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Sporting KC lineup prediction for US Open Cup Final
We attempt to decipher the one true preferred lineup for Sporting KC ahead of the Open Cup Final versus LAFC.
Shades of Blue previews Sporting KC’s US Open Cup Final against LAFC on this week’s episode. Plus, the crew reacts to SKC’s elimination from playoff contention juxtaposed with the KC Current booking their ticket for the postseason on the same weekend.
It’s been tough to predict the lineup for Peter Vermes and Sporting KC this season. The only constant has been regular rotation. While battling through injuries and struggling to find the magic combination of players, Vermes has deployed varying lineups and/or formations all season long.
This week’s show attempts to decipher the one-true preferred lineup for Sporting KC as they fight for another Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Just five days ago, SKC were firing on all cylinders in a 4-1 win over the third place Colorado Rapids. Therefore, we’ll use this lineup as a starting point.
The first change here needs to be between the sticks. It’s no slight against Jonathan Pulskamp to know that Tim Melia is the only choice for a final. Aged yes, but the man is a legend. A legend who looks like a brick wall to opposing teams during penalty kicks. And Sporting KC loves taking a final to PK’s.
We’ll stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation with both Agada and Pulido on the field. Russell starts on the right wing, but the question is on the left. Do you go with more experience in Daniel Salloi, or roll the dice with Stephen Afrifa in his first season? Or perhaps you want the speed of Alenis Vargas?
Even with Nemanja Radoja on the injury report, there are several choices to make in the midfield. Erik Thommy came off the bench last week, which worked quite well. But he’s been the engine for Sporting all year.
I like the experience of Memo Rodriguez in this spot. So, I’m keeping him in the lineup.
Let’s keep Ndenbe and Shelton as outside backs. Shelton is in good form and Ndenbe is hungry after watching from the sidelines all season.
The centerbacks will be battling the likes of Denis Bouanga and Olivier Giroud. SKC need somebody who can stop that meaty French forehead from winning every header. That means we’re going with the athleticism of Dany Rosero & Robert Castellanos. Castellanos doesn’t often play on the left side, but there is some precedent.
Here is the SOB projected lineup:
No matter the lineup, Sporting KC have a tough task on their hands. LAFC have not won a match in their last five, but there’s a lot of firepower on that roster. Including our old friend – Kei Kamara – who is still scoring goals at the age of 40.
What lineup would YOU deploy on Wednesday night?
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SPOTIFYÂ |Â APPLEÂ
00:00 – Sporting KC eliminated from playoffs
31:00 – KC Current
45:00 – US Open Cup Preview
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Okay, but while Walter is a wonderful box to box 8. he’s, at best, a meh 6. look at his numbers and positioning in that role and it’s rather clear. Esp as LAFC are fantastic on breaking into the space that he, as a 6, tends to vacate too frequently. Davis gives us a lot more in that role.
Castellanos on his less favored side against Giround (or Kei)? Maybe, but Voloder makes a lot more sense.
Memo starting over Walter, Thommy AND Davis has got to be a joke, right?
Davis is clearly our best player at the moment so he must start and he’s shown the most chemistry with Bassong who also has the second biggest engine on this team at the moment so he has to be his partner. Remi hasn’t been the same since his injury so no problem with benching him. Pulido is the hot hand in front of goal, it makes no sense to move him farther away from it. Thommy is the only semi creative player in this team, so he needs to start too. 4231, Melia, Ndenbe – Caste – Rosero – Shelton, Bassong – Davis, Afrifa – Thommy – Russell, Pulido. Walter, Agada, Alenis are your definite subs, Memo and Salloi your regular time maybe subs, and Leibold your extra time if it gets there sub since Ndenbe probably doesn’t have 120 in him.
I think Thommy is our best player. Jake is our best young player. They both need to start over Pulido and Memo. Pulido is not hot. He scored two goals on a crappy team that gave up. Has he scored in two in a row? 2 out of 10 games? No. Just the one. He’s lazy and doesn’t care. I’d put memo in over Pulido.
I think Davis is the written in pen starter as one of the deeper midfielders. However, the second one is an interesting choice. I dont think Bassong is a super great player. Remi is certainly a more talented player. But, converting Bassong, a defender, to play a more holding-ish midfielder has worked Several times this year pretty well in that double pivot. He’s got pep and bite, his instinct is to stay home a bit more than any of the other guys. Like A&W said, especially as Remi works back from injury, I can see a strong argument that Bassong starts over Remi.
The problem is the 9/10 situation. Agada’s got a case of the yips, but clearly still has gravity. Pulido has finally found some form in the 10 spot. But Thommy also has plenty of form in the 10 spot. Thommy on the wing is never as effective. I don’t know how all three of our best goalscorers get on the field together, but I don’t know which one to leave on the bench either. I think it will be Agada with Pulido as the 10 to start, and then Thommy comes on late for Bassong if we are level or losing, or the left winger if we are winning. If there are any hints at all of it going to kicks at the end, Vermes will want all three of them on the field.
Afrifa has played himself into the start on the left wing, IMO, but I’m absolutely certain Salloi will get the nod.
We just dont have a clear “this guy” left CB. My vote is Voloder tho.
Yep and Salloi sucks. He’ll just run into dead space. Cross to no one. Consistently turn it over. He’ll run back to help defend and play the opposing striker a perfect ball to score. I’ve seen it all from him. Any other player gets a red card disappears. Salloi makes endless mistakes and starts. He’s got that number 10 though.