Options: Saborio, Plata best options for starting strikers

Another week for RSL means another game and more roster decisions that must be made. This week we'll focus on the RSL attack and the options that will be available to start vs the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Last week against Colorado, the starting strike pair was Alvaro Saborio and Devon Sandoval. Both play a very similar target forward style.

Devon played well against Seattle in the minutes that he saw. He was incredibly effective with his back to the goal, receiving the ball at his feet and making some very clinical passes through to midfielders and forwards going to goal.

Sabo, as we know, is generally a finisher in the air and is good with the ball at his feet in the box. He is a target forward but doesn't generally play with his back to the goal. He plays at his best with a speedy forward he can play off of and that can draw the attention of defenders to give him more space to work in.

This pair created opportunities in the first half, but the finishing left a little to be desired. With injuries to Robbie Findley and Joao Plata this was the striking pair that needed to get the job done. This week as we go into yet another road game the decision of who will be starting up top becomes the focus again in a season where RSL is struggling to find the net.

With Robbie Findley still sidelined with an adductor strain, there is yet another opportunity for the young strikers to try and take advantage of.

Available Players

Alvaro Saborio
Joao Plata
Devon Sandoval
Olmes Garcia

Unavailable Players

Robbie Findley (Adductor Strain)

Starting options

Alvaro Saborio

A sure starter this week, Sabo has scored 3 goals for RSL this year and while he failed to find the net Saturday vs Colorado the opportunities were surely there. The Whitecaps average 1.25 GA this season so far and there should be opportunities for Sabo to net a goal.

Joao Plata

As he is coming back from injury and was held out last week as a precaution, Joao is the expected starter with Sabo this week v the Whitecaps. His speed and work ethic will serve RSL well. He is the type of striker that Sabo works best with. Fast and very active he can drag defenders away from the middle giving Sabo space to work in. He has also assisted on 2 goals this season and could provide the opportunity that RSL need to score a goal. Joao this year has also had several chances of his own to score, missing by inches and sheer luck on the part of Gspurning, and given the chance here should look to finish and open his account for the year.

Bench Options

Devon Sandoval

Devon has done very well so far this season and should make the 18. He is a hard worker and tends to cover more ground than just about anyone on the squad when he is in the match. That drive will come in handy late in the match when the defense has tired. He also works well with Javi in tight spaces. Combination play could come in handy after the 75th minute if RSL are looking for a goal.

Olmes Garcia

Olmes had a good outing against Colorado, very much the bright spot in the second half. Fast and competent with the ball at his feet, this young forward has all the potential to become a first rate forward in this league. He is coming into his own and getting used to the squad and his speed and technical ability would be a benefit in the later stages of this match.