As I write this, I’m keeping one of my two eyes on the USA-N. Korea match, so any distracted moments are probably due to that — or the congestion in my right ear that’s awfully annoying, or this headache. Regardless, onward and upward. We’ve a match on today, and if you’re hoping to watch it online, good luck! Unless some kind soul opts to stream it from their smart phone (there’s an idea!) your only real hope to see this US Open Cup match is to be at the Rio Tinto tonight.
We’re facing Wilmington Hammerheads, a USL Pro team from Wilmington, N.C. They’ll be hoping for more than the drubbing I’m hoping our boys in Claret and Cobalt give them, but we’ll have to be aware: They seem a team that will put in some hard work, though I expect our midfield will be enough to see them off efficiently and effectively.
I’m not entirely sure what the selection rules are, but I expect we’ll play a certainly weakened side — it’s not an MLS competition, so the players needn’t be registered for it, so perhaps we’ll see some reserves picking up action. Kreis had been hoping for a return for Paulo Jr., but he’s apparently suffered a setback and will be out for at least a couple more weeks. That’s a bit of a blow, to be sure, but with Saborio coming back into his game, I expect that won’t be as painful as previously thought.
At the back, expect Kyle Reynish to be handed a start ahead of Nick Rimando and stars for Schuler and McKenzie. Perhaps we’ll see a bit more of the Gil - Aghasyan combination, and Kreis might plump for Toia in this less-than-vital match. That said, it would do this side a lot of good and provide a confidence boost should they go far or win the whole thing.
Regardless, expect some surprises tonight. A full match report will come tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll be reporting that we won 8-0 or something — a boy can dream, can’t he?
Come on you Claret and Cobalt!
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