In an effort to keep fans of Major League Soccer clubs from maintaining their delicate balance of sanity, Washington fat cats legislated an additional day this February. In other news, the servers of popular social media web service Twitter took a tumble as fans took to the service with one simple question: Is it March yet?
Seriously, though: Happy Leap Day, everybody. I know this means we're one step closer (and simultaneously sort of another step away) to the season kickoff, but before we contemplate all that, we've got a match tonight against our bitter rivals New England Revolution. (Wait, what's that? They're not our bitter rivals?) After last season's July 4 yellow and red extravaganza (sounds awfully like communist colors and not American colors!) we do have a score to settle. That was the match that saw Nat Borchers ejected in the third minute for a clean tackle. Yeah, that one.
Thankfully, this is just a preseason match, and even though we'd like to win it, I'm sure, we'll again be looking for match fitness and sharpness. As we should, too: There are no points up for grabs (save for the points in this pre-season Desert Diamond Cup, but that's altogether inconsequential — it is, however, very cool) and the result doesn't carry over into the season. We've got two friendlies left and then we'll be back on the horse — or the wagon, or whatever it is we're riding — and riding (or driving, or walking, or…) into March 10 against the dastardly Los Angeles Galaxy. The real villains of the league, as far as I'm concerned.
So, let's preview, shall we?
At the back, I suspect we'll see our first shots of Lalo Fernandez in goal. Kyle Reynish got the first one, Nick Rimando got the second one, and the Lalo should get the third one, by all accounts. Kyle's shown well for himself, Nick's shown well for himself (yeah, there was one big goal gaffe, but I'd rather blame poor defensive positioning for that one), and hopefully, Lalo can show well for himself and stick at the club for a long time coming.
At the back but in front of the previous 'back', we'll have some defenders. Hooray! I'd expect to see some more of Cruz and Salcedo as final evaluations come down to the wire, and I'd further expect to see our full back spots filled by two of still-on-trial Lance Laing, Diogo de Almeida, and Terukazu Tanaka. (You know, it's too bad that we didn't play Chicago in this cup. I'd have loved to have used 'Trial by Fire' in there somewhere. Alas.)
In the middle, perhaps Yordany Alvarez will be given another shot in the holding role, and I'd expect to see Luis Gil and Ned Grabavoy in the box-to-box spots, especially after Jason's words yesterday. We may also see some of Jonny Steele, who revealed exclusively on Twitter (does that make it sound like some sort of news scoop?) that he might get a 20 minute runout.
Game dayRSL vs new eng might get a lil run out for 20 mins# buzzin
— jonny steele (@jonnysteele22) February 29, 2012
Let's see, what else. Oh, that attacking role. If Luis Gil does drop deeper into the midfield, perhaps we'll get to see some more Sebastian Velasquez. The experience for him will be indelible, and if he can take his exciting play to the Revs, even better.
Up front, I'd expect to see some more Bonfigli, perhaps again partnered by Arnoux. Jason's words make it sound like he'll be part of the side, but when he becomes official, I don't know. It'll likely depend on international statuses. (As usual, right? Oh, boy.)
In short hand, then:
Lalo / Tanaka, Salcedo, Cruz, Laing / Yalvarez, Luis Gil, Grabbo, Sebas / Bonfigli, Arnoux.
And I expect there'll be some surprises that I haven't anticipated. As usual.
Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
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