Dyachenko? What's his story. I think I would bring him above a few of the guys in your last grouping. I, for one, think that he has the potential for a great season given the greater number of games (CCC and Superliga)and hopefully Soehn's realization that JM and CG will need some rest throughout the season. Wonder what other folks think.

Good point, Dan. I would think that if Rod managed to clear up his passport issue, he's an automatic selection for the travel roster.

On the road, go defensive, keep it close. It's easier to attack at home.

Go with the obvious starting 11.

Plus:
McIntosh
Wilson
Needman
DeRoux
J. Carroll
Dyachenko
Walker

@EdTheRed - what passport issue?

re Dyachenko Passport issue

Dyachenko has no passport partly as a result of a nomadic past that sent him through Russia, Georgia and the Ukraine finally ending up in the USA and holding a US greencard but no passport from any country. He had trouble getting across the Canadian border last month and DCU was trying to get a visa for him to travel to Hondurus but that might have fallen through.

Totally my bad.

Of course, Dyachenko is on the traveling 18.

Carry on...

Rod was in the process of getting a visa to travel to Honduras. It was not expected to be a problem. I should have some official word soon...

Can Stokes even play in this Cup match as I believe that he is still essentially a free agent as of now (or did DCU recently sign him to a senior contract without having the proper big-time news conference)?

Steven

Do they go with more defensive options/subs, since a tie game in Honduras would be a decent result?

And I'm guessing Needham is the most ready and available rookie we have.

I hope Emilio clued in the coaching staff on the field conditions down there. In a word....crap. It's a narrow, hard, divot filled pitch. It's going to take away from United's possesion game. It could also lead to tighter marking which could increase the possibilities of cards.

Considering it's a road game in a rough environment and fitness will be an issue, DCU would love to be in position to get a tie. That's why I'm thinking Soehn might end up starting Gros and Dyachenko on the flanks and Olsen and Carroll holding, which leaves Simms available to come off the bench for experienced defensive reinforcement if United is winning or the match is tied.

Stokes? The only reason I'd take him to Honduras is hoping he'd miss the return flight.

Usually stateless residents have a "resident's travel document" which looks like a passport, but doesn't indicate US citizenship. One uses this like a passport, but the problem is that one must have a visa for any country one wishes to enter. I can see the embassy from another country taking their sweet time about issuing a visa; first, because it is so unusual and second, because they might not want to see a top player come in and spank one of their nation's teams. I am NOT, of course, suggesting that the Honduran Embassy would ever do such a thing. Just food for thought and to clear up the idea of Dyachenko's availability for other matches outside US borders.

Is this game on TV?

And I'll be snowboarding in Steamboat Springs, CO on Weds . . . any soccer bars in Steamboat?! HA HA, right.

Yes, you should feel sorry for me.

Chico,

That's hilarious! Not certain why they keep giving the guy a chance. I could find 10 defenders in NVSL or WISL who are as good or better.

If Dyachenko's paperwork is cleared up and he can go, he should. With him, I would take the starting XI of Perkins; Namoff, Boswell, Erpen; Olsen, B. Carroll, Simms, Gros; Gomez; Moreno, Emilio and a bench consisting of McIntosh, Wilson, McTavish, J. Carroll, Dyachenko, Walker, and either DeRoux or Needham. I can't sit here and say where I see Needham on this team right now, because I haven't seen him play outside of college.

I kind of like the idea of taking DeRoux, though. They won't really see him coming or know anything about him (I doubt they scouted mid-season games when he was playing). It's a bit of a risk, but we might be able to use him as a surprise sub late on and grab a goal.

"Is this game on TV?"

Yes, on FSC

One thing I can say about DeRoux is that he has wheels; he's fast and could be a late game sub on the wing if DCU is a goal down, taking on tired defenders etc. Generally, I'd like to see him more this season, especially with Mediate out and Casal not quite ready.

Last year, Nowak and Co. seemed to prefer Walker in the role described above. I wasnt a big fan of the move, but the again I'm not a coach for DCU.

Chico & delantero

you guys are the jokes, stokes is playing pro soccer not writing about it on some board

Thanks tex, I can see you have a real eye for talent.

"you guys are the jokes, stokes is playing pro soccer not writing about it on some board"

HEY NOW, its not just "some board", this is Goff's soccer insider, it don't get much better in board-land.
:-)

I think your 18 are right (with Rod in for Wilson -- coming back from an injury and playing on that crap field).

If something ill did happen (card or injury), we have plenty of coverage in the midfield and defense (thinking Gros, deRoux or even Needham in a pinch).

I like Needham...although I've never seen him play before. He SOUNDS like the type of guy DCU can make into a player. Came from a good college system. Good size.

The starting 11 and Die-a-Check-OH! McTav. DeRoux and Walker (super-subs). JCare. Wilson. And, I take Needham.

I'd love to get the Gtown boy into the mix, but unless he's playing out of his mind, you need veterans for this trip.

BTW, our bench is freakin thin!!

FYI: Needham has yet to agree to a contract. Apparently, he has been offered a developmental deal. It's possible he could choose to play in the USL for more money instead.

Is anyone else super-paranoid about injuries on this trip? Factor in a shoddy pitch, Central American style soccer, a home team eager to show their former superstar they dont need him, hostile fans and a bunch of out of form DCUers. me scared.
(knock wood)

Steamboat - there's a sports bar called the tap house on main street. Best bet.

Jay Needham was drafted by Puerto Rico (USL).

Tex,

Chill out. It's nothing personal. I have flamed many a DC United player from my season ticket location next to the field --Guppy, Santino, Namoff, Stokes, Adu.

I felt bad about the Namoff "RICHMOND KICKERS" chant when he played his first match against some non-MLS team . . Joe Public, I think. He was out of place and a step slow in that game. Looked sort of bad, but since then he's happily proved me wrong I respect his play.. It's simply called tough love.

If Stokes happens to make the squad he should know we expect 100% GOMEZIAN effort for 90 minutes. No sleeping off the ball. No bonehead plays. When he does that, I'll cheer for him.

I don't think it would be wise to let Needham go. We don't have a large bench to begin with and it seems like he could become a solid player for us (the season being very long in 2007). What are our other substitute options on defense right now besides Needham?

A John Wilson recovering from injury. A David Stokes who is not signed a scares me to death every time he's on the field.

Yes, Gros could play defense but outside midfield is already over thinnest position. We lack defenders even with a three-man defense.

if we want to go defensive in Honduras what about the not-traditionally-used 4-3-2-1

---------------Emilio------
-------Gomez---Moreno-----
----Simms--Carroll---Olsen
Gros--Erpen--Boswell--Namoff

one thing I like about this formation is that if it doesn't work you can easily swith to the 'traditional-Nowak' 3-5-2. You can also make it more offensive by subbing in Dyachenko for Simms or Olsen.

Defend with seven, wait for the counter. Both Namoff and Gros could jump in the attack because there are players who can easily cover for them. Just a thought....

I really want to see Walker do well this season. Thats who im pulling for.

If Gros is on the left he can't easily jump into the attack because that leaves Erpen by himself... sometimes he makes spectacular plays and shuts players down... and other times he pulls an ErpFu and gives up a goal.
If United used a 4-4-2 with Erpen as more of a wing-back on the left, it wouldn't be quite so bad, Gros would make a decent wing-back on the right as well.

Stokes has absolutely no business on an MLS pitch. I know that I could never play D1 soccer, so I'm happy playing D2... Stokes should accept that, and find a USL squad that could better utilize his services... I'm sure they could use a full-time ballboy.

I've also never been impressed by Wilson, and hope that we can find some more depth in the back so he can be released.

About Stokes: put him at defensive midfield and you'll see him at his best. He'll be more confident with 3 backs behind him, he'll dominate the air, and he can give a crushing tackle when given the opportunity (been watching this kid play since he was 10).

If Needham and Stokes don't have contracts, I assume they can't play - or do their temporary training contracts make it ok?

Hey Chico, Does Kilroys have FSC. I don't have it on comcast.Tell me wed. is not karaoke nite.

Dyachenko's visa request has been approved, clearing him to travel to Honduras.

You guys are a little to harsh on David. Have we really ever seen him play that much to say so much about him. Againest Celtic last year I thought he played a pretty solid game. Nowak never gave him his proper chance. Like Joe Doc says, he never gets to play where he would be best. He is (or atleast was) the tallest player on the team and we really could use him around the box. I say we give him a chance this year, sparing that Soehn uses him correctly, and hopefully Stokes will finally get on the United faithfuls good side. I pull for you Stokes no matter what.

I'd bring Arguez. As an U-20 intnerational he has had big game experience in unwelcoming foreign locations. That experience would be aluable for DC and allow him to contribute if needed.

I've never known any player to be so consistently
at fault for defensive breakdowns than David Stokes.
My body cringes at the thought of him on the teamsheet. However, if we've already re-signed him,
and we've been playing him out of position, we should give him a shot as a defensive midfielder, but in the reserves. (Either that or we trade him to the RedBulls for Rimando :)

They are only offering Needham a developmental contract? That's a terrible decision--we need more talent in this league, not less. There's a reason guys leave this sport...and our bench is so freakin thin!

Goff, So we can assume Soehn is sticking with the 3-5-2? Or is there some flexibility for difficult road games to go with a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3?

Goff, So we can assume Soehn is sticking with the 3-5-2? Or is there some flexibility for difficult road games to go with a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3?

Goff, So we can assume Soehn is sticking with the 3-5-2? Or is there some flexibility for difficult road games to go with a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3?

Who knows. At the moment, it's a 3-5-2, but Soehn hinted things could change once they add their final foreign player.