D.C. United has been somewhat fortunate this year so far. The team has faced many opponents who were less than full strength, missing at least one of their top players. Tonight, we'll be able to add excellent Honduran center back Victor Bernardez to the list that already includes David Ferreira, Shalrie Joseph, Rafael Marquez, and Brad Davis. Had C.J. Sapong and Robbie Keane been injured, we might still be undefeated right now. The San Jose Earthquakes have adjusted well so far to his injury absence though. With two games in four days, will United be able to adjust similarly well to the injury absence of Emiliano Dudar?
Game time: 10:30 PM
TV: CSN Plus. Find it on your cable network here. Or you can watch on MLS Live as the local blackout has been lifted.
Projected starting lineup: Its hard to say. The last time that United had a match on short rest, some starters were rested. That was against an expansion team though. This is against the first place team in the Western Conference. Given that recent history, I think United will go with its best 11 tonight, and some reserves on Saturday against Toronto FC. With Dudar and Dejan Jakovic out, that will mean Daniel Woolard, Brandon McDonald, Robbie Russell, and Perry Kitchen in the back line. It may or may not mean Bill Hamid instead of Joe Willis in goal. Marcelo Saragosa will step in for Kitchen in defensive midfield, with Nick DeLeon and Danny Cruz on the wings and Dwayne De Rosario behind forwards Chris Pontius and Maicon Santos.
Prediction: Frank Yallop has his team playing really well right now, and with this game happening across the country on short rest, I'm predicting a 2-1 United loss.
What are you drinking? My alarm clock goes off at 5:15 every morning. I'm drinking coffee. Definitely coffee.
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