Preview: DC United vs. New England Revolution
- By Joseph Schoenbauer Sat, April 22, 2005
Background
DC and New England's last meeting was in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. The game, which remarkably ended 4-3 after PK's in DC's favor, is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, MLS games of all time. As it played out, DC went on to win the MLS championship while New England was sent home packing to ponder what might have been.
Team News
New England Head Coach Steve Nicol made several changes in the off-season, most notably releasing ex-DC United veteran defender Carlos Llamosa and offloading defender Rusty Pierce to Real Salt Lake. These two changes, coupled with the acquisition of Brazilian left-winger Cassio from Olimpia Asuncion of Paraguay, were the springboard for changing to the newly preferred 3-5-2 formation. Muscleman and captain Joe Franchino is set to miss out for the second time in three games with a muscle strain. Marshal Leonard looks set to fill in at the left back spot, while the impressive rookie from Wake Forest Michael Parkhurt maintains his role in the middle of the back three. The aforementioned Cassio may not recover from a slight injury as well. If he does not, rookie James Riley or Andy Dorman, who has scored and assisted while coming on as a late sub in the first two games of the season, will deputize.
DC United's bench to start off the game last Friday against the Columbus Crew was possibly the best bench ever in MLS history. Jaime Moreno, Christian Gomez, Alecko Eskandarian and Ben Olsen were all given a brief respite from the early season that has taken on the likeness of an ultra-marathon. The likes of Freddy Adu, Santino Quaranta, Jamil Walker, and Clyde Simms filled in well, but all will likely be replaced for the game against New England. In other news, David Stokes looks set to remain at right back. His likely replacement, Bryan Namoff, is still weeks away from a full recovery, while Brandon Prideaux lacks match fitness after being out sick and aggravating his hamstring.
Form Guide
New England began their season with a 2-2 tie at San Jose and followed it up with a strong 3-0 win at home against the Columbus Crew. In the game against San Jose, they battled back in the second half from 2-0 down to tie through goals from their strikers Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman. Against the Columbus Crew, reigning MLS Rookie of the Year Clint Dempsey got them off the mark with his first goal of the year. Pat Noonan and Andy Dorman, assisted by Taylor Twellman, rounded out the scoring.
It's been a tough few weeks for DC United. After defeating CD Chivas USA in their first game of the year, they have gone on to tie Pumas UNAM, tie Chicago, lose to Pumas UNAM and lose to Columbus. In these last 4 games, in which they lost twice and tied twice, they only managed to score 2 goals while conceding 8. Nevertheless, DC United fans can be encouraged from the final half of the Columbus Crew game. The trio of Moreno, Gomez and Eskandarian came on in the second half, and along with Freddy Adu and Brian Carroll, caused all sorts of trouble for Robin Fraser, Jon Busch and company and were unfortunate to not score off of the many chances created.
Key Matchups
Christian Gomez vs. Shalrie Joseph and Clint Dempsey? The hard working Joseph and Dempsey completely neutralized Kyle Martino's attacking threat in their previous game against the Columbus Crew. Together they form a very formidable central barrier in front of New England's three-man defense and they will look to do the same to Gomez, who plays in the hole just behind the two strikers, just as Martino does.
Taylor Twellman vs. Bobby Boswell? Taylor Twellman has come into this season in good form after he and his teammates Clint Dempsey, Steve Ralston and Pat Noonan trained with the US National team over the off-season. After recording a goal and assist in his first two games he will be looking to get free from the young Bobby Boswell to get on the end of the service provided by the consistently dangerous Steve Ralston and Uruguayan attacking center mid Jose Cancela. Boswell, on the other hand, has come out of nowhere to lead DC United's back line and will be giving his all to prove he has what it takes to play consistently at the top level.
Nick Rimando vs. Matt Reis? With attacking players of Moreno, Twellman, Eskandarian, and Noonan's caliber, to name a few that will be on hand, both Rimando and Reis should be tested regularly throughout the game and it will be up to them to keep out the many shots that should come their way.
Freddy Adu vs. the New England defense in the last 30 minutes? If the result is in doubt in the second half Freddy Adu will surely be called upon to add a spark to DC's offense as he has been in previous games this year. In all games he has played, including the one he started against Columbus, Freddy Adu has looked dangerous on the ball running at defenders, and his play is sure to get him some goals and assists in the near future.
Probable Starting Lineups
DC United: (3-5-2) Rimando; Petke, Boswell, Stokes; Guppy, Carroll, Olsen, Gomez, Gros; Moreno, Eskandarian
New England: (3-5-2) Reis; Leonard, Parkhurst, Heaps; Cassio (Riley), Dempsey, Joseph, Cancela, Ralston; Twellman, Noonan
Prediction
The game has all the signs of a classic. Both teams look to play a possession oriented attacking style of play and have the players to do just that. New England could very well be DC United's biggest rival and surely there will be no love lost for the team's competing to be playing each other once again in the Eastern Conference Finals at the end of the season. This time around, DC United's hunger after 4 games without a win should see them come out on top. DC 3 - New England 2.