This season has gotten off to a rough start for D.C. United, and for Ben Olsen especially. After starting two very different lineups in the team's first two matches, a small but loud section of the fan base has taken the first step towards turning against the club legend.
Its a pity, especially given that United's two losses came at the hands of the two teams expected to win their respective conferences this year. Still, Olsen has a chance to change their minds directly tonight with a visit to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Game time: 10:00 PM
Television: Comcast SportsNet
Projected starting lineup: You've seen this from us before. Twice actually. We expect Joe Willis in goal again, with Emiliano Dudar getting his first MLS start in front of him. Daniel Woolard seems likely to return to the starting lineup on the left, with Robbie Russell and Brandon McDonald filling out the back line. With Andy Najar away on National team duty, look for Danny Cruz to step in on the right side of midfield, with Chris Pontius, Branko Boskovic, and Marcelo Saragosa joining him. If we get our wish, Hamdi Salihi and Dwayne De Rosario will start up top.
Prediction: I'm going with a slight improvement over the LA Galaxy match: a 2-1 loss, with Salihi getting his first MLS goal, but Willis and the rest of the defense struggling to hold its form yet again.
What are you drinking? Well personally, I'm out with my wife tonight celebrating our five-year anniversary at the Melting Pot in Annapolis, which means right about now I'm probably drinking some sort of after-dinner cocktail that includes either Kahlua, Grand Marnier, or perhaps both.
This is your place for pre-game, in-game, or post-game discussion.