DC should have a very strong team this season. Branko Boskovic looks to finally be back in form after recovering from his ACL tear last year. With his leg healed he should be a much more creative player. DeRo is coming into this year with a new contract and a home that seems to want him. Last year DeRo, as nomadic as he seemed, finished the season as strong as anyone in memory. I expect this campaign to be no different. Newly acquired DP Hamdi Salihi form might still be a little off, but do not discount his talent. The man will be a force to reckon with. The one player that might be a question mark for United is Chris Pontius. Coming off of a broken leg last year he might still be missing a step from before.
Chicago will be be coming in a little short manned to this tournament with Oduro, Johnson, Pappa, and Barouch away on international duties. I would think with missing players this will afford Frank a chance to try some players out that would not otherwise get a chance. The Fire seem to have a very potent and deep midfield this season. Robayo, Pappa, Grazinni, and Pause would be the starting midfielders, in my best estimation. It will be really nice to see how Robayo can gel with his new teammates. I would expect to see Gibbs, Anibaba, Segares, and Gargan at the back with Jumper and Sanyang coming on. Up top is where you will probably get to see Klopas get creative with his pairings. With Oduro gone this will be a great chance for Puppo to redeem himself.
Overall the Fire might be missing a little bit of scoring venom for this match. But if the defense is able to contain Salihi, and Pardo can stop Boskovic we could be in for a real slug-fest. I am not going to go out on a limb and make any predictions but I am really going to keep a close eye on Puppo and Robayo. Hopefully Sunday I will be able to write a review of a Fire victory.
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