Which Wicks will show in United rematch against Sounders?
By: Craig Stouffer
Examiner Staff Writer
September 11, 2009
The contrast was striking.
There was goalkeeper Josh Wicks in the D.C. United locker room after Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Kansas City, answering questions about his third shutout in four regular-season games.
A few feet away, the locker room television showed highlights of Wicks' rash stomp on Seattle forward Fredy Montero in last week's U.S. Open Cup final loss to the Sounders.
Although Wicks has put together one crucial performance after another to help keep D.C. in the thick of the MLS playoff hunt, one ugly play has left an indelible impression on his season.
"He's been getting a lot of grief," said United head coach Tom Soehn. "In reality, he's just been playing well."
Because Wicks' ejection fell under the jurisdiction of U.S. Soccer, which runs the U.S. Open Cup, he remains eligible for the Sounders' return to RFK Stadium just ten days after their last visit, this time for the second of the teams' two regular-season matches. Wicks, who was disciplined by the club, has started United's last 15 league games, and it would be unusual not to see him in the net once again.
"There's nothing to prove," said Wicks. "Just another game to go out there and do what I do, stay on the field."
Entering the weekend in sixth and seventh place, respectively, in the overall MLS standings, both D.C. (8-5-12, 36 points) and Seattle (8-6-10, 34) both remain desperate for points to keep ahead of teams like Chivas USA (10-9-3, 33) and New England (9-7-6, 33), who have played fewer games.
On the heels of the Open Cup final and a dramatic 3-3 draw in Seattle in June, the RFK atmosphere should electric -- and a welcome opposite to the season-low announced attendance of 8,033 for the midweek victory over the Wizards. But the Sounders will be without playmaker Freddie Ljungberg, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
