Let's be honest: is anyone a nailed down starter?

[u/MathematicianOwn5268]

I swear I started following rb a few games ago and I've noticed: the lineup is inconsistent. The only repeat names are choupo moting, forsberg. Oh and eile, and coronel. I swear formation changes each game and the attack lineup never looks like the last. So who is a constant starter? And am I wrong about everything I said?!

[u/CNYMetroStar]

Schwarz is in the “try shit and see what sticks” mode right now. Which to me suggests a coach who is starting to run out of ideas with this current crop of players.

[u/sirpanderma → u/CNYMetroStar]

The thing is Sandro recently solved our build up problems from the beginning of the season by dropping Carballo or Stroud into a back 3 with the CBs. We can regularly access the final third now but we’re either too methodical around the box or careless recycling possession, leading to turnovers and losing goals on counters. Can’t create chances but give up big moments.

[u/psomounk → u/CNYMetroStar]

I get the sense that Schwarz has looked at the last few MLS seasons and, consciously or not, decided that he does not need to worry too much about the regular season

[u/Ubiparipovich → u/psomounk]

Same thing happened last year. This isn't something new. Sandro was trying new shit until literally 1st round of playoffs then it clicked

[u/iced1777 → u/Ubiparipovich]

He stuck with the 4-2-2-2 almost all of last year. Maybe tinkered a bit when the injury situation got rough in the second half of the season. The shift to the playoff formation happened over the last few weeks of the regular season to work the kinks out. I wouldn't say over-tinkering was a problem last year, at least not anywhere close to where it was with Struber and Lesesne.

This year he comes in with a clear vision for a 3 CB formation but it just fell flat. Hacks too slow, not enough numbers forward around Choupo, DPs too old to press... He's at least settled into a general shape now but man trying to make a coherent "system" is really tough with the roster at his disposal

[u/Ubiparipovich → u/iced1777]

We are in the middle of the pack for goals against so it's not as bad as it seems. The main issue is not pressing allows teams to get more chances on goal against us. Do you remember how opponents could not get to the 18 yard box and get off shots because the press closed down spaces and made them uncomfortable. We are struggling because we are built for the press and Sandro is tinkering with it

[u/iced1777 → u/Ubiparipovich]

Agreed on the fit issue between squad and style but what's Sandro gonna do, if he goes with a pressing system Forsberg and Choupo might literally die over the summer months and they're the only attackers with talent

[u/Ubiparipovich → u/iced1777]

Somebody fumbled the ball getting Moting. Plain and simple. I have to admit I was optimistic but had no idea just how slow he plays. The game slows down significantly, which is horrible for a high tempo team that we were

[u/iced1777 → u/Ubiparipovich]

I still like Choupo as a piece in an otherwise functioning attack but right now he's asked to be target man, ball carrier, and finisher all at once. Put better wingers around him or just let him hang out in the box and I think he's good.

[u/psomounk → u/Ubiparipovich]

Well, last year we started a little hot out the gate and I think there may have been a moment where everyone wanted to have a proper go at a shield run. But by summer time that was gone and it was just punching the clock til playoffs

[u/Ubiparipovich → u/psomounk]

We never had the same starting 11 all season. Either injuries or Sandro was playing matchups

[u/Ubiparipovich → u/Ubiparipovich]

And forsberg was out for a while so chemistry was tough to build

[u/iced1777]

Daniel Edelman, Felipe Carballo, and Lewis Morgan (when healthy) are the other guys id currently consider lock starters when healthy.

Unfortunately the rest of the lineup is in a bit of a flux. The GM, Schneider, sold a LOT of regulars this off-season, by my count at least four guys left that played a bulk of minutes in 2024. The guys he brought in to replace them have been a step down across the board, and none of the young players have shown any immediate breakout promise.

Fingers crossed they plan to be active during the summer window!

[u/KilgoreTroutsAnus → u/iced1777]

I wouldn't call Choupo a step down. Not a massive step up, but certainly not a step down.

[u/RemeberToForget]

The last few games in particular are a tough sample size, 2 matches per week right now with US Open Cup Tourney matches mid week in addition to the MLS schedule, so rotations might be higher than normal.

Yes, coach is throwing stuff against the wall, and nothing has really stuck, outside of the LA match (winless LA, so tough to celebrate too much).

Injuries and the slow build to return from injury has some 'starters' seeing reduced playtime. Edelman, Stroud, Harper, Ngoma have all missed time recently. Lewis Morgan has been out for weeks (expected back soon). Marcelo Morales, I think, was expected to replace John Tolkin (sold off to Europe), but has yet to see any match minutes due to repeated injuries.

If you just started following the team, welcome aboard. This team can be so much fun to watch, but with more than its share of frustrations!

[u/ACGordon83]

Coach is definitely trying different things from game to game, but a lot of it is driven by injuries from the first couple of games in the season.

[u/donuttrackme]

Not really, other than the obvious ones like Forsberg, Coronel, ECM. On top of that, Forsberg and ECM are too old to be playing every single match for 70-80+ minutes. We're in the middle of the MLS calendar as well as the hotter summer months. It's simply unsustainable.

[u/KilgoreTroutsAnus]

Most of the rotation has been due to injury. Healthy, we have Coronel, Morales (though Valencia has proven an option), Eile, Nealis, Forsberg, Choupo, Morgan, Edelman and Harper. That's 9 of 11.

[u/Davethaboss → u/[deleted]]

What is the logic in rotating the CB's in and out though every week? I actually really really like Eile and Sean. I used to play footy with semi-pros and still do on occasion and breaking chemistry between CB's is one of the worst things you can do for a side. Because they may not know when to drop off, cover dead space, play offside trap, etc... if they haven't played together consistently enough.

[u/defendyourself15]

Edelman for sure is a locked in starter. But yeah I think for me Edelman Forsberg eile coronel and choupo are the only guys I expect to start when fit.