Olsen, Quaranta Join Injured List (Post, Goff, 5/29)

Alright this is getting really depressing. I'm seriously considering just having someone give me a mighty swift kick in the nads, and then turning in my season tickets. At least that way the damage would be done, and I could focus on better things to come. I don't know if I can suffer through a season that's unravelling quicker than a cheap sweater.

--- OR ---

Well I'd like to see this as a blow to the team, but frankly Ben and Tino have been playing their areses off but not really creating any more than the rest of the guys. This will force Hudson to try out some of the guys who are surely chomping at the bit, but just ain't gettin' the chance from Ray.

How 'bout Esky and Curtis up front?? Earnie and Bobby in the middle? Dema on the left (or right?)? Anyway, you get the point.





Disclaimer: Supporting this team is causing me severe mental anguish. I apologize for the schizophrenic post.

 

Re: goff - 05-29-03

I have

 

While I would never ever turn in my season tickets or miss watching the games and supporting the team this news left me suprising not upset because what is the worse that can happen we will not score and we will not win. It is a sq there is no downhill.

 

You got that right, Cochise

 

So much for the theory that the injuries were all Rick Guter's fault.

 

This is the last thing the team needed, going into a match that they absolutely have to win against a team that will be out for DC blood. Or at least Dema's ankles.

As has been said in this thread already - someone, anyone, needs to man up and help the team. I just have no idea who's going to do it.

 

Who knows, this might just shake things up, which we probably need. I'm guessing Hristo and Esky start with Curtis coming on for Hristo around the 55th minute.

Let's remember who we're playing, and where. Dallas has very creative wings, but neither is a speed player, so Eliseo might be able to play Vaca on United's left wing, while Stewart's speed might be a mismatch on United's right wing. Or, if Kovalenko plays one wing and Eliseo is in the middle, we should still match up well. Chino may be slow, but against a O'Brien-less Burn, he's probably fast enough to handle Oscar Pareja without embarassing himself on defense. So, if there ever was a time to lose both Olsen and Santino, this is probably it.

If United goes the Devin or Carrol route, we'll gain a decided speed advantage on the wings. Our only fear is the Burn's fullbacks, Bonseu and Gbandi, who both have a lot of speed and can cause problems. Also, Broome can play left back and left mid (actually he plays both as if he's the left mid) and he also has a lot of speed. I'd expect Eliseo and Chino to start with Carroll and/or Devin if the Burn's fast fullbacks start killing us.

And we're playing at Dragon/Southlake stadium (whichever it is) which is much narrower than the Cotton Bowl. So, the game will be more compact and will be played on turf. This might make for some poor passing and dribbling, which disadvantages the Burn's 1v1 players like Martinez and Vaca. Also, Dallas' defense is mediocre. Without that thug Suarez, we should be able to beat them with speed (Convey, Stewart, Curtis, Esky, Devin, Carroll) down the center of their defense. Also, Deering is a poor Dmid, so we should be able to attack them.

-Digital

 

I wish I could see the world through your eyes for just 30 seconds. It must be a beautiful place.

 

I wish Ben perfect health, but I wanted him benched anyway. I hope we see a bold move or two from "tactical wizodd" Ray Hudson.

 

Cheer up, this might be your best chance of a win for weeks to come. With nearly every Dallas player hungrily eyeing Dema's knees, there could be a bevy of red cards. And Dragon stadium has to be the friendliest venue in the league for road teams. After all, the home team has never won a game there.

All you need is one lucky goal, and then hold on as Dallas inexorably works to ball back to Kovalenko, maybe more interested in making a "desperate tackle" than in winning the game. Anything could happen. If it was at the Cotton Bowl, sure, I'd say you are definitely going to lose. But Dragon seems to be as much of a curse to us as the Cotton Bowl was to you. Anything could happen.

 

This is what really bothers me...

"United has been approached about looking at two young attacking players -- Fabian Taylor of Jamaican club Harbour View and Ode Thompson, a Nigerian who was with Anderlecht (Belgium) -- but D.C. technical director Dave Kasper said he's not very interested now."

Ok, so maybe these two aren't the answer but why not look at some attacking players? All of ours are either hurt or ineffective.

 

I'm not worried about sitting Ben given his sudden inability to take on defenders, but Tino in Dallas had a magical goal last year and I was kinda thinking he may look to Dallas to break out of his slump. That said, he's in a slump too. We have options here in Esky, Ali, Stoitch, and Q2 who have not performed as desired but also are as due for a breakout as Ben and Tino. This could be their big break. Let's just see what happens and not fret about it.
Hoping for the best.

 

No Hope? I don't know, thats why they play the game. Give some of the younger guys who are hungry some playing time. the worse that could happen is we lose or tie - something we do allot of anyway.

-The Far Side

 

This sucks and we suck but we still kick the Burn's ass!!!!!

 

It doesn't matter

The way I see it, they can't possibly play any worse. The Friday night A-League games have been more interesting.

Maybe one of the newer guys can do something. I doubt it, but who knows?

They need to start winning soon. If it wasn't for other clubs (i.e. Colorado) doing just as poorly I'd say following United is getting to be a lot like following most baseball teams--it's barely June and you already know your team doesn't stand a chance of making the playoffs.

Maybe Hudson can show some video highlights of the glory years to refresh some memories and inspire the young guys.

 

Agreed. Can somebody explain how adding yet another defender/midfielder helps our offense?

And how about Convey, Stewart and Nelsen being gone for 3-4 games due to Confed Cup? Does this mean we will be looking to sign 3 more defenders, or just more playing time for Chino, Namoff and Stokes?

 

Re: goff - 05-29-03

This really isn't very surprising. It's too bad Tino's not back yet, let's hope his abdomigroin doesn't turn into a long-term nagging injury.

Anyone who watched the Wales game knew Benny was hurting, this merely confirms it. The good news is that, compared to what little we heard during Monday night's game, his injury doesn't appear to be more serious.

We already knew Marco and Nelsen would be gone so we shouldn't be surprised by there absence. Most of the posters on this board have been clamoring for Bobby to take over the reins in midfield and Saturday should be his chance. He even got a chance to put in a practice game in that position against Wales.

Chino, Quintanilla, Namoff, Curtis & Esky are on the team for a reason and some of them will have to prove their worth. Maybe we'll even get a chance to see some different faces like Carroll or Barclay.

We should have a chance to stay in this game as long as Dema doesn't get his legs broken. Turning the game into a retaliatory bloodbath probably will not help Dallas get a good home result - so let's hope they wait til the final minutes before getting in their cheap shots.

The bad news is that Dallas should have Pareja back - but obviously, they won't have O'Brien.

 

The world is a beautiful place!

Like the TheFarSide said: "that's why they play the game".

Like other people have said, this could shake the team up a bit and maybe good things will start to happen.

I hope the best for two of my favorite players, i.e. Ben & Santino.

 

That was truly shocking. Fire Kasper!

 

Maybe they have seen these guys on film and they suck. Why are we expected to try out every player who wants a chance?? I agree we need to look to bolster the attack but two random names in the paper do not need to get tryouts.

 

I really think either Earnie or Bobby needs to have a monster game on Saturday. We have been waiting for either of them to really take over a game in a DC uniform, and it hasn't happened. One of them HAS to be the savior for this game, otherwise, I suspect things will continue to remain ugly.

And is anyone else really concerned about the possiblity of Hristo being on the field while Dallas attempts countless retalitory hacks at Dema. It seems like having Hristo on the field during a grudge match like this might not be the best idea in the world.......

 

Who? The only difference maker to come in off the bench was Stoichkov (for only 2 10 minute sub appearances), and he doesn't have the legs to go the full 90. Basically, we're screwed. I think it's time for DC to fish or cut bait with the players we have now. Bobby, Etch, Olsen, Q1, Q2, Curtis and Stewart all need to make poo or get off the pot. If they don't start producing soon, there better be some more names in the paper to speculate about.

Thx,

Jay!

 

Well, we'll get to see what Convey's made of, I guess.