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US: MLS Preview - New England Revolution v DC United [Fri Aug 26th, 2005]
Last week both the Revs and United added one to the loss column after losing games that most expected them to win. With everyone in the Eastern Conference suddenly closer, who will get the critical three points?
New England Revolution (8-7-8, 32 pts) v DC United (3-17-3, 12 pts)
When: 7:30pm EST, Saturday, August 27th, 2005
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
After getting shut out 2-0 in Colorado last Wednesday, the Revs welcome Taylor Twellman, Avery John, and Steve Ralston back from national team duty. Getting a little extra rest this week while DC were still playing in the US Open Cup this week should also leave them feeling pretty good.
Shalrie Joseph may need a little breather after chasing the Galacticos in Madrid Tuesday, and Clint Dempsey and Matt Reis are suspended for the match. Without Reis, Doug Warren will start in goal, and Daniel Hernandez should start in midfield while Dempsey is out.
While the Revs have been maxin’ and relaxin’ since last Wednesday, United fell to the Galaxy at home (LA’s first win outside of southern California in more than a year), and were eliminated from the USOC by Dallas in a shootout.
Needless to say, they are going to be more fatigued then the Revs this Saturday. On top of that, Bryan Namoff is suspended for the match, and Jaime Moreno came off the field injured while playing for the MLS Select team earlier this week. His status is currently unknown, and is critical to DC playing their best offensively. Freddy Adu and Ben Olsen will be back for DC and Facundo Erpen will see his first MLS action after transferring from Argentina.
The key to this match is the status of Jaime Moreno. He walked off the field on Wednesday, so you would think that the injury isn’t that severe, but you never can tell. If DC is going to have a chance they will need their offense to be on track, especially with a new face on defence.
The Revs offense will take advantage of any mistakes that DC make in the back. Keeping up with New England will be tough, even without Clint Dempsey, a player that many are starting to feel looks better because of the pieces around him.
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