The Knee Jerk: RSL vs. LAFC

A shutout? A shutout. Those exist. I forgot about them.

What tonight’s dominant win really says to me is that Sunday’s loss wasn’t that bad. Sunday was—quite obviously—a rotation of most starters and a chance for rest. It was the right move. Take some strange chances, gamble a bit, and experiment with the away game. Save the tried and true, the starters, for home. I’m not saying this negates any of the problems from Minnesota, but it certainly dampens the pain of that match. It was a calculation that worked.

The weekend gambit payed off with a solid three points tonight. RSL dominated against a struggling LAFC team. It’s fun to watch the big clubs struggle (here’s looking at you, too, Atlanta).

It puts a huge light on the importance of our back line. Take away the starting outside backs, rotate in different center backs, play a starting center back out wide, and we get a sloppy match. That solid back line coming back? It was huge.

It was also nice to watch Putna play tonight. He had a couple of solid saves to hold onto that clean sheet. It was a huge team effort.

I was a bit worried about Chang after his first match. That’s gone. He’s putting in solid shifts.

Let’s put the crush on Colorado next.

Please be courteous and wear your masks.

Overreactions

Play that lineup every game. No one gets to get tired or hurt. Get out there and win.

Do you think Kyle Beckerman has a closet full of all the yellow cards he’s won been penalized with over the years?