Hype machine growing in strength; Flanks key for RSL success

I feel a bit like we're stuck in some sort of pressurized chamber, and soon, the hatch will blow and we'll all be sucked out into the vacuum of space. The hype, perhaps understandably, has only grown around us, and it's a bit of an unusual feeling: Nothing's changed for nearly a week, but still it grows, threatening to engulf the entire match. It feels a bit like a match to the death: Who will make it out alive? Sporting KC? Real Salt Lake? Find out!

Sure, it's a match that's perfect for national television. Sure, it should be a good one. Sure, it's the biggest test either club has yet faced. But the season's still in its infancy, and there'll be plenty of other good games. At any rate, fans of both sides should be a bit more hyped for this match than they were a week ago, and that's nice.

At any rate, let's get on to the preview, shall we? The injury report reads the same as it did Tuesday, which, I suppose, is reassuring. We can still expect to not see Javier and Ned, so there've been no shock recoveries in the last few days. More reassuringly, no new players have found themselves placed on the list, so there's also that. Indeed, Sporting KC's list remains the same as well.

Tactically, this match-up could be the most interesting we've had to face. To recap, we've faced a Route One hoof-and-hope Los Angeles team, two defensively stalwart sides in Montreal and Chivas, and two rather standard sides in New York and Portland. Sporting KC, for their part, seem to have a bit of personality on the pitch, which should be nice for our matchup.

But that personality will be problematic: We know we'll be facing a Sporting side that's fast on the flanks, which is sometimes where our weaknesses lie. It's not that our full backs aren't top quality, but that they're a bit less protected than a side with wingers, so they're left a bit more exposed. Jason Kreis's thinking will surely flit toward solving that issue, and as I see it we have a couple different options:

1. Our full backs sit further back, sometimes holding a flat back four, with Wingert and Beltran alternating going forward, so we've always got at least three at the back. During attacks, a quick defensive transition would see us in a lopsided 3-5-2, leaving the speedy Olave and a full back to chase down attacks. This would see Nat Borchers remaining a fulcrum in the defense, while Jamison Olave would move to either side of him depending on play.

This would solve the winger issue, but it would leave gaps for the opposing full backs: I'd propose that we keep Espindola in wide attacking positions and shift Gil or a midfielder further forward on the other side, such that the flanks aren't totally conceded and we keep the Sporting full backs occupied. This would leave Saborio with two defenders, but his hold-up play should be good enough to cope.

2. We attack early and often with our full backs, leaving more defensive responsibility on our midfielders: If Sporting is attacking, they'll be leaving gaps, and this gives us a chance to score early. As before, the role of Espindola will be vital in wide positions: Though some may accuse him of overt predictability, if it's the case, it plays to our benefit. Defenders will be aware of the threat he poses from the flanks, and he'll be marked a little more tightly — this will leave a little more space for us, and we won't have to worry about the flanks to the same extent that we would otherwise.

If I were to choose, I'd go with the first option, but I'm not entirely sure how practicable it is. Further, it would be a mistake to worry solely about the flanks, as Sporting has shown they're a strong side all around, but it's clear that we'll have our work cut out for us in this regard. Right, on to the lineup.

Waaaaaay at the back, expect to see the one and only Nick Rimando. Why wouldn't you expect that? His role tonight could be even more vital than usual: If we play a high-line defense, which I expect we will — it's a trait of our side when they attack — we'll need Nick on his toes and aware of any incoming counter attacks. His speed and skill will be essential, and his communicative role will be as important as it ever is.

In defense, I'd going for our first-choice four: Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Chris Wingert. The speed and defensive awareness of Beltran and Wingert on the flanks will be massively important. The understanding of Borlave will further be one of the keys, as they'll have to be aware of balls over the top and on the flanks.

In the midfield, I'm expecting something like this: Kyle Beckerman, Will Johnson, Sebastian Velasquez, Luis Gil. I'd be tempted to spring for Jonny Steele over Sebastian Velasquez, but I'd imagine Kreis will go for the more positive move (not necessarily more positive player, mind) and keep Sebas in the lineup. Will Johnson provides defensive stability, but Sebastian will provide an attacking thrust that we'd be remiss to ignore. It does leave us a bit lop-sided, but if Sebastian and Espindola work out which flank to attack and when, I do think it could work well. It is a bit a midfield of necessity, but Gil and Velasquez are both first-team players, even if they'd expect not to play as often when Grabavoy and Morales return.

Up front, I expect again no change: Espindola, Saborio. Espindola's wide attacking play could find more space than usual, while Saborio's hold-up play could be the key to the match. It's shocking how much better we look in attack with Saborio in there: Even when he's not scoring goals, he's keep playing moving. He's not quite a classic target striker, but he's not entirely far off, either. He sometimes gets the short end of the stick for — well, for who knows what — but there are few other players who can do for our side what he does. And, hey, he grabs the occasional goal of the week, too, so why should we complain about that?

Just a few hours now. It'll take concentration and awareness, but with that and a little bit of luck, the boys will be returning to the Salt Lake valley with three points.

Come on you Claret and Cobalt!