DC United vs Dallas Burn • Saturday, May 31, 9:00EST • • Live on CSN and Shootout • DCUnited.com Match Preview - Including TV, Radio and Webcast Information • DCUnited.com Media Notes: DC United • Dallas • MLSNet Match Notes • English Webcast - WMET • Other Webcasts • PBP Chat Information This post will be updated later in the week for corrections and additions. Items in gray will be updated once available or confirmed. No Flames • No Trolls --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Various things ... Yeah, this is going up a day early but after our week off I didn't think the board looked right without it. Damn, this means I'm gonna have to watch an entire game played on that horrible multi-colored carpet. Dallas is going to be out for blood. It's going to be a brutal game. Dallas is gonna want to win this thing badly and their rallying call will be remember Ronnie O'Brien. Dema gets fouled. A lot. We generally don't play brilliantly at Dallas Etch won't play. Take that as you will. Nelsen is with the NZ nats - right? As I wrote here this match is absolutely critical. (And it remains so even if San Jose beats Chicago.) Both Dallas and DC United are winless on the season. That'll change this weekend for one of those teams. I predict that it ain't gonna be us. Nonetheless, may we not suck.
In my best Don King self-aggrandizing promoter's voice [big]You have got to be there to see "The Thug on the Rug"[/big] Dema will definately be the vocal point for the ire of the Dallas faithful, but we have to win this game or our season goes tits up. Alecko and Bobby score, Earnie misses and holds his head. Stoichkov goes after his teammates, then an official. Dema gets fouled, writhes around like he's had his leg broken, holds his leg as the Dallas fans cheer, then gets up and waves to them. Nick shuts em out.
1. Knave--it could end in a tie--so both sides could still be winless! So I don't know if that trend/streak ends this week. 2. Dallas has given up the first goal most of this season. I don't know if there is a generalization there (slow starters? poorly organized? too much space in the back?) but it's something to consider tactically. 3. Though Ryan Nelsen was out anyway b/c of the red card against KC. 4. I wonder who will start up front for Dallas? Last game, wasn't it Cerritos and Kreis? 5. The physical "payback on Dema" element--I don't know if that is to our favor or not. Dallas needs to focus on playing how they want to play. If they're focused on kicking shins, I'd think that would distract their focus on what they need to do. With Etcheverry out (and if Stoichkov doesn't start), the 2 United players most likely to be distracted by chippy play wouldn't be on the pitch. Ditto all the sentiments about watching the match on that terrible field. I wouldn't wish a field like that on anyone--even my worst enemy or hated opponent.
hmmm....I don't think I can really talk about our team right now. Although I am usually stupidly optimistic, I don't feel good about the team right now. However, a few days ago I did have a "premonition". It wasn't a dream or a vision, or anything specific. But at some point on Friday, I believe, I suddenly felt that something was changing, and that DC was going to come out of the Memorial Day "break" on a roll. That feeling has passed, mind you, but I do want in on the record in case it's true. On a different note, has anyone heard about any viewing parties/events, either official or unofficial? The XChange? Summers? The couch in the living room? Where are all the peeps watching the game?!
I don't think DC will lose this one. They haven't played horrible on the road, good at KC, just Nick botched a few things, good at Colorado and ok at metrostars. Granted 2 were losses, I think the week off will have helped. Just my feelings though, I think this weekend DC will get their first win.
For the seventh time this year, I predict we will kick their ass. 2-0 Dema scores one and Alecko gets his first in MLS. Nick Petke Ivanov Prideaux Namoff Stewart Convey Q2 Dema Q1/Curtis Alecko Just guessing if Olsen is not available. Hoping that Chino is not in there.
damn ed, that is depressing. dallas seems to be about as crappy as we are so i am gonna say a 1-1 game with one of those great overtimes that don garber says we all want...
Mr. Positive says DC 2, Dallas 1. Mr. Negative says Dallas 2, DC 1. I'm going with Mr. Positive. Mr. Negative can't be right all the time...can he?
I'd like to see Ali Curtis get some playing time in this game. His speed coupled with the astro turf can really open things up front. If Tino is healthy and Earnie and Convey control the flow we can score on them. I expect for Q2 to see some time too. DCU 2 Burn 1 I'm also looking for Dema to have a big game.
I just hope that Convey, coming off a very involved performace against Wales, realizes that this is a major chance to prove that HE should be the man in the middle. Still, I can't be all that optimistic and Dallas, even in losing efforts, have been scoring. DC- 1 Dallas - 1 More dry humping...
I'm looking for someone to get a red card for going after Dema. You should read the Burn boards. "We can't score if we don't shoot the ball. All our midfielders are midgets. Bring in more foreigners on trial. Time to get a new coach. Why won't they play the promising young guy (Eddie Johnson)?" Any of this sound familiar? It's almost like we'll be playing ourselves - and Ray will tell you, the team is good at playing with themselves! Here's what I would like to see: Rimando Ivanov Petke Prideaux Olsen Namoff Stewart Convey Kovalenko Eskandarian Quaranta Curtis and Quintinilla as the first subs off the bench. Stoitchkov in street clothes. Somehow I don't think this will happen, but that's why I'm coaching a U-10 rec team. My prediction: 2-1 for DC - but then I'm delusional. Once again, I will be watching from a seat close to the floor.
Now that's a lineup I'd like to see. Everyone in there would bust his butt all the time. Q2 hasn't gotten much of a chance this year, which I don't really understand, but has played well in his limited time. And I'd love to see him in the middle rather than up front or on the wing. Namoff/chino, that's splitting hairs. Make 'em compete all week for 1 spot. Either is a crap shoot as to what you're gonna get. In any event, I sure wish Nelsen were there--he's in such another league from them it's not funny. For my money, play Curtis and Eskandarian. Q1 hasn't earned another start in my book. He's had what? 5 starts? Some nice play here and there, but that's not gonna cut it. 0 wins, time to try some new faces. In fact, no one but defenders have earned another start in my book. Play the guys who are hungry. Curtis has got to be chomping at the bit. And we could use a little bit of a speed threat, since no one but Bobby in our usual top 11 is flat-out fast. Q1 and Stoichkov on the bench. Use 'em if Ali and Esky are ineffective and use 'em around 60 or 65, not 80. And shoot the d*mn ball.
No way, we can score in Dallas with our whimps strikers or our "play the ball back" midfielders !! Dallas has a physical, strong defense and I really cannot see how we are gonna get even close to their goal. Without Olsen, Nellie and Ech I would say our midfield looks like a "comics team". Dema will wach his feet, Alegria and Namoff are inside the midline players and Convey looks like a train between unknown stations. Q2 cannot keep the ball in possession. I predict we will really suck big time. By the way, I bet you the dummies have no clue how to bunker !! We are gonna lose the game big time, end of the story !!! I tell you the truth, I am affraid that the Marco's supporters will come up with the " there is no DCU team without Marco" sh... song !! But, they will have the oportunity to see how we are gonna lose with Marco this season as well . To those who bet against reality: " have a nice saturday night" !!! Sleep well afterwards !!
Sormun-I don't know whether you consider yourself a DC fan or not, but the above post looks, smells, and sounds like a troll's endeaver. I remain positive and anticipate a high effort result. John
I think we shall win 2-1, another point coming off PK. I also predict that Earnie shall drop to his news at least twice clutching his head after missing open net. I was so happy when he came onto the team but have yet to see him have an impact. If that is his fault or Ray's I can't say.
It seems to me that we have not been blow out of a game in a long time (scorewise). Our defense has been solid for at least a year. The problem is scoring, especially on the road. (Though if you look at this year we had scored 3 times on the road for every goal at home). Anyway, this will again be a defensive battle. DCU 0 Dallas 0. Will be a boring game as neither team can figure out the out-of-bounds lines on the dragon stadium turf. On a side note, I hope the game is not televised as this type of playing surface makes MLS look worse than minor league. I'm sure there are Single A league baseball teams that have better grass fields than what MLS presents as a playing surface. 7+ years and this is the best you can do. Sorry.
We must, must, MUST win in Dallas. Alas....I don't see it happening. Maybe if Dallas gets off to a poor start like they usually do and we actually shoot the ball instead of playing passy. Is this game on TV? Last time I watched a game in Dallas it gave me a headache what with that field. White football lines and pale yellow soccer lines. Couldn't ever tell what was in the box and what was out. -The Far Side
I'm kind of glad I'm far far away and haven't had to suffer through the season in person, although I do miss the concept of going to a game and having a rooting interest. That said, I think my cybersuffering will continue. DC 0 Dallas 0