Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Continuing on the Road

The Wizards are back in action tomorrow night as they'll take on DC United at RFK Stadium in the second game of their 3 game East Coast road trip. This game is the rescheduled game from back in August that was moved so DC could play Real Madrid. DC has been busy the past few weeks, as they've basically been playing two games a week for most of the past two months. Combine that with the mounting injury issues that they have, and there could be some tired legs out there tomorrow night for United. Still, United can pull themselves back into the Supporters' Shield race with a win, so they won't just roll over.

KC helped themselves greatly Saturday with their win in New England and can further help that if they were to win again or even get a point in DC. They've gotten back on the scorers sheet and have gotten 3 points again, which has to help the confidence. Does Peter Vermes stick with the same lineup that got him the 3 points in New England, knowing that they'll be playing again on Saturday in New York? Or does he make a change or two from that lineup? Getting the win, I think we'll see the same lineup, but depending on the way the game is going, we'll see subs for Josh Wolff and Claudio Lopez a little earlier in the game this tomorrow.

Hartman
Watson - Conrad - Besler - Harrington
Hirsig
Gomez - Jewsbury - Lopez
Arnaud - Wolff

Key Match Up - Jimmy Conrad vs Luciano Emilio - Emilio didn't start on the weekend in Dallas, giving him a chance to rest his legs a bit after the busy schedule they've had. Matching up with Emilio, Conrad (who hasn't looked completely himself since returning from his concussion) will have his hands full dealing with DC's designated player.

PREDICTION - I haven't done a complete 180 on this team after the one result against New England on Saturday, but now that they've started scoring goals again (specifically Wolff, who is a streaky striker), you do have to feel a little better going up against a DC team that is depleted and a little tired. Still, KC hasn't won back to back road games, since they won 3 road games in a row back in 2005.

KC - 1 (Wolff)
DC - 1 (Moreno)

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