Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 1 - DC United at Chicago Fire

Thursday, October 25 at 8:30 PM

TV: ESPN2 HD
Radio: 1160 AM

DC United travels to Chicago to open the MLS playoffs with a prime time national TV game. There is a long and one sided playoff history between these two clubs. Chicago has dominated the playoff series, outscoring United 10-0 over five games. Most recently, Chicago eliminated DC from the playoffs with a 4-0 shellacking at RFK stadium in 2005. You may remember that as the game when Christian Gomez lost his head and some spit and was red carded. I got into a debate with a friend about who United should be wary of and Chicago topped his list of teams to avoid if possible. I look at it as a way to right past wrongs. Chicago stood in the way of United winning the first four MLS Cups. Chicago has eliminated United three different times in the playoffs. In fact, United has only been eliminated from the playoffs four times, the other was by New England last year. Chicago won the 1998 MLS Cup against DC, they knocked out United in 2003 on a 4-0 aggregate, and the above mentioned 4-0 embarrassment after a 0-0 tie at Chicago in 2005. So, depending on how you look at it, United has a score to settle or is doomed. Are you a half empty or half full person?

DC finished the regular season with a 16-7-7 (W-D-L) record and a league leading 55 points to retain the Supporter's Shield. Chicago finished 4th in the Eastern Conference with a 10-10-10 record and 40 points. DC and Chicago played three times this season. A win by United in DC, a tie in Chicago, and a tie in DC. The aggregate goals for the season series was United 4:2 Fire. DC's advantage is their dominance at home and ability to get results on the road. I would imagine the strategy will be to keep the score low in Chicago and win at home. For United a 0-0 tie or 1-0 win or loss will be fine considering the injuries and short week of preparation. Then rest up and lay the wood in the second leg. Of course, they will try to win in Chicago, but I would bet that the formation and personnel will be geared towards a controlled low scoring affair.

I expect the starting lineup to be Moreno, Emilio, Gomez, Fred, Olsen, Simms, McTavish, Burch, Vanney, Namoff, and Perkins. If United scores first, I expect to see Carroll and Boswell as the subs. If Chicago scores first, I expect to see Kpene and Dyachenko as the subs.

Prediction:

DC United 1:1 Chicago Fire