2012 Opening Kick

It's finally here!

RSL heads back out to LA, the place where the 2011 season ended, to start the 2012 version. It should be a really intriguing game, not only because of the two teams involved and their history, but because of the circumstances surrounding the game. LA plays their knockout Champions League series with TFC wrapped around this game. They play at TFC today, Wednesday, then host TFC in LA next Wednesday (3/14). Thus, LA's focus likely will not be fully on this game. They'll likely put their starters out in the TFC matches hoping to advance to the next round while resting some of them, if not all, for the RSL match. That bodes well for RSL.

On the RSL side, though, it's the injuries that are making this game extra intriguing and harder to determine. Alvaro Saborio, Javier Morales, Will Johnson, Nat Borchers, and even Chris Wingert are all listed between doubtful to out. Sabo and Javi are likely to be on the bench as they aren't 100% but they are good enough to sub on. Johnson just had a sports hernia surgery so he likely won't even be in LA for the match. Borchers is still recovering from a nagging hamstring injury and is out likely until April. Wingert, lastly, is the most likely to play. His (nasty) gash could very easily keep him out, but the wound seems to be healing really quickly. RSL would be in much better shape with him on the pitch, so hopefully he gets cleared by the doctors to play.

Thus, we could see a really strange match-up. Lots of reserves out there despite this being the beginning of the season with two top level teams. For RSL, this is what is likely to take the pitch...

Starting XI:
GK: Nick Rimando
LB: Chris Wingert (Tanaka if he can't go)
CB: Chris Schuler
CB: Jamison Olave
RB: Tony Beltran
RM: Ned Grabavoy
DM: Kyle Beckerman
AM: Luis Gil
LM: Yordany Alvarez
FW: Fabian Espindola
FW: Paulo Junior

Bench: Reynish (GK), Tanaka (DF), Cruze (DF), Morales (MF), Velasquez (MF), Arnoux (MF/FW), Saborio (FW)

Key Player for RSL: Paulo Junior

 - RSL has really struggled through the preseason to find the back of the net. I think the defense and midfield has the talent, even with players missing, to get the job done. However, the offense doesn't look too promising without our target man in Alvaro Saborio. Fabian Espindola has proven time and time again that he'll be reliable up top. I'm not worried about him. The issue is can the guy next to him, replacing Sabo, step it up? Paulo lost a lot of his game last season through injury and such. From all reports, though, he is back to full health this season. If he can show that brilliance of the old Paulo out there (great speed, sleek touches, confidence on the ball, etc) then RSL's attack will be just fine. If we are relying on just Espy - who is a hell of a guy even alone but wont be able to carry RSL - then we are screwed when it comes to finding the net. This is a very early test of how deep we truly are up top.

Prediction
RSL 1 - LA Galaxy 1
 - I think RSL has the ability to win this game, especially with LA likely resting players (result against TFC the deciding factor there) but just won't be able to find the net enough to punish them. A draw is a decent result, but knowing that we will likely be facing a less than full strength Galaxy and still not get the full 3 points will be disappointing.

One thing is for certain, I am absolutely excited to start the season back up!

FORZA RSL!

Cheers,

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