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| This is once in a lifetime. Do NOT count on it. |
Aiming for a quick one today…starting
with the Portland Timbers, as I’m supposed to do when flow isn’t an issue…
Depth and Squad Rotation
Stumptown Footy posted something
that I’m sure nearly anyone who finds this has already read so far. The article
– titled something like “How Much Attacking Depth Is Too Much” (or, exactly
that) – sort maps out, combines, and re-combines the personnel that the Timbers
can throw at the opposition in the year ahead and that is obviously (probably?)
of interest.
But what does it mean in
practice?
People who know I exist/read my
stuff know that I’ve been a big proponent of squad rotation in the past. Still
a fan, if with a little more conscious emphasis on the rationale – e.g., it’s
about timing and/or priming the team to win MLS Cup, with the Supporters’
Shield constituting either, 1) a totally (and I mean totally) separate prize;
and/or 2) something that won’t always be the primary goal. To clarify #2 a bit,
I see the circumstances that allow a team to win the Shield to work in the same
rough way as it dawns on someone playing Hearts that things have shifted to
where Shooting the Moon (or, here, winning the Shield) has become a live
possibility.
If that seems like splitting
hairs, well, that’s what we do here. For what it’s worth, I think the league
blessed the Timbers with a favorable start to the year, one soft enough that it
should reverse the team’s traditional, um, slow (crap) start. If Portland can
pocket that, and land that mystery winger we keep hearing about (and also the
depth pieces), playing with one eye on the Shield becomes a consideration.
If/when things line up differently, hell yes, I want the Timbers rotating and
frequently. That’ll keep the regulars fresh and the new guys connected.
And, to be clear, no, I’m not
claiming that some ready plug-‘n’-play system exists. No matter what any team
does, it’s trial, error, and a lotta crossed fingers. What I’m talking about
above is the spirit and mentality behind the approach. OK, next…
