Who Should the Union Start Against DC United?
by Joey Samuel on Apr 5, 2011 1:18 PM EDT
in Game Day
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Tomorrow night, the Philadelphia Union will begin their participation in the 2011 edition of the US Open Cup. The Union will have to win three games to earn a spot in the tournament proper, which they would enter at the Round of 16 along with 7 other MLS clubs.
The Union's first game will be at the Maryland Soccerplex against DC United. Given that it is a midweek game and several players are missing due to injury or international duty, Peter Nowak may have to make some changes to his starting lineups from the first three league games.
Amobi Okugo and Zac MacMath, who may have been likely to play in this type of game, are unavailable as they continue their participation in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Justin Mapp has been sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury and it seems more likely that Nowak would save him for this Saturday's game against the New York Red Bulls.
In addition, six Union players have logged the full 270 minutes of play during the team's first three games. Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Faryd Mondragon, Sebastien Le Toux, Stefani Miglioranzi, and Brian Carroll have not missed a minute this season and Nowak may wish to give a few of these players a rest.
Who do you think Nowak should name in his starting XI tomorrow night? Leave your predictions in the comments section, and check out my best guess after the jump.
Jordan Harvey, Carlos Valdes, Stefani Miglioranzi, and Seba Le Toux are the regulars that get rested here. Califf and Mondragon continue to anchor the defense while Juan Diego Gonzalez makes his first start of the season. It would be interesting to see how the Farfan twins play together, while Daniel's creativity and Houapeu's speed add new dimensions to the Union attack.
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I know Jack Mac got redded but is he available for this game? I could see a Mwanga Jac front, with Ruiz gettin a rest. Carrol, Migz, and the F boys, Houp, Califf, not sure who else in the back (not a lot of options), and Mondragon. That’s my best guess
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee
"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson
by Talon Talent on Apr 5, 2011 1:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Harvey not houp, my bad.
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee
"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson
by Talon Talent on Apr 5, 2011 1:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Now why would you play your two starting strikers and most of your backline but put in 2 brand new guys to the midfield plus one who has played only 45 mins? This would be a waste of Ruiz’s energy as well as Calif and Mondragon.
I think if we are taking this serious then we will see some starters rested with fringe guys (like guys who actually make the bench) and if we are not then Nowak will scrap the vets who have played nearly every minute (Ruiz, Carrol, Calif and Mondi), but because of the reserve game on Sunday I predict starters with bench guys:
Mwanga-Ruiz
Daniels-Nak-Carrol-Torres
G. Farfan-Califf-Gonzalez-Williams
Mondi
I could see Jack in there for Ruiz. I think Seba and Valdes don’t make the trip. I think Migs will be on the bench with Harvey, Richter, Agorsor and then the surprise, Pfeffer.
Last years open cup game against the pink cows was a disgrace and if I remember correctly Nowak made the team do sprints on the Pink Cow Barn field after the game so hopefully some of the guys remember that.
A game like this really highlights how our depth at CB and Outside mid is really lacking. With Seba and Mapp out who is there to play who actually is a wing? Torres more of a CM, Daniels plays CM with national team, Nak is a CM, Farfan and Houpeau I guess but they are rookies so who knows. And CB, if Valdes doesn’t travel then who is the next CB? my guess is Richter but guy is rookie and striker for last couple years in college.
No Nakazawa? No Torres?
I feel like Kyle is too young and promising to be given a rest for this game. Torres could finally get an opportunity to prove he can play 90 min. Given that Califf is reportedly nursing a small knee injury, I could see him getting a break, though there is no guessable replacement for him.
I figure that Torres will start and maybe go the distance against NY, so he doesn’t start here. Should come in around 65th minute for Houapeu, Daniel, or M. Farfan
Editor at The Brotherly Game. Madridista de corazón. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @joeysamuel
McInerney is a good option
He has a great chance to start too actually, since he’s eligible for this but will be forced to sit out against NY. If my XI is wrong by one player, it will be b/c Jack Mac got the start.
Editor at The Brotherly Game. Madridista de corazón. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @joeysamuel
forwards
Yeah, given that Jack Mac is unavailable for Sat’s game due to the red and he’s a go to guy off the bench who plays a lot, I feel it’s virtually certain that he starts this game and probably plays all 90 minutes. I see him being paired with Mwanga up top. LeToux rests due to being banged up and Ruiz is on the bench.
mwanga-jmac
daniel-nakazawa-torres-letoux
harvey-j.gonzalez-valdez-willilams
mondragon
Ruiz= unimpressive
califf= older legs
carroll= old legs
migz= really… this guy is still startin for us? smh
and to end. i have NO CLUE why Torres doesn’t start!
Can’t see Nowak risking Le Toux after what happened in last year’s Open Cup game. Maybe he comes on as a sub.
Editor at The Brotherly Game. Madridista de corazón. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @joeysamuel
Mapp May Return, Farfan Out for USOC Qualifier
Gabe Farfan has injured himself in training, so he’s out for tonight. Looks like Harvey will be starting after all. Mapp still has a chance to play in this one, but I still see Nowak starting Michael Farfan and then bringing in Mapp in the second half, to warm him up for the NY game.
Editor at The Brotherly Game. Madridista de corazón. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @joeysamuel
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