I wish I was flying to DC to watch the Sounders take on DC United at RFK Wednesday night. Being that I grew up in the DC area it would be a sort of home coming for me, but more then that it would be a chance to go back to the place that the MLS Sounders are undefeated. Back in 2009 the Sounders went into DC and took the US Open Cup trophy after the DC front office put up a massive campaign to get people in the seats for the “We Win Trophies” game. I was there and I sang and danced long into the morning. The following week the Sounders went back to RFK and took 3 points. Last year the Sounders took 3 more points in RFK. Doing my research today I found out since 2009 DC United has only been able to pull in a total 4 out of 12 points (all 4 points won in Seattle) and lost one major tournament to the Sounders, with no points won on home turf.
With the Sounders coming off a 3 goal win at home they should have a very unchanged 18 man squad in DC. At last check, Mauro Rosales did travel with the team but is a game time call according to some reports on Twitter. If Rosales does start expect to see Erik Friberg be used as a sub for one of the wings if needed in the second half. Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua should be up top again with Mike Fucito as a sub in the second. The back line will remain James Riley and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado with maybe Jeff Parke coming back in after two weeks off. Tyson Wahl has been doing well for the absent Leonardo Gonzalez. Due to the short week I have not heard about Parke and Ianni battling for the starting position.
If Seattle starts Montero, Alvaro Fernandez and Rosales I would like to see a lot more control of the ball. We know Rosales can control and both Fernandez and Montero have scored in the last two weeks. Seeing them connect could be deadly. Jaqua and Montero have been dangerous at RFK in the past as well and if either of them can abuse the young back line of DC we could see a goal fest.
DC is coming off a 4-1 defeat on the road to Houston. DC has some major work to do with their young back line as they fell apart. I am not sure that DC coach Ben Olsen will be able to get them shored up by the time Seattle hits the field. The flip side to DC is they have the potential to score a lot of goals. Charlie Davies has been working on his fitness and holds the scoring title so far this season with 5 goals. Chris Pontius is quick and will pressure James Riley all night. Dax McCarty will keep busy in the midfield and could expose a few gaps that could allow for the quick side of DC to test Keller and the back line.
Seattle comes away with 3 points in this game but I think its going to be the start of DC United’s come back for the season. 2-1 Sounders win but Ben Olsen will get some control from his back line and get his midfield and forwards working together. The Sounders will pressure and keep their momentum before heading to Columbus. MLS has not posted the official injury list and neither team should have a listed suspension.
(image courtesy of Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times)
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