Sporting Kansas City looks for a second consecutive win at home on Friday night as they host D.C. United. The visitors are coming off bye week and will be without one of their top players, Nick DeLeon, because of a hamstring injury.
D.C. have played a 4-5-1 and a 4-4-2 in their first four matches. The 4-4-2 is a diamond shape while the 4-5-1 has Dwayne De Rosario playing as an attacking midfielder/supporting striker.
UPDATE - De Rosario did not travel to KC and is unavailable for the match.
One of D.C.'s most important players on Friday will be goalkeeper Bill Hamid. He was selected to the USMNT January camp this year and a major reason for the team's 0-0 draw at New York on March 16. If Hamid plays well at Sporting Park, it could allow D.C. to weather early pressure and get a result.
Forwards
Lionard Pajoy has started the first four matches for D.C. United. In the Columbus match, Pajoy was partnered up top with young Designated Player Rafael. The Brazilian is a talented player who received his first start of the season against Columbus. On the road, D.C. is more likely to go with a 4-5-1 with Rafael possibly filling in for DeLeon on the right side.
Midfielders
The midfield is one of the strengths for D.C. with De Rosario and Chris Pontius leading the way. Both Pontius and De Ro have played as forwards in the past and have proven to be very dangerous players in the attack. Perry Kitchen has started all four matches and has paired with Marcelo Saragosa in central midfield for three of the first four matches.
The injury to DeLeon hurts D.C.'s attack in midfield but the dropoff could be limited if Rafael starts on Friday. There will likely be five midfielders starting on Friday night with De Rosario having the flexibility to play high up in the attack and drop back to help defensively. Pontius has been starting on the left while the replacement for DeLeon will cover the right side of midfield.
Defenders
The back line has been fairly consistent with Chris Korb, James Riley, Dejan Jakovic, and Brandon McDonald. Jakovic missed the Columbus match due to international duty with the Canadian National Team. None of the four players are listed in the injury report this week and Jakovic should resume his starting spot on the back line. Both of the outside backs will pick their spots to get forward with Riley generally a little more aggressive than Korb.
<strong>Lineup vs New York (3/16)</strong> |
<strong>Lineup vs Columbus (3/23)</strong> |
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<img alt="" src="//kansascity-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/Screen%20shot%202013-04-03%20at%204.50.04%20PM.png" style="width: 240px; height: 401px;"> |
