Preview: Kansas City vs. RSL (US Open Cup)

By: Michael | April 18th, 2007

The Skinny
Here’s the question facing Curt Onalfo, et al: When your goal is to make the playoffs and you’re riding a wave a confidence, how seriously do you play the US Open Cup? The options are to either (1) play a strong starting XI and make a cup run, banking on early season fitness and our absence from the SuperLiga as justification or (2) play a majority of our reserves to save up for our away game against Chicago at the end of the week.

My Take:
I think that we need to keep our eye on the prize: the playoffs are our goal. To push for an MLS double after winning just one result is rather foolish – and besides, there is no reason why a reserve-laden team is destined to be slain by RSL! While a friendly against the Fuji National Team directly following this game means we’ll probably see more starters, I think Kronberg, Yura, and a few other reserves in the mix are very capable of pulling away with a win. Additionally, Nick Garcia will be playing his first game of the season after sitting out in DC due to a red card from ‘06, and while many would say he may not be ready, I’d put Marinelli in and let him have a go. I don’t mind risking the use of a halftime sub for him.

Starting XI:

Given my above opinion, here’s my favored lineup for the game:

————–Kronberg————-
Jewsbury-Hohlbein-Garcia–Burciaga
————-Victorine————–
John———Marinelli—–Harrington
——–Yura———Sealy———

This would leave five DC starters-Chicago probables in: Jewsbury, Victorine, Barciaga, Harrington, Sealy. Look for two to be subbed out in the second half and the other three to be rested for a reserve – probably staggering the rest between at Chicago, vs. Toronto, at Toronto, our next three games.

This lineup would give us a great chance at a win but also keep a sensible number of starters fresh for Chicago.

My Prediction:
As this is a US Open Cup game, I’ll rest the FIFA ‘03 battle. My call: RSL 1 – 2 KC – riding the wave of DC’s confidence and taking advantage of bad weather and RSL’s distraction with the Fiji game to follow, the Wiz pull out a victory to move on.

Other News and Notes:
- If you haven’t seen the highlights from our glorious season opener, please click here immediately.

- I wonder if Hohlbein finds DC United’s attack or Yale’s women’s basketball team more difficult to defend…