Champions League prelims: DCU vs. Firpo
07/28/2009 7:37 AM by Kyle Sheldon
United takes a short break from League play this evening as it hosts El Salvador's CD LA Firpo at RFK Stadium (8 p.m. ET) in the preliminary round of CONCACAF Champions League. United took part in the tournament's inaugural run last fall, but finished with a disappointing 0-5-1 record in the group stage, crashing out of the tournament before the knockout round.
This time around, United needs to get two results - tonight and next Tuesday in El Salvador - in order to advance to the group stage of the regional tournament. The winner of the two-game series will advance via aggregate (combined goals between the two games) and take part in Group B, which already includes CD Toluca (Mexico) and CD Marathon (Honduras). Group B will also include the winner of San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad & Tobago) and San Francisco FC (Panama).
Ahead of this evening's game, here are a few items to get you prepared:
- Weary United Set to Kick Off Champions League - By Steven Goff (Washington Post)
- United out for Champions League redemption - by Craig Stouffer (Washington Examiner)
- D.C. seeking redemption for last year's Champions League - by Dylan Butler (CONCACAF.com)
- Champions League, Firpo background and history (BehindTheBadge.com)
- CONCACAF.com's Champions League page
- Video: Greg Janicki previews Firpo
- Video: Andrew Jacboson previews Firpo
Knowing what you do, who would you like to see Tom Soehn run out in the starting lineup tonight? Should he rest key players with a tight race in the Eastern Conference? Give us your thoughts and score predictions below.
Comments
7 Comments
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07/28/2009 8:22 AM by blackandred4life
OK asa DC UNited fan I apologize to the team. It was very hardon most of us ( the tie). but now it's a new game and different competition. I really don't think that the team we had in san Jose. I'm not talking about the lineup. Im talking abot the attitude. Let's get out there and show them what we're made of.
07/28/2009 10:42 AM by dcuoffside
I want a full strength side. This competition is important, for a number of reasons, and the home leg is no time to field a weak team.
Kocic
Namoff-Jakovic-Janicki-John (PLAY 4 IN THE BACK TOMMY)
Pontius- DiRaimondo- Wallace
Gomez
Emilio -- Moreno
07/28/2009 11:22 AM by itwasi
must win
07/28/2009 4:01 PM by stewartdc8
----------------Kocic--------------
Namoff------Janicki------John
------Szetela-----Jacobson---
McTavish--------------Wallace
-----------------Fred----------------
---------N'Silu------Pontius-----
DC 1-0 Firpo
N'Silu 38th min.
07/28/2009 4:30 PM by forzadcunited
My honest thought is that the COACH SHOULD BE FIRED!
we not going anywhere with tom soenh, some of you may not agree but it is what it si!
Dc United was born to be a winning team, but it seems that no body cares about it now!
DCU 3 FIRPO 0
07/28/2009 5:38 PM by DC_DURSK
Tommy Soehn is not the problem. Think about it - DC has only really had two awful games this season (Colorado, SJ). We are sitting third in the east and have some decent depth to use. If DC wants to win the MLS Cup - lose the champions league games and get knocked out early. If DC wants to take a run at the CCL - its gonna cost them fatigue, injuries, and a lot of jet lag.
07/28/2009 5:54 PM by Dadryan
agreed that we should be going for the kill at home. Maximum goals!!! Best XI we can muster. Houston is beat up and I think we can still take them this weekend with a watered down lineup.
DCU needs to advance into the group stage of this tournament.
DC-2 Firpo-1 is my guess, but I don't know jack about Firpo.
VAmos United!!!