Training notes: Brettschneider up to the challenge

BLACK-AND-RED IN COLORADO

Coming out of First Kick weekend with a 3-1 home victory over the Columbus Crew, D.C. United (1-1-0, 3 points) stumbled last Saturday in New England against the Revolution. A narrow 2-1 loss at Gillette Stadium leaves the Black-and-Red needing to rediscover consistency this weekend at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against the Colorado Rapids (2-0-0, 6 points). Sunday’s contest will mark United’s first of two matches in 2011 against the defending MLS Cup champions. Fans in Washington can tune into Galavision at 7:00 p.m. ET on April 3 to catch all of the action. 

The Rapids have picked up right where they left off in 2010, with successive League wins over Portland and Chivas USA in the current MLS campaign. Although the Black-and-Red came away with three points from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on October 2, 2010 via a Danny Allsopp goal, United has not fared well in Colorado throughout its history. Prior to last year’s win, United had not won in Colorado since May 5, 2000 – a 5-2 victory for the club. United is 6-9-2 all-time on the Rapids’ home turf in League play.

BRETTSCHNEIDER TAKING HIS CHANCES

Perhaps no member of D.C. United has done more with their opportunities than rookie forward Blake Brettschneider. In limited appearances in preseason matches and MLS Reserve League contests, the physical striker has notched seven goals. Scoring a brace in last weekend's Reserve contest with New England, Brettschneider has seen increased training opportunities this week with United's first team, and if given the chance to play on Sunday he hopes to improve his strike rate.

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"I think the trick [to continue scoring] is to keep using my teammates. Every goal that I score is through great passing and great combination play," said Brettschneider. "I need to continue making good runs and making the most of what my teammates provide. I want to play well and help the team, whether that means getting the goal or getting a flick on to help someone else score."

This week in training the South Carolina product has featured alongside Charlie Davies and Joseph Ngwenya in different scenarios, so United Head Coach Ben Olsen will have plenty of offensive selections to choose from on Sunday. 

INJURY UPDATE

Speaking of offensive threats, veteran forward Josh Wolff (hamstring strain) has been upgraded to probable for this weekend's match. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of midfielder Clyde Simms (calf strain) and defender Jed Zayner (hamstring strain). Both players have been downgraded to out, joining midfielder Junior Carreiro (ankle sprain), goalkeeper Steve Cronin (fractured wrist), and defender Devon McTavish.