For once, it'll be nice to talk about this opponent without having everybody getting obsessed about some Ukrainian mediocrity. Instead, we get to talk about a meeting of the last two undefeated teams thus far. 6:30 PM on FSN Southwest for those with satellite and those with cable outside of the Houston area. However, if you have cable in the Houston area, you'll get to see the Dyna-blow at Colorado at 8.
DCU has an impressive win against Lokamotiv Houston, but wins versus Seedy Cheetos and a confused Metrobull are not. Throw in a home draw to Metrobull. FCD, on the other hand, has no impressive wins. Come from behind against Chitcago and RSL, lose a two goal lead at Colorado, and a miriacle against KC. That is, FCD is finding ways to win. These games are alwasy tough; from Bloody Sunday to Ruiz's bike. A draw will be tough, and full points will be a real stretch. DCU 2-1 FCD Dead but dreaming, Scipio Diabolus, vox fatum. http://www.contracafe.com Grounded for life. http://www.cato.org
I agree that FDC wins pretty unconvincingly with the scorelines. However, Dallas is really on a different level than most of the teams I've seen so far this year. Their counterattacking is excellent, and they finish their chances with capable forwards. I think they are better than DC overall, but if they have to lose a game this one might be it because DC is definitely one of the better teams in the MLS. I think FDC wins, or it's a tie, I don't see DC winning. The KC game was the worst that Dallas has had so far, and for most of the game was the better team. KC is better than DC in my book, thrashing the Red Bulls, doesn't convince me. 2-1 FCD
DC United 3 - 2. Ruiz gets his first goal and an own goal from Bobby Boswell. DC gets 1 from Moreno, 1 from Boswell and 1 from Adu.
its going to be a tough one, I'll be happy with a tie but Kovalenko or not, I still have a certain hate for DC and their shennanigans. I'd love to see another Ruiz (or Cooper, Mina, Pitch ) led 2-0 victory
The Gbandi red card opens up some interesting possibilities with the back four. Will it be: 1. Rhine - Moor - Yi - Vanney (The lineup used to close out KC) 2. Rhine - Goodson - Moor - Vanney 3. Rhine - Moor - Vanney - Wagenfuhr One thing is for sure, Clarke has options.
I'm hoping to see lineup #1. Both Moor and Yi showed more consistency and tougher play than Goodson has in several games. Perhaps they are just hungrier right now. But Vanney needs to be more selective when he pushes up. Heck, when Chastain is calling up to the booth to point that out, you know it's a problem.
I cant stand DeeCee DisUnited. Their fans claim they are the flagship franchise. Beating the joke that is NYRB twice is no reason to fear these losers. Good Guys 4....DC 2.
Offensively, DCU is playing some impressive soccer. Alecko's second goal and the last goal were quite skillish on how to attack the center of the 18 yard box. Wish we could do that more. I'm hoping for a draw but fearing the worst.
It better be. It's the only attack they have. I am concerned that like last year, FCD is getting wins when no other team really cares about the regular season. DCU does not care yet. FCD draws 1-1.
This is the perfect game to experiment and rest some people. We've proven we can get results by hook or by crook with whatever our best 11 is that day. It's now time to start building for September. Prepare for the summer grind and the heat. Use Big Bob as much as possible now, because in May and June you might not get to use him at all. Protect Fish, KCJ, and Simo, as much as possible. Forwards: Sit Cooper and Ruiz. Run a 4-5-1 and let Big Bob pound on them for 60 minutes. Then bring on one of Cooper and Ruiz, plus Abe, with a double sub. One of Cooper/Ruiz needs 89 minutes of rest. Mids: Reward Pitch for his 94th minute (euroquality) strike. Rest Simo. Alvarez/Nunez/Willo/Pitch/ROB. D: no clue, will take Chamo's option #3: Rhine - Moor - Vanney - Wagenfuhr -bs
How about playing Drew on the left? Rhine - Goodson - Vanney - Moor I'm still not completely sold on Yi. He tends to be a little shaky at times, and while I am a Wags fan? He seems to have fallen out of favor- which is a shame. I like him. I do, however, like option #3. KC was sending balls up that right wing like crazy on Sunday, but whenever Bobby was forced to mark his man I noticed Drew would always come over to back him up. That added sense of security WILL come in handy one of these games. I don't know how well Goodson and Vanney can do that for their fullbacks, but I like keeping Drew next to Bobby- for what it's worth.
If Jason Biggs Eskandarian scores a goal and runs over and eats pizza hut and then spits it out like he did with Red Bull (THAT was funny, THIS would not be ), I am gonna run and punch him in his short bus helmet head...or the TV, at least...
That would just be in line with most of my dating history... "You must spread some rep blah blah blah." I could always write a bad poem for my TV, right FC Koshigaya?...I figured I would just say it before you did, you effin vulture
iirc FCD KO'd dcu 2x in '05 in dc --- mls + usoc. Ruiz bike (Mina assist) ROB dominated the park Yi, Abe, and Clay are from there --- I predict: FCD win. Rapids were lucky to tie us. ______ Don't anthropomorphize televisions --- they hate that.
What is the word on Charras? Is his paperwork done? Might he be on the travelling squad to the nation's capitol this weekend?