The Game that Matters: USOC Semifinal DCU vs NE Game Preview

By: jon | August 12th, 2008

Ok folks. Sunday was an aberration. A nightmare. A one-off. Tonight, we see two great teams go head to head for the chance to play in the final of one the oldest open competitions in the world. Here’s your preview.

New England is coming off of a bitter defeat against Chicago. DC is coming off an embarrassing result in NY. Both teams are looking to advance, and DC should be presenting a full lineup. There will be a few absences.

Marc Burch, he of the inconsistent free kicks and at times, pylon defending, is ineligible due to his red card against Mr. White of Chicago.
Marcello Gallardo (Mr. DP) is still recovering from DOUBLE hernia surgery (oww.) and will not be available for selection.

There should also be a few new faces.

Santino Quaranta, who played 45 minutes in NY and was generally ineffective due to poor, or no, service, should be fit for at least that much time tonight, and possibly more. It appears that Soehn is ready to give the wing position to Ivan Guerrero on a permanent basis and have Tino fight it out for minutes in a Forward position and in his old wing position. It has been a while since he has been in the Forward role, so it might take a while to get re-accustomed to it.

Gonzalo Peralta, the often criticized, but also so obviously missed, defender should be making his return tonight after only a SINGLE hernia surgery (pansy).

With the news that Ivan Guerrero and Joe Vide are eligible for Open Cup play, I look forward to seeing a lineup similar to this –

Wells
Namoff—–Peralta—-Martinez—–McTavish
Vide——–Simms
Guerrero—–Moreno———Fred
Emilio

a.k.a. The Going for Broke Lineup

In Rev news, it looks like we will be facing their backup, Doug Warren who is evidently a 4 year pro, who has played all of their Open Cup matches up to this point. Let’s hope we can rattle this guy.
According to this article, NE will also be without Steve Ralston and Jay Heaps. I’m sure the Barra will be sad about the absence of Heaps.

If DC plays the way they’ve shown they can, and can be aggressive and minimize the chances for NE’s forwards, I think DC can take this and advance to the next round, which will either be in Seattle or in RFK. So if you’re a DCU fan, root for DC and Rochester edit: Charleston. thanks, spectre tonight so we can all attend the final. But let’s not put the cart in front of the horse.

PREDICTIONS
I see DC fighting for the shirt tonight, and advancing. I don’t see a shut out, but I do see a better backline with Peralta returning. 2-1 nail biter, goals for DC by Moreno and Emilio, and a goal for the speedy Nyassi who will light McTavish on fire.

What do you think? Let’s hear it.