Official DC United vs Tottenham Hotspur PRE & PBP Match Thread • • The Capital Cup

[Knave]

DC United vs Tottenham Hotspur
The Capital Cup

• Wednesday, May 14, 7:30EST •

• As far as I know there is no way to follow the match unless you're at RFK. If that's not true then post the information below.

This post will be updated later in the week for corrections and additions.

No Flames • No Trolls

[Lanky134]

Spurs defense, by Premiership standards, has been horrible this year, despite the presence of Keller. Only five clean sheets and 62 goals given up, including four today against Blackburn Rovers.

If the game in October was anything to go by, there shouldn't be too much marking. This could be a good opportunity for our offense to get some confidence and work out some issues.

[Jose L. Couso]

Originally posted by Lanky134
This could be a good opportunity for our offense to get some confidence and work out some issues.

Yes indeed.

Should be a fun matchup.

[garbaggio]

Jose, I love your optimism and undying 100% support for the team.

But I really could care less about this game. I've seen DC play well against Leverkusen and Newcastle in recent years only to return to moribund levels in their following MLS games.

I've got the Plan A half season tix and I think I won't use my ticket and exchange it for a future game with an MLS opponent.

[Jose L. Couso]

Originally posted by garbaggio
Jose, I love your optimism and undying 100% support for the team.

Well that and the fact that it is an excuse to party! :):D

[Th4119]

Think we'll get 5k for this match? The only advertising I've been aware of was a horrible radio commercial, in which the names of every player, including John Harkes, were completely butchered.

If I make it, it will mean my High School career ended on Tuesday. If I can't come to the game on Wed. it means we extended our season by at least a week. I guess either of those options is both good and bad.

On my own personal note, 2 AP tests that day will suck, but it'll definitely be a relief to get that crap done with.

[Barbara]

Originally posted by garbaggio
Jose, I love your optimism and undying 100% support for the team.

But I really could care less about this game. I've seen DC play well against Leverkusen and Newcastle in recent years only to return to moribund levels in their following MLS games.

I've got the Plan A half season tix and I think I won't use my ticket and exchange it for a future game with an MLS opponent.


Check with your rep before you assume you can do that.

[greatscott]

yeah i am expecting 9k

[nancyb]

These international friendlies do tend to draw well, but I think the fact this game is coming only 3 days after the close of Tottenham's season may make it less appealing to the folks who come to see the Euros. They'll assume the big names won't be their since it's not part of a pre-season warmup.

[Red&Black]

i think that unfortunately the timing of this visit will be a disaster. it is likely to greatly interfer with preparations for the league match, not only do we have to play wednesday but there will certainly be other activities taking away the focus of the technical staff and players.

i am not sure how valuable the game itself will be either. while there is some opportunity for the offense to play a bit--is playing against a a tired, leaky defense in an exhibition really help? moreover, at least some of the match will mean we are playing with harkes, something that will do nothing for our chemistry, etc.

i like the friendlies and appreciate united bringing in big teams for us to see. i just wish it wasn't this week, we are at such a crucial point right now.

[owendylan]

Originally posted by nancyb
These international friendlies do tend to draw well, but I think the fact this game is coming only 3 days after the close of Tottenham's season may make it less appealing to the folks who come to see the Euros. They'll assume the big names won't be their since it's not part of a pre-season warmup.

Why wouldn't they assume that since the season just ended that the big names would come (this assumes they actually have some big names on the team). More than likely they will fly out today which wouldn't give their big names a chance to go off the the 4 corners of the world on vacation. I expect and have heard that THFC will be bringing a pretty full roster. The only player I'm not expecting is Sheringham because his contracted expired this season. I'm not sure what the actually date it happens, but he's 37 and not returning to the team next season

[Tweaked]

I think at this point the more we play together the better for the team...in addition, we've already played Kansas City once this year so I would imagine the prep work will be a little less involved then say facing a team we haven't played yet this season...finally, maybe they will rest Marco and Bobby can have a hand at running things.

[Begbie]

Hey it's me the "Master of Delusion" leader of the blindly loyal. Looks like another banner year ahead for our favorite team! Get your big gulp-sized beer cups ready... the tailgates will soon eclipse the games. (See every season since 1999).
So much for United beating the Metros.
Now we can play a crappy EPL team on a Wednesday, risk more injuries, probably play well (like we did vs Newcastle) then continue our road to nowwhere on Saturday. Shame we don't have Albright to score a couple goals in a worthless game (he was the master at that).
There's been so little advertising for this game, it will probably resemble a US Open Cup unless there are thousands of local Spurs fan I don't know about.
The whole thing seems a bit pointless, but it's nice to see an EPL team play an MLS team. Whoooopiii!

[Lowecifer]

If Etcheverry decides to go under the knife sooner rather than later, this can be a warm up for the midfield that doesn't feature him.

I say take advantage of the situation and see where it goes. I would also like to see some of our draft picks in this match, but I can't remember if they will be gone with the U-23s or not.

I'm looking forward to seeing Keller and former Chelsea star Gus Poyet on Wednesday.

[Atouk]

Originally posted by Lowecifer
I would also like to see some of our draft picks in this match, but I can't remember if they will be gone with the U-23s or not. http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=main&cont_id=180494

Yep, they're already gone -- the US/Mexico U-23 friendly is also on Wednesday. So, no Esky, Stokes, Carroll, or Warren against Spurs.

[Lanky134]

Sheringham coming...

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/030512/21/dzt0h.html


Sheringham has now jetted across the Atlantic for his final Spurs farewell in Wednesday's friendly with DC United in Washington.

[Lowecifer]

I'd like to see this lineup:

.. .. .. Rimando
Petke .. Nelsen .. Prideaux
.. Kovalenko .. Namoff
Olsen .. Convey .. Q2
.. Stewart .. Quaranta

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by Lowecifer
I'd like to see this lineup:

.. .. .. Rimando
Petke .. Nelsen .. Prideaux
.. Kovalenko .. Namoff
Olsen .. Convey .. Q2
.. Stewart .. Quaranta
Where's Harksie?

[Red&Black]

i might be time to give ivanov a start see how fit he is, good time to get his feet ready. how fit is petke? might do him some good to rest.

[Lowecifer]

Originally posted by CHICO13
Where's Harksie?

He can come in at the 75th minute for somebody.