Seattle Sounders FC vs D.C. United preview. A win puts Seattle in first place in the Western Conference.

By Money Mike


With first place on the line, the Seattle Sounders get ready to invade RFK Stadium to face D.C. United who have been getting beat really hard these last couple matches. Back on Saturday, with Steve Zakuani and O'Brian White out with injuries, it was Alvaro Fernandez and Brad Evans who stepped in and lead the Sounders to a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC. On the other side, D.C. United are coming off a 4-1 loss on the road against the Houston Dynamo lead by a Hat-trick by rookie Will Bruin and Cam Weaver scoring the 4th goal for Houston. D.C. United have given up 16 goals so far this season and they are looking for ways to reduce that, but have been unable to find ways. Will they find a way against Seattle or will their misery continue?

Injury report:

Seattle Sounders FC - For the Men in Rave Green, no new updates. O'Brian White out with left leg surgery and Steve Zakuani out with a fractured Tibia and Fibula. Pat Noonan remains listed as probable with a right quad strain.

D.C. United - For the other guys, young Junior Carreiro has a right ankle sprain and he is out. Kurt Morsink and Devon McTavish, both with concussions, are also out. Branko Boskovic, who is their designated player, has a left knee contusion and is listed as doubtful. And last but not least, Jed Zayner has a left hamstring strain and is probable for this one.

Key matchups:

Andy Najar vs Tyson Wahl - I'm expecting Tyson Wahl to get the start at left back again, especially against the 18-year old Honduran, Any Najar who last season scored 5 goals in 26 matches and won rookie of the year. He'll be ready to challenge the back line.

Fredy Montero vs Perry Kitchen - Watch, Montero is gonna come right at the rookie center back. I think Kitchen will have a miserable time out there.

Charlie Davies vs Jeff Parke - Back from injury, currently on loan from FC Sochaux-Montbeliard of Ligue 1 in France, and look at Davies's stats, 6 matches played and 5 goals, do I have to say more? This dude is back in full force since that motorcycle accident. Let me give you a little bio. He played College Soccer at Boston College from 2004-06, during the summer of 06' he made 9 appearances for the Westester Flames of the USL Premier Development League and scores 6 goals. He headed straight for Europe to play in Sweden for Hammarby IF in Sweden and in his 3 years over there, he scored 21 goals in 56 matches, then he moved to Sochaux and so far has scored 2 goals in 8 matches for them. Internationally, he has 4 goals in 17 matches, including one against Grenada in a Gold Cup match here in Seattle. But he's been out for months after the motorcycle acctident, but now he's back and it may be Patrick Ianni or it may be Jeff Parke that will get the start, I don't care. All I'm saying is, whoever get's the start better be ready, because Davies will come at the Seattle defense in full force.

Key to victory:

Patience is always the key to success. The Sounders were good at that last match aginst Toronto FC. They moved the ball around unselfishly, made the right passes and they never rushed on their attempts. Stick with that game because it led to success last game and it will lead to success in this game too. STICK WITH IT!!