This is the prototypical "I expect nothing from this game" game. I don't think the Timbers will win. I will be watching this game to watch individual players and to hope for a better sense of coherence from the Timbers, but I'm certainly not going in with a budding sense of optimism that Things Will Be Great! because, as you say, this is LAFC and they're just flat out a better team.
It is a bleak outlook from Sam but I can't disagree. I too am watching the Timbers' matches the rest of the season concentrating on the players' effort and which players show promise for next season and which ones look like they won't be here next season.
Chara has said he wants to play until he's 40, and he's signed through the end of next season, when he'll be 38. I don't know if he'll make it to 40 but he's still a solid player at 38.
Mabiala, Blanco and Niezgoda are all in the last contract year I think and believe are done for sure. Anyone beyond those three, I would consider a possibility depending on who the new coach ends up being and the style of team we plan to rebuild.
I was ready to heckle Bouanga but it looks like there is a worse case scenario -- somebody will be passing to Vela this week.
Joke aside, I see the Timbers with the edge in the midfield, slight disadvantage in the attack and slightly bigger disadvantage on defense.
Mabiala probably will start, and I actually think he's a better option than Araujo, who is out on international duty. Miller will slot in for Mosquera, who would have been a good matchup with Bouanga, but since they are both gone, Miller should be able to hold down the fort. Bravo has the big task against V ela.
Looking forward to it. I don't know why all the long faces. Timbers will be up for it. How will LAFC respond after their comeuppance last week? I suppose they'll be tough for the first 15 minutes but if they don't draw blood, then the Timbers will out work them and get the W.
Mabiala will definitely start and go 90--there's nobody else. He's nearly guaranteed to give up a goal singlehandedly, so you must think Timbers are going to score at least 3 if you think they're going to win. I commend your optimism.
This is the prototypical "I expect nothing from this game" game. I don't think the Timbers will win. I will be watching this game to watch individual players and to hope for a better sense of coherence from the Timbers, but I'm certainly not going in with a budding sense of optimism that Things Will Be Great! because, as you say, this is LAFC and they're just flat out a better team.
Like you, Sam, I hope to be wrong.
It is a bleak outlook from Sam but I can't disagree. I too am watching the Timbers' matches the rest of the season concentrating on the players' effort and which players show promise for next season and which ones look like they won't be here next season.
This is the last season for Blanco for sure, D. Chara a strong maybe, Moreno & Boli unknown, right?
Chara has said he wants to play until he's 40, and he's signed through the end of next season, when he'll be 38. I don't know if he'll make it to 40 but he's still a solid player at 38.
Mabiala, Blanco and Niezgoda are all in the last contract year I think and believe are done for sure. Anyone beyond those three, I would consider a possibility depending on who the new coach ends up being and the style of team we plan to rebuild.
I was ready to heckle Bouanga but it looks like there is a worse case scenario -- somebody will be passing to Vela this week.
Joke aside, I see the Timbers with the edge in the midfield, slight disadvantage in the attack and slightly bigger disadvantage on defense.
Mabiala probably will start, and I actually think he's a better option than Araujo, who is out on international duty. Miller will slot in for Mosquera, who would have been a good matchup with Bouanga, but since they are both gone, Miller should be able to hold down the fort. Bravo has the big task against V ela.
Looking forward to it. I don't know why all the long faces. Timbers will be up for it. How will LAFC respond after their comeuppance last week? I suppose they'll be tough for the first 15 minutes but if they don't draw blood, then the Timbers will out work them and get the W.
Mabiala will definitely start and go 90--there's nobody else. He's nearly guaranteed to give up a goal singlehandedly, so you must think Timbers are going to score at least 3 if you think they're going to win. I commend your optimism.
Three goals, that would be great. I'm all for goals.
Never seen Sam so bleak... Dayum