So far this season MLS players are raving about the league’s new adidas ball, the same ball that will be used in next month’s FIFA World Cup.
“If you hit the sweet spot, it friggin’ flies,” said United forward Alecko Eskandarian.
“The ball is lighter, and it travels faster,” said midfielder Christian Gomez. “It’s an advantage for the forwards and the midfielders.”
United has seen that advantage on the field, where it’s outshooting opponents, 75-52. D.C. registered a 30-17 advantage in the last two games alone, but with a draw and a loss in those games, United hopes to get more shots into the back of the net.
Kansas City comes into the weekend owning the league’s best record, but the Wizards have been hit as hard as any team in the league by World Cup call-ups. Forwards Josh Wolff (one goal) and Eddie Johnson(two goals), and defender Jimmy Conrad (one goal) will all be absent, having joined D.C. midfielder Ben Olsen at the U.S. national team training camp this week.
Kansas City Wizards (4-1-1) at D.C. United (3-1-2)
Where: RFK Stadium
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMET-1160 AM, WACA-1540 AM
