DC's players make their predictions for Saturday's Real Madrid - Barcelona clash
After a day off on Thursday, United's players returned to RFK for a full training session Friday morning. A few updates from the practice pitch:
DUDAR LATEST
After missing Wednesday night's draw with Montreal while recovering from a strained hamstring, Emiliano Dudar practiced fully on Friday. Dudar said after practice that he expected to be ready on Sunday, which would provide some much needed experience along D.C.'s back four. Following the session, Ben Olsen spoke about his decision to hold the Argentine out against Montreal.
After a day off on Thursday, United's players returned to RFK for a full training session Friday morning. A few updates from the practice pitch:
DUDAR LATEST
After missing Wednesday night's draw withMontreal while recovering from a strained hamstring, Emiliano Dudar practicedfully on Friday. Dudar said afterpractice that he expected to be ready on Sunday, which would provide some muchneeded experience along D.C.'s back four. Following the session, Ben Olsen spoke about his decision to hold theArgentine out against Montreal.
"He maybe could have got through the lastgame," Olsen acknowledged. "But with Dejan [Jakovic] out we decided to let him get another dayor two to fully recover."
Jakovic's absence following an ankle sprainleaves D.C. with little depth in defense. Should Dudar return, Robbie Russell would likely return to his morecomfortable spot as a right back after occupying a central role against the Impact.
BURNING THE BULLS
Of the four MLS teams that employed Dwayne DeRosario before his arrival in D.C., none has managed to escape the reigningleague MVP's wrath. DeRo alwaysseems to save his best performances for former clubs and Sunday willprovide him another opportunity against a New York side that traded him awaylast June.
"I don't know why that is, I can't put myfinger on it," DeRo responded when asked about his track record againstformer employers. "I'm definitelyover all that stuff that went on last year. It's a new year, a new season. The main thing now is getting our guys [totally]focused."
De Rosario earned the 2011 Volkswagen MLS MVPthanks to the thirteen goals he scored after being traded to Washington, andsix of those tallies came against teams for which he once played. DeRo found the net against Toronto (hattrick), San Jose (twice) and notched the game-winner against the Red Bulls justtwelve days after they had shipped him south.
EL CLASICO PREDICTIONS
With their showdown against New York slated forSunday, many of United's players will be watching another classic this weekend as Real Madrid and Barcelona face off in a match that will go a long way toward determining La Liga's champion.
We asked a few playersfor predictions on the Saturday afternoon affair:
Brandon McDonald: Barcelona
Comment: "Anybody who knows anything aboutfootball will take Barcelona. Theyare the team of our generation."
Maicon Santos: Barcelona
Comment (translated): "I don't know whatthe final score will be, because with Barca you never know."
Dwayne De Rosario: Barcelona
Comment: "Barca all the way baby. I'vealways liked Barca since I was a kid. The football they play, I admire it.
Emiliano Dudar: Barcelona
Comment (translated): "Barcelona becausethey are the better team and because Cristiano Ronaldo is arrogant and I can'tstand him!"
Danny Cruz: Real Madrid
Comment: "Because everyone loves Barcelona."
