Yes, there's a lot of congestion, but just take it one game at a time and play the guys who are fit. I hope there is some "go for it" juice in the open cup, because even though all the teams left are MLS teams, they are all beatable. I would hope the Timbers get a home match at some point, like the next round if they get past SJ. Yes, bring some T2 guys, but bring them off the bench when they could have maximum impact, like they did against Tacoma. If you start them, I think that would be a tougher road for them. Also, don't yank Smith around. I think it was tough for him to play left wing in the first half and then shift to left back for the second half. That's a whole different mindset. I'm wondering when Rodriguez gets his first start - RSL or Seattle? I'd guess that Kelsy will start against RSL and Mora will start against Seattle. I'd probably start Antony against RSL and see if he can start against Seattle, too, and then have JRod start against San Jose on Tuesday. They'll have to watch Ayala's minutes this week - he'll probably start against RSL and Seattle, but I would imagine his RSL minutes are limited. Lots of points on the table!
I don't want Kelsy starting against Seattle. The Timbers need all the firepower they can muster against the Sounders, who after a typical-of-recent-seasons slow start are on fire lately, and Mora/Jona would be the combination I would definitely prefer to see. Kelsy can come in late in the game if the Timbers need someone big to aim crosses at late or whatever.
I would absolutely prioritize Seattle over RSL overall if I were Phil - not from a rivalry perspective (although there is that) but also because the Sounders are a tougher opponent right now. RSL have only won once in their last five games, and while that win was against Vancouver, which ain't nothin', that match was also three days after Vancouver knocked Miami out of the Concacaf Champions Cup, so there was probably a bit of a hangover effect there.
RE: Prioritize Seattle: Points are points - no matter who you play. I would prioritize RSL from the standpoint that these are points you ought to have and are potentially the easier of the points this week, and so don't limit your chance to get them. Go with the best lineup you can do. If you weaken your chances and then don't get any points against RSL, then you have to sweat it out against Seattle. I imagine even with tired legs against Seattle, the crowd will lift them. I'd go all in against RSL and then sub early. The key subs for me would be Ayala coming off at 60 to make way for Chara, who might need to build some fitness. I see Kelsy as better than Mora, but I would start Mora vs Seattle and Kelsy vs RSL. I'd also start Antony vs RSL, and then see how his fitness is to see if he starts vs Seattle, which I'd love for him to be able to, and then rest him vs San Jose in Open Cup, and start JRod in that game, and have JRod get sub minutes for RSL and Seattle. I'd do the same for Moreno and Fernandez. Da Costa is going to have to play fairly big minutes the next two games.
"Prioritize Seattle: Points are points - no matter who you play"
Good...point.
I guess I say "prioritize" Seattle in that I think the Timbers can go to Sandy and roll out a somewhat sub-inclined starting XI (not a full rotation, but sit a couple guys) and still get a result, given how RSL is playing right now. Seattle will be tougher because it's at home, against a stronger opponent; RSL is a tricky place to play in general and getting out of there with a draw is always a good result (see last year's 3-3 comeback draw), but the timing of this match is pretty good for the Timbers to maybe sneak out with all three points even without their best XI starting.
I totally get what you're saying, though, and I don't think going all-in early is a bad option; I'm just fully in "I don't trust Phil to get it right" mode so I'm reverting my brain to "what I think a typical manager should do"-type thinking.
"I see Kelsy as better than Mora"
Do you mean in this specific two-game-what-do-we-do situation, or overall? I don't know that I can get behind a "Kelsy is better than Mora overall" argument, but I can see it tactically for these two games, maybe.
Yes, there's a lot of congestion, but just take it one game at a time and play the guys who are fit. I hope there is some "go for it" juice in the open cup, because even though all the teams left are MLS teams, they are all beatable. I would hope the Timbers get a home match at some point, like the next round if they get past SJ. Yes, bring some T2 guys, but bring them off the bench when they could have maximum impact, like they did against Tacoma. If you start them, I think that would be a tougher road for them. Also, don't yank Smith around. I think it was tough for him to play left wing in the first half and then shift to left back for the second half. That's a whole different mindset. I'm wondering when Rodriguez gets his first start - RSL or Seattle? I'd guess that Kelsy will start against RSL and Mora will start against Seattle. I'd probably start Antony against RSL and see if he can start against Seattle, too, and then have JRod start against San Jose on Tuesday. They'll have to watch Ayala's minutes this week - he'll probably start against RSL and Seattle, but I would imagine his RSL minutes are limited. Lots of points on the table!
I don't want Kelsy starting against Seattle. The Timbers need all the firepower they can muster against the Sounders, who after a typical-of-recent-seasons slow start are on fire lately, and Mora/Jona would be the combination I would definitely prefer to see. Kelsy can come in late in the game if the Timbers need someone big to aim crosses at late or whatever.
I would absolutely prioritize Seattle over RSL overall if I were Phil - not from a rivalry perspective (although there is that) but also because the Sounders are a tougher opponent right now. RSL have only won once in their last five games, and while that win was against Vancouver, which ain't nothin', that match was also three days after Vancouver knocked Miami out of the Concacaf Champions Cup, so there was probably a bit of a hangover effect there.
RE: Prioritize Seattle: Points are points - no matter who you play. I would prioritize RSL from the standpoint that these are points you ought to have and are potentially the easier of the points this week, and so don't limit your chance to get them. Go with the best lineup you can do. If you weaken your chances and then don't get any points against RSL, then you have to sweat it out against Seattle. I imagine even with tired legs against Seattle, the crowd will lift them. I'd go all in against RSL and then sub early. The key subs for me would be Ayala coming off at 60 to make way for Chara, who might need to build some fitness. I see Kelsy as better than Mora, but I would start Mora vs Seattle and Kelsy vs RSL. I'd also start Antony vs RSL, and then see how his fitness is to see if he starts vs Seattle, which I'd love for him to be able to, and then rest him vs San Jose in Open Cup, and start JRod in that game, and have JRod get sub minutes for RSL and Seattle. I'd do the same for Moreno and Fernandez. Da Costa is going to have to play fairly big minutes the next two games.
"Prioritize Seattle: Points are points - no matter who you play"
Good...point.
I guess I say "prioritize" Seattle in that I think the Timbers can go to Sandy and roll out a somewhat sub-inclined starting XI (not a full rotation, but sit a couple guys) and still get a result, given how RSL is playing right now. Seattle will be tougher because it's at home, against a stronger opponent; RSL is a tricky place to play in general and getting out of there with a draw is always a good result (see last year's 3-3 comeback draw), but the timing of this match is pretty good for the Timbers to maybe sneak out with all three points even without their best XI starting.
I totally get what you're saying, though, and I don't think going all-in early is a bad option; I'm just fully in "I don't trust Phil to get it right" mode so I'm reverting my brain to "what I think a typical manager should do"-type thinking.
"I see Kelsy as better than Mora"
Do you mean in this specific two-game-what-do-we-do situation, or overall? I don't know that I can get behind a "Kelsy is better than Mora overall" argument, but I can see it tactically for these two games, maybe.