MLS_Preview_XML.xml

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<!DOCTYPE message PUBLIC "-//TSN//DTD Preview 1.0/EN" "MLS_Preview_XML.dtd">
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<XML_File_ID>16452086</XML_File_ID>
<heading>AHV!MLSPREVIEW-RBN-DCU</heading>
<game_id>2439</game_id>
<schedule_id>2439</schedule_id>
<category>Previews</category>
<sport>SOC-MLS</sport>
<title>
MLS Preview from The Sports Network (ET)
</title>
<Game_Date>08/29/2012</Game_Date>
<Game_Time>08:00 PM</Game_Time>
<vteam id="996">Red Bull New York</vteam>
<hteam id="999">D.C.</hteam>
<body>
                            Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012
                              (All times Eastern)
 
<P>
               New York (13-7-6) at D.C. United (12-9-4), 8 p.m.
 
</P>
 
<P>
 Washington,  D.C.  (Sports  Network) - D.C. United continues a busy stretch on
 Wednesday night against Red Bull New York, and its recent loss at the Montreal
 Impact is already "forgotten," according to Andy Najar.
 
</P>
<P>
 United coach Ben Olsen did not start a number of regulars over the weekend and
 D.C. lost, 3-0, in  Montreal. But with its fourth match in just 11 days on the
 horizon against New York, Olsen knew players needed a rest.
 
</P>
<P>
 Montreal took advantage to win its fifth straight match, and moved within just
 one point of United for fifth place and the final playoff berth in the Eastern
 Conference.
 
</P>
<P>
 But with three matches in hand on Montreal, United can remain confident of its
 chances of its first playoff berth since 2007 with a win against New York
 
</P>
<P>
 "We've forgotten that already," said Najar about the Montreal loss. "There's a
 more  important  game  Wednesday.  We are going in  with the full intention of
 taking all three points."
 
</P>
<P>
 United (12-9-4) has been impressive at home this season, going unbeaten in its
 last 12 games since a season-opening loss to Sporting Kansas City. Another win
 at RFK against New York, and Olsen will feel even better about his decision to
 rest players.
 
</P>
<P>
 Although  Olsen used  Branko Boskovic, Dwayne De Rosario and Chris Pontius off
 the bench, it was after  Montreal took a two-goal lead. Like Najar, De Rosario
 was focused on the upcoming match.
 
</P>
<P>
 "We are  going to keep  moving  forward," De Rosario said. "We are playing New
 York on Wednesday; it's going to be a massive game."
 
</P>
<P>
 Pontius scored a hat trick on April 22 at RFK as United beat New York, 4-1. In
 the teams' other  meeting at Red Bull Arena, Brandon Barklage had two goals in
 a 3-2 New York win.
 
</P>
<P>
 United can climb within four points of East leader Sporting KC, but the stakes
 are even higher for New York.
 
</P>
<P>
 The Red Bulls (13-7-6) are just two points off the summit, and could move into
 the lead with a victory over United.
 
</P>
<P>
 New York snapped a three-match road losing streak Sunday, tying Sporting on an
 own goal from  Kei Kamara, 1-1. With just a 4-7-3 record on the road, it was a
 positive result for the Red Bulls.
 
</P>
<P>
 The Red Bulls have earned the most points through 26 games in team history and
 could have Thierry  Henry back after he missed the Sporting fixture due to the
 birth of his son.
 
</P>
<P>
 "He trained individually on Sunday, Monday, two quite hard sessions," New York
 manager Hans Backe said.
 
</P>
<P>
 New York could also have recent addition Lloyd Sam, who missed the last match,
 but Backe was not sure about the availability of the midfielder.
 
</P>
<P>
 Backe  knows a tough match awaits in D.C., one that could ultimately determine
 if his side can secure the regular-season title or even the Supporters' Shield
 for the best overall record.
 
</P>
</body>
<time_stamp>August 28, 2012, at 06:29 PM ET</time_stamp>
</message>