GameThread: D.C. United At Real Salt Lake
by Martin Shatzer on Jul 31, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
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PrintReal Salt Lake has not lost at home all season, and DC United hasn't earned so much as a point in Utah the past five years. That doesn't add up well as the last place team in the league takes on the defending champions. But United is coming off two impressive victories outside of league action, and looks to continue that tonight.
Game Time: 9:00 PM Eastern
Television: Comcast SportsNet
Projected Starting Lineup: Well, I already dedicated an entire story to United's probable lineup last night, but to summarize, I believe that the lineup we'll be using here has the best scoring potential of any other lineup we've used all season. Look for Santino Quaranta, Branko Boskovic, Andy Najar, Danny Allsopp, and Pablo Hernandez all to start and pose problems for one of the top defensive teams in the league.
Predicting a positive result tonight just doesn't make sense. It completely goes against history, as well as the current standings. But if Chivas USA could do it last week, why can't we?
This is your place for pre-game, in-game, and post-game thoughts. It's gonna be a good one.
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I am pretty nervous about this game
Due to the fact that if our new signings are going to make an impact in league play we should start seeing that tonight. I am not saying that I want them to come out and dominate but I would like to see some chemistry and chances created. If we resort to spraying out wide to Najar again then I will sorely let down.
by ccrun1800 on Jul 31, 2025 6:49 PM EDT reply actions
Starting lineup
Perkins
Burch, Talley, James, McTavish
Quaranta, Simms, Boskovic, Najar
Hernandez, Allsopp
Dejan Jakovic is sitting out with a hamstring injury, which explains Barry Rice’s late flight out yesterday to be Talley’s backup. This is a huge step down, and could be the decisive factor in the match.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jul 31, 2025 8:17 PM EDT reply actions
I saw Talley's name in the lineup and my heart just sank
I really like the guy, just not as a soccer player.
by Brendanukkah on Jul 31, 2025 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Captain Talley?
Surprised to hear he’s wearing the armband. Why would you suddenly give it to a reserve defender when your starting goalkeeper has been wearing it for the past three months?
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jul 31, 2025 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Earlier
Talley wore it earlier this season.
by Croftonpost on Aug 2, 2025 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Graye’s not even in the 18? Oh boy.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
He needs a break
People talk about the rookie wall, and they mean it physically. I think Graye hit a wall mentally that helped cause his recent mistakes. Those mistakes seem to have weighed on him in quotes to the press. I’m nervous about Burch (many months since he played in a real game, and we were all ready to replace him as a starter back then anyway), but Graye needs to step away from the pressure for a bit to collect himself.
If RSL plays Findley while we field Talley and Burch, even our best efforts tonight might not be good enough. We’re going to have to be great to get anything out of this game.
by ChestRockwell on Jul 31, 2025 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh I agree that he hit a wall, but I think my anxiety over Burch starting and going a ton of time is what motivated the comment.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Game within the game
How many United players are wearing yellow boots?
I think I just counted 6.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jul 31, 2025 9:11 PM EDT reply actions
I’m a little late in coming on, is that Dunseth on color?
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 9:14 PM EDT reply actions
Yep
Rongen still basking in the Milk Cup victory.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jul 31, 2025 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s a joke.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 9:24 PM EDT reply actions
Referee has totally lost control
That’s what happens when you fail to give a yellow card for Beckerman’s sliding tackle with no chance of success.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jul 31, 2025 9:32 PM EDT reply actions
O/U for Boskovic’s temper/frustration getting him another yellow is 75:00.
Not saying he’s not justified…
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Almost looked like a good set piece goal. What the…?
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 9:44 PM EDT reply actions
Oh FFS.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 9:51 PM EDT reply actions
Seriously
How does our physio still have a job?
by VercengetorixII on Jul 31, 2025 9:53 PM EDT reply actions
Shatz took down the Onalfo quote/injury report sidebar on the front page. That would have been good humor right now.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Part of the reason I took it down was because the link to the online chat where Onalfo gave his quote about having the fewest injuries in the league is now broken. Awfully convenient that United took down that page, eh?
I’m glad to see Stephen King come in for Simms and not Kurt Morsink. Shows that we’re pushing for goals, not sitting back to defend.
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Jul 31, 2025 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I’d expect more of the same when (if?) Burch comes off for Pontius.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
…or Allsopp.
And I thought Tom Soehn was a shitty coach.
by Bald Pollack on Jul 31, 2025 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously Perkins? Kind of late chiming up but he got nutmegged bad, Simms shouldve been marking rather than playing assistant official.
by DonCaps819 on Jul 31, 2025 9:59 PM EDT reply actions
Hey I just started watching (I’m in Philly right now). How is the game going, other than the scoreboard?
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
by Jake Shapiro on Jul 31, 2025 10:39 PM EDT reply actions
Hernandez
I have liked Hernandez thus far, but he looked pretty lazy on RSL’s 2nd goal. His pass was picked off in the midfield and then he made no effort to get the ball back or defend any passing lanes as the ball was worked right by him and down the field for the goal. It was in the last 15 minutes so maybe he was a little tired. But still, a little extra effort is the sign of a true competitor, especially directly after your own turnover.
by 6612 on Jul 31, 2025 10:47 PM EDT reply actions
This sucks. It seems mathematically impossible with the quality of our players that we continue to be so abysmal this season. I am unbelievably frustrated with D.C. United. But I’m too emotionally attached to stop watching.
Will they at least lower ticket prices at RFK as an apology for this entire year?
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
by Jake Shapiro on Jul 31, 2025 11:01 PM EDT reply actions
Play the Young and the Restless
Hamid in goal; Graye on the right, Burch on the left, James and Jackovic in the middle; Pontius and Quaranta on the wings, Bosko and Simms in the middle (or King if Simms is out for a while); Najar and Hernandez up top.
by dc army on Jul 31, 2025 11:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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