Tactical match preview; midfield setup requires incisive focus

With a bit more time to consider the lineup, I do think we could see one change from what I proposed yesterday. Rather than dropping Arturo Alvarez in, we might instead see Andy Williams in the tip of the diamond. Alvarez should be fit, though, and I do think we’ll see him at some point, but Andy presents a different option that might serve well against San Jose.

But I do fancy Alvarez (uh...) to make a difference this season, even if we’ve not yet seen that. Andy Williams knows the system well, while when we last saw Alvarez in action — as a substitute at FC Dallas — he looked a bit more of a traditional number 10 rather than the playmaking attacking spot we use.

With Alvarez pushing into the box a bit more than Andy Williams would — Bomma seems more comfortable drifting outside the 22 yard box rather than bursting inside — we lose somebody playing that killer last ball. Will Johnson is capable of that sort of passing but I’m not sure he has the requisite vision on the edge of the box (I welcome counter evidence), and Ned Grabavoy plays a more harrying role. Both keep us ticking over, and certainly Ned has won a starting spot given his performances this season, so dropping him seems a hard proposition.

So with two midfielders in Will and Ned (Johnsavoy?) who will move into wide positions and play short passes with Kyle Beckerman, the necessary balance must be struck to keep the team flowing. But while we’re arguably more safe with the Will-Ned duo, we’re lacking a little incisiveness and creativity that need to be made up between the number 10 spot and the two forwards.

With Saborio and Espindola up front, I think we have something that could be very, very good for the system. Saborio has the killer instinct in front of goal that could make our typically brilliant midfield service so productive, and Espindola has the workrate and footwork to open up huge spaces in the opposition defense. When those two start working together well, the goals will, I think, start rolling in.

But while those two possess a good deal of pace, I think some evidence is piling up indicating that Jason is looking for more raw speed. With the signing of Christopher Agorsor and our May signing of Artur Aghasyan, we have two very quick players. Neither have the power of a Saborio or Espindola, and perhaps we aren’t going to see a Saborio-Espindola partnership often. I think they could work very well together, though, and if they can click, they could stick together. But both will need to stay injury free, and that might be a tough proposition. Truth be told, I’m puzzled at our forwards situation right now, and I am excited to see how it plays out.

At the back, the biggest worry will be the incredibly obvious Chris Wondolowski, but I think we all rate Borlave enough that he’ll be nothing more than a slightly annoying thorn in our side. At the very least, boys, don’t let him score on north goal. That always makes me very, very sad. (Honest.) Not a lot to be said there aside from an encouragement to stick to the season’s form.

So, with that all wrapped up, we could get our first glance of Chris Agorsor in the Claret and Cobalt, and hopefully we’ll see a few goals and three points. Those points will be essential as we start catching up with the rest of the league in games player — and if we can maintain some form on the way, making the playoffs will be simple, and we’ll be in with a shout for the Supporter’s Shield. Tell me: Who wouldn’t love that?

So, onward and upward. See you at the match.

Come on you Claret and Cobalt!

Predicted lineup

Rimando
Beltran - Borlave - Wingert
Beckerman - Johnson - Grabavoy - Williams
Saborio - Espindola