We’re just shy 30 minutes until kickoff here at RFK, where D.C. is desperate for a win, and the Sounders are rounding into form after losing their first two matches of the season and losing attacking assets Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White to injury. With Fredy Montero, Brad Evans and Osvaldo Alonso in the lineup, Seattle still has plenty that should worry United, especially with head coach Ben Olsen’s hand forced again when it comes to fielding a first 11.
United’s back line has a number of changes, with Ethan White and Daniel Woolard entering the lineup, replacing Chris Korb and Marc Burch. D.C. had already lost Jed Zayner after he re-aggravated his left hamstring against Houston on Friday, and United had experimented with Dejan Jakovic out on the right in Zayner’s place.
Instead, Perry Kitchen will start at right back while White takes his place in the middle. Burch appeared to fail a prematch fitness test on the RFK Stadium field, opening the door for Woolard, who’ll make his second regular season start.
As expected, Andy Najar is also back in the lineup, replacing Fred on the right wing. More about Najar’s international future, where there were developments today, can be found here, and my advance piece from today’s print edition can be found here.
D.C.’s full lineup: Hamid; Kitchen, White, Jakovic, Woolard; Najar, Simms, McCarty (captain), Pontius; Wolff, Davies
