Guessing Lineups for US Open Cup SemiFinal

by Dave Clark on Aug 31, 2010 1:22 PM PDT in Sounders: US Open Cup

UPDATE: With the lineup for this match being a bit of a crapshoot, we've decided to have some fun with our projected lineup. Instead of taking our best guess, we're going to use the power of groups. At about 11 a.m., we'll take all the submitted lineups and create a projected lineup from your predictions. We've got about 10 in there now, if you'd like to participate please submit ASAP.

(On the lineup for tomorrow . . .) “If we think a guy is ready, we are going to play him. We are looking at situations, ‘Oh, OK. This guy has done well at training. It’s pretty close between these two guys. So maybe this guy has got a knock or is a little bit fatigued so we are going to make a change there.’ But in general, we are going to try and play the guys who are ready and able and healthy and well and it’s going to be our best team that we put out there.”

That's Coach Sigi Schmid at practice today.

Now, Jeremiah and I are in that period of time where we bat around ideas and guesses for the lineup cards. Normally we do fairly well. In fact, for tomorrow we have agreed on every position but one.

But I'm interested in what you guys think that bolded line means, and who you think will be starting.

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Comments

zakuani, fucito…evans?

by chinsmd on Aug 31, 2010 1:33 PM PDT reply actions

Try to keep the snickering to a minimum...

Fucito
Montero
Zakuani-Sturgis-Montano
Alonso
Gonzalez-Marshall-Ianni-Riley
Boss

Now, I’m responding to the bolded line in two ways. One, we all know Fucito’s ready and Nkufo is a 35 year-old who has played most of the last two matches. Two, Keller’s 40, has played a ton of minutes this year and at some point the team has to find out if Terry Boss is a starter-in-waiting, or just a placeholder. I’m just an idiot blog commenter though.

You will hear us.

by 108Ultra on Aug 31, 2010 1:37 PM PDT reply actions

Putting Fucito at target would really change the shape

I don’t know that’s the direction he’s going. Jaqua there seems more likely.

CougCenter, SBNation Seattle, @FloydCoug

by Brian Floyd on Aug 31, 2010 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Jaqua

Jaqua is almost a lock for starting i think. He’s been playing well in the minutes he comes in and N’Kufo can’t possibly play every 4 days. We are lucky that to have a proven player like Jaqua coming off our bench for games like this I think. Better then a lot of teams depth up front anyways.

by DarthGreedo on Aug 31, 2010 2:09 PM PDT reply actions

Tough call with the busy schedule and the fact this is Chivas's only chance at silverware

I would guess something like:

Jaqua – Levesque
Zakuani – Seamon – Sturgis – Montano
Gonzalez – Marshall – Parke – Scott
Keller

I feel silly, but is Vagenas healthy? I don’t really recall much about the status of him and Noonan. I could see Vagenas in there instead of Sturgis if that is the case. I also see having a very strong bench. Looking at last year’s semi-final we subbed Alonso and Zakuani on in the 65’. Perhaps Montero or Fernandez as 70’ subs? I’d also consider putting Riley on the bench. That one USOC match was interesting when we put him on in mid-field to hold our lead.

Part of me wonders if we might throw a few more starters in there like Montero up top, but we’ve been playing so many games. Chivas would need a miracle to get into the playoffs so I wonder if we should assume they are going to be a but more aggressive with their roster.

-Ben R.

by reesebw on Aug 31, 2010 2:16 PM PDT reply actions

Here's my shot at it

Jaqua – Levesque
Zakuani – Seamon – Montano
Sturgis
Gonzalez – Marshall – Parke – Wahl
Keller

Subs: Montero on for Seamon if we need a goal (60th minute)
Alonso on for Seamon if we are protecting a lead (60th minute)
Fucito on for Levesque (80th minute)

by Dizzo on Aug 31, 2010 2:35 PM PDT reply actions

Just FYI while we're throwing lineups out there

Evans, Vagenas and Noonan are hurt, not Estrada hurt, but actually not healthy enough to play. Vagenas was practicing as a neutral today, which is the most active he’s been in practice for months. None of those three are going to be available though.

Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan

by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 31, 2010 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

we can't ask Alonso to play ever minute of every match, can we?

on the one hand, there is a very real possibility we may see Chivas’ best XI, as this is their season, really… on the other hand, we have essentially two matches a week from here ‘til late October, and I’m sure Sigi is formulating some sort of rotation to keep everyone relatively fresh and healthy

I think it’s a lead-pipe lock we’ll see Jaqua up top and Gonzo at left back, and I’m nearly as sure we’ll see Marshall at CB. Zakuani will probably get a start, since his minutes have been limited lately, and Montano has been previously featured in USOC play so there is no reason not to see him out there tomorrow as well. I’d also bet Levesque will rotate in as 2nd striker. Riley may need a night off at some point, and it may be tomorrow, which puts Scott in at RB…

that leaves a center back and the two CM’s still open. It seems like Seamon is the logical choice as a box-to-box mid, with either Sturgis or Alonso as the DM. Both have been getting a lot of minutes lately, and I would suspect he who starts tomorrow won’t start Saturday against N.E., and N.E. features Shalrie Joseph, and if it were up to me I’d rather have Ozzie out there against that guy….

as for the other CB, it seems to me like it may have to be Taylor Graham, honestly. Ianni and Parke are clearly the best XI CB’s, and I don’t know which of the two Sigi would call on tomorrow if he decides he needs one.

...that's MISTER Keller to you!!!

by malcontentjake on Aug 31, 2010 5:39 PM PDT reply actions

I'm going to take Sigi's comments at pretty much face value

about the ‘best team’ going out there.

Jaqua—Montero

Zakuani—Sturgis—Montano

Alonso

Gonzalez—Marshall—Parke—Scott

Keller

Subs:

Montero out in the 60th unless we really need a goal, Levesque or maybe even Fucito on for him, depending on the score situation

Sturgis out and Seamon in around the 65th or 70th, probably no matter what.

Zakuani out probably around min 75 or 80 since he might still be not quite back to where he can play 2 full games a week and not feel it. I’d see Fucito or Estrada coming on.

by Nevtelen on Aug 31, 2010 5:47 PM PDT reply actions

Sigi expects to see Chivas' Best XI

Chivas USA Preview video just came out and Sigi said he expects Chivas to bring their best XI. http://www.soundersfc.com/media-library/Videos/Features/2010/08-August/100831-Chivas-Preview.aspx

My guess is that they’ll have the same line up from the last game minus Nkufo, and Nyassi.

Montero – Jaqua
Zakuani – Alonso – Sturgis – Fernandez
Riley – Parke – Ianni – Wahl
Keller

Subs:
Montero → Levesque
Zakuani & Fernandez → Montano & Seamon

by hormd on Aug 31, 2010 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

But plus Gonzalez

by Cornchops on Aug 31, 2010 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Dave's Guess

Forwards – Nate Jaqua, Mike Fucito (as Montero)
Mids – Zakuani, Alonso, Seamon, Levesque
Defense – Leo, Graham, Marshall, Scott
Keller

I want Montero on the bench so he can be a threat late, and I think Mike can best fill that role as Graham explained yesterday.

I want the 3 USL guys on the pitch so they can extend the Fortress Starfire legacy.

CB might be questionable, but with a narrower pitch speed isn’t as needed and both are good aerial ball winners.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Sep 1, 2010 10:28 AM PDT reply actions

I know Fucito's all clear from the IR but....

starting him sounds drastic. Montero will be a 60 minute sub or so.

Side question – Do you know what the rules are for international players in USOC games? Only a certain number of them, or whatever?

by chrisperry1983 on Sep 1, 2010 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 1, 2010 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Graham agreed with me on Boss!!

I feel so validated.

You will hear us.

by 108Ultra on Sep 1, 2010 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

My mom called me last night

She’s down at the Marriot in Renton for a week of job-related training, and she said the team is staying there. I asked her to load up Braun’s and Thornton’s food with ex-lax.

You’re welcome.

by chrisperry1983 on Sep 1, 2010 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs