Concacaf Champions League Semifinal, First Leg
10 p.m. FSC
Zzzzz. Zzzz. Zzzz.
If DC is smart, this should be the only sound heard from fans across DC and Mexico tonight as United grinds out a 0-0 draw with Pachuca. Can United do that? Honestly, I doubt it. I have a hard time believing that this team can just flip on and off the competence switch this early in the season. If so, then we’re just going to view the MLS regular season like an NBA season, with games “taken off” with no particular consequences. If not, then United better be pissed off after Saturday night and prepared to take it out on a team that has won four trophies in the past two years.
As useful as a win would be, a loss, especially a 1-0 one, would not likely prove fatal either. Tonight is a massive test for the Gonzalos and the entire defensive unit. A player to watch is forward Juan Carlos Cacho leads the team in Clausura scoring with four goals. Also keep an eye on young midfielder José Francisco Torres, who was born in Longview, Texas.
Going back to United, I really want to see a better performance from Emilio and Gallardo tonight. I do think that’s possible if the Mexicans play to stereotype and allow DC more time on the ball in midfield. If they sit and allow DC to attack at them then DC could find success. But either way, Emilio needs to get more shots on goal and put himself in better positions to allow that to happen. I’d love to see better wing-play, but with Kirk unlikely to debut in this match and Soehn viewing Quaranta as a forward, I find that unlikely.
My prediction and it pains me to say it:
1-0 Pachuca.
Fighting Talker 