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DC United Watch

Sporting Kansas City’s 2–1 win over Columbus on Wednesday night puts them in first place in the East with 44 points. The Union would move into sole possession of second place with 43 points with a win tonight.

Freddy Adu says of tonight’s game, “For me, it definitely has a playoff feel to it, and that’s how I think we all are approaching it.”

The Washington Examiner notes that tonight’s game will be the first time Freddy Adu has played against his former team. So, it’ll be something of a re-Union. Get it? The Washington Post has a piece with the same angle. What are Adu’s thoughts on the matter? “Definitely there is some emotion there.”

Kerith Gabriel reports, “Though listed as questionable on the injury report, defender Sheanon Williams is scheduled to rejoin the starting lineup, a source told the Daily News.” I hope this isn’t the same source that said last week that Migs was going to start for Williams against Kansas City.

What are the Union players thinking about tonight’s big game? “Definitely, it’s going to be really fun,” says Kyle Nakazawa. “The fans are going to be fully supporting us and it’s going to be loud. It’s a big game for both teams. As players, you can’t help but get excited. It’s going to be a great night.”

Sheanon Williams agrees. “It’s definitely a big game against one of our rivals. The fans are going to be supporting us and it’s going to be crazy there. For us, we have to focus on the match and getting the three points. We have to execute the gameplan. It’s definitely a big night, but for us, we’re treating it the same.”

Match previews from Unholy Union, the Brotherly Game, CSN Philly, phillyBurbs.com, the AP. Meanwhile, Marc Narducci phones in a “soccer report” for the Inquirer. It’s not really an important game.

The Washington Times profiles the very dangerous Dwayne De Rosario. Did you know that during one stretch over the summer, De Rosario was the only DC goalscorer for more than a month, a period in which the club went 2-1-2? Still no word on when he will make his Dancing with the Stars debut.

Peter Nowak says of De Rosario, “He’s an important piece of their team and their playoff run. We gotta keep our eye on him and make sure we keep our defensive form.”

Yesterday we linked to the Philadelphia Union’s scouting report of DC United. Today we link to DC United’s scouting report of the Union. It’s actually kind of weak, offering more of a collection of background information than any insight into the threats United perceives from the Union on the field. Two things do standout. First, one section is headed, “Playoff road runs through Philly.” If United manages to win, they will leap ahead of the Union in the standings. Second, the Union is loaded with DC United connections, on the pitch and on the sidelines. United midfielder Clyde Simms says, “I love coming at Peter [Nowak]. He knows us and the veterans here know him—it’s going to be a grind for 90 minutes.” United assistant coach Chad Ashton says, “With Peter you know exactly what you are going to get. It’s going to be physical out there, and we are going to have to work in order to get the type of result we expect.” So the rumors are apparently true: Peter Nowak will be starting against DC United tonight.

The Washington Examiner looks at DC’s prospects for entering the playoff pool.

The Brotherly Game notes that Zach Pfeffer will have to chose between playing tonight and observing Rosh Hashanah and that the away game in Seattle coincides with Yom Kippur.

WV Hooligan predicts a 1–1 draw for tonight’s game. “Oh this one could be very good…As long as the Union can hold DeRo in check and keep others like Charlie Davies off the board, they should be fine in this one…Expect this one to be close, maybe too close for comfort.”

Sports betting site SBR Forum sees the Union winning 2–1. “As the hosts, the Union are favored in the soccer odds, listed at +105 at Bodog and +110 at BetOnline to grab all three points.”

Union Dues has some storylines for tonight’s game for those who live in caves.

Union

Goal.com names “rookie defender” Michael Farfan to its Best XI for Week 28. Also so honored at MLSsoccer.com, at least the league site managed to say that midfielder Farfan is “versatile enough to get thrown in at right back.” Brian Carroll and Zac MacMath get honorable mentions in the MLSsoccer.com selection.

Morgan Langley has a very informative and thoughtful conversation with his alma mater’s newspaper.

MLS.com’s Fantasy Forecast says you should start Zac MacMath, Carlos Valdes and Sebastien Le Toux for Week 29 on your fantasy team.

MLS

Chicago Fire shot down ten-men hosts Real Salt Lake 3–0 with a hat trick from Marco Pappa. RSL have given up seven goals and two hat tricks (including one to Dwayne De Rosario) in the last two games. The win puts Chicago on 36 points, two points behind DC and in sixth place in the East.

In CONCACAF Champions League action, Colorado topped El Salvador’s Metapan 3–1 on the road. LA topped Mexico’s Monarcas Morelia 2–1 at home with a stoppage time goal from Juninho. Dallas lost 5–3 on the road to Panama’s Tauro.

MLS Vice President Nelson Rodriguez is expected to make a “major sports announcement” today in Tuscon, AZ. The announcement will likely be about the pre-season Desert Cup tournament. A report says, “Rodriguez envisions a more formalized pre-season, with Tucson and Orlando, Florida as ‘hubs.’ Whether this would happen is dependent on the availability of facilities.” The Philadelphia Union did much of its pre-season in Orlando this year.

TMZ reports that Alexi Lalas says the $250 million deal that brought David Beckham “was DEFINITELY worth it!”. It is unclear how Lalas communicated the “definitely” in all-caps.

Paris Saint Germain apparently feel it would DÉFINITIVEMENT be worth it for Beckham to make a move to Ligue 1.

US

National Soccer Coaches Association of America president Joe Cummings talks to Soccer America about the growing club v high school divide within youth soccer.

Stuart Holden will be out for another six months after follow-up surgery on the knee injury that saw him out for seven months.

ESPN says Bob Bradley coaching Egypt is a boost for the credibility of US soccer.

Part Two of the Shin Guardian’s look at the state of women’s soccer in the US.

Elsewhere

Speaking to the Council of Europe, UEFA President Michel Platini urged European governments to enact tougher laws to curb match fixing.

Manchester City have suspended Argentine man-child Carlos Tevez for tw0 weeks without pay while it examines whether it can get rid of the big baby permanently following his refusal to play during City’s 2–0 loss to Bayern Munich in Tuesday’s Champions League game.

One Comment

  1. “With Peter you know exactly what you are going to get.” We’re still talking about Peter NOWAK, right?

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