DC United travel to Toyota Park on October 27th to take on the Chicago Fire at 4pm. DC United are undefeated in Chicago, dating back to the 2006 MLS season. Although United have already secured themselves a spot in the MLS Playoffs for the first time since 2007, Ben Olsen informs his team to not rest on their laurels. DC United enter the match 17-10-6 (57 points) with the Chicago Fire sitting one point back in the Eastern Conference with 56 points. Sporting Kansas City wrapped up its regular season play on Wednesday night with a victory thus sealing the first place in the East with a record of 18-7-9 (63 points).
United have come on strong down the home stretch of the season to qualify for the MLS Playoffs sporting a record of 5-0-1. Although undefeated in the last six games, DC United are aware that their lack of concentration during periods of games have led to some defensive let downs and many missed opportunities on offense. Lionard Pajoy has not been clinical in front of net, however his tenacity has proven to be a real help in lack of his scoring touch. Pajoy worked tirelessly last game leading up to rookie, Nick DeLeon’s sixth goal of his campaign.
Ben Olsen feels the atmosphere around the training grounds and last weeks game against the Columbus Crew has almost replicated that of the “old days”. Ben Olsen will surely like to keep that feeling around with DC’s final regular season game which still has many implications. DC could settle for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with a win, which could quite possibly have DC United and the Chicago Fire see one another yet again in the MLS Cup First Round. United have been arguably playing their best soccer as of late, and ironically enough have one point less than the all time record for points in a season that the 1998 team amassed (58 points). With the absence of Dwayne De Rosario, the youth in DC’s squad has emerged and taken on a more focal role. With the likes of Andy Najar and his efforts converting himself to an outside defender surely shows coach Ben Olsen that he is not only versatile, but able to get forward and join the attack.
Keys to the match include the work between Brandon McDonald and Dejan Jakovic in the center of defense on controlling the Dutch striker of the Chicago Fire, Sherjill MacDonald. MacDonald worked his tail off during their loss to the New England Revolution, and he along with the rest of the Fire are in search for redemption. Chris Rolfe leads the attack for the Fire with eight goals, with Marco Pappa closely behind with six of his own. DC United will face a playoff ready team in the Chicago Fire who have a myriad of offensive weapons in both Pappa, Rolfe and Patrick Nyarko.
DC have plenty of attacking options as well with captain Chris Pontius, rookie Nick DeLeon, Boskovic, Santos, Salihi and Pajoy. Ben Olsen has every coaches dream of being able to choose from a number of attacking players whom are all capable of providing the knock out blow. Most likely DC will form a 4-4-2 with Korb, McDonald, Jakovic and Najar at the back. In the midfield my estimation is that Ben Olsen will start Perry Kitchen, Saragosa, Pontius and DeLeon. And up top more than likely Santos and Pajoy will start; however Salihi has been in form as of late and recently called up to Albania’s National Team a few weeks back. Any choice that Ben Olsen makes will likely create chances, it all comes down to who will finish when it counts. Perry Kitchen has matured greatly throughout the course of the season in the defending midfielder role in front of Jakovic and McDonald and provides an excellent link up with Chris Pontius and the forwards.
United look to finish their regular season strong with a win which would secure a home playoff game which is much to be desired. Playing at RFK Stadium during the playoffs would surely benefit the DC United squad because of the 12th man (the fans) and the highly talked about “Blackout” which will be happening. Be sure to watch the game which will be nationally televised on Saturday, October 27th at 4pm on NBC Sports Network. Ben Olsen has instilled a winning mentality in his players that has shown with their recent form as of late, and another win will help secure another step forward towards preparation for the MLS Playoffs.
(image courtesy of dcunited.com)
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