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Tonight, D.C. United and Toronto FC will face off for the least interesting match of the week second of three meetings in 2013. With everything nothing really on the line for United - except maybe a lesser or greater chance of locking up the top overall pick in next year's SuperDraft - you can bet Ben Olsen will hold nothing back run out a reasonable squad that should mix youth and veterans while not unduly risking any injured players. The electricity is palpable hopefully still on at RFK.
Time: 7 pm Eastern - do they have the same names for the time zones in Canada?
Venue: RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, DC, AMERICA
TV/Streaming: Well, that's not as rosy as we'd like it to be. If you're in the DMV but not at RFK Stadium, your only options to watch the game will be MLS's paid options, Direct Kick on cable/satellite and MLS Live online. As a bonus kick, you'll be hearing Toronto's broadcast team when you tune/click in.
Match Previews: From around these parts, we've got ChestRockwell's scouting report on Toronto as well as my joint preview/question exchange with Kristin Knowles of Waking the Red. If you want multimedia, then be sure to take in the latest episode of our podcast Filibuster, featuring a chat with Duncan Fletcher (also of WtR), and a video look back at what happened the last time United hosted the Reds. Up at WtR, they've also got their share of previews, with Duncan arguing that tonight's game actually means a lot to TFC and James Grossi throwing down a good scouting report on United.
Projected D.C. Lineup: There are a few question marks, but I expect Ben Olsen to keep the broad 4-4-1-1 he's used of late. Bill Hamid in goal behind a back four of, probably, Chris Korb, Dejan Jakovic, Daniel Woolard and either James Riley or new pick-up Dennis Iapichino. Across the midfield, look for Nick DeLeon, Perry Kitchen, Jared Jeffrey (for the possibly-injured John Thorrington) and Kyle Porter. Though I wouldn't mind if Benny followed Benuski's advice and started Conor Doyle on the left. Up top, it'll be Dwayne De Rosario ahead of Luis Silva.
Match Prediction: I think despite United's sitting 7 points behind TFC in the standings that, at this moment - especially with a broken toe sidelining midfielder Matias Laba - D.C. are the better team, capable of playing the better soccer. We should see that tonight, as Toronto's defense will have trouble dealing with the movement of United's dual false nines. Each of Silva and DeRo find the net, and we all go home happy, 2-0 winners.
What Are You Drinking?: Haven't you heard? There's DC Brau at RFK Stadium now! I'll be familiarizing myself with their location(s) in the stadium to ensure I'll have my fermentation without representation at future games, too.
If you aren't at the stadium - or even if you are but can't pull your nose away from the smartphone - consider this your place for pre-game, in-game and post-game commentary.
More from Black And Red United:
- Monumental Network to air the September 28 game between D.C. United and Toronto FC
- Ben Olsen's suspension rescinded; D.C. United's head coach will be on the sideline tomorrow
- MLS target Rodolfo Zelaya among the 22 Salvadoran national team players suspended for match fixing
- United Abroad: Alumni News & Notes for August 2013
- D.C. United vs. Toronto FC Match Center - MLS Week 25