Five weeks into the 2012 season the New England Revolution have one more win than this week’s opponent, DC United. Our Revs also have one more loss than DCU, who has taken two ties. While both of DC’s ties were scoreless, they did explode against FC Dallas for four goals – and we couldn’t score against Dallas. We have both played Los Angeles, too. If DC cites their demolishing FCD as evidence of their quality compared to New England, then we can cite our dismantling of LA mirroring DC’s result against the Galaxy. DCU lost in LA 3-1 and we went out there and took home all three points for our 3-1 victory. So, what do we know? Not as much as we’ll know after we play the game.
Both of these teams are MLS originals who started play in 1996. The storied DC United is ahead of our Revoltuion all-time, though we have defended our home turf well and we took both home and away from them last year. We have been better than DCU recently and New England is undefeated against DC since 2008. Both teams are looking to build their rosters and results back up to respectability. This is a good match-up for the Revolution and DC. A great measuring stick. I expect a win. I’ll be almost satisfied with a good showing and a draw. If we stink up the joint and lose, I’ll be looking for poor individual performances to have earned benchings. I’d guess DCU and their fans feel similarly.
We spoke with Aaron McCollum, DCU writer for Total-MLS, ahead of this week’s match. Aaron noted that Benny and Shalrie’s absences might mean that Dwayne DeRosario and the rest of the DC midfield have an edge over the Revs this week. When we asked where the Revs might have an advantage over his team he said our Revs forwards have been more consistent than the DC forwards.
New England must be wary of the playmakers on this DCU team. Their collection of young talent may not start or even play, but Pontius, Kitchen, and Najar can all make plays. Dwayne De Rosario will be dangerous whether he is scoring or setting up others. Rookie Nick DeLeon leads DC in goals scored. Macion Santos and Danny Cruz have also scored for DCU. Robbie Russell would have been my pick for the player who has improved the DC United defense the most, though Aaron McCollum told us that Dudar has anchored their team this season. In their last game, goalie Joe Willis won Man of the Match, while Bill Hamid took that honor in the first week – with Hamid returning from Olympic qualifying duty and injury, Coach Olsen might have a bit of a goalie controversy? The evidence of holding off both Dallas and Seattle in recent weeks suggests that,whether or not DC can generate scoring threats, it may be difficult for New England to break through and score.
The intention that Coach Heaps has given this team, and the way the Revs have played in their wins against Portland and Los Angeles has demonstrated we can dictate the tempo of a game. Even last week in Dallas for most of the game New England looked to press play into their opponent’s end with short passes. I believe the Revs can continue to play their game despite some questions about the lineup.
Shalrie Joseph’s suspension, leaving aside the debate surrounding that decision, could have implications across the midfield and even the defense for New England. Clyde Simms has proven himself more than reliable. He is an important presence defensively and he completes a high number of passes – he also played for this DCU team last season. The options for his midfield partner in Shalrie’s absence include Lee Nguyen, rookie Kelyn Rowe, perhaps Diego Fagundez, or Stepen McCarthy. McCarthy’s development as a center back; great decision Coach; has been good. Were Shalrie playing, I would have questions about who should start at center back alongside AJ Soares: McCarthy or a healthy John Lozano? I could see McCarthy moving up to midfield and Lozano returning to defense. More likely, though, is that Coach continues his push for points by putting out a line up aimed at scoring.
Benny Feilhaber has practiced and wants to play, perfect timing with Shalrie sidelined. I have changed my mind from early in the week and I think that Benny will start alongside Simms. That will leave Nguyen outside and either Rowe or Ryan Guy on the other wing. Kenny Mansally had two goals in a reserve team match recently, so he could earn minutes, too, though starting seems unlikely. Guy has been partnered with Sene and that could continue, though, Jose Moreno, Bjorn Runstrom, Fernando Cardendas, and even Diego Fagundez are all candidates to earn minutes. I’ll guess that the surprise this week could be Runstrom starting.
I like the Revs gameplan to push DCU back with possession passing and a high press. Benny’s return and legitimate practice completion for minutes at forward suggest that the Revs will generate scoring chances. DC United has shown their ability to hold off scoring teams. On the counter attack Dwayne De Rosario could be all the offense most any MLS team would need. I would feel more confident were Shalrie playing, though I don’t fear this DC team will overwhelm us. If this game turns into a shoot out I’ll love watching, and that fear and suspicion that we’ll end up on the wrong side of the result will rise. I think this will be a low scoring game, possibly 1-1, maybe 1-0, or even another DC 0-0.
Check both Total-MLS.com and The Rebel Alliance Podcast early next week to read and hear which team’s gameplan worked out.
(image courtesy of revolutionsoccer.net)
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