Who: D.C. United v. Real Salt Lake What: MLS When Saturday, August 12, 2017, 7:00 PM Where: RFK Stadium, Washington, DC, USA Why: 2018 Preseason Lineup I would like to see, assuming Stieber and Miranda are not eligible yet per reports: Hamid Odoi-Atsem Birnbaum Opare Kemp Canouse NDL Acosta Arriola Mullins Nyarko Worra Robinson Franklin Beuscher Marcelo Sam Brown yes NDL in the middle while Harkes is hurt. Why not? Can't be worse than Jeffrey/Marcelo. If Canouse is legit, NDL can do enough to be a competent link between the other center mids. And you know he'll put in the work on defence.
I can see Arriola -- maybe -- because he is match fit. Canouse was in pre-season in Germany. He will have had what, 3 practices with DCU before tomorrow? Do you really want to throw out a 22 year old who is not match fit to play one of the most demanding positions on the field in his first game in uniform? Credit to him if he says he's up for it, more credit to Olsen if he says "thanks, but watch the game from the bench and be ready about minute 70 if I need you to help lock down the game."
I'd pay to see that line-up. Well, I paid to see whatever they've been putting out before this weekend too so ..... I don't think Nyarko is dressing for this one, but hopefully he's back. Earlier in the year RSL was struggling but I've really stopped paying attention to other teams lately so I have no idea how they are doing right now. Either way, we'll kick their sorry asses. I would like to see the two new Americans but I don't think I want to see them start, though we may not have enough warm bodies left so we might have to start at least one of them DCU: 4 RSL: 2
Petke has definitely steadied the ship. They're coming in with a 5 game unbeaten streak, although the last 3 were draws. But before that they had two blowout wins on the road in LA and Portland. They're playing a new style now with our own alum Luis Silva as a false #9. Their real threat is the 3 attacking midfielders that play underneath Silva ... Plata, Rusnak and Savarino. They're all small, quick and creative. Their weak spot is probably their defense which has been struggling with injuries all year.
International transfer certificates are in for D.C. United's Paul Arriola and Russell Canouse. They're eligible to play Saturday vs. RSL— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 11, 2017
Yes and Yes. Arriola for sure - he's a DP and better than our other active wingers. He should absolutely start. I see your point with Canouse, and I think it comes down to fitness, but if he is fit enough, start him. I don't care if they haven't had time to "gel" with their new teammates. The current teammates haven't gelled. We brought these guys in for a reason, play them ASAP.
Bruno Miranda has received his ITC and work visa, now eligible for D.C. United. #dcu— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 11, 2017 I think he misspelled Richmond Kickers Ben Olsen says 1 of the 3 eligible newcomers will start v Real Salt Lake. With Lloyd Sam suspended, it's almost certainly Paul Arriola #dcu— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 11, 2017
Nyarko (concussion) and Kemp (hip) out per Goff. Based on that and the above I'll say: Hamid Franklin Birnbaum Opare Korb Marcelo Jeffrey Acosta Arriola Mullins NDL Worra, Odoi-Atsem, Robinson, Canouse, Buescher, Miranda, Brown
So Stieber still hasn't cleared yet? He was the first or second signing. You'd think he'd be done already. Was hoping to see him come on for the final 10-15 mins this Saturday.
I'd put Brown on the wing and start NDL over Jeffrey or Sarvas and Canouse over the other one. Cause we're not going to the playoffs so why they hell not?
My lineup: 4-1-4-1 Hamid Odoi-Astem Birnbaum Opare Korb Canouse Arriola Acosta NDL Nyarko Brown Worra, Robinson, Franklin, Marcelo, Miranda, Mullins Marcelo might start if Canouse isn't 60' fit. I don't want to see Jeffery get his third game in a row own goal
This is exactly what I don't want to see -- Marcelo and and Jeffrey. Stinks of defeat. How many times do we need to hit ourselves in the head before we stop the same shite? Anything else... Better to put in the youth and play offensively and try to win 4-3. Trying to not lose has gotten us nothing. Both Marcelo and Jeffrey should be gone next year. Build forward -- if one of them is in, that's enough pain for the fans...
Lineup : Hamid, Birnbaum, Opare, Odoi Atsem, Franklin, Jeffrey, Sarvas, De Leon, Arriola, Acosta, Brown Bench : Worra, Robinson, Korb, Canouse, Buscher, Mullins, Miranda. Interesting to see Odoi Atsem on the left. With De Leon in front of him, this is very much a makeshift left flank. Happy to see Canouse and Miranda in the 18 and hope to see both in 2nd half.
This looks exactly like I expected, better control midfield but no one with any real desire to put the ball in the net. It feels like we want to get the ball into the box or near it as our major goal and that's it.
Can't believe Miranda is listed there. Based on what I read, I thought they were looking at him for the future (2018) but they did say he'll have some playing time this season. Just as I mentioned in another thread (post #248), his major problem is not getting consistent playing time so I'm sure he knows that if he is subbed in tonight, he needs to showcase those "flashes of brilliance" so that he might actually be considered sooner than later. Wish this kid all the best! Make Bolivia proud, Bruno and make D.C. United proud as well! íVamos Bruno and Vamos United!
The interplay between Acosta and NDL has been really nice to see. Arriola looks good too, if on a separate page from the others on occasion. Jeffery really stands out in a negative way now, in terms of skill level. Brown and Mullins have to look at the rest of this season as a major audition for 2018. The midfield is improving, but it's for naught if the ball doesn't get in the goal. Brown's gotta lean on that near post run more, especially when it's coming from NDL/O-A's side.