Time for some updates. Interested to hear the RSL rundown thus far, RR.
As for SKC, it's really been a story about 2 signings that have revolutionized the team. First and foremost, they signed Barca B player Ilie at DMid. No words can explain how perfect he is for SKC. A true pivot in midfield who controls the game. Has all the skills for the MLS. The guy wanted to play for SKC from the start. Didn't care about the glitz and glamour of NY or LA. Decided SKC plays the closest to how he was trained, and signed up. He's example #1 for proof that MLS scouting is truly horrible oversees. No one went after him. Now he's SKC's best player and wants to stay. He's in line for $$$.
Player #2 is Gerso. Again, from the moment we all saw him run the wing, SKC fans knew he would offer something drastically missing the last couple years. He's speed on the wing and dangerous with the ball. Not the world's best finisher, but he puts the ball in danger zones and that's what is required of him. Defensively he's underrated. Hustles at all times. True effort guy with attacking tools.
Proved me wrong example #1: Zusi. Honestly thought he'd be a disaster at fullback. Turns out, he's not just serviceable, he's quite good. Paired with Gerso on the right, they are difficult to account for when Zusi pushes up.
Proved me wrong example #2: Besler. Weird to say that, given his reputation. But he looked pretty bad for the last year and a half. I held out hope that it was because he didn't play with a real second center back in 2016. Turned out, that was, indeed, the reason. Besler plays so well with a partner back there, it's like 1+1=3 with him. But this year is different. He's dropping in passes from 40 yards out and leading counters out of the back better than ever before.
There are clear and obvious reasons SKC is leading the west. Everything has come together for them from a roster standpoint. Kudos to management as they will never get the proper amount of credit for the off-season that should be remembered for years.
So, where can they improve? Well, they can't get consistency at left forward. Blessing is trying but he's too small and goes to ground all the time. Maybe that's considered consistency but not the kind we're looking for. He's 20 and if they can put 20 lbs on him, then we'll be talking. At left back, Sinovic is just hanging on. I find it surprising they don't have a better option. Hell, I can't believe someone like Palmer-Brown couldn't offer something similar, even though he's next in line at center half.
There's no way I can give a summary without mentioning the trio of Benny, Ilie and Espinoza. They are just wonderful to watch. True possession midfielders and compliment each other so well. Benny is attack-minded, Espinoza is box-to-box and Ilie on defense. Great to have players with well accepted, perfectly defined roles.
Finally, Melia is proving last year was no fluke. He's in form and as of now, the best keeper in the league. There are guys who have better potential to be better, but they aren't doing the things Melia does night in and night out.
Now is about the time when we get hit with a couple season-ending injuries and the whole thing goes to crap.
