It's going to be a really long week ... And if all goes well the agony will persist past Thursday night. Pass the Tums ... No Flames No Trolls Just a smidgen of tortuous hope
I'm actually most nervous about our match. Colombus just beat Chicago last weekend and are currently playing better, and we all know that New England is playing better than New York / New Jersey.
Yeah I'm kind of in this boat. I don't care how they get it done, just get it done. Also, if they do back into the playoffs, then they might be on a mini-roll, as well as being the 2nd team this season to win 3 in row. Big game for Q2. DC-3 Burn-1
Hoping for the needed win but we have not looked good without Etch very often. Someone needs to step up and get us an early lead. Will Reyes be chasing Kreis all over the field with Pope and ?? manning the rest of the back line. Can we keep Richie on the bench?? I am nervous already and it is a long time til Thursday night.
How many goals do we need to not break the record for least goals per game in a season? Two? How about DC 2-Dallas 1. To make it really, really, amazingly heart-wrenching, let's take it into overtime.
I am hopin that Reyes has another great game! He is one of the few on the team that give 110%+, for every game. I still say put Richie in back, and move Milton up into the midfield, Milton has so much more to offer on offense. I think it would be a great cap off to his season for him to blast in a game winner! I know, I know, he's a defender, but at DC United, that's a technicality when it comes to scoring goals this season.. This one will be another heart medicine special, but the 12th man and the lads will pull it through! United 2, Burn 1 Mark
This will be interesting. I personally haven't been impressed when I've seen Suarez this year (though Broome has had an outstanding year and his speed creates problems for people on overlaps). But regardless of how you evaluate the merits of those two, to lose your 2 starting outside backs makes a big difference. Morrow is a cool head and good organizer--and T-Bone is a physical presence. But what these matchups mean is that overlaps and runs down the side of the field are potentially big for us--this is a match where Convey (if he's playing outside) and Olsen need to be major forces if we're going to have a sustained attack. However, with the success of the past 2 matches, the compressed schedule, the absence of Prideaux (and McKinley still gimpy), I suspect we'll still go with the 3-4-3 (which would put Convey in the middle). Don't get me wrong--I like what he's done the past 2 games. But we're going to have trouble getting past Morrow and T-Bone while the flanks are potential problems for Dallas (especially if those flank attackers are Convey and Olsen). A plus on that approach is that it would force Vaca to play more defense and contribute less on attack (and I know Pareja has had a good season but without Joselito's support, I think our defense can get it done). I know folks lament ABMOD but this is a match where he's a good fit for Pareja. Pareja won't have the speed to blast past him (ala Donovan). He doensn't have such a sizeable technical edge (well, everyone has it over Williams but that's another matter) to create major mis-matches. And don't forget, Cerritos is done for the season. Dallas is a fine team but I definitely agree with the comment that they've peaked--their best play is behind them. I think if we can push them down the sidelines (and that puts Vaca further back plus Broome--a key part of their attack--is missing), Williams should be able to stiffle Pareja. That means Kreis and Rhine won't get the service that they need. Then it's just down to whether or not we can finish our chances (which has been a question mark every game this year).
I think ABMOD plays: --------------------Rimando Reyes---------------Pope----------Namoff ------------------Williams Olsen--------------Alegria---------Villegas ------------------Convey ------------Curtis----------Quintinilla/Zambrano -My guess is that Reyes will not man-mark Kreis as we have so few veteran defenders out there and because the Burn have several other useful attacking options to use if we open up any part of the field. So I expect Reyes too play back with Pope and Namoff. - I have Williams playing behind Alegria because I see Chino bringing the ball forward more in support of Convey (who will do a fair amount of tracking back as well.) Bobby, Chino, and Wee One need to play tight and fast for us to do well. Hmmm... I guess I should say Convey must play fast as the other two don't. Chino will hold the ball. I agree with Joe- this is a good game for Williams. -Compared to the last metros game, I expect to see a lot out of Olsen and Villegas as they will be rested. They also have a lot to handle with Vaca and Martinez but at least this time we aren't giving away size. I expect them to look to penetrate more to goal. Our offense will be generated by these two plus Convey. Having the Burn missing their two starting outside backs is like a gift from heaven. -I also expect Hudson to play the hot hand (as he can't resist doing so) and start Curtis. Don't know who starts with him. Not a clue. Rocket Roy off the bench at the end if we're behind or if, for some reason, we need to sucker Matt Jordan into a red card.
McKinley? Does anyone know McKinley's injury status? Maybe Diceson will have an update for us with Practice Notes this week, if he comes throughfor us as he usually does. I think that Ursula has the nearly the right lineup, but if McKinley is ready to play, perhaps he gets some time in midfield - splitting time with Chino or Williams in the D-Mid or holding mid spot. Also not quite sure about starting Curtis. Without Etch we may want both Quintanilla and Zambrano at the outset to help us establish some possession. Curtis will not add much to that, and his speed is probably more effective exploiting tired defenders on a quick counter attack.
Re: McKinley? I agree with this. But to put a different spin on it, ask the following question: If DC United needs a goal late in a game or in OT, who would you rather see approach the scorer's table: Ali, Roy, Q2, or Zambrano? To me, the clear answer is Ali. Roy is not starting material. He is only useful if we must repeat the scenario from Saturday (that is, throwing all caution to the wind because we are a man up). Tim
First, let me state on the record that the ONLY reason I wasn't violently upset at the addition of Zambrano to this side is that we were limited to someone signed to an MLS contract, C-bus wouldn't deal Dante Washington unless we gave them Quaranta or Convey and "Z" is here for the remainder of the season (okay--3 reasons). Having said that, I think Zambrano is a good fit for this game. Why? First, T-bone will mark up on Curtis. That takes Curtis out of the match completely. Not that I'd expect Ali to be a playmaking fool out there but what he brings is his speed and quickness, physicality, and effort. T-Bone is perfect to counter that. He'll muscle Ali, run with him, tackle away anything he gets and beat him in the air. Starting Ali does nothing for us. Keeping him as a reserve though allows us ot put speed on the field at the end of the game. And T-Bone does make mistakes. And I want some speed on the field at the end of the game with a tiring Morrow (who isn't that fast to begin with) and with Broome--their fastest starter--not in the game. I think I'd start Zambrano. He's short--but none of our strikers are going to beat T-Bone and Morrow in the air anyway. He's not that fast (slower than Curtis, Quintanilla and Quaranta) but we're not going to outrun T-Bone. What he brings is possession and some craftyness. And the big slap at T-Bone is he gets sloppy--he'll make a stupid backpass, or have a brainfart and fail to fill space. A veteran is a good guy to have out there to pounce on his mistakes. Save Curtis for the second half when T-Bone and Morrow are tired. I think this game is basically going to be won or lost on the sidelines. If we dominate sideline play(Olsen-Yes! Villegas--well, not likely) than Chivas and Joselito are back defending and not creating danger. Then their attack is distinctly ordinary. If we allow Joselito and Chivas to surge forward, then William's efforts on Paraja count for less, Kreis and Rhine get better service, and they have a lot of speed on the attack. Mostly though, it means Olsen and Villegas and to some extent Convey or Alegria are further back the field and then our attack is....well....worse than it's been (and it's been bad). I'd really rather have Convey on the outside personally. But at least in the middle, maybe he can exploit Deering and Morrow--he'll be quicker than either of them and is very comfortable attacking people off the dribble.
You guys make a good case for starting Zambrano over Curtis. I concede! However I look at Hudson as someone who tends to ride a hot hand, er foot, and that foot at the moment is Ali. Regardless, the game will be won or lost on the wings.
Apparently from some quirky math, Etcheverry is apparently not suspended on Thursday.. This is what will probably happen: ------------------- Rimando --------------------- Reyes ------------- Pope --------------- Namoff ------------- Williams ---- Etch ------------------ Olsen --------------- Convey ------------- Villegas ------------- Q2 ---------- Zambrano ------------ I'm firmly in the "Curtis for super-sub" camp.. Ultimately we need to use him at his best.. He has shown more as a late game sub than as a 90 minute player (sort of like Cobi with the National Team).. Also keep in mind that we have one 2 straight games with this offensive minded lineup and that is key for confidence and cohesion.. Granted, the games against the Mutts weren't a barometer for beautiful footy, but confidence is everything and with United having a semi-good streak going lately (3-2-3 in the last 8 matches)..
I'll bet a RFK cheeseburger that Curtis does not start. The psychological edge he gives us is if he comes off the bench if we need a goal. That's a huge contribution, and Hudson has seen enough soccer to know that. Plus they don't sell cheeseburgers at RFK I don't think (well aside from the clubhouse) so I feel pretty safe on this one.
Since we're wagering RFK cheeseburgers, I'll wager one that Chino gets the start over ABMOD. I don't think he will, mind you, just that maybe he should - not that he's really a d-mid, but he can be tenacious when need be, and he's shown a lot of heart all season.
First, I think Richie Williams matches up much better against Pareja than does Chino Alegria. And, generally speaking, Dallas' buildup goes throw Pareja with strong assists from Broome, Martinez and Vaca. Get a good attack going down the wings and mark the heck out of Pareja and.....Rhine and Kreis and KJ have no service. Second, as I look at Dallas' record--especially how recently they've played a bunch of games (was it 4 in 10 days?), I really wonder how seriously they'll be taking this match. Don't mean they'll tank it. But I wouldn't be shocked to see key players (especially those with tired legs) coming out very early, b/c they're already in the playoffs.
When I thought Marco wasn't playing I figured we'd pull out a 1-0 game. But now that I know he's playing I think Convey becomes key for this game. If he plays well I see a 2-0, 3-1 kind of game.BTW it's been eeriely quiet around these boards lately, any sormun sightings?
Good guys 3-1 Dallas Fern Goals from Olsen, Q2 and Etch This is all supposing that Etch really is eligible. If not, we win 2-1 with goals from Convey and Pope.
One thing that I picked up on the Burn board is that Kreis would have to sit out the first playoff game if he picks up a yellow. It'll be interesting to see how they use him if at all.