Here are three observations from RSL’s goalless draw against the Rapids:
1. Defensive woes continue for RSL
Defensive errors have been hurting RSL recently, with individidual lapses in concentration culpable for losses against Galaxy and Whitecaps. Once again in this game, the Rapids could’ve clinched the tie after defender Aaron Maund brought down Luis Solignac, and only a wasted PK by Dillon Powers let the defense off the hook.
Coach Jeff Cassar admitted that the defensive frailties are hurting RSL, and conceded that there was no way Solignac should’ve gotten a penalty out of a 2 v 1 situation against Maund and Vasquez. In fairness, Elias Valesquez had performed admirably since his debut in April; however, with Chris Schuler injured and Jamison Olave in indifferent form, RSL have had to rely on him more than they would have preferred.Perhaps the way forward for RSL is to settle on their best available back four and hope that they start to keep a few clean-sheets and build confidence from there. Chris Schuler returning from injury to partner Vasquez could add some much-needed stability at the back.
2. Misfiring forwards
Alvaro Saborio returned to the fold against the Rapids as the focal point in RSL’s front three, but had a rather indifferent game in front of goal. The Costa Rican had three glorious opportunities to give RSL the lead in the first half, but he failed to convert any of these opportunities.
While the RSL defense had been under scrutiny of late (and justifiably so), the errors at the other end have cost them just as much in this particular game. A first-half lead would have allowed RSL more time and composure in possession, and the center-backs would not have been exposed in the dying stages.
3. Three forwards the way to go?
This was the first time coach Jeff Cassar fielded his first choice front three of Plata, Saborio and Jaime. While Plata returning to the side as a wide forward did improve RSL’s game overall, there remains a feeling that the new system is simply too static and rigid compared to the old 4-4-2 diamond.Let’s focus only on the forwards in RSL’s new formation. Part of the reason as to why Cassar shifted to the 4-3-3 is probably that it allows more directness when transitioning from defense to attack; however, it seems that none of the RSL forwards are particularly suited for the “wide forward” role. Saborio, Sandoval, Jaime and Garcia all seem more comfortable in an out-and-out forward position, while Plata probably operates best in a “free-role” behind the targetman – where he can find pockets of space between the lines and tee-off teammates, while also being able to run at defenders with pace. Shafting Plata to the wings somewhat limits the amount of influence he can have in the game.
It wasn’t necessarily the formation itself, but the lack of movement and fluidity in the front-line that forced RSL to take the direct route too early rather than keep the ball on the ground. With Plata and Jaime playing their roles as inverted wide-forwards and RSL, the Rapids back four could defend narrow – as the RSL full-backs were hardly overlapping to the byline.Should he choose to persist with 4-3-3 (or some variant of it), Cassar could still hand Plata more positional freedom than he is allowed right now (for instance, he can drift centrally to overload the opposition midfield, allowing full-backs to overlap). In any case, it seems that the RSL forwards do need to be a little more inventive for Cassar’s new system to work.
