Beyond the Badge: Round two
Tuesday's second-leg Copa Nissan Sudamericana match versus Chivas de Guadalajara presents a formidable challenge for United. Though D.C. heads into the match with a 2-1 advantage following last week's win, no U.S. team has ever won a significant match on Mexican soil.
Chivas' president and owner, Jorge Vergara, announced the club would be offering free admission to the match, so it is safe to say that there will be a very large crowd confronting the Black-and-Red. United is not entirely unfamiliar with the hostile environment, however, having faced Guadalajara there in April for CONCACAF Champions' Cup play. The team re-familiarized themselves with Estadio Jalisco yesterday with an evening training session. Bryan Namoff trained with the first team and is expected to play, while Fred did not train and will be a gametime decision
Tonight's referee is Samuel Haro from Ecuador. The game can be seen live on Fox Sports en Español at 9 p.m. ET and on Fox Soccer Channel tape-delayed at 11 p.m. ET. The winner of the series will advance to face Arsenal of Argentina.
In other Sudamericana news, South American power Boca Juniors (Argentina) have already been knocked out after falling to Sao Paulo (Brazil), 2-2 (1-0 on away goals). Boca Juniors had been a tournament favorite, having won in 2004 and 2005. Last season's champions, Pachuca of Mexico, are also on the verge of defeat after a 4-1 loss to America (Mexico). Pachuca would need a monumental effort as they host America in the second leg on Wednesday, Oct. 3.
Alumni abroad
On Sept. 27, former D.C. United star Freddy Adu scored his first European goal since his move to Benfica following his successful Under-20 World Cup. Adu converted a controversial penalty to bring Benfica level in the 90th minute against Estrela da Amadora in a Taca da Liga match. He then converted the first penalty of the shootout, helping Benfica win, 5-4.
Bobby Convey, meanwhile, has been the victim of a minor leg injury that is keeping him out of the Reading lineup. The club hopes for a quick recovery for the U.S. Men's National Team star as it's struggling in 17th place in the English Premiership.
Former United captain Ryan Nelsen has enjoyed a much better start to the season at Blackburn Rovers. The team is currently in seventh position and Nelsen signed an extension in July that will see him stay with the club until 2012.
RFK transitioning [& a request]
The end of the Washington Nationals' stay at RFK Stadium will give United a chance to re-sod the pitch just in time for the team's final regular-season home games and the MLS Cup playoffs. The current two-game road trip will give RFK's grounds crew two weeks to get the field ready for Oct. 13, when United host the Chicago Fire. The removal of the baseball diamond will provide a more consistent surface, and should be an advantage for this season's offensive-minded squad. United lead the league in goals scored with 53.
In recent years, the club has received increasing numbers of complaints about the use of horns at the stadium. Therefore, the club requests that horns be left at home in favor of one's vocal chords.
Youth quick hit
D.C. United Under-16 players Shane Cooke and Chris Hegngi will represent the United States in late October with the Under-18 U.S. National Team in Limoges, France. The two players helped United's Super Y-League team to a 10-0-2 record this summer.
Celebrate Columbus Day!
The D.C. United reserves are scheduled to host Kansas City's second team on Monday, Oct. 8. The game will be played on the D.C. United Training Field at 11 a.m. and will be the first game in some time to be open to the public. Admission is free.
Should United advance to the quarterfinal round of Copa Nisssan Sudamericana, the game would be postponed, as the team would likely have to travel to Argentina for a Wednesday night matchup with Arsenal.
