The Carolina Challenge Cup continues Wednesday evening for D.C. United, who will send out a whole different lineup against the Chicago Fire to the one that beat hosts Charleston Battery last weekend.
“It gives us a chance to look at some more players and tinker with some things and figure out where everyone is at,” assistant coach Chad Ashton told MLSsoccer.com over the phone.
Judging by the team’s performance in Saturday’s win over the Battery, things are continuing to progress for DC as the March 19 home opener draws near.
By trotting out a new group of players Wednesday evening, Ben Olsen and his coaching staff will get a better idea of how to form their starting lineup against Columbus in just over a week.
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The goal, of course, is still to go out and pick up the win.
“The attitude going into Wednesday’s game is the same it was Saturday,” midfielder Dax McCarty said. “We want to win the game. I think one thing you try to develop in preseason is that never-say-die mentality.”
Ashton said the club's intention from the beginning was to play two different lineups in the opening two games, a strategy to get more players on the field during the trip. The first XI for the weekend finale will depend on "how we wanted manage minutes," Ashton added.
Of course, injuries can throw a wrench in the best-laid plans, and while no major issues have come up in Charleston, two players who would have earned major minutes won’t be available: Defender Chris Korb and midfielder Branko Boskovic won’t play due to small injury problems.
Korb, a second-round draft pick out of Akron, injured his shoulder. Boskovic will miss out with a knee injury that has yet to be diagnosed.
Notes
Versatile defender/midfielder Devon McTavish remains on the sidelines due to lingering concussion issues.
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid won’t play any games in Charleston as the coaching staff is awaiting the all-clear from doctor following surgery on his shoulder. Though he's training with the other 'keepers, he has been kept out of scrimmages to avoid full contact with other players.
Ashton said that Charlie Davies and Blake Brettschneider would likely start together at forward against Chicago.
