D.C. United-Chivas USA at Home Depot Center
Wholesale changes for Chivas USA tonight, with all four of their regular starters in defense out, including Shavar Thomas and Claudio Suarez (both with hamstring problems).
Eric Ebert is dropped from the back line, although Bobby Burling retains his place in defense alongside Jim Curtin and veteran Jesse Marsch (now 10th on the all-time list of top flight games played in the U.S., according to the National Soccer Hall of Fame) assumes a sweeper role for the first time since he was age 13 in Racine, Wisc.
Daniel Paladini makes his first-ever start in midfield, along with Panchito Mendoza (listed as a defender, but he really isn't), Sacha Kljestan and Paulo Nagamura. Justin Braun presumably is playing as a withdrawn striker.
Up front Atiba Harris deputizes for the injured Maykel Galindo and partners Ante Razov.
On the bench is well, virtually no one of note, although Jorge "Sueno" Flores scored a goal and had an assist in two games the U.S. Under-20 team played recently in England.
D.C. United also makes several changes from the team that was shut out for a second consecutive game against the Chicago Fire in their last outing.
Zach Wells is in goal as usual, but Marc Burch moves to defense, Dominic Mediate replaces Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez also starts.
Two changes in midfield for D.C. United with Ryan Cordeiro and Marcelo Gallardo drafted in alongside Santino Quaranta andClyde Sims.
Jaime Moreno partners former New York Red Bull striker Francis Doe, making his first start with D.C., in attack.
Luciano Emilio is on the bench, as is former Galaxy midfielder Quavas Kirk.
The game is on Fox Soccer Channel.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
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