UNITED GROWING IN CONFIDENCE
Following a difficult week in which the Black-and-Red earned four hard-fought points against MLS opposition, D.C. United returned to the training pitch this morning with vigor. United took points off of two 2010 playoff teams last week, including a gritty 0-0 draw with MLS Cup finalist FC Dallas. Despite the club's obvious youth, young and old are banding together in order to forge a strong team identity under Head Coach Ben Olsen.
20 players on United's current roster are 26-years-old or younger, and United's starting backline at the moment has an average age of 22, including goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Intensity, diligence, and passionate play are becoming hallmarks of Olsen's team, and this week United will have an opportunity to avenge a 4-1 road defeat against Colorado from earlier in the season.�
United (3-4-2, 11 points) faces the Colorado Rapids (4-3-2, 14 points) on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. inside RFK Stadium (Comcast SportsNet). On April 3 the reigning MLS Cup champions ran riot at Dick's Spoting Goods Park, but since that time the Black-and-Red have matured with every game. "We have definitely progressed since that first [loss] in Colorado," said captain Dax McCarty. "We still have a long way to go, but each week you can see the improvement, and we will be ready for [Colorado] this weekend in front of our fans."
GUEST PLAYERS ARRIVE
The first batch of guest players arrived for training this morning, as every season various prospects are inserted into training sessions to fill out the numbers. University of Virginia forward Brian Ownby took part in today's session, alongside Stony Brook product James Palumbo. English defender Adam Mitter also put in some time today with Black-and-Red on the backline.
Ben Olsen put his charges through a heavy session, complete with conditioning at the end. Charlie Davies and Chris Pontius pushed one another in sprints to see who was fastest, with the forward retaining his bragging rights following several close battles.�
However, the sight of the day came after training had formally concluded, as the goalkeepers did some extra work alongside a few of the attacking players. Ben Olsen tried his hand in goal, with netminder Steve Cronin unleashing a fury of shots on United's scrappy Head Coach. Olsen did manage to make one save, but ultimately he admitted to feeling humbled by the role reversal.�
INJURY REPORT
United is relatively healthy heading into this weekend's contest, with Rodrigo Brasesco removed from the injury list following a knee contusion. Kurt Morsink has been cleared to play after sustaining a concussion on April 26, while Branko Boskovic (L ACL tear), Junior Carreiro (L ankle sprain), Devon McTavish (concussion), and Jed Zayner (L hamstring strain) remain listed as out.�
Boskovic's surgery to repair his torn left ACL is set for Thursday afternoon, and will be performed by United physician Doctor James Gilbert. The Montenegrin midfielder is expected to make a full recovery. �
NOTES
- Both Charlie Davies and Bill Hamid are up for individual League honors this week. Be sure to vote for Davies for AT&T Goal of the Week, and Hamid for MLS Save of the Week.�
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