The Best Matchup of a Young Season

This weekend the MLS Cup 99 final will be replayed. Granted, the stakes will be quite a bit less, but the bragging rights will still be on the table. The Los Angeles Galaxy and the DC United will play this Saturday at 2pm Eastern time and the game is being televised on ABC. These two teams will not face each other for another two months (May 20 in LA). This early matchup will give both teams an opportunity to size each other up, and get a good indicator for areas that need improvement.

Neither team will be completely at strength. Marco Etcheverry is questionable due to a left calf strain. Eddie Pope and Carrey Talley are both probable, but are coming off injuries of their own. The Galaxy in the meantime will be missing Jorge Salcedo to left knee surgery, but expect Robin Fraser, Peter Vagenas, and Sasha Victorine to be back from injury and ready for the match.

DC had a bye last week, but LA pulled out a tough 2-1 win over Colorado. Of course on February 15 of the preseason Dc beat LA 2-0, but that was the preseason, now it starts to count.

Other matchups this weekend include New England at Tampa Bay, 7pm. San Jose at Columbus, 7:30pm. Chicago at Kansas City, 8:30pm. Colorado at Dallas, 8:30pm. Sunday the Metrostars at Miami, 5pm, televised on ESPN2.

The Metrostars/Miami game may prove to be more exciting than it first appears. NY has been doing some serious rebuilding this year and has a formidible, if not world-class defense. Miami on the otherhand has a spectacular offense. Andy Williams, Roy Lassiter, Diego Serna, Welton, and Eric Wynalda could all be called upon to try to fire up the Miami offense, which was lacking in last week's tie with New England.

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic