Wednesday, May 15
Columbus at Washington
Location: RFK Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Television: Home Team Sports
Satellite: Spacenet 3, Tr. 23
Injuries: Columbus — D Shane Batelle (strained neck, sprained ankles, mild separated shoulder), D Mike Clark (fractured cheekbone), D Mark Watson (sprained knee), and M Doctor Khumalo (strained groin) are probable; D Brian Bliss (separated shoulder) is doubtful; Washington — D Kris Kelderman (bruised ribs) and F Juan Berthy Suarez (sprained foot) are out; G Jeff Causey (separated shoulder) is day-to-day; D Jeff Agoos (strained groin) and F Steve Rammel (bruised heel) are probable.
Preview: The Crew pasted United 4-0 in the Ohio Stadium opener last month and stunned New England last Sunday with two goals in the last three minutes for its first road win of the season, but the loss of Brian Maisonneuve to the Olympic team weakens their midfield, where Etcheverry should run wild unless defensive midfielder Shane Battelle can neutralize him. However, Etcheverry will not start because of a leg injury. A shoulder separation has sidelined Brian Bliss.
Juan Berthy Suarez, after a pathetic peformance for United last Sunday, is on injured reserve, which opens up a forward slot for Tony Sanneh and a potentially explosive combination with Raul Diaz Arce, who is quick enough to exploit the Crew’s interior defense. But United’s own defense, while improving, is still shaky, and may struggle to contain Brian McBride, the league’s top scorer with five goals, and Doctor Khumalo.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Columbus — Oshoniyi, Watson, Clark, Michallik, Ward, Young, Battelle, Khumalo, Thompson, McBride, Paz.
Washington — Causey, Agoos, Pope, Peay, Huwiler, Williams, Maessner, Harkes, Sanneh, Diaz Arce, Rammel.
Prediction: United’s desperation and a bit of overdue luck earn it a win in front of a small crowd.
Thursday, May 16
Colorado at MetroStars
Location: Giants Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Television: ESPN2
Satellite: Galaxy 5, Tr. 14
Injuries: Colorado — D Brian Bates (strained hamstring) and M Felipe Rodriguez (sprained knee) are out; D Troy Edwards (strained groin) is day-to-day; MetroStars — M Nidal Baba (strained groin) and M Ted Gillen (torn hamstring) are out; D Matt Knowles (bruised shoulder) is probable.
Preview: The Rapids lost to San Jose and Tampa last week after scoring the first goal, and are 0-2 on the road. Yet they catch the MetroStars without Roberto Donadoni (called up for Euro ’96 with the Italian national team) and Tab Ramos (one-game red card suspension), and with head coach Eddie Firmani fuming about his defense and the unavailability of NY’s Olympic players. Colorado defender Troy Edwards is still bothered by a quadricep strain, so replacement Scott Cannon keeps his spot at left back.
With Colorado’s rugged defense and thump-and-run offense running into a struggling MetroStars’ squad, this could be one of season’s ugliest games. Firmani has juggled his lineup once again, pairing Giovanni Savarrese and Ruben Dario Hernandez up front, and Damian Silvera, Mickey Kydes, Edmundo Rodriguez and Peter Vermes in midfield. Savarrese has all of the MetroStars’ goals so far this season, except for own goals.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Colorado — Woods, Hamlett, Butterworth, Cannon, Kmosko, Benedetti, Henderson, Trittschuh, Balboa, Harbor, Bartlett.
MetroStars — Meola, Caricola, Knowles, Restrepo, Harty, Joseph, Vermes, Kydes, Rodriguez, Savarrese, Hernandez.
Prediction: In a grim battle that sets the league back aesthetically, Colorado grinds out a 2-1 win.