Real Salt Lake Vs. Seattle Sounders, Matchcard: Preferred Lineups, Statistics

by Jeremiah Oshan on May 27, 2011 4:23 PM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

To be quite honest, we don't know who's going to start for the Seattle Sounders when they try to end Real Salt Lake's 29-match home unbeaten streak. An already confusing set of circumstances is made worse by the fact that this is the third match in eight days. Rather than give you a projected starting lineup, we're going with more of a preferred starting lineup.

What we did was ask the various contributors to Sounder at Heart to submit their 11. Interestingly enough, only five players were named on every ballot and only one of them started on Wednesday: Kasey Keller. The other four were Nate Jaqua, James Riley, Brad Evans and Patrick Ianni. We filled out our preferred lineup with a bit of a twist, calling it a 4<4>2, but with Fredy Montero in the CAM role and Mike Fucito at forward. We put Alvaro Fernandez and Tyson Wahl on the left-sided spots, with Jeff Parke manning the other center back position. Osvaldo Alonso was the preferred starter at CDM, but one voter thought he could use a rest.

RSL's lineup was provided by Denz of RSL Soapbox. The only surprise in there is probably Jean Alexendre, who's normally a midfielder. But with the absences of Alvaro Saborio, Arturo Alvarez and Paulo Jr., Alexandre seems like a reasonable choice.

Downloadable PDF: RSL-Sounders Matchcard

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Comments

thats an interesting lineup and considering the state of our midfield

id go with it.

by Sandra_R on May 27, 2011 4:35 PM PDT reply actions

This looks like a fantastic lineup.

I might be amongst those thinking Alonso could use a rest. Starting Carrasco and bringing on Alonso in the second half if we need to lock up 3 points makes a lot of sense to me.

Whether Evans is fit enough to start is going to be the key question.

by agtk on May 27, 2011 4:36 PM PDT reply actions

Huh?

That’s not a “fantastic” lineup.

Jaqua gives us absolutely nothing. There’s a reason he was put on ESPN’s “most overpaid MLS players” list. Paying him $211,000 this season for absolutely no production. Ridiculous.

I’d rather see him out of there and Rosales in his place.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 4:42 PM PDT reply actions

The reason ESPN did that is that they looked at his production while injured this season only

We tend to think that is an incredibly small sample size and ignores his contributions over his past 2+ seasons here. A set of time when he’s been the 3rd most effective offensive player on the team.

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

by Dave Clark on May 27, 2011 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

So...

You’re telling me Nate Jaqua is worth $211,000?

He’s been fantastic in Open Cup play, I’ll give him that.

In MLS play, no goals last year. No goals this year. 25 games now without a goal…

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

$211,000

for the season. He has 20+ games more games to earn his salary. I fully expect that he will.

by agtk on May 27, 2011 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions

...

I hope you’re right.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, for one I prefer all-competitions measures to those that think certain games don't matter

If a trophy is on the line the game counts, and therefore the goals do.

Again, you ignore health issues.

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

by Dave Clark on May 27, 2011 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok.

Ten games this season, one shot on goal.

You think he’s worth $211,000. I don’t.

We’ll agree to disagree.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn't say he was worth 211k

I said that ESPN is using broken evaluation methods

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

by Dave Clark on May 27, 2011 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok, so..

…I want to know what you think. Do you think Jaqua’s worth that amount of money?

And ESPN’s evaluation method may be flawed, but the fact remains that Jaqua had no goals in MLS play in 2010, and has no goals in 10 games this year. And I can’t harp on it enough. ONE shot on goal in 391 minutes of play.

Mike Fucito’s played four games (140 min.) and has three SOG.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Fucito has been the image of perfect health and Fitness compared to Jaqua

He’s overpaid, as are all MLS vets. But his last healthy season he was the third most effective attacking player that made more than 100,000$. Effective being 2*G+A/salary

That’s a hell of a bullet point in favor.

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

by Dave Clark on May 27, 2011 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions

It's not though...

It’s not a hell of a bullet point in favor.

I don’t care what Jaqua did two years ago when he was fully healthy and started 27 games. I care about him STAYING healthy and producing when he gets the opportunity to do so in games.

391 minutes, one shot on goal. You haven’t even batted an eye at that.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Every thing you point out as a fault is related to health

but you ignore his lack of health and fitness

Do you really think that if he was healthy that he’d be that bad? If so, why?

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

by Dave Clark on May 27, 2011 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I acknowledge your point...

But if he’s not going to be healthy, cut him. Paying him $211,000 is foolish.

And I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen from him this season. He hasn’t gotten his head on any corners, he hasn’t been a dominant presence up top, and he hasn’t fed the ball to anyone else to give them opportunities to score.

He’s just not a dominant player.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions

If he's not going to be healthy

cut him once he gets healthy? That’s not a great way to get a return on your investment.

Nos Audietis

by sidereal on May 27, 2011 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn't say that...

I’m saying if he can’t stay healthy, you have to cut him. You can’t continue to pay such a huge salary to someone who’s not giving you any production offensively.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Just to add a dose of reality to this

Cutting him is not an option. His contract is guaranteed through the year. He’s a sunk cost, at the very least. As long as you believe he’s the best option, and many of us believe he is right now, there’s absolutely zero to be gained by benching/cutting him.

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter

by Jeremiah Oshan on May 28, 2011 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Blaise Nkufo

Hindsight is 20/20, but it sucks that he had a falling out with the club. Could really use him right now.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Sports salary models don't work the way you think they do

they don’t pay for future performance, but for past.

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

by Dave Clark on May 27, 2011 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

If Jaqua produces like he did in 2009, he's absolutely worth that $$

The question is whether or not he can produce again at that level. In the situation the team thought they were in, where Jaqua is the 2nd TF behind a skilled but aging (and reluctant?) Nkufo, I think he would have been fine. As the only TF on the team right now? He hasn’t gotten all the way back and he sucks. But it’s not like the FO can see into the future. I think having him on the team and paying him what he’s potentially worth was a reasonable move when they made it.

by Nevtelen on May 27, 2011 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Oh, and btw.

One SOG this season. That’s far more damning than no goals.

by nickj116 on May 27, 2011 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, he's overpaid for his production so far

but he’s the best TF we’ve got, and not a bad option at that. Use his size and skill to clear space and link up with Montero and Fucito. He’s a much better passer than he gets credit for.

by agtk on May 27, 2011 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

there's a difference

between being overpaid and having no value. just like there’s a difference between no goals and no production.

positions matter and jaqua happens to be te sounders

by murmur000 on May 27, 2011 6:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

ugh

reply fail

by murmur000 on May 27, 2011 6:15 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

there's a difference

between being overpaid and having no value. just like there’s a difference between no goals and no production.

positions matter and jaqua happens to be te sounders’ best option at that position. it’s just the way the sport works. if you don’t believe me, name an elite team that plays with one or two forwards where one of them isn’t a target forward.

by murmur000 on May 27, 2011 6:15 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Yes, a lineup with a bunch of short guys again would be AMAZING.

CougCenter

by Brian Floyd on May 27, 2011 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I think this is probably right although

in light of Sigi’s comments RE: Montero I wouldn’t be surprised if he sits.

by Dan Olson on May 27, 2011 5:23 PM PDT reply actions

Fantastic versus Jaqua

I don’t see why you’d start Montero at CAM over Rosales when you’ve already got Fucito at Forward.
Sigi’s system needs a TF. Jaqua starts because he’s the only one we have, not because he’s great at it
Alonso needs a rest. I won’t be surprised if he doesn’t start.
Is Jaqua worthless? No.
Is Jaqua overpaid? Yes.
Do US Open and CONCACAF stats translate to MLS? I don’t think so.
Is Jaqua overhyped by Dave Clark? You betcha.
Is this a "fantastic" lineup? No – That would be the one where OBW and Zak are fully fit, along with Rosales, Alonso with rest, Hurtado in full form, and Fernandez playing right mid with gusto.

by Eastside Ajacied on May 27, 2011 9:09 PM PDT reply actions

i stopped reading at

Sigi’s system

That’s gone. You’ve watched the last several games where that was true.

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

by Dave Clark on May 27, 2011 9:29 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Co-sign on this lineup

I was actually contemplating writing a fanpost regarding this type of 4-3-3 alignment this afternoon, but then my boss had to give me a new work-related project instead. Some people!

I like the idea of starting with this, then:
if we’re chasing a goal bring in Friburg for whoever’s tired (maybe finally give Ozzie 30 minutes off and slide Evans back to def mid?)
if we’re ahead bring in Carrasco for Fucito/Fredy and get back to a traditional 4-4-2

by wannascribble on May 27, 2011 11:16 PM PDT reply actions

what a concept

sounds like a great idea… one we have yet to see Sigi try of course. He would rather bring in Levesque when down a goal. Becuase, who else would you turn to when needing an offensive spark? Yes, that would be sarcasm.

I would love to see Montero start as a CAM, if it doesn’t work, you can switch to a standard 4-4-2 w/o subs by shifting Fucito wide left and moving Flaco or Evans into the middle with the other one playing RM. Obviously Fredy would then move up to his usual spot alongside Jaqua.

by Travis_Mc on May 28, 2011 7:50 AM PDT reply actions