Dynamo kick off their quest to get to the World Club Championships tonite when they play at Municipal in Guatemala. Last year the Dynamo where ousted in the semi-finals against Pachuca in a memorable series.
The site is the Estadio Mateo Flores (see earlier post) and Municipal fans are known for their passionate support.
Dynamo lineup should look like this:
Onstad
Waibel Robinson Boswell Barrett (capt.)
Mulrooney Clark Ashe
DeRosario
Ching Wondoloski
*Dynamo sharpness and fitness wise look better at this stage than last year yet will be missing Brad Davis. Brian Mullan could be used as a substitute but will not go the full 90 minutes after talking to Dominic Kinnear earlier this week.
Personel wise they are also short in midfield with Stuart Holden and reserve defender Patrick Ianni who was not tested last night in a disappointing 1-1 draw with Cuba in Olympic qualifying (see earlier post).
Undermanned yes but better prepared fitness wise I believe after seeing Dynamo in San Antonio.
*Expect to see Argentine Franco Caraccio as a sub. This will be the first chance for many Dynamo fans to see him play.
*Dynamo will look to push the tempo and the idea will be to position themselves result-wise for the 2nd leg in Houston on March 19th which in essence is the Dynamo home opener for 2008 (will you be there?)
*Municipal is along with Communicaciones the most popular squad in Guatemala and features former MLS players Pando Ramirez and Mario “El Loco” Rodriguez who played with LA and Columbus respectively. Neither made big impressions in MLS but will look to right that tonite. Freddy Garcia and Freddy Thompson in midfield are also players that have had extensive time with Guatemala’s national team.
What are your thoughts on tonite’s match? Also don’t forget DC United is at Jamaican club Harbour View? IS this the year MLS breaks through in the Concacaf Champions Cup? Can MLS win in Mexico this time around and get to the World Club Championships?
