Revs @ DC Preview

Before the season started, many neutrals looked at the ESPN2 schedule and saw tonight as the first intriguing Thursday night game of the year. New England and DC have been the two big dogs in the Eastern Conference since that classic semifinal matchup at RFK in 2004. Every one of their games since have been heated affairs, remembered more for the 2-1 and 4-3 results than the 1-0 ECF game last November which ended DC United's season.

However, the consensus preseason favorites from the Natty have lost their first three games and the Revs, other than excellent finishing by Taylor Twellman, have looked less than world beaters.

The Revs need to watch out in this one. The probability of DC starting the season with four losses seems pretty slim on the surface. To come away with all three points, the Revs need to be prepared to battle. They can't expect the flat performance present in DC's road losses, nor the defensive breakdowns which let up four goals to Kansas City in week 2. Instead, they will most likely see a United side that will be selling out on both ends of the field. The Revs need to counter quickly, something they haven't done effectively since 2004. If New England plays the possession game, DC will stifle them with some very chippy play.

Although Shalrie Joseph's contract situation has grabbed the headlines, last year's MVP Christian Gomez, has also expressed his disappointment in the lack of a serious contract extension offer. This has coincided with some flat play. Some have put two and two together and think he's dogging it a little. I really don't think that is the case. I'd expect him to step it up tonight in front of the fans he loves. For that reason, Jeff Larentowicz may have his hands full at DM. If Larentowicz can contain Gomez effectively, the Revs have a shot. If not, they will walk away from this one happy with one point.

Probable Revs lineup:

Reis
Heaps
Parkhurst
John
Ralston
Larentowicz
Joseph
Smith
Dorman
Noonan
Twellman