DCU Primer: One more time, with meaning

Saturday night, DC United faces a tied-for-last-overall FC Dallas team for the second time this year. The difference, of course, is that this match matters in the scheme of the MLS season. That isn’t to say that the US Open Cup qualifier didn’t matter, but progress toward the playoffs is more important than progress in the USOC.

FC Dallas sit on 4 points from 6 matches and are tied with Los Angeles for last in the Western Conference, though the Galaxy have played one less match. The most dangerous player on the side is forward Kenny Cooper, he of 4 goals, representing 66% of his team’s output. Other recognizable attacking players are Jeff Cunningham (104 goals all time), and Dave van den Bergh, former Red Bull. All together it isn’t a roster that inspires a lot of fear, and that’s part of the potential problem.

Still riding high coming off of their 3-2 comeback win at the death at Giants Stadium, DC United are mid-table, but have only suffered one loss all year. Some of the injured from last weekend (Gomez, N’Silu) are off of the injured list, and Jaime Moreno is probable. The pressure to stop the aforementioned Cooper is going to fall mostly to whoever the starting center back is for United, likely Dejan Jakovic. Thankfully Cooper isn’t fleet afoot. Does Moreno move into the starting lineup? Does Ben Olsen need anymore rest? Does Avery John see any time on the pitch?

One thing’s for sure, we could be in for another rainy night at RFK. Bring your sandwich bags!