Preview of Game 12 - DC United vs Colorado Rapids

United, 5-2-4 (W-D-L), enters this game after their worst performance since April, a 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake. United will be very shorthanded with Boswell, Olsen, and Moreno missing due to Copa America national team duty. As a result, some of the younger players will get a chance to play the full 90. DC is 4-1-1 at home this season with a +4 goal differential. They are in 4th place in the Eastern Conference (1.55 PPG), five points behind New England (1.83 PPG) with one game in hand. They are in 6th place in the Supporter's Shield race, eight points behind FC Dallas (1.67 PPG) with four games in hand.

Colorado comes to DC to on a four game loosing streak including last week's 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. The Rapids are 2-4-0 on the road this season with a -3 goal differential. They are in 4th place in the Western Conference (1.15 PPG), ten points behind FC Dallas (1.67 PPG), and in 8th place in the Supporter's Shield race.

United failed to win the easy one against the MLS' worst team, Real Salt Lake, so now they need to regroup on a short week to prepare for a streaking Rapids team on Thursday Night Soccer. With Boswell, Olsen, and Moreno out of the country, I expect the starting eleven to be Emilio, Kpene, Gomez, Fred, Simms, Carroll the Elder, Erpen, McTavish, Gros, Namoff, and Perkins a 4-4-2 formation. Dyachenko, Addlery, and Moose should get in during the second half. I hope I am wrong, but this could easily be a one goal stinker of a game.

EDIT: It appears that Namoff will be unavailable due to a hamstring issue. So, Moose should replace him and we may see a return to the 3-5-2 formation. Kpene and Emilio up top, Fred and Moose on the wings, Gomez, Carroll, and Simms in the middle, and McTavish, Erpen and Gros in the back. Eeek. And the rain may come crashing down. Bring your umbrellas.

Prediction:

DC United 1:0 Colorado Rapids