Okay, based on yesterday and the USMNT callups... GK Thornton D Brown Curtin Gray Perez M Whitfield Pause Williams Mapp F Razov Ralph or maybe D Whitfield Brown Curtin Perez M Williams Pause Gray Mapp I'd actually love to see Ralph try the right side of midfield on for size, but obviously, my gut feeling is that Williams gets back into the lineup over Faria, Jaqua, Capano or Futagaki. I don't think that's too much of a stretch. Keller may disagree. Later, COZ
Here's an interesting read, especially since, by this logic, neither of United's two most important players will be on the field on Saturday (Nelsen is on New Zealand's Confederations Cup squad). I'm starting to think 3-4-3 and go for the throat from the opening whistle. Later, COZ
You can't look over DC. They are still without a win and desperately need a win NOW... especially at home. I think Hudson is feeling the pressure.
That said, DC says they're not looking to replace him anytime soon. Latest word is that some National Team players might get to play this weekend. My guess is Convey stays with DC. Looks like Landon opened a big can of worms. Still, DC is looking awfully weak in the middle, and if Nelsen is out, you have to like our chances against any backline held together by Mike Petke. Colorado really, really needed a win, too, and we pasted them. I don't know if they can pull off the cornered dog mentality over there. Later, COZ
The NY Times reported that Neslen will play for DC on Saturday. Not sure if I 100% believe that report though.
Does this mean we get DMB back? Sweet! The DCU fans seem to be under the impression that Nelsen plays for them Saturday. I think the Rapids players may have been trying to get Hanky fired but have given up since team management made it known that it blames the players and not the coach for their stinkitude.
The only thing I saw in print was that Nelsen "returns from red card suspension," which ignores the NZ thing entirely, so I'm not sure about it, either. Later, COZ
So who exactly are we going to have this weekend? Is Faria back? Jaqua is being loaned to Minnesota, but it's only for 1 game at Indiana tomorrow. So he'll be there. There is speculation that DMB might be released by the Nats to play on Saturday. However, Bocanegra will not -- he was going to have to miss Saturday's game due to yellow card point accumulation anyway. Assuming Faria is back, it still only gives us 14 field players without Beasley -- unless part of the Minnesota loan deal is that they're going to loan us a couple back for Saturday's game.
They really need to make those caution reports easier to read. Boca was in danger of missing this game IF he got a yellow in the last one, which he didn't. There are no suspensions for this week, league-wide. Again, we can field a starting lineup that looks like G Thornton D Whitfield Brown Curtin Perez M Williams Pause Gray Mapp F Razov Ralph and still have Capano, Futagaki, Faria (if he's back) and Jacqua on the bench. After some comments about CJ being shaky on the outside of a 4-man backline, and my own concerns about Williams in the middle without Armas backing him up, I'm liking this lineup. The only concern is depth on defense, but we can switch to a 3-man lineup there, or Pause can move back if need be. And maybe we can recall Nick Walls from his loan, for insurance. Later, COZ
Dave says we might have some of our Nats guys available, probably the younger guys. We could really use Beasley as he has been our MVP so far this season. By the way, kev, its an away game, so we are only allowed 5 subs anyway. If we have Beas and Boca: Ralph Razov Perez Beasley Pause Mapp Gray Boca Curtin Brown Zach subs: Ring, Jaqua, Williams, Capano, Whitfield if we dont have any Nats Razov Ralph Mapp Pause Williams Gray Perez Curtin Brown Whitfield Zach
True, I recall a game against the 0-6 Revs a bit ago where the Fire came out the loser in that one. Of course, I made the trip to that game, so maybe that was it... Hud son is feeling the pressure, but he also knows how long they stuck with Wrongen.
Okay, the latest on player availability is that everybody in the Nats camp might be available, but we'll find out for sure tomorrow. I think that, if Bruce lets Convey and Stewart go, he's got to let our guys go as well. Nelsen just seems to be trying to see how many games he can play in as short a span as possible. Also, Quaranta seems to still be out, and Etcheverry, if he can play, probably shouldn't, according to the DC boards. The important prediction on this one is how many goals will be Petke's fault. Later, COZ
Actually this looks like a very decent line up. I would expect some decent firepower out of this. Weakness will be the defense. The starting group looks fine, but we're definately thin in this area on the bench, Kelly Gray being the option. Luckily my sense is that he can play inside and outside. With a lead he might even come in for Mapp or Williams at the 70 minute mark.
I am hoping that we can get a full 90 out of Mapp. Coach Dave seems to take him out around 60/70 mark. Hopefully Mapp's fitness level will go up.
Um, why are none of us talking about tomorrow's game? On the face of it it looks like this should be easy, given the way both us and DC have been playing. But MLS has proven time and again that you can't count on anything. I don't think we'll see another 0-0 tie but I do think this will be a hard fought game. I can easily see DC scoring first on us (dare I say overconfident?). If that happens, it's gonna be a grinder. That said, I feeling like we might see goals out of both Razov and Ralph. I'm really starting to like their play together. I'll go 2-1 Fire, maybe 1-1 but I'm sick of draws.
I agree. I think they are suited well to play off each other. I think there were at least two, maybe even three instances during the San Jose game when Razov was in a good spot to recieve a pass for an easy goal from Ralph that never came but it was encouraging to see them get into those positions. Ralph will learn where to put the ball with more experience. Also, Ralph is so strong on the ball that he is drawing multiple defenders and that's going to make space for Ante to hit his rockets. If the defense holds up without Armas and Boca, I'd think we could take another three points here for sure.
I think you're mistaking the humor that accompanies resignation with being upbeat. You might want to take another look at the entirety of that thread.
Saturday morning pre match update from DC. Rain all day, tonight is gonna be ugly for field conditions. Bobby and Ryan have been cleared to play tonight, Stewart has not. The Barra will sacrifice me tonight if United loses. I know that breaks your hearts.