DC United Preview - 9/9/2006

DC United vs. Real Salt Lake
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
7:30pm 9/9/2006

Sorry, being away from work for about a week has left me a little too busy to do those things that are important in life, like update my blog.

So RSL make their one visit to RFK of the season, and it is at probably the worst time for United. United have several players given a MLS front office mandated holiday (too many yellow cards) which will leave the already injury hit United with less of a bench to work with. Add to that the fact that the only other time these two clubs faced each other, United had to hold on for 4 more minutes to secure yet anther 1-0 victory and head into the All Star break with another win. Instead, we all know what happened with the John Wilson affair and after two Jeff Cunningham PK's United returned home with a 2-1 loss and alot of questions.

There is an old Klingon proverb: "Revenge is a dish best served cold." Those are words that United should live by for this match.

The problem with this match is that I really haven't a clue who is healthy enough for Peter Nowak to start. Hell, Nick Rimando might start in Central Midfield with Peter Nowak along side him. The Washingtonpost.com is listing Jaime Moreno as a probable starter, but the question will be if his tendonitis is better and will allow him to go the full 90 minutes, which in this match, he will most likely be called upon to do so.

RSL has won 5 of their last 7 league matches, including the 2-1 victory over United. They have been uneven though, as they have been shut out in two of those matches, losing 6-0 against RBNY. They have allowed 11 goals in those seven matches, with six coming in that one match. If United are going to get any points from tonight's match, they will need to take advantage of RSL's proness to allowing goals lately.

Honestly, I see a draw from this match, and at worse, United's second straight home loss. With the drastic loss of starters for tonight's match, I am truly puzzled as how United will do. As Kinney mentioned on DCenters, this is the type of match that you hope for someone to step up and take hold of the game. Gomez was that guy last week. Will it be Jaime? Will it be Freddy?

Prediction: DC United 1 - 1 Real Salt Lake : DC United 1 - 2 Real Salt Lake