Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th Janicki is not speedy and he isn't the best at positioning himself in a match, but I don't see Moreno torching him with pace. He doesn't tend to torch anyone. The bigger threat is late runs into the box by Gaven and Scheletto after Moreno knocks it down and/or DC defenders don't make solid clearances. My keys to the game ... + Simms and his midfield partner must not fail to mark runners Ekpo, Gaven and Scheletto in the final third. Namoff and John/Burch/Whomever must judiciously step up to challenge these guys before they get a head of steam. + DC must clear second balls quickly and not let Crew get knock-downs and second-chances from the top of the 18 after Ale Moreno knock-downs and squibbed headers from DC defenders/Wicks punches. + DC must play wide effectively (impossible with N'Silu in the game) and make Hejduk and Zayner work a lot in defensive 1/3 and force Columbus's central mids to drift wide. + DC must put a few shots on goal from 20 - 25 yards, which will force O'Rourke and Iro to play higher when DC has possession, where O'Rourke is prone to foul and Iro is not nearly as effective. Hopefully DC has a lot more mobility and Columbus comes out a bit burned-out after a long-match on Tuesday. I would like to see Pontius and Gomez play from the start, probably with Khumalo as the 2nd forward. I would like to see Olsen (if ready) play wide right and Wallace and Simms in the middle. If Fred is ready, he can start on the left side ... or perhaps he has to sub-in there. In that case, slide Wallace to the left and let Jacobson start with Simms. I don't think the 4 man backline matches up as well with the system that Columbus runs. Would rather have the 3 with Janicki watching Moreno when he is central with Namoff and Burch stepping up to cover runners as they come past Simms/Jacobson or Moreno when he drifts wide. DC needs to let the ball do the work and maintain possession. Jacobson or McTavish and Burch (whichever starts) MUST not leave balls short as they dig them out of the midfield.
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th clamored is, though. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clamor
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th Actually, it's just a misspelling: Clamour (N). To cry out, vehement expression of feeling. That's the anglo-french spelling. I believe this side of the atlantic, clammer is also also acceptable.
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th In the context of the sentence, 'clamber' is the word he was looking for.
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th How old were the kids walking out with the teams?
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th Like, OMG Becky!! We get to be player escorts. They are, like, soooo cuuuute!! Totally tubular!!
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th Holy crap!! Was that a yellow for diving? Am I watching MLS? Crazy!
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th Someone should tell Khumalo to stop trying to cross. He can't do it.
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th great fast break. Cowlumbus had 8 players in the box and the ball went straight to wicks and he just holds it
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th The Nationals won. Does that bode well for DC sports? Classy kids in Columbus.
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th When you look at the play of N'Silu and Khumalo, it is amazement that Pontius is a rare find of a young player who plays with intelligence.
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th sorry for asking this here but I didn't see a match thread on the Columbus forums... but does anyone know why Rogers isn't playing?
Re: PRE-GAME - DC United vs Columbus Crew - July 4th Oh good, I thought it was just my TV. Boyzzz is 28. N'Silu is like 25 or so.