Gros plays better when he wears a cast.

so let me get this straight, our defense consists of Facundo, Gros with a broken wrist, McTavish (a converted midfielder) and Burch (a converted forward).

why didn't Erpen get called into the Argentia Copa America squad?

When did Gros play without a cast?!?

Shame about Namoff. He's been all star quality IMHO.

Any word on Quaranta?

We really could use John Wilson for this next game.

John Wilson is not now, nor was ever, the answer.

That is a huge shame about Namoff. He's our most consistent defender and gets forward smartly when necessary. But you have to be really careful with hamstring injuries or they never get better. I'd rather have him sit now and play later when we ugently need him. Plus, let's see what the other kids can do.

"why didn't Erpen get called into the Argentia Copa America squad?"

Erpén who?

"so let me get this straight, our defense consists of Facundo, Gros with a broken wrist, McTavish (a converted midfielder) and Burch (a converted forward). " diego R.

Yesterday on WaPo Live, McTavish said defense is his natural position. Nowak tried to convert him to midfield last year, but he played defender in college and is more comfortable there.

Someone help...how can I watch the USA Copa games. Also is there a website that has video of the games/highlights/standings. Thanks

Wow! Snarky chat this week...

Sorry Glenn you are wrong - Wilson could help out now! He is a good player that got the injury bug.

Off Topic
RE: Today's Chat

Steve,
Questioners at every past chat may have had some odd opinions, but were knowledgeable for the most part. Today you answered a lot of questions from dolts. Did you pick more doltish questions than usual or did the dolts turn out in droves today?

More off topic-
Via Dime Magazine via the Bog -
"When we talked to Gil, he said that after his knee heals this summer, he's going to be working out with the D.C. United soccer team. Not just conditioning, but actually out there on the soccer field. Between Arenas and Steve Nash, is soccer going to become the new boxing when it comes to ballplayer's summer workouts?"

Anyone know if Agent Zero actually plays soccer? Think we could convert him to a central defender by the playoffs?

if you google tvu player, they have a channel that has gol tv. just sayin, not that anyone should use it.

Questioners at every past chat may have had some odd opinions, but were knowledgeable for the most part. Today you answered a lot of questions from dolts. Did you pick more doltish questions than usual or did the dolts turn out in droves today?
-----

Must be the heat wave. Lots of nasty questions/comments. I'm not backing down to some of this stuff.

Supposedly free streaming of Copa matches via univision.com

http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=1215239

Re: Chat & Great US Goals

Preki's game winner against Brazil in the 1998 Gold Cup. Topped by Keller's performance in goal!

i was also coming here to say that people are getting increasingly aggro with their comments that soccer isn't covered enough in the post/online/whatever.

most of us appreciate what you do, goff! sorry you have to deal with the jerks!

Thanks for your support! I like almost everyone out there in futbol world, I really do; there's just a few bitter, angry, dillusional elements I could do without. Ah, well, comes with the territory.

Hey there people.

I'm looking forward to seeing what our defense can do. McTavish actually played defense through college and managed to be the team's second highest scorer throughout two seasons to boot.

He actually created two goals in his last start with DC. I think we'll see him and Faco gel to create a solid backline with quick offensive turnaround. We'll miss Namoff, but Wilson and even Mediate aren't the answer.
I hope everyone is starting to chill out a little. I'm eager to see how our guys play tomorrow.

Seems like there was a lot of interest in what Goff's relationship with DCU and how he performs his journalistic duties. Maybe WashingtonPostLive should do a "day in the life" of the Goffer and follow him around on match day? I think that may educate some of the "morons" ;) who write into the chat with those types of questions.

While I was ready to punch my computer screen watching the dolts come out and attack our precious, I do think it pointed out one thing about the WP.com site--its hard to find the page devoted solely to soccer in the sports section. Goff, any way you can add DCU/Soccer quick links to the front page of the Insider?

Goff, while I understand you're a writer and have to be objective, do you really not care how DCU does? Surely, it must be more exciting for you to cover a top team than it would be during the early years of the decade, when DCU were depressing to watch.

Just following up on what I thought was a rather interesting point in your chat.

Here's a redirect that I put on our washingtonpost.com webservers a few years back to quickly access the United page:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/dcunited

Awesome, thanks!

Hey Logan Circle, at the top of the site there is a series of tabs (News, Politics, Opinions, etc.). Hover your cursor over the "Sports" tab and you'll see a link for "D.C. United" - that page will have all DCU and USMNT news as well as a link on the top for the "MLS Section"

So, it's not that hard to find, really. But yes, if those links were provided on the Soccer Insider page, it would be perfecto.

Namoff has been our best and most consistent defender this year, and for the last several years as well, IMO. That said, I am comfortable with McTavish, and perhaps we will get to see Mr. Burch!

Just a note saying that I, at least, appreciate all you do, Goff. Ignore the dolts.

You could even quit printing comments from idiots who want to change the rules to up the scoring. I'd be ok with that. Really.

:-)

I dunno, maybe the guy who wants to add a two point shot is onto something.

The could put in a 45 second shot clock and widen the lane too. And make goaltending legal.

Oh wait, wrong thread. I thought I was on basketballinsider for a second. :)

"Must be the heat wave. Lots of nasty questions/comments. I'm not backing down to some of this stuff."

As well you shouldn't!

And BTW, The New York Times only seems to have a blog for the big games and NOTHING like what the SoccerInsider offers.

Keep up the good work, and don't let the morons getcha down.

Yeah, seriously, where the hell did that question come from? If it's a bad foul, you get two penalty kicks? Huh?

Can we all hear Sanchez already?

...and oh yeah, that NYT blog, called "Goal," had exactly TWO comments after the Venezuela-Bolivia game, so there ha!

It's funny how all our dire predictions about defensive depth have started looking sage.

Gros needs to get a better doctor and get himself checked out for underlying conditions like coeliac disease. Nobody should break that many bones in their twenties.

Goff, as a New England guy, I keep waiting for Dell'Apa to launch something similiar on the Globe's web site. I know a few of us up here have even e-mailed him about it. So I can say for certain that Insider is greatly appreciated, even by mortal enemies of DC United.

Thanks for the kind words.

Dell'Apa is the man!

Goff, Just throwing more words of support. I appreciate the coverage the Post gives to footy and in particular the work that you do. I read your articles and blog every day. I think you should ignore those who suggest they have more "culture of soccer" than you bc they will never be satisfied.

Off topic, I know, but I've just been wondering a bit, kinda like Logan Circle's report, when the post is going to start using the massive readership of this blog to bring in a new revenue stream? Seriously, no ads up in the "advertisement" slots up there on the right yet?

I'd hate to see this blog and the rest of the Post's soccer coverage lost because the entire business model is flawed? Plus, aren't there any new soccer shops that are opening in the area that could use this type of exposure?

tcal-

If Namoff sits, we have only 2 possible combinations in the back (right to left):

Gros - Erpen - McTavish - Burch

Simms - Erpen - McTavish - Gros

I suppose there's the chance that the second one could have McTavish and Simms switch spots, but it's the same 4 players. In any case, I figure Burch will feature at some point no matter what. He has been noted as having the hardest shot on the team and for being an accurate long-range passer, so he could come on if we're losing or tied late. If we're up, he could be put on for an outside midfielder, with Gros moving up, giving us a more defensive outlook.

No matter the lineup, I don't expect us to get a shutout. There will be goals tomorrow night both ways. Colorado is also missing a center back (Ihemelu) and will be perhaps even slower than us in defense without him. This could be a great game for Fred to use his speed to devastating effect.

Goff -- Does Dell-Apa get two seats in the press box - one for him, one for his mustache? Just curious...

Enough of this Goff love-fest until he quits sleeping because it interferes with his blogging.

And Goff, my left big toe used to ooze more "culture of soccer" than you've EVER had until I went to the podiatrist and got that ingrown nail fixed. Trust me, you don't want too much "culture of soccer." Let them eat cake.

LOL

As for the ads on the blog, not my area of expertise. Rest assured, the Insider will be here for a very long time.

But why are you HERE and not in Maracaibo giving us the inside scoop on who might be starting, etc!

Because it costs lots of money to fly to Venezuela and stay in the five-star hotels to which I am accustomed!!!
:-)

Dell'apa=Soccer's answer to Gene Shallot

Hey thanks for the link to Univision, quatervolley. I knew about the Gol TV thing but that not available here in AK.

For the USA/CN semi I take off work early and go downtown to catch the match. I know its on FSC and Telefutura or whatever so I go to the a bar and ask that they turn on the match. Not available. Next bar. No match there. and another, still no go and now its 20 minutes into the game. get out my handy company issued cel phone and call around.

NOBODY HAS THE GAME! Not a place in town (I called them all) Reminds me of the 70s and 80s when it was a chore to catch even a WC game.

I did find a bud who had FCS and was able to see the final (boy those announcer are poor!). So you DCers have it pretty good (is Gol TV on the cable there?).

Anyway Thanks. hope Jaime doesnt get hurt at the Copa.....

Ya know, if you give 7 points for each goal, 3 points for each save, and 2 points for each corner kick, this could be a high scoring game. When enough people are watching, you stop the game to sell beer and pickup trucks. Then you have a World Championship every year. This soccer thing could really catch on.

-- A Dolt

so you really don't cheer for dcu/usa? come onnnn...