this league with how he plays: controlled aggression (great line from Dunseth). He and Sabo work great off of each other when Espy does this and Sabo finds the spaces as a target man. DC's defense showed just how porous they can be against Chivas midweek, time to show it again.

My Starting XI for RSL:
GK: Rimando
LB: Wingert
CB: Olave
CB: Borchers
RB: Schuler
LM: Johnson
CDM: Beckerman
RM: Williams
CAM: Gil
FW: Espindola
FW: Saborio

Key Player for RSL: Luis Gil

 - I fully expect to see Luis return to the starting lineup for this match. In the second half of the New York game it became very obvious we were lacking an attacking midfielder to help release pressure. Luis has shown he can be that guy. To get a win, Luis will need to be on the top of his game. He is the connection between the stout defense and deadly attack.

Prediction: RSL 1 - DCU 0
- Goal from Espy
This is going to be a tight game that could easily be quite sloppy. With both teams coming in off of very short rest, expect the level of play to not be high for the full 90. RSL has a huge advantage, in my opinion, with Beckerman coming in after a suspension. His work rate in the middle could very well be what makes the difference in this game. He and Gil have to work hard for the win. I think they can do it.

Why this Weekend is so big:

 - I mentioned at the beginning of the post that this weekend has huge implications; here is why. While RSL travels to DC this weekend, Seattle and LA will also be on the road. Seattle heads up to Vancouver for the last game at Empire field for the Whitecaps. I'm sure Vancouver really wants a win from that one and thus it should be a great game. LA, who played and lost in Costa Rica on Wednesday, heads to Columbus Saturday for a game that has huge implications as well. LA looks to be faltering a bit, the schedule congestion likely catching up to them, and their once firm grasp on the Supporters Shield is slipping.

LA sits on top of the table with 58 points through 29 games. If they lose (which I fully expect given Columbus will likely need to win to stay on top of the East), they'll obviously stay at 58 points. Seattle (51 points through 29 games), after a tough midweek loss at home, will have their hands full in Vancouver. The loss of Rosales could really sting if they fail to pick up the full 3 points. I expect that game to end in a draw as Vancouver will be throwing everything at them to make their fans happy. Thus, I expect Seattle to be at 52 points come Sunday morning. RSL, 51 points through 28 games, has a huge opportunity on their hands then (assuming these things happen). With a win, they could be just 4 points back of the Galaxy with still one more game in hand - the game next week at home against Chicago. This weekend could very easily, as I said before, determine the Supporters Shield or turn it suddenly into a 3 team race.

FORZA REAL

Cheers,

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