Hey, look, a Saturday night game! What: DC United (1-0-1) vs Real Salt Lake (1-0-1) When: Saturday, March 16, 8 PM Where: Audi Field! How to watch: FloFC. Or, you know, in person at the stadium. Or ESPN+. Or Reddit. Or whatever. Why: Week 3 of the MLS season Last week, DC United traveled up to Yankee Stadium to play on a terribly maintained bandbox of a field. The match saw United's chances get thwarted, but Bill Hamid stood on his head to ensure a 0-0 draw. No shame in a draw on the road in those conditions. RSL is also sitting on a 1-0-1 record, with everyone's favorite wanker Mike Petke coaching his team to a draw in Houston to open the season and topping Vancouver 1-0 last week on an Albert Rusnak PK. This will also be Nick Rimando's last match in DC, as he's retiring after the season. Win at home. Vamos!
Referees: REF: Dave Gantar AR1: Jeff Hosking AR2: Eduardo Mariscal 4TH: Kevin Broadley VAR: Silviu Petrescu AVAR: Craig Lowry
The Nicky Rimando farewell tour, stop #3 Dude did a lot for us ..... with a loss in his column, I hope he still has an enjoyable game and is treated not-unkind by the supporters. My wife's all-time favorite banner was up behind the goal during the 2004 Eastern Conference final: Jesus Loves, Nicky Saves That being said, I hope his defense leaves him hanging over and over and he has a relatively poor outing, say giving up between 5 and 10 goals I really have no idea who else plays for them. DCU - 4 RSL - 1 It'll be cold by today's standards, but a balmy, dry 50ish degrees at kickoff will feel awesome compared to opening day.
I could see this one going out 2-nil for us. I'd expect a good showing from the supporters for Rimando, he did help us win a title after all and he's always been a class guy on the field. He was never one of my favorites in goal, but he's defied expectations by pretty much always being on the right side of the razors edge with his saves where had no margin for error.
Rimando got a lot of heat here for "flapping at crosses." What do you expect when you are 5'10" (in reality - and I've stood next to him - more like 5'8")? He has had a standout career for club and country and still has quick reactions and great footwork. Back in August he led a poll of fans and players as best all-time MLS goalkeeper.
Agree that 5'10" is more than generous. I stood next to him at a WC viewing at the old ESPN Zone in 2002, and he was barely taller than me and I'm 5'6" on a very good day. He was the GK on the last DCU MLS Cup winners, so there's always that. Petke was also part that squad as well. When they aren't here, I wish them well. However on Saturday I want to see a RSL absorbe a 4-0 ass-whipping put on by Rooney, Lucho, Arriola and Titi.
Saturday will be my first game. I had to give up opening night, bball coaching responsibilities. Given the weather- I'm glad I watched from home! I predict 3-1 for DCU. We are very solid at home. With the fall-esque weather I expect the crowd to be much better on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see how the competition for L wing shapes up. For me, Titi Rod. has not been overly impressive. I suspect Olsen is giving him some time to adapt to the league, even if the performances aren't stellar. As others pointed out, Segura looked quite good in the last game. He had a bigger physical presence, and this is still often needed in MLS. He also had a handful of shining creative moments in 1v1 situations out on the wing. To be fair, Segura had the benefit of coming in late in the game and was running against a tired defense. Among the wingers, Stieber seems to be the odd man out. It is too bad that we can't seem to find some use for him. He is a quality player with experience at the international level. Maybe, he could play in the center as a sub for Lucho (when he inevitably gets tired from working his butt off)? Just a thought. To be continued tonight. Vamos!!
It was perplexing that Olsen did not use all of his subs last game. Especially when Lucho looked completely gassed. In addition, I know that it is early in the season but I don't think that Rooney is going to be able to play full 90 every game and still be fresh late in the season. I can only guess that Olsen believed that there was always a chance that Lucho or Rooney could come up with a moment of magic late in the game. I suspect he will be more liberal with the subs at home. Tonight, if the game allows, hopefully we will see Durkin for Moreno. We also need to determine what Amarikwa has to offer. If Amarikwa is not useful, we need to figure this out sooner rather than later. I thought that Titi might be able to play up front in a pinch. However, so far he has not struck me as a goal scorer. So, I suspect that if Amarikwa proves impotent up front, we will need to pick up a striker in the midseason transfer window.
Guess we'll see. The parity in the league makes it so hard to predict. We always come out with a lot of energy at home. It would be nice to get a bit of luck and see that translate into an early goal. Officiating is always important for us. Will the ref allow RSL to rough up Lucho (like in the Columbus playoff game last year) or will he call early fouls and maybe even show an early card? If Lucho is protected, we will be hard to stop. We looked a bit vulnerable on the counter (especially after our own corners, like the bad old days) last game. In addition, we seemed to have trouble in the preseason with teams that sat back and hit out on the counter. So, RLS' approach to the game will be interesting to see. However, team defense has been great so far and Hamid looks strong. He had a few great saves last game that will feed his confidence. I see no reason not to feel good going in to this game.
I'm also hoping for subs. Hopefully we're up by at least 2 goals by 60th minute. I'd like to see Rooney get a rest at that point and see what Segura can do at striker, assuming Ben is still considering him as an option there. I'd also like to see Durkin come on for Acosta to lock the midfield down. And maybe Stieber for Rodriguez just to get a few minutes under the belt.
Is that Code of Conduct video new? The guys read it like they’re in a police line up. It’s unintentionally hilarious.
after telling everyone to just subscribe to ESPN+ and use a VPN, it looks like ESPN is blocking my VPN or something. Very disappointed that it won't work. But not disappointed enough to subscribe to the flo. One more nail in my caring about DCU coffin.
I got a VPN service so I could subscribe to ESPN+, but when I sign up for the seven day trial I get a spinning wheel of activity that's stuck. Any suggestions from the brain trust?
Penal! Goal Rooney! 35' | @WayneRooney steps up and buries the PK! 1-0 United!#DCU | #DCvRSL pic.twitter.com/BBscS7tAw4— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 17, 2019
DC United site says Flo costs $8.99, but once on the Flo site it's $12.49. What is everyone else paying?
ESPN Match-tracker says Rooney just scored a second goal. Is that right? I guess it is: 41' | WHAT A CHIP! @WayneRooney has a brace and we're up 2-0!#DCU | #DCvRSL pic.twitter.com/ybKyaKYU9M— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 17, 2019 41' | Easy as you like! @WayneRooney!#DCU | #DCvRSL pic.twitter.com/gCGnutHajE— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 17, 2019