Aug 25 - Sat 4:00 PM at Montreal Impact Viewing party at The Queen Vic in DC No TV per the DC website
Feo keep the leadel free to add to whatever thread we go with. But I will take 3 here. Chicago was 7-1-2 in the last 10. The fire looked contained, pedestrian even while DC won the 50/50. DC showed mettle to keep the lead and even to extend it not once but twice. Camara is out for the next match and he is load for those geezers. Dudar and Bosko will be great additions.
I don't think so. AFAICR, he was not on either the 1 or 2 caution list, prior to the Chitcago match. BTW, Mods - if you're watching, why is the DC/Chitcago post-game thread locked?
The Montreal Physical Impact? Sounds like a weird French work out video with moustached men wearing spandex and doing jumping jacks.
There's probably a temptation to stick with the formation from last night against Montreal. Honestly, I think I'd prefer going back to the diamond 4-4-2, at least to start. Managing minutes is going to be important, so I think Olsen has to start Boskovic, who hasn't played a lot yet. My understanding is that Montreal isn't particularly thuggish, so if there is a game for Boskovic to go the full 90, this may be it. Depending on how the game shapes up, finding a way for Najar to not go the full 90 before TFKAM might be key (assuming from last night that he is in the process of running himself into the ground). None of which is to say a weakened line-up is advisable - a six point swing with DC's closest pursuer (who have been playing well) - I hope Olsen doesn't get distracted by the Metros game and give us a line up with King, Tan, and Pajoy all starting. I, too, like watching the Metros flounder at RFK, but strategically, the Montreal game is too big to shrug off.
Anyone who thinks this match is an easy 3 points isn't paying attention. Montreal is tough at home and just housed Red Bull and San Jose in back-to-back home matches. I'd be thrilled with a draw. Olsen will have to make lineup changes because of the big match at home next Wed vs Red Bull. That is the more imminently winnable match in the near future. I'm not suggesting United go paws up for this match in Montreal. I just think based on the fixture congestion and their recent road form, you could put out any combination of United players and most likely won't make a difference. I think a big mistake would to throw in a full strength squad. Make a couple of moves and keep the squad mostly intact and try to sneak out of Canada with 3 points.
Normally I agree with this approach. But for the sake of argument... This team seems to do well when it is on a streak. Typical of young players full of confidence. Being smart in Montreal might cost us that mentality and put us back where we have been for a while, which is a little up and down. And at this point in the season, virtually every 3 points matter, no matter where you take them or when. I'm not sure which approach I would take just yet, but I see value in both. With the nature of our team as I see it, I'm tempted to go balls out the rest of the way and gets points when you get them.
Not sure what actually got posted to start as I got an error when I first tried to start this thread. I see it got started and I am further not sure that is what I posted. But ... Men in spandex; now there was a memory best not remembered; thanks.
The "physical" part was in reference to Montreal's number of fouls. When I adjusted for the number of matches that Montreal has played, they drop into the middle of the MLS pack. Interesting stat, even if I don't adjust for matches played, but look at fouls caused minus fouls suffered, Montreal falls into the middle of the pack. In other words Montreal causes a LOT of fouls but is fouled just as much. That equals a physical match IMO. Arnaud, Martins, Bernier and Nyassi are leaders in the league. The no talent Lenhart and Montreal's Camara paired up in the match last weekend, you knew it was going to be ugly. Montreal just went at Lenhart from the opening whistle, it was a team effort, Wondo was going around like a school child pleading his case for the bullying to stop. Yep Montreal fouled Lenhart multiple times without being called for it and when the explosion came, it was Lenhart as usual, who had initiated the scrum by throwing his hands up as if to say, "what me?". Oh Lenhart threw his hands up directky in Camara's face. I would not be surprised to see Montreal, coached by Jesse Marsch (one the top all time MLS leaders in fouls) turn the match into a brawl. Nothing personal, just a physical brawl amoungst men ...
I wouldn't. Montreal is very similar to Chicago. A low tempo team with some older pieces. They allow their opponents a fair amount of possession and tend to rely on the occasional counter attack from Nyassi or an individual play from Felipe and Bernier. They also get their fair bit of luck to help their offense ... They've scored several penalty kicks. And oh yeah ... they're still an expansion team. So this is as good of an opportunity for 3 points on the road as we've had in awhile. I think we can beat Montreal handily if we play our game. I'd like to see : -------------------------------------HAMID NAJAR ------------DUDAR----------------JAKOVIC-------------KORB PONTIUS---------KITCHEN-------------SARAGOSA-----------DELEON -------------------------------BOSKOVIC --------------------------------SALIHI Now without Cruz I worry about our depth at wing, so I would try to manage the minutes of De Leon and Pontius to keep them fresh for Wednesday. I could see a sub of De Ro coming in for either winger, moving Boskovic to the wing for awhile.
Ya think Red Bull and San Jose didn't think the same way? How did they end up? They got worked. And, they don't have United's putrid road form to build off of. Again, considering what United has done on the road in recent months, I'd be thrilled with a draw. With all due respect, if you think they're going to walk in there and boss around Montreal on their field, well then, be prepared to be disappointed (again). For the record, I hope I'm 100% wrong and your scenario works out - I will go with history and the eyeball test..
Dear god, please don't give us Geiger. The Queen Vic is the viewing location? DAMN THE MAN for making me go to a wedding that day! Not mine, of course, I'd totally ditch that $#!t for a game.
If that line-up is correct, Ben could conceivably use DeRo as a sub for Pontius and Neal as a sub for DeLeon.
i think this is a match that we need to be quite wary of. expansion team or not, like some y'all said, they've looked good in their last couple home matches. that said, i always think the boys can get it done so here's to hoping they will!! puttin a little bit more distance between us and montreal will make all of us breathe a little easier!
BMac always seems to get the starts, but why not something like this? -------------------------------------HAMID NAJAR ------------DUDAR----------------JAKOVIC-------------KORB DELEON---------KITCHEN-------------SARAGOSA-----------BOSKOVIC -------------------------SALIHI-------------PONTIUS
Not much room to discuss speculative moves, but I thought it'd be fun to consider a potential deal after rivalry week. Juan Toja coming to MLS through allocation next week. We're 5th in the process and honestly, I would love to see him take over the starting left midfielder position lol. Toja, Kitchen, DeRo and Najar at midfield could work really well, although I know people like Najar at right back. People deride Russell, but he was probably our best outside back at the beginning of the year, but eventually was overtaken by Woolard in that position. He was still extremely solid. Once he is back we'll have good depth and be fine at defense. --------------Pontius----Pajoy----------------- Toja---------Dero--------Kitchen--------Najar Korb(Woolard)---Jakovic---McDonald----Russell -------------------Hamid------------------------ Yes please!
Montreal has won four in a row. They are chasing United for that playoff spot, and since United has three games in hand, this is really a must win for them. A draw on the road is almost always a good result, but particularly in this case. Gotta gang up on Felipe and give them nothing. Play a smart road game, this is a necessary step for this team. A clean sheet should be the goal, first and foremost.
Anyone going up to Montreal for the game? I am looking for a good reason to take a road trip and my lady doesn't seem too into on short notice.
Per DCU Injuries and Discipline Report: Out(injury): Woolard, Russell, Rozeboom Out(Red): Boskovic, Dudar Probable: DeRo (shoulder) Questionable: Neal (L abductor strain), Santos (R toe) With that in mind, my SXI guess: -------Pajoy---------------------- ---------------- DeRo------------- DeLeon Kitchen Saragosa Pontius Korb Jakovic McDonald Najar --------------Hamid---------------- I would prefer to see Salihi start, but think he is best as a supersub against an aging Serie A backline. Ben won't sit DeRo; maybe pull him after 60 minutes or so. I go Najar and Korb as outside backs since I wouldn't want to rush Woolard or Russell into the lineup without knowing if they fully healthy and ready for 90min. I've got Pontius out of position on the right. I figured him and Najar would make runs into the attack and provide service into the box and cover for one. That plus it put less responsibility on DeLeon and Korb to push forward. Let's keep the streak going; 3pts Vamos United
Tuesday/Friday they re-do the report. That and the match preview should be available on MLS.net later today. Thx, Jay!
I saw on twitter that Nesta will play tomorrow for Montreal. I'm not quite sure who that is but people seeemed excited when he got signed. He was good a while ago I take it.