DC United Preview 6/24/2006

DC United vs. Kansas City Wizards
7:30pm Saturday, 6/24/2006
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.

Second match in four days for United, having finally kept a 1-0 lead all the way to the final whistle, knocking off the Chicago Fire 1-0 for their 8th victory of the season. United were able to get a shock goal from Clyde Simms, the first of his United career. United remains undefeated at home this season.

Simm's first goal of his career helped the United offense, as all of a sudden, United seem to be having forward problems. Alecko has a MCL sprain and is listed as Questionable. Jamine Moreno picked up a bruise, (check out QuarterVolley for the definition of a contusion) and is listed as probable, which in my mind should mean he will be out there tonight. Lucio has decided to return home to Argentina and play for Nueva Chicago, (best of luck, listen to Bon Jovi's "Who Said You Can't Go Home" on the flight) and has left a spot open. Santino Quaranta has been moved up to Probable from his hamstring issue, so he might play as well.

United have a 9 point lead over Kansas City as of right now, but with 2 matches in hand. Assuming that Kansas City make those two matches up with wins, they cut our lead to 3. That simply shows that we must win this match to get the gap set to 12 and truly have a 6 point cushion between each team. With the injury bug seemingly paying a visit to RFK, we need to pick up points off of our Eastern Conference rivals. As well as this being one of a few home games left in the season for United, home points are the easiest to get, so there is no reason that United shouldn't get the 3 points tonight. Those three points tonight will look good when they end up playing 4 of 5 on the road in July.

Kansas City comes into this match with a three match unbeaten run, 1 draw and 2 wins, the last one being a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire. Scott Sealy scored two of their goals, so he will be one to watch tonight. Over all, Kansas City seems to be playing pretty good soccer, which should make for a good match.

Prediction
I honestly think that United will get 1 goal tonight, but Moreno will not last the whole match. United will give up a goal, and the match ends with a 1-1 draw and the two clubs splitting the points.
DC United 1 - 1 Kansas City Wizards