This weekend, DC United will head up to the Great White North to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in Week 3 of the MLS season. DC will be looking for their first win of the 2011 season, and hopefully Canada will be the place for that first win.
Vancouver, in just their second season of MLS play, has really turned things around early on compared to last season. To start things off, the Whitecaps got their first MLS road win last week against Chivas USA (they were winless on the road last season) and will be sure to ride the momentum back to BC Place. Their defense has been in the spotlight with players like USMNT player Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour from Argentina. They have yet to allow a goal this season. Eric Hassli, despite not scoring yet, is a constant threat, and proven goal-scorer Sebastian Le Toux will haunt the DC defense.
DC United comes into this match with an 0-2 record, thanks to one of the toughest opening MLS schedules in the league. Andy Najar will join fellow teammates Bill Hamid and Perry Kitchen in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying so all three will be away for a few matches. I’m pretty curious as to how coach Ben Olsen picks his starting XI this week. After last week’s confusing line-up, it will be a focal point for the fans before the match. United’s midfield will need to win the possession battle which is something they haven’t been able to accomplish this season. Offensively, chances haven’t been created for the forwards who have been limited to only two shots on goal this season. One midfielder who is on an upside right now is the rookie Nick DeLeon from Louisville. After his goal last week, he’s been riding his own train of momentum into this week’s training which could give him more minutes, especially with Najar now gone. Another player who could take Najar’s starting spot is Danny Cruz. Both are great players and would do just fine.
In order to win this match, DC must get more opportunities offensively. Two shots on goal in two matches won’t cut it. This may sound funny, but I think this is true: I need to hear the names of our offensive playmakers more on broadcasts. Example? Dwayne De Rosario. I haven’t heard his name much in the first two matches and that sometimes means they aren’t involved as much. The more I hear the names of De Rosario, Branko Boskovic and Chris Pontius, the better I think DC will do. Like I said, it sounds funny, but it makes sense right?
Overall, Vancouver is 2-0 but their wins are against an expansion club (Montreal) and Chivas USA. They could have one of the softest 2-0 records in the league. So basing this club solely by their record won’t give you anything but the Whitecaps are much improved over last year’s squad that’s for sure and will challenge the Black and Red for three points.
(image courtesy of Ned Dishman/Getty Images)
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