Whew. After all the news of the week, finally, a game to watch tomorrow! What: DC United vs New England Revolution When: Saturday, April 23, 2022, 1930 EDT Where: Audi Field Why: It's on the schedule How to watch: NBC Sports Washington, dcunited.com, ESPN+ out of market Betting odds: DCU +130, NER +180 (DC's favored?!) It will be interesting to see how the team comes out with Ashton taking over. Does he change formations? Does he keep some version of the 3-5-2/3-4-3? Will Flores and Estrada start, or will we see more of the kids? Injury report: Hamid is out (Kempin will be starting; Romo won't have his work visa yet), along with Najar, Odoi-Atsem, Perez, and Nyeman. Kamara is also out with his red card suspension. Vamos!
Chad's lineup choices will be interesting and revealing. Because of our long injury list, several usual first-teamers are not available. Still, he has choices to make. Does he start Taxi or bring him on later? Flores? Does he stick with the three center back concept - and who partners with Birnbaum and Hines-Ike? Does he give another start to the youngster Hopkins? How about giving Yow a run-out - he looked very good in the Open Cup match, and Kamara is out for this match. Ku-Di Pietro? And son on....
I see on social media that some of the supporters groups are boycotting the match. Wonder how wide-spread that will be.
I think it's just the District Ultras and La Banda Del Distrio who are "officially" boycotting. The Screaming Eagles definitely aren't. I don't see much on the Barra Facebook page other than a post here or there. It'll be quieter than usual without the main drumming, but I don't think their ultimate goal of having an empty Chico Stand is going to play out.
I might start with: Hopkins - Taxi - Robertha Smith - Durkin - Canouse - Gressel Pines - Birnbaum - Hines-Ike Kempin And end up with: Hopkins - Flores Yow - Djeffal - Durkin - Canouse - Gressel Alfaro - Birnbaum - Hines-Ike Kempin I don't like using Yow this way, but with Smith coming back from injury, I suspect we won't play him 90, and we don't really have a good backup.
Is Smith cleared to play? And it will be interesting to see if Chad thinks Flores is good enough to make the pitch. I think he will play, but may not start. And if Dfeffal is cleaared, I would expect to see minutes from him, also.
Goff doesn't mention anything about Smith in his twitter comment about who is available. Official injury report for NE Revs at D.C. UnitedNEQuestionable: Bell, Bou, Maciel, Spaulding, TurnerDCOut: Najar (6-8 weeks), Perez (4+ weeks), Hamid (~4 weeks), Nyeman, Odoi-Atsem(DCU's Kamara red-card suspension)#mls— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) April 22, 2022
Also, and I swear I had this idea about 7 days ago, but how crazy would it be to try Flores at the left wingback position. I know it's not his natural position at all but if he's willing to put in some work defending, I think I'd rather have him pinging balls from that spot or getting to the end line as opposed to Smith. In this scenario, Flores would become the new Paredes and Smith the new Mora. And the attacking element we lost without Paredes would be potentially be replaced somewhat... I know, kinda crazy, but I just don't see him beating out anyone for a spot in the attack. Could be painted as an opportunity to get on the field...
Me: I don't understand the concept of benching DPs. Make them run until they die. If it means a 20-game losing streak, then the FO can suck it. Also Me: I have no idea why I can't get a job as a pro soccer coach.
I hope you are wrong but I suspect you are right. Personally, I would love to see the supporters section empty on Saturday. #KasperOut #EmptyStand
That's the problem with the smallest group(s) trying to make a statement. And the Eagles aren't going to protest like that. They never have.
District Ultras and La Banda Del Distrio are minor league, little real effect. Children having a tantrum.
I'm eager to be there in person to see if I can discern any difference in the lineup; method of play, or enthusiasm. Losada's firing was a shock, to be sure, but It's not as if the ownership ditched a wildly successful manager. And we kept his hand-picked assistant, Frutos, who know Losado's methods as well as Ashton knows the team. I think tonight would be a great time to be at Audi.