If you weren't paying attention to the 2011 MLS season, you'd be surprised to learn that DC United is the favorite to beat the Houston Dynamo today, despite United losing the teams' earlier match by a score of a 4-1. A lot has changed since then for the two teams that have been traveling in different directions. United has figured out how to play defense, and Houston has forgotten how to score. Revenge is there for the taking tonight at RFK Stadium.
Game time: 6:00 PM
Television: Comcast SportsNet
Projected starting lineup: United will be pretty darn close to full strength, with 10 of 11 regular starters set to go. The backline will remain intact from the team that gave up only a soft penalty kick goal to Real Salt Lake last Saturday, with Jed Zayner, Perry Kitchen, Ethan White, and Daniel Woolard starting in front of Bill Hamid. I expect Dax McCarty to return to a starting role in the midfield, and he'll be surrounded by Clyde Simms, Chris Pontius, and Andy Najar. Up top, along with Josh Wolff, Charlie Davies will be in the starting 11 this week after the birthday boy came off the bench the past two weeks.
I'm attending the match as a fan today, taking my 11-month old daughter to her first ever sporting event. If you see us, say hi. I'll be the dude in the black Moreno jersey. She'll be the girl in the white DCU jersey with a black and red custom tutu.
This is your place for pre-game, in-game, and post-game discussions.