Preview of Game 1 - DC United at Kansas City Wizards

DC United travels to Kansas City to kick off the MLS Season XIII. United looks to start this year off on a more positive note than they did last year. United managed only one point from their first four games, yet managed to recover their form and win the Supporter's Shield. DC had a loss and a tie against Kansas City last season being outscored 5-3. United's road record was 6-4-5 and they had a +7 goal differential.

Kansas City were a decent home team last season with a 7-3-5 record and a +4 goal differential. The Wizards finished the season tied for 4th place in the Eastern Conference.

Jamie Moreno is recovering from his hamstring injury suffered during the first half of the first lag against Harbour View, Ben Olsen has not been cleared to play, and Rod Dyachenko is serving a red card suspension earned from being sent off during the playoff game against Chicago. United looked very good against Harbour View. I think the central defense will be best it has been since 2004. The bench is deeper as well with several players who are ready to play now, not looking for minutes to get them ready for the furure. Competition for starting spots should be intense in practice and with the heavy schedule, Emilio, Moreno, Gallardo, Fred, and Olsen will be given a game off every now and then to keep them fresh for the end of the year. I expect the starting eleven this week to be: Emilio, Neill, Gallardo, Simms, Fred, McTavish, Martinez, Peralta, Namoff, Burch, and Wells. For comparison, this was the line up from the final game of the season against Chicago: Emilio, Gomez, Fred, Olsen, Carroll, Simms, Namoff, Vanney, McTavish, Burch, and Perkins. So six players return and five new ones join. That's quite a turnover.

Prediction:

DC United 2:1 Kansas City Wizards