I'm going to put in my two cents from the point of view of the opposition. KC is perhaps the most consistent team in MLS. Y'all had a couple of slip ups this summer, but in general you play excellent, team oriented soccer. Solid defense, good midfield, and a zany offense. DC United has had an up and down season, but in the past 8 games we've only lost once (and didn't tie at all). DC plays a much more dynamic game (which has its ups and downs). When played well, our midfield dominates the middle third allowing us to maintain posession. With posession our triumverate of Moreno, Eskie, and Gomez generally manage to pull something out. However when we are off, or missing critical players, it leaves us wide open to counter attacks (which KC are very good at). In regards to the NE game, we were missing our team captain/central defender Ryan Nelson. This helps explain the number of goals scored against us. In addition, NE played some brilliant football (which honestly surprised the hell out of me). I'd honestly give DC United a 50% chance of pulling it off, and if I wasn't such a fan I wouldn't want to put money on it. Whatever happens, it's going to be a brilliant game. --kravi Vamos United! Vamanos!
With KC's stifling defense I expect a low scoring contest, much like the 2000 MLS Cup. 1-0 or a 0-0 draw wouldn't surprise me, but I hope that I'm wrong. A nationally televised final needs a game like Saturday night, but I don't expect one from a Ganzler coached team. Yes I know you scored three against SJ, but DCU has a better defense and a choppy, niggling standoff is very likely IMO.
Yeah, but secretly he's working to bring you down from the inside. It will all come to fruition on Sunday...MWHA HA HA HA!!!! ps. joeguy.....niggling?
So if D.C is hot what is K.C? Remember that K.C beat San Jose 3-0 in a must win by three goal game. And look at what we did to L.A. 2-0 and they had maybe 3 shots all game!! K.C has to be the most hot team in MLS if that makes any sense...
So, it would seem to me that we have no roster changing injuries. Zavagnin played the whole match. I heard that Moreno got hurt a little in that match with the Revs. He was limping. Anyone know his status?
On a chat today on the Washington Post site, DCU beat writer Steven Goff said about Moreno "Just leg cramps, but I will get an update at practice tomorrow." About Bryan Namoff, he said "Namoff was hurting, but not believed to be anything serious. I'll check his status tomorrow at practice."
Quakes fan here... I will be in SoCal this weekend, but not for the Cup final as planned. Instead, I am going to be seeing family, but just wanted to wish you luck and say you have a fan for the weekend. Keep it in the West!!
Regarding the KC/DC Concert at HDC... As a fan of the Galaxy and a supporter of MLS, I wish your team luck in utterly destroying Adu's chances of a rookie ring during the KC/DC concert at Victoria Street. Any questions? Tommy Mack LA Riot Squad
Re: Regarding the KC/DC Concert at HDC... If I can't get rid of my tickets (see below), I'll be there rooting against DCU, which I guess means I'll sort of be rooting for your team. If you can't pull off a win, please at least do some serious damage to Kovalenko. Thanks in advance for your help. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2283454653&ssPageName=ADME:B:LC:US:1
That may be true. But he was having more problems than usual. Watch his penalty kick again. Very weak. But he's probably okay for Sunday.
Also remember that DC is unbeaten in the post season, reagrdless of the score. KC, I believe, has been shut out quite recently.... ....DCU gettin it done!
Did you guys see how weak Rimando is in the air? Noonan is no giant and beat him squarely on the third goal, and there were other examples. I think he needs a steady diet of crosses with Stephenson, Taylor, Conrad et. al. on the end of them. That's how KC wins this.
It reminded me of the one the McBride missed on the Wolff dive a few months back against ...Poland, I think.
A game guide is now up on MLSnet.com: http://www.mlsnet.com/pdf/cup_gameguide.pdf Looks like everyones vertically challenged ref gets the center honor after being the center in only 12 games this year. Yes the one with the Napoleanic control issue, Mr Michael Kennedy. Doesn't call a ton of fouls or cards but does give up quite a few PK's (8 in 12 games he did - tied for first) interestingly enough. Although it doesn't contain the injury report, it does say Meola is definetly out for this one. Both teams will get to wear their home uni's!!! Nice statistical layout on a few things.
Although on one page it does say that he is definitely out, on page four it says he is not listed on the this week's injury report, which meshes with the following: http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041110&content_id=18622&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp[/URL]