Pre-Match Thread:In-Game:Post-Match:DC United vs. Harbour View FC::03.12.2008

[Leaky123]

Am I allowed to start this thread? Just a few days away. Oh well, here goes . . .

CONCACAF Champion's Cup Quarterfinals, Leg 1
D.C. United
at
Harbour View FC
(Jamaica)

03.12.2008
8:00 p.m. ET
TV: FSC, FSE
Radio: ?

Harbour View Mini Stadium, Harbour View, Jamaica

Things to Watch::
- New look defense
- Who will start in Benny's spot?
- Wells or Carvallo in goal?
- Communication issues
- Gallardo

Weather::
Warm? It's Jamaica isn't it?

I can't wait . . .

[Winoman]

First pre-match thread of the new year! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, am I excited!

Starting 11:
Wells, GK
Namoff, Peralta, Martinez, Burch, in Defense
Quaranta, Simms, Gallardo, Fred, in Midfield
Emilio, Moreno, Forwards

[Fisty409]

I would rather put Kirk on right mid. The way hes been playing this off-season (even though...well its the preseason). But the way he played for the galaxy and hes had the exp. I know Tinos our factor, but Kirk has more experience. Thats my opinion.

[Bolivianfuego]

Yea at right mid i cant say who to play, havent seen any games yet just know what i read which truthfully i dont trust because i didnt see it.

With that said, im Really really really looking forward to this wednesdays match. It sucks though im gonna miss it cause of class. I will watch it though when i get back as i am gonna be records it with my DVD recorder.

[United fury]

I would rather put Kirk on right mid. The way hes been playing this off-season (even though...well its the preseason). But the way he played for the galaxy and hes had the exp. I know Tinos our factor, but Kirk has more experience. Thats my opinion. Well, I wouldn't necessarily say he has more experience. Quaranta been in the league 7 years and Quavas only 3. Of course, Quaranta has had many injuries during that time. It should be interesting to see what will happen. McTavish could play there too.

[AMERICANS SC]

I would rather put Kirk on right mid. The way hes been playing this off-season (even though...well its the preseason). But the way he played for the galaxy and hes had the exp. I know Tinos our factor, but Kirk has more experience. Thats my opinion.

"Kirk has more experience"? :confused:

You do realize that Kirk played in MLS for only 1 year, i.e. last year.

Santino has been in MLS since 2001.

As to your statement that Kirk has been playing better in the offseason, I have not seen either play this year, so I do not have an opinion. So, I will just have to trust the coach's decision as to who will be starting and playing.

[United fury]

"Kirk has more experience"? :confused:

You do realize that Kirk played in MLS for only 1 year, i.e. last year.

Santino has been in MLS since 2001.

As to your statement that Kirk has been playing better in the offseason, I have not seen either play this year, so I do not have an opinion. So, I will just have to trust the coach's decision as to who will be starting and playing. Check his mlsnet bio. He has played since 2005 or maybe 2006, because I remember him playing a lot in 2006.

[Leaky123]

Personally, in my completely unauthoritative and relatively uninformed opinion, I would start Quaranta.
I wanted to bring up the element of his familiarity with the team as a former player, but the only offensive player I can think of that was here during his last DC tenure is Moreno (and Olsen, but his absence is the reason Q might be playing). Still though, I guess there's some familiarity with DC's style of play at least.
I think I'm probably just more comfortable with Quaranta because I've actually seen him play. I've never seen Kirk play, despite all the good things I've read this preseason.
So I would start Quaranta, and Kirk can be a great sub for him when his historically not-so-great (but allegedly much improved) fitness starts to waver.

[AMERICANS SC]

Check his mlsnet bio. He has played since 2005 or maybe 2006, because I remember him playing a lot in 2006.

Fair enough.

He was drafted in 2005, but did not play in a MLS game because of injuries.

He played a lot in 2006 and 2007.

Even if you take away last year from Quaranta's resume, he still has more experience than Kirk.

So I would still quetion the "experience" argument.

Let's just hope the coaches know what they are doing and pick the player who is in better form on Wednesday.

[CHICO13]

United's job description is easy. Score first, score fast, score often. Get the hell out of Kingston.

[Boda United]

As well as McT ended the season last year, it would be a shame to not see him start. Now the question, upgrade to get FSC or call a buddy and invite myself over for the game?

[Port 13]

As well as McT ended the season last year, it would be a shame to not see him start. Now the question, upgrade to get FSC or call a buddy and invite myself over for the game?

neither, come out to a viewing party (well, actually you should get FSC because it shows some good soccer and no home should be without it)

ok, now we just have to establish were people will be viewing. i'm looking for something around silver spring. have done the mcginty's thing, but no sound made less than perfect. anybody have any tips?

[Boda United]

neither, come out to a viewing party (well, actually you should get FSC because it shows some good soccer and no home should be without it)

ok, now we just have to establish were people will be viewing. i'm looking for something around silver spring. have done the mcginty's thing, but no sound made less than perfect. anybody have any tips?

That would be great but I'm stuck out here near Winchester where they think you have "a purdy mouth" if you mention watching soccer at a bar. :eek:

[bigredfutbol]

That would be great but I'm stuck out here near Winchester where they think you have "a purdy mouth" if you mention watching soccer at a bar. :eek:

When we first moved here we didn't even have basic cable for awhile. I had a very unpleasant experience trying to watch DC vs. the 'Quakes at a--shall we say--'NASCAR friendly' bar.

[BigKris]

As well as McT ended the season last year, it would be a shame to not see him start. Now the question, upgrade to get FSC or call a buddy and invite myself over for the game?

Easy. Upgrade to FSC, call your buddy and invite him to your place.

[bigredfutbol]

Easy. Upgrade to FSC, call your buddy and invite him to your place.

Word.

[fatbastard]

That would be great but I'm stuck out here near Winchester where they think you have "a purdy mouth" if you mention watching soccer at a bar. :eek:
There is a place (Jose's Pub) in Purcellville that shows soccer, but no FSC :(
DevonMcTavish.com is from Winchester, every bar in town should be showing United games :D

[nobletea]

As far as who plays right midfield, I think it will just come down to whoever is healthiest and fittest (likely still not Q1.2.0) and on best form.

This could end up being McT maybe. However, the call may even be close enough to warrant looking at matchups. I'm not familiar with Harbor's team, but I imagine the staff have scouted the team. If Kirk matched up better with whoever they have, I wouldn't hesitate to start him.

You can always make a change later.

[Mattgs84]

Anyone planning to put this game up on Sopcast like some were last year?

[Bootsy Collins]

I would rather put Kirk on right mid. The way hes been playing this off-season (even though...well its the preseason).

How have you seen how he's been playing?


But the way he played for the galaxy

They have mixed opinions about him -- "lot of potential held back for some reason", etc.


and hes had the exp. I know Tinos our factor, but Kirk has more experience. Thats my opinion.
Kirk has just over 1400 career MLS minutes. Quaranta has almost 5000. They both have U.S. youth team caps; Quaranta has senior national team caps. Kirk's international action has come more recently, but it seems hard to me to argue he has more experience.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not anti-Kirk by any means (I was happy about the Vanney trade, and I really hope he does well), and I'm not saying that Quaranta should start over Kirk. I haven't seen any of our several RM candidates play this year, so how do I know? (and even if I had, I probably still wouldn't know -- I watched Tom Brady play in college and decided that at best, he'd make a serviceable backup for some team in the NFL, and that's about it)