Alright, last week was a disaster. I think we all can agree on that. So let’s just push the Houston match under the rug, hope Momma Playoffs doesn’t see it, and move on with our lives. This weekend, DC United will be on the road again to take on the Columbus Crew in Ohio.
Hard to believe we’re over halfway through the season, almost into August, and we haven’t played Columbus yet. But our MLS schedule has been kind of wacky this season anyways, so I really am not surprised.
Columbus currently sits eighth in the Eastern Conference table with a 6-7-4 record and 22 points. How in the world can a club with only 19 goals allowed (the least allowed in the Eastern Conference and second best in the MLS) be so low in the table? The answer: They can’t score. Besides Chivas USA, Columbus has the lowest goal total in MLS right now with 17. They are averaging exactly a goal per match.
So maybe its a good thing we’re playing Columbus this weekend. Joe Willis and Chris Korb are expected to get the the call-ups to replace Bill Hamid and Robbie Russell. Hamid, if you remember, got the red card that began the downward domino effect against Houston, while Russell has plantar fasciitis which will keep him out for several weeks. I’m not concerned with either sub though. I feel Willis is very solid and one of the best backup keepers in MLS right now, and Korb is a young player with skill who came from a successful collegiate program.
The one player from the Crew I’d want to watch out for is Eddie Gaven. He’s their leading scorer with four goals on the year, but has always been a pretty good player in MLS. He has experience with the USMNT as well. If there is one player who can make things happen for Columbus, he’s the one. I’d also say Emilio Renteria, but he’s suspended for this match. The Crew’s biggest asset is their keeper Andy Gruenebaum. He has 62 saves on the season, which is third best in MLS. If I can remember, he was the backup keeper for some time behind Will Hesmer but looks to have secured the starting role after Hesmer’s injury. Honestly, I’m happy for him because he’s a University of Kentucky alumni (Go Cats!).
With a hot keeper like that, what can you do? Test him. DC United must go out there and get shots on goal. If the Columbus defense is so good, make them earn the shutout. And it just so happens DC has the offense to do it. Pontius, De Rosario, Santos, Cruz and whoever else Olsen puts out there have the ability to shoot fireworks in Crew Stadium. The only missing piece will be Branko Boskovic, who will be missing the match thanks to a sore calf. Boskovic is one of the best passers on the team, so his presence will be missed. De Rosario will probably play in the attacking role with Pontius and Santos or Salihi up front.
Overall, should be a good match for United. They’ll be looking to get back on track after last week. Columbus can be a solid club, but they aren’t great like they used to be. A playoff club should be able to go to Crew Stadium and come away with three points. Hopefully, DC United will do just that.
DC United Women In Eastern Conference Playoffs
DC United Women are having an exciting weekend. They are hosting the Eastern Conference playoffs at the Maryland Soccerplex. If they win, they will advance to the W-League Championships in Ottawa next weekend. Their semifinals match will be against the fourth seeded Virginia Beach Piranhas. DCUW are currently 2-0-1 against the Piranhas this season, winning twice (2-0 and 3-0) and drawing once (1-1). The match will take place at 6:00pm. If you can’t make it to the match, you can follow the updates on Twitter (@DCUWomen). And if you can make it out, I’ll see you there.
(image courtesy of dcunited.com)
