48 hour blackout is torture

I still haven't been able to watch Saturday's match in Salt Lake City, Utah, but I should be able to get my watch on tonight. I've watched the highlights a few times and a few things stuck in my mind.

First of all, why did Danny Mwanga move out of the way when the ball came his way? Isn't the point of the wall to stop balls like that from getting through? Bendik wasn't able to see that the ball was headed through the gap until it was too late.

Second, seriously Jack! Why would you foul him a second time just outside the box? Did you forget that they have one of the best set piece takers in the league, that you had your third-string keeper on, or that the previous time you did this they scored? The first goal may have been Mwanga's fault but this one is squarely on your shoulders.

Third, I'm happy to see that Gavin returned to the 4-3-3, and that Zizzo did a great job on the wing again after not finding the pitch on Wednesday. The team clearly enjoyed better possession as a result and were able to create more out of the run of play, as opposed to being effective only on the counter-attack as the team was in San Jose.

But I'm unhappy to see the chaos elemental Rodney Wallace continue to deputize for Chara in central midfield. His switch to left back at the half was a more logical placement for him, but I still think the only place he should play is on the wings as a counter to a speedy creative wing or back. He is a better defender than most wide midfielders on the team, and is definitely faster than most people in the league, but he is not disciplined enough on the pitch to merit a role in the actual back line or shielding the central defenders. Putting him out wide in the midfield or as a winger allows for him to make mistakes that don't immediately result in a goal, but he can also be used to frustrate another team's attacking wide players. Putting him the middle requires him to be in position and alert all the time as any mistake can lead to an easy chance in the box. I'll try to find specific examples in the RSL game after I get to watch it tonight.

Gavin is starting Wallace instead of playing Eric Alexander in the middle with Jewsbury and Nagbe. Eric is exactly all of the things Rodney is not: composed on the ball, disciplined, alert and positionally intelligent. I just cannot understand why Alexander is not playing over Wallace, except that Rodney scored the equalizer against Seattle. That reward has to have worn off at this point after two mediocre performances this week. Alexander combines better with Nagbe as well, and is able to play more of the fluid style the formation requires.