Matchday 18: DCU vs. L.A.

[UPDATED!]

The buzz around the clubhouse area is that Los Angeles is planning to get Beckham into the match in the second half, but the weather and pace of the game could contribute to the decision. We'll see, but at the moment, I think we will see him on the pitch.

Other pregame tidbits:

*Screaming Eagles banner: "We Sing Better Than Your Wife"

*Expect a military flyover before kickoff.

*Official attendance will be 46,686, or so I am told.

*DCU officials will present L.A.'s Cobi Jones, who is retiring after the season, with a framed artist's rendition of the 12th-year midfielder before the match.

*DCU folks have spoken to Dema Kovalenko, who was involved in an auto accident over the weekend. Dema was shaken up pretty badly and is quite sore but did not suffer any serious injuries. His return to the field is uncertain.

*Among the VIPs scheduled to attend are England Manager Steve McClaren, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, DCU investors Will Chang and Victor MacFarlane, as well as several local and national politicians. Chang, a S.F. Giants co-owner, was at the Nats-Giants game Tuesday for Barry Bonds's historic homer and could end up witnessing Jaime Moreno's record-setting goal tonight.

DCU LINEUP: Perkins; Namoff, Boswell, McTavish, Burch; Gros, Simms, Fred (middle), Olsen; Kpene, Emilio.
Moreno is on the active roster, Gomez is not.

L.A. LINEUP: Cannon; Klein, Xavier, Harden, Jazic; Gray, Harmse, Martino, Kirk, Donovan; Gordon.
Beckham is on the active roster.

As usual, this is the place for pregame, in-game and postgame comments.