Brandon McDonald received a one-match ban from MLS
Because of a rare Monday practice, D.C. United's regular starters were given the day off on Wednesday. After the shortened training, we picked up on a few storylines ahead of Saturday's match against Seattle.
MCDONALD REACTS TO SUSPENSION
When word broke late yesterday about BrandonMcDonald's suspension, D.C. United's fans took to social media in droves toprotest the one-game ban. McDonaldwasn't the only United player disciplined by Major League Soccer as Danny Cruzearned an undisclosed fine for 'his act of embellishment which brought the gameinto disrepute'.
After a brief training session Wednesday, thefifth-year defender made clear what his intentions were on the 20th-minutetackle that drew the league's attention.
"My intention is never to go in and hurtanybody and end their career," said McDonald. "If you watch again you can see he kind of steps into[the tackle] and that's what makes it look as bad as it did."
When asked if the suspension would affect hisphysical style of play moving forward, the 26-year-old answered with authority.
"No. Not at all," McDonald replied. "This is why they got me here, to be that type ofplayer on the field. I think weneed it and it would be foolish of me to change the way I play. At the same time, I have to be smartabout what I'm doing."
TIME TO GO STREAKING
At the risk of being redundant, it has been along time since D.C. United last won back-to-back games. Asked earlier this week if getting thewin-streak monkey off their backs would be discussed, Ben Olsen said he didn'twant to harp on it. Yet on Wednesday, Stephen King acknowledged that stringing together victories is atopthe Black-and-Red's to-do list.
"It's definitely being talked about,"said the United midfielder. "It's one of the things we set out to do at the beginning of theyear. We want to put togetherstreaks and it starts going into this game. It's a good opportunity for us to put together two wins back-to-back."
United's last winning streak came in early June of 2009. Chris Pontius and Dejan Jakovic are the only current players that were on the roster for those consecutive victories over New York and Chicago.
BURCH BURN
If you have yet to see former United defenderMarc Burch's comments about returning to RFK, do yourself a favor and read them.
While those comments are sure to register withD.C.'s players, a final quote from the left-footed defender may draw the ire ofthe Black-and-Red's fans.
"RFK Stadium used to be one of the bestplaces in the league to play," Burch told Joshua Mayers of the SeattleTimes. "Now it's Seattle, forsure."
Burch has started all three games so far this season for Seattle.
