On March 9th, DC United will welcome Real Salt Lake to RFK Stadium for their home opener. After suffering a defeat to Houston last weekend in the first match of the season, Ben Olsen may feature a more attacking lineup to really go after the game. Olsen is likely to feature Lionard Pajoy as the lone striker once again with Chris Pontius and Nick DeLeon in the wide positions, with what could possibly be Marcos Sanchez in the middle of the park. After Sanchez's injection into the Houston match last weekend, immediately the United attack looked much more dangerous. Sanchez has the ability to spray telling balls to both flanks which then hopefully can connect with Pajoy who will look to be clinical inside the eighteen yard box.
Olsen's Army should be in full effect for the home opener and the twelfth man could be crucial with Dwayne De Rosario's absence. Saturday, the Canadian will serve his second game in his two-game suspension after the preseason head-butt incident against the Union. Once again, United will look towards Pontius to create in the attack. As he continues to grow into the leadership role for DC it will be pivotal that he rallies his squad to have the willingness to run for one another this season.
Yet, DC United know that with all of the new faces in the lineup there is going to be a period this season where each member needs to get to know how one another plays on the field. According to MLS Soccer, Nick DeLeon noted a few aspects of their game against Houston that need to be improved upon, "It was just the little things in that game. Going to sleep, not winning second balls. We were awful on second balls. I think it's just an attitude thing we need to tidy up. Positionally I think we were playing good." DeLeon was one of the bright spots in the starting XI last weekend as he continued to work tirelessly alongside the flanks against veteran defenders like Bobby Boswell.
RSL come to RFK riding an excellent opening performance against San Jose recording a 2-0 victory. A certain battle of the goalkeepers may be in order on Saturday as both Bill Hamid and Nick Rimando have been in scintillating form recently. While Rimando may be tough to beat, on the other end of the pitch, Alvaro Saborio is someone to look after for Brandon McDonald and Dejan Jakovic as both will anchor the center of defense. As Saborio recorded two goals against San Jose, United must keep a keen eye on him and will likely do so with the help of the reliable Perry Kitchen and a possible start from Lewis Neal.
After not featuring in the season opener, Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz may make a second half appearance against Real Salt Lake. Ben Olsen told The Washington Post "I think he is ready to go – it's just a matter of how many minutes he has in him from a fitness standpoint." The forward has not featured in a match in about five months or so, therefore his full 90 minute match-fitness may not be fully developed. However, Ruiz is an established forward and if Pajoy cannot prove clinical against RSL, expect for Olsen to give his second striker a chance to make an impact.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
