Looking forward to the Open Cup...

[Hunter R]

Would you play our first teamers like it was a regular match or would you go easy on them (our DC boys) and comprise the team of mostly second team guys.

I mean, I wonder if the team looks at the Open Cup as a big deal this year. We seem to be packed in with games, so if we lose this... ehhh. I would rather us save the guys for the MLS season. You also can look at it like the other MLS sides that advance in the tourney are playing extra games which is good for us (or bad if they use those games as a team builder)

Thoughts?

[beltwayrob]

Difficult to say either way. On the one hand you have the fact that a large segment of the fan base probably wants to win the 5th MLS Cup and focus on that. But on the other hand you have those who really want to see DCU do well in Open Cup and Sudamerica, its a tough call but I say DC should go for the glory and put all its effort into each game. These guys are professionals and have proven before that they can handle pressure. So I say VAMOS UNITED and sock it to Richmond.

[Sundevil9]

With all of the August games, I think I'd try to start managing the player usage now.

What I'd do:

Since Boz can't play against Chicago on the 8th, he should play against Richmond.

You might need to twist his arm, but Stokes should play. Just keep telling him that it's a real game and he's playing on our side. ;)

If Perkins has shown well in practice, he should get a shot at some PT as well.

Have Jamie and Gomez come off the bench, they could use a shot at some rest. That opens up spots for Adu and Tino to start.

Have Walker and Guppy start as well, they've proven that they can connect against non-league opposition, maybe they can continue that trend. And it'll give Gros some time to recharge.

Go with the Carroll, Simms combination in midfield. It'll give these two another game to play together, and Simms should know a thing or two about the Kickers.

So my lineup:

--------Perkins---------
Stokes --Boz---Wilson
-----Carroll---Sims----
Dema----Adu---Guppy
---Walker----Tino------

Bench:
Rimando
Gomez
Moreno
Olsen/Kuykendall
Prideaux

Maybe even leave either Gomez, Moreno or Prideaux out and bring Gros.

[DCU1996]

one of my favorite formation for my team...

3-2-3-2

[Saltenya94]

Nice lineup. With recent news about the Gup'ster, I'd bet a lineup more like this.

So my lineup:

--------Perkins---------
Stokes --Boz---Wilson
-----Carroll---Sims----
Dema----Adu---Gros
---Walker----Tino------

Bench:
Rimando
Gomez
Moreno
Olsen/Kuykendall
Prideaux