The Columbus Crew have been fairly inconsistent all year. This is the first of three times that they'll face D.C. United, who happen to be coming off a 4-0 loss of their own. Tonight we'll find out if United's loss to the Houston Dynamo last Sunday was just a result of an unfortunate situation, or the start of a decline from the top of the standings.
Game time: 7:30 PM
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Projected starting lineup: United will have to accommodate for a suspension, an injury, and a dip in form at the top of the formation. So with that, I'm expecting three changes to United's starting 11. The obvious one is that Joe Willis will start in goal. Since he's done a nice job filling in for Robbie Russell in the past, Chris Korb should be set on the right side of the defense, with Daniel Woolard on the left, and Dejan Jakovic and Brandon McDonald in the middle. Unless of course this happens to be the week that Emiliano Dudar returns to the lineup. Coming off a scoreless loss, look for Ben Olsen to employ Chris Pontius where he's been at his best up top next to Dwayne De Rosario. That would mean a return of Nick DeLeon to left midfield, Branko Boskovic and Perry Kitchen in the middle, and Danny Cruz on the right.
Prediction: I'm expecting a fairly tight and possibly physical game. Hopefully United has more bite than it had in the lost to the Houston Dynamo. My prediction is a 2-1 win for D.C.
What are you drinking? Shock Top Summer Shandy
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