Preview: DC United vs. Seattle Sounders FC (Major League Soccer—week 8)
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Seattle-Sounders-FC-c40474, at RFK Stadium in the week 8 fixture of the 2011 season on May 4. The three-time MLS Cup winners have landed on a rough spot this season and can be found at 6th spot in the Eastern Conference. The Sounders started this season disappointingly but have regained their composure in recent games, climbing up to 3rd position in the Western Conference.
DCU come home from Texas this week after their 4-1 drubbing by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Houston-Dynamo-c39542 at Robertson Stadium. The latest defeat has made things even worse for the team and should the trend continue, the season will be deemed a disaster even at these early stages of the season.
Wednesday’s opposition, the Sounders, have enjoyed contrasting fortunes. The team started its season on a disappointing note, getting thrashed by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Colorado-Rapids-c38849 1-0 before thrashing Toronto FC by a 3-0 score line.
DC United
Even http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Charlie-Davies-c8841’ return to the roster after two years has failed to address United’s lack of consistency. Worst still, the player himself has started suffering from similar misfortunes.
Even though Davies remains the MLS top scorer so far this season, his goals have brought little success to the outfit as they have unimpressive 2-4-1 (2 wins, 4 losses and a draw) statistics. Should DCY continue with the poor form, they will find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference sooner than later.
Defence has always been United’s Achilles heel and this season is no different. The team has conceding a whopping 16 goals in just seven matches, making it just over 2 goals every match.
With Jed Zayner still sidelined with a hamstring strain, the defence has gotten even weaker and facing an in-form Seattle Sounders would be an unwelcome proposition.
Injury Report
Branko Boskovic (ACL tear), Junior Carreiro (ankle sprain), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jed-Zayner-c18231 (hamstring strain) are unavailable for this game.
Seattle Sounders FC
Sigi Schmid’s men have finally started to take control of the season. Steve Zakuani’s leg fracture has catalysed the resurgence. The midfielder has been ruled out for an indefinite period after a double leg fracture following a horror tackle by Colorado Rapids’ http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brian-Mullan-c8061. O’Brian White remains the notable absentee after a leg operation.
However, these two absences seem to have made no difference to the Rave Green as they have showcased their ability to adjust to the circumstances. The team, without the services of the two aforementioned players, managed to win both away and home fixtures.
The attack has performed reasonable well of late. Head coach Schmid has publicly admired http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brad-Evans-c7952’ performance in the last match, where he scored a brace while also notching up an assist. The manager will be now hoping for a repeat of the recent performances.
Injury Report
O’Brian White (leg surgery), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pat-Noonan-c29216 (quad strain) are set to miss this encounter.
Following are the line-ups for Ben Olsen and Sigi Schmid respectively:
DC United
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Josh-Wolff-c19540
Seattle Sounders FC
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fredy-Montero-c14211
Prediction
Even though DCU play at their home turf, the momentum going into this game is favouring the opposition. The Sounders will take the game after a close encounter. The predicted score is 2-1 in the Rave Green’s favour.
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