Matchday Preview 1: Where the Eddies Come Sweepin’ Down the Plain
Tweaked Eddies face a tough and interesting matchup against a team that hasn’t shown many of its cards yet.
During each of the the Eddies’ matches on the preseason tour of Scotland, they exclusively employed 4–4–2 formation. With the exception of Ledgerwood holding the middle, we may see a variety of combinations line up beside him as the season progresses. The four matches in Scotland displayed this variety with different sets of wingers employed. Although Corea has not been with the squad for the good part of a month — missing the Scotland trip in the process — comments from Miller make it appear that he is going to be a key part of the season moving forward.
On Sunday, FCE played a full 90-minute intra-squad game. Other than the omission of Ledgerwood and Corea, both away on international duty, one of the sides featured a lineup that looked very much like the lineup we will see on Saturday.
Raudales was tipped by Jeff Paulus in an interview on the Loyal Company podcast (Episode 46) as someone who can serve as a backup holding midfielder if Ledgerwood is absent. The staff also seem to highly rate Gustavo, and preseason appearances demonstrate this. Look for him to support the attack primarily as a playmaker up the middle, while also given a secondary role as a striker.
This blog has previously written about the potential use of inverted wingers, due to the lack of natural left-footed players in the squad, and we may see this for the first time on Saturday. Corea has filled both central and winger roles in the past, but many previews see him lining up on the left side.
Opposition
While Rayo OKC has had a decent preseason, there is little information—other than goal scorers and full time scores—to even hint at what the lineup will look like on Saturday. For now, we can try to highlight individual players and their specific threats, and see how this combination will affect FCE’s game plan.
Let’s start with the big fish first, Giorgios Samaras. While there is word that he may not even be fit enough to start or even appear tomorrow, there is a bit of gamesmanship regarding his status. Nevertheless we can still try to evaluate an OKC gameplan that will be centered around their superstar. Samaras is by far the most reputable name on the OKC team sheet, and brings an impressive résumé of experience to their squad. At 34-years old however, and having not played a full match for a while, there are still many questions to how fit and ready he will be tomorrow.
Samaras’ most obvious advantage is as a tall target man weather it is at the end of a cross for a header, or as someone who can bring the ball down to set up other attackers. Beyond his physical qualities, however, Samaras’ footwork is enough to impress even the best dribblers on most teams. On top of this Samaras has an impressive work rate and makes his defenders work very hard to win the ball from him, and he is very tough to chase down.
But, with the potential absence of Samaras come other players who, on paper, have playing reputations preceding them and will have a lot to prove.
Billy Forbes is a proven NASL striker who had shown a keen eye for goal for San Antonio last year, scoring twice at Clarke early in the Spring last year. Richard Menjivar is another proven NASL midfielder who even scored a few goals in preseason for Rayo, adding to the depth of the attack. Menjivar’s role as a winger will be key for Rayo. Aside from established NASL talent, there are also MLS players with chips on their shoulders. Players like Futty Danso in defence, and former TFC strikers Ryan Johnson & Robbie Findley.
What to watch out for
The positioning on the left side
Eckersley appears to be the starter on the left flank of the defense. Look for how high he is encouraged to play when in possession, as this was one of the primary reasons why he was brought in by Miller.
Given that the left winger on the day may be either of the right-footed Corea or Cruz, this may leave space open for Eckersley to move in to and provide the crosses. This was his role for so many years in Scotland. On defence, however, Eckersley might have to think twice about committing to marking the real threat that Menjivar poses, and an attack-minded Eckersley will leave a lot of real estate behind him. This means that the communication between the central defensive players—Diakité, Watson and maybe Ledgerwood—is paramount.
On the right side, Edward may be encouraged to attack, but with Nyassi likely lining up on the right wing, the two have the option to overlap and fill in for each other in transition.
Attacks up the middle
The departure of Laing has required a shift from focusing the attacks on the wings and look for options up the middle. This is somewhat new ground for FC Edmonton, it has been quite some time since the squad has played a 4–4–2, and this will require mobility in the middle. Expect to the squad to look to the central midfield as a point of transition more than we’re used to seeing.
We have seen hints of this when players like Boakai were used as a focal point of an attack. Gustavo may be filling this role tomorrow. Look for runs with the ball and one-twos from him. Ledgerwood has a bit to play in this as well, but will likely be used deep, only joining an attack in late when needed, not unlike Ritchie Jones when he’s healthy.
So what scoreline are you predicting FieldTurf?
DON’T DO THIS TO ME. MY HEART SAYS 2–1 WIN. BUT MY GUT SAYS 1–1 DRAW.
Notes:
Dunfield will not travel with the squad, contract will likely not be finalized and approved in time for the trip:
The weather in Yukon, OK is predicted to be perfect for a game.
Farago & Smith are listed as ‘out’ if instagram is anything to go by.
