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3/12/2008 9:01 AM
CONCACAF Champions’ Cup Preview: Harbour View - D.C. United
Goal.com’s Pat Walsh takes a look at the Wednesday’s first leg of the CONCACAF Champions’ League quarterfinal.
Harbour View v. D.C. United
8 pm ET, TV: Fox Soccer Channel
Harbour View Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
The Gist: D.C. United heads to the Caribbean to play their first official match of the 2008 campaign. Harbour View, the reigning Cash Plus National Premier League champions, will be their hosts for the first leg of their quarterfinals match up. The two teams have met once before at the same stage of the 2005 version of the Champions’ Cup. United earned 2-1 victories in both legs for a 4-2 aggregate win.
Why You Should Care: This will be the first chance for the majority of MLS fans to see D.C. and their revamped roster. Defenders Gonzalo Martinez and Gonzalo Peralta will likely pair in the center of defense and will be backstopped by newcomer Zach Wells, who replaces the departed Troy Perkins. Marcelo Gallardo, United’s new Designated Player, will show of his skills as the Black-and-Red’s new number 10. With emotional leader Ben Olsen at home while he recovers from offseason ankle surgery, there is a hole on the right side of midfield that will be filled by either Rod Dyachenko or the returning Santino Quaranta. Having battled fitness issues and a lack of desire to play the beautiful game, Quaranta rededicated himself in the offseason. As a result, the 23-year-old midfielder could become a feel good story should he regain the promise he showed when United signed him seven years ago.
While United have earned results in their preseason games on three consecutive one-goal victories in Texas followed by a draw against Houston, Harbour View has seen their form dip in recent weeks. The Stars of the East are just 2-5-3 in their last 10 league games and come off of a draw against the last-placed team in the league. Furthering the troubles for the Caribbean Champions, they will miss captain Christopher Harvey, who was sent off during the Caribbean Club Championship match last year in Trinidad. Montrose Phinn has been promoted from the squad’s U-21 side and is expected to make his first senior team appearance against D.C.
Who To Watch: Gallardo.
The former Paris-Saint Germain midfielder, who will fill the shoes of fellow Argentine Christian Gomez, has the burden of integrating himself into the international attack of United. Language will not be a factor playing behind Bolivian Jaime Moreno and Brazilian Luciano Emilio. However, style might be. Gallardo tends to receive the ball deeper in midfield and pass more often than the sometimes dribble-happy Gomez. This will be the first true test for the new look D.C. and Gallardo’s play will likely be the measuring stick for a result.
Prediction: D.C. United 2, Harbour View 0
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On January 29, 2008 Gallardo was presented as the newest member of D.C. United. Details of his contract were not officially revealed but he is rumored to be paid $1.3 million per year with a 2-year contract as part of the Designated Player Rule salary system. He becomes the sixth Designated Player in MLS alongside Beckham, Angel, Blanco, Reyna and Denílson.
National team
Gallardo made his international debut for Argentina in 1994 against Chile and made 44 appearances and scored 14 goals. He was also in the Argentina squad for the 1998 World Cup and 2002 World Cup.
CONCACAF Champions’ Cup Preview: Harbour View - D.C. United
Goal.com’s Pat Walsh takes a look at the Wednesday’s first leg of the CONCACAF Champions’ League quarterfinal.
Harbour View v. D.C. United
8 pm ET, TV: Fox Soccer Channel
Harbour View Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
The Gist: D.C. United heads to the Caribbean to play their first official match of the 2008 campaign. Harbour View, the reigning Cash Plus National Premier League champions, will be their hosts for the first leg of their quarterfinals match up. The two teams have met once before at the same stage of the 2005 version of the Champions’ Cup. United earned 2-1 victories in both legs for a 4-2 aggregate win.
Why You Should Care: This will be the first chance for the majority of MLS fans to see D.C. and their revamped roster. Defenders Gonzalo Martinez and Gonzalo Peralta will likely pair in the center of defense and will be backstopped by newcomer Zach Wells, who replaces the departed Troy Perkins. Marcelo Gallardo, United’s new Designated Player, will show of his skills as the Black-and-Red’s new number 10. With emotional leader Ben Olsen at home while he recovers from offseason ankle surgery, there is a hole on the right side of midfield that will be filled by either Rod Dyachenko or the returning Santino Quaranta. Having battled fitness issues and a lack of desire to play the beautiful game, Quaranta rededicated himself in the offseason. As a result, the 23-year-old midfielder could become a feel good story should he regain the promise he showed when United signed him seven years ago.
While United have earned results in their preseason games on three consecutive one-goal victories in Texas followed by a draw against Houston, Harbour View has seen their form dip in recent weeks. The Stars of the East are just 2-5-3 in their last 10 league games and come off of a draw against the last-placed team in the league. Furthering the troubles for the Caribbean Champions, they will miss captain Christopher Harvey, who was sent off during the Caribbean Club Championship match last year in Trinidad. Montrose Phinn has been promoted from the squad’s U-21 side and is expected to make his first senior team appearance against D.C.
Who To Watch: Gallardo.
The former Paris-Saint Germain midfielder, who will fill the shoes of fellow Argentine Christian Gomez, has the burden of integrating himself into the international attack of United. Language will not be a factor playing behind Bolivian Jaime Moreno and Brazilian Luciano Emilio. However, style might be. Gallardo tends to receive the ball deeper in midfield and pass more often than the sometimes dribble-happy Gomez. This will be the first true test for the new look D.C. and Gallardo’s play will likely be the measuring stick for a result.
Prediction: D.C. United 2, Harbour View 0
--------
On January 29, 2008 Gallardo was presented as the newest member of D.C. United. Details of his contract were not officially revealed but he is rumored to be paid $1.3 million per year with a 2-year contract as part of the Designated Player Rule salary system. He becomes the sixth Designated Player in MLS alongside Beckham, Angel, Blanco, Reyna and Denílson.
National team
Gallardo made his international debut for Argentina in 1994 against Chile and made 44 appearances and scored 14 goals. He was also in the Argentina squad for the 1998 World Cup and 2002 World Cup.
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