Midfielder Shipalane will be eligible to play
Could it be true that there is a team with a more unforgiving road schedule than D.C. United?
It appears so, as Toluca’s first visit to RFK Stadium since 1998 on Wednesday will mark the Mexican club’s third game in seven days, a stretch that started in Trinidad last Thursday before a home game on Sunday.
“I expect them to feel our humidity and feel their legs a bit from their game and travel,” said United head coach Tom Soehn.
There’s a difference, however, between Toluca and D.C. United, which went from Toronto to Honduras and back to Washington last week: The Mexicans won all three of their games. United earned one draw and lost twice.
“Getting a win is going to be important, not only for CONCACAF, but for the rest of the season because we need points,” said United forward Jaime Moreno. “It would gift us a nice lift.”
The Diablos Rojos (Red Devils), champions of the 2008 Mexican first division fall season, are in first place in their group again, with 12 goals scored in five games, including five by 20-year-old forward Nestor Caldern.
“He’s pretty sneaky as far as getting into the backside, almost to a fault because he’s actually offsides more times than he needs to be,” said Soehn.
United, meanwhile, got a first taste of its new defensive reinforcements, Julius James and David Habarugira, at Marathn last week. Newly added midfielder Tiyi Shipalane — on loan from Harrisburg City — is eligible to play Wednesday, a replacement for Thabiso “Boyzzz” Khumalo, who was moved to the injured list due to complications with his recovery from a fractured wrist.
Shipalane was named USL second division rookie of the year after registering six goals and six assists for the Islanders.
