Team forced to make defensive adjustments
Another week, another lost center back for D.C. United, which will utilize its third different defensive lineup in as many weeks against the defending MLS-champion Colorado Rapids.
Rookie Perry Kitchen and Canadian national team member Dejan Jakovic paired together for D.C.’s season-opening 3-1 win over Columbus two weeks ago. But Kitchen left immediately afterward to captain the U.S. under-20 national team at the CONCACAF championship, and Jakovic is suspended after earning a red card late in last weekend’s 2-1 loss at New England.
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“We’re going pretty deep early in the season,” United goalkeeper Pat Onstad said. “But that happens to every team at some stage during the season, and you have to rely on guys to do their jobs. I think we have every confidence in the world, whether it’s an Ethan White or Daniel Woolard who steps in there. I think we’ve got a great group of players, and those guys are chomping at the bit to get the opportunity to play and prove themselves.”
| Up Next |
| United at Rapids |
| Where » Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo. |
| When » Sunday, 7 p.m. |
| TV » Galavision |
United coach Ben Olsen must also decide if Jed Zayner is healthy enough for a return to right back after a hamstring injury led to rookie Chris Korb’s debut against the Revolution. The only certain defensive starters appear to be Rodrigo Brasesco and Marc Burch.
The Rapids (2-0-0) have started the same way they finished the 2010 campaign, in which Omar Cummings and Conor Casey combined for 27 goals — the most prolific attacking tandem in MLS.
“Conor’s a beast and he’s got good feet for a guy his size and makes good decisions,” Olsen said. “Obviously, Cummings changes them. He’s a huge part of their success. He stretches defenses, allows others to benefit from his speed.”
United (1-1-0) handed the Rapids one of only two home losses last year, a 1-0 victory that was D.C.’s first in Colorado in more than a decade.
Olsen’s first visit to Commerce City as head coach, after being suspended for last year’s trip, will also present him with options at forward. United was cautious during the week with forward Josh Wolff (hamstring), and Joseph Ngwenya hasn’t been at his best in either of D.C.’s first two matches. Meanwhile, Charlie Davies has three goals (two penalty kicks) in two games, and rookie second-round draft pick Blake Brettschneider has also pushed for playing time with three goals in two reserve matches.
