DC United Notes

DC United Atop ESPN Power Rankings...again.
ESPNsoccernet has DC United on top of the MLS Power Rankings again, as they picked up 6 more points last week with a 1-0 victory of FC Dallas in Frisco, the followed it up with a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday.
How many weeks is that?

DC United vs. Celtic
Wednesday, 7/12/2006
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.

DC United host Scottish Premier League Champion Celtic FC in an international friendly at RFK. This the first meeting between these two clubs. Celtic have won 40 Scottish League Championships and were runners up for the 2003 UEFA Cup.

As this is a friendly match, and one that falls right in the middle of the July Hell that United have, in which they have 1 home league match, I am hoping that we get to see several of our main starters ride the pine for half of this match. Jamie, Christian, Josh, Troy, they all need a break. Adding another match to their legs might not be the best idea. If I were to offer Peter some advice for when he prepares for this match, I would suggest this starting line-up:

Rimando

Wilson - Erpen - Boswell

Simms - Carroll

Olsen - Gomez - Adu

Eskandarian - Moreno

Have these guys start, then when they come out for the second half, send this line-up out:

Rimando

Wilson - J. Carroll - Namoff - Stokes

Olsen - Moose - McTavish

Adu

Eskandarian - Quaranta

This would give our starters, well most of them, a chance to play the Scots and still give them a good rest. Nicky would get a full game and J. Carroll, Stokes, Moose, Quaranta and McTavish will get some good time out there against what some have termed, "the next level." This would also give Freddy a really good chance to run the offense. Letting him run the attack would be a good learning experience, for him and for USA soccer to see if he can handle the creative side of things.

I hope it is a good match, wish I was going.