BURN TO FACE FREDDY ADU, D.C. UNITED SATURDAY AT COTTON BOWL
The Dallas Burn, unbeaten in their last three matches, will face 15-year-old phenom Freddy Adu and D.C. United this Saturday at 3 p.m. CT at the Cotton Bowl in a match that will be televised live nationally on ESPN2. United (4-5-4) is currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with 16 points while the Burn (4-4-3) are in fourth in the West with 15 points.
BURN vs.UNITED SERIES NOTES
The Burn leads the all-time series vs. United, 12-8-1 ... Dallas went 1-1-1 vs. United last year ... United's 3-1 victory over Dallas last July snapped a seven-game Burn unbeaten streak vs. United ... in the last eight matches, the Burn has posted a 6-1-1 record against United, outscoring them 17-9 over that span ... the Burn has won five of the last six home matches vs. D.C., outscoring them 13-6 ... three of the last five matches in the series have been decided by one goal ... forward Jason Kreis has enjoyed the most success against D.C., scoring 10 goals and adding four assists for 24 points in 21 career matches.
KREIS ONE GOAL AWAY FROM MLS HISTORY
With his goal in the 49th minute last Saturday in Colorado, forward Jason Kreis tied former MLS striker Roy Lassiter for first all-time in League history in goals scored with 88. Kreis' next strike will put him in the record books as the top all-time goal scorer in Major League Soccer history. Kreis, who has scored a goal in two consecutive matches, will look to break the record this Saturday vs. D.C. United. Kreis has a goal in each of the last two matches vs. United. Once Kreis does break the record, his uniform and shoes, as well as the ball that ended up in the net, will go on display in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.
VALAKARI OUT, GIBBS BACK FOR SATURDAY'S MATCH
The Burn will be without the services of Simo Valakari again this weekend as he serves the second match of his two-match suspension. Valakari received a red card on June 12 vs. New England and was served an additional game for confronting the officials after the match. The Burn will, however, welcome the return of defender Cory Gibbs. Gibbs missed the last two Burn matches while with the U.S. national team as they defeated Grenada in World Cup qualifying. Gibbs played the full 90 minutes in Sunday's 3-2 victory in Grenada.
CASSAR COMES UP BIG IN LAST TWO MATCHES
Goalkeeper Jeff Cassar has filled in admirably for Scott Garlick, who is out for approximately four more weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain in training on June 10. In his two starts, Cassar has allowed just one goal in each match and has made some incredible saves at key junctures of the match. In his first start, vs. New England on June 12, Cassar made six saves, including two huge ones when the match was even at 1-1, as the Burn eventually pulled out a 3-1 victory. Last Saturday Cassar made five saves in the Burn's 1-1 draw at Colorado.
INJURY REPORT
Toni Nhleko - right foot bone bruise - questionable
Scott Garlick - right ankle sprain - out
Bobby Rhine - right knee MCL sprain - out
