The Cristman/Allsopp partnership isn’t scoring any goals right now, but its doing a better job than anyone else we could put up there. Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio started in the reserves match against the Northern Virginia Royals, a team in the USL Premier Development League. The USL PDL is also known as the fourth level on the US soccer pyramid. Jaime and Emilio couldn’t manage a goal against a 4th level team; the DC United twitter feed said it was because of rain and a very good goalie, but if the goalie is that good he should be up in at least the USL, if not MLS. Jaime and Emilio have combined for 163 total goals in league play, not to mention goals in other competitions. If they can’t score against a 4th level side, then they don’t deserve to be starting.
Boyzzz Khumalo needs to be coming off the bench when Santino Quaranta/Chris Pontius are fully fit. His speed is a nice change of pace of the bench, but he doesn’t have the crossing ability or decision making to really be a 90 minute player. But, that’s the problem: Quaranta and Pontius aren’t fit right now, although Pontius may get a second half run out. I hope that Andy Najar will get the start in his place.
With Bill Hamid picking up a knock in training, it looks like Troy Perkins might be making his triumphant return to the starting lineup. Hopefully, he plays well; I wouldn’t mind him working up his trade value so United can trade him for something good either in the midseason transfer window or at the end of the year.
Here’s my starting lineup:
Perkins
Graye Talley Pena Wallace
Najar Simms Morsink Castillo
Cristman Allsopp
I won’t be able to watch this match in real time since I don’t get Galavision, but I’ll watch it on MatchDay Live at some point either tonight or tomorrow. Houston has been up and down all season, but they’ve been good at home. I can’t imagine United getting a win, but maybe they can nick a point and get a 1-1 tie.
Before Extra Time 