This week is the trial by fire

[ElJefe]

Wednesday night: at San Jose

Saturday night: home vs. LA

This is the week that'll tell us if the Burn have the mettle to be championship contenders.

[burning247]

I want to know what everyone thinks will happen in the San Jose game. Will we play better since a win will put us at #1 or will it be a re-run of last visit to Spartan Stadium.

[ElJefe]

I'm sort of treating both the matches this week together, since a win at Spartan on Wednesday night will mean nothing if we lay an egg at home on Saturday night. Conversely, a win at home on Saturday night will be a bit hollow if we get slapped around on Wednesday.

I'm not saying that the only acceptable results this week are two wins. But if we get those two wins, then we can safely say that yes, the 2002 Dallas Burn are championship material. Otherwise, there are still doubt.

If you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best. And this week is our opportunity to beat the best.

[Northside Rovers]

Originally posted by ElJefe
If you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best. And this week is our opportunity to beat the best.

I was talking about this with a friend of mine at work earlier today. This is Hell Week.

Are we a contender or a pretender? We'll know by Midnight Saturday. In year's past, the team hasn't always met the challenge.

But this is NOT your daddys Dallas Burn. This is a new team but there is no way we can go into San Jose and lay an egg like the last time we were there. These are pressure soccer games and I hope the team responds like we know they are capable of.

But you know what sucks? I'll tell you what sucks. I have to go to frigging New Jersey for a wedding. I leave Wednesday and come back Sunday. I am going to miss the 2 biggest Burn games of the year, won't even be able to see them on TV. Damn brother-in-law. He's KILLING me.

[Viking64]

I look at it this way.

They win both, and they have the other teams mighty worried.

They lose both, it does not mean they cannot win it all. It does mean it will be an uphill battle to do it.

Beating SJ on the road is actually bigger meat to me. You take their home points, and all of sudden meeting Dallas in the Semi's is a scary thought for little Landon.

Four points in these two games in any combination, and the Burn are a secure 2nd in the league.

[Hitman]

Just so everyone knows..

Suarez is out for Wednesday... Even without the knee injury he would have been out due to caution points anyway...

He going to see a Dr. about his knee.

[SgtSchultz]

This is going to be one fun week. This is why major league soccer exists. Fans like ourselves get to watch 2 games that will help determine if the Burn will have a magical season. As for the LA match, I really hope that one is well attended. Anybody who is a fan in the DFW area should be there. Quality soccer in Dallas has arrived. Be careful, if you watch it, you will become addicted.

[ElJefe]

Originally posted by Hitman
Just so everyone knows..

Suarez is out for Wednesday... Even without the knee injury he would have been out due to caution points anyway...

He going to see a Dr. about his knee.
Translation:

We're going into the toughest two-match stretch of the season with Zarco Rodriguez at right back.

I'm not sure how I should feel about that. Two years ago, it wouldn't have bothered me. But now? Yeah, he had a decent game against the Metros, but he's had too many shaky games this year.

But at least Jeffries has caught on quickly when it comes to Percy Olivares.

[burning247]

Originally posted by ElJefe


But at least Jeffries has caught on quickly when it comes to Percy Olivares.

Amen brother, Amen. I'm so excited now, but I'm a little scared that we're playing San Jose in San Jose with no Suarez. Oh **** it, I'm really scared, COME ON GUYS, WE NEED THE WIN! We can take care of little fish $hit and the Gals on Saturday, but Wednesday is gonna be the killer.

[sweeper33]

Originally posted by Northside Rovers

Damn brother-in-law. He's KILLING me.

He ain't your brother-in-law yet! Blow off the wedding and come to the games!

[sweeper33]

Originally posted by Hitman

Suarez is out for Wednesday... Even without the knee injury he would have been out due to caution points anyway...



I wonder if that's why he took such a hellacious roll when he was chopped down by Williams. I'm sure it hurt, but if he knows he's out next game with yellows do you think he played it up to try to get Andy Williams ejected? He seemed pissed off when Williams was "still out there?"

I'm a HUGE Suarez fan and I love the fact that he takes *************** from NO ONE ie. Stoitchkov, Petke etc... But I'd like to see him flatten opponents with his skills and save the drama now and then. You know, live by the sword - die by the sword. I think he's becomming a target to opposing players who know they can get under his skin.

Imagine him in the World Cup match against Mexico. The US players showed a HUGE amount of restraint and resolve in the face of goading tactics by an outclassed opponent. Restraint and resolve can get you to the big show. I hope over time Ryan adds these elements to his MONSTER skills.

[Chamo]

While it is easy for us to look at the two
games as one. The team needs to play the games one at a time. The game vs SJ is a statement game. They need to go for the win, settle for a draw. Then they can reload and ambush LA at home on Saturday. LA also plays on Wednesday night, so they will not have any advantage over our beloved Red and Black from a fatigue perspective.

La locura rojinegra