Following a brief break during the 2010 World Cup group stage in South Africa, the Black-and-Red returned to RFK Stadium on Tuesday as United resumes League play this weekend. On Saturday, June 26 the club will take on Eastern Conference rival Columbus Crew as it looks to extend its unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches. Most recently United is coming off of a 1-0 victory against El Salvador in an international friendly last weekend. 

Prior to the El Salvador triumph, United claimed three points in the League at Qwest Field in a 3-2 thriller against Seattle Sounders FC on June 10. Curt Onalfo's side has rediscovered its form following a difficult beginning to the season, and now the Black-and-Red are ready to face the top-ranked team in the East. "Columbus is a good side that is well organized, and we will need to be disciplined in our approach this weekend," said Onalfo.

United has been boosted by the return of Chris Pontius in recent weeks, as the second-year midfielder has been influential for the club since returning from injury on May 22 in Houston. Pontius scored two of United's three goals in Seattle, with Adam Cristman adding the final tally. Cristman also scored at the weekend against El Salvador, and it is encouraging to see the Black-and-Red banging in goals from different positions on the field. The club will see increased fire power in July when Montenegrin winger Branko Boskovic joins the side from Rapid Vienna. United's new designated player has a proven record of creating offensive opportunities at Rapid, PSG, and Red Star Belgrade. 

Argentine striker Pablo Hernandez was on the RFK Auxiliary Field today training with United. Hernandez comes to Washington from Uruguay, where he has played for Defensor Sporting and Racing Montevideo. Hernandez is an athletic, left-footed forward that looked comfortable in today's session. Christian Castillo and Carey Talley were both missing from action with hamstring trouble and post-concussion symptoms, respectively.  Jordan Graye was also not taking part in live action, as the fullback is recovering from a hip flexor strain suffered in Seattle. 

In the back of all the players' minds is the World Cup and today's action from South Africa. Following training all of the players were clamoring to hear the results. Boyzzz Khumalo was proud of his country's performance against France, as South Africa went out of the tournament with a 2-1 win over the Europeans. This prompted us to ask Santino Quaranta what exactly was he thinking by selecting France to win the 2010 World Cup prior to the start of the competition. 

"I mean, I don't know what you want me to say. They were not good, the whole thing has just turned into a mess," said Quaranta. France's loss to the tournament hosts compounded the nation's misery following internal disputes that resulted in the benching of captain Patrice Evra and the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka.

Tomorrow Group C will be decided, with the highly-anticipated fate of the United States and England on the line. Curt Onalfo and Ben Olsen weigh in on tomorrow's matches with Russ Thaler and Paul Tenorio in the above video. We will be sure to bring you all of the post-match reaction from the United camp following the matches, as Onalfo has moved the club's training session to the afternoon to take in all of the action.