“Now we’re going to play our two biggest rivals on the road, D.C. and New England in a must-win situation. We know we’ve got to find a way to win,” said Dane Richards. “Whether we play pretty, ugly, excellent whatever, but we have to win. Gotta find a way to win; hopefully we can do that on the road at our biggest rivals.”
That’s easier said than done. United has won five straight Atlantic Cups, the rivalry trophy contested between the two teams. Then Sunday they’ll face New England, against whom they’re 0-6-5 in their last 11; and do it in Foxboro, where they’re 0-8-3 in their last 11. So you’re saying there’s a chance….
And as if they didn’t have enough issues, they’re having trouble finishing and both finishers are hurting. Juan Pablo Angel sat out practice to rest his ailing back, and even though he has a team-high four goals and should play, the Colombian clearly isn’t 100 percent. It’s painfully obvious.
And Kandji (two goals, three assists) has been their best attacking player, first as a striker and now being eased into the playmaker’s role. He’s seeing a doctor today for a scan on his hamstring, but I’d be shocked if he plays, If not, Osorio’s choices in a 4-4-2 seem to be starting Richards either up front with Sinisa Ubiparipovic wide right, or out wide himself with John Wolyniec up front.
Either way, with the struggling Pacheco gone to international duty _ perhaps a good thing, the way he’s played lately _ expect Danleigh Borman to fill in at left back and Jorge Rojas to start at left wing. Rojas asked the Venezuelan National Team to let him stay and play tomorrow’s national TV game, and he’ll fly Friday to rejoin them for World Cup qualifying.
“We played them twice. We weren’t able to completely figure them out. But it’s an important game and this time I feel we’ve been able to figure out exactly how to break them down,” Rojas said. “The win is obvious. We need the points, not only to not let the leaders get away, but also teams like D.C., which are only (seven) points away from us. It’s crucial to win.”
Think they’re better off without Pacheco for a game or two? Think Kandji can make a shocking recovery and at least dress? And how many times can they play well only to suffer a gut-wrenching one-goal loss before team spirit suffers? Hollar at us…
