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DC United Paying Price For Inconsistency
The team whose coach started the Major League Soccer season on unsteady ground looks to establish some stability in their performances.
Apr 2, 2009 2:00:16 PM
In DC United's first two games of the season, about 25 of 180 minutes of games
played has lead to four dropped points against the LA Galaxy, and the Chicago
Fire.
In the first game, United dramatically let go of a two goal lead in the final 10 minutes of the game against the LA Galaxy. Last weekend, in a 15-minute spell after the halftime break against the Chicago Fire, United managed to lose the momentum of a game they were controlling, and allowed the goal that would be the eventual equalizer.
After the draw against the Fire, the players recognized the period of the game that changed the outcome of the game. Ben Olsen said that "a ten to fifteen minute span where we did not focus" was one of the reasons why DC only ended up with one point against Chicago, and not the full three points.
DC was the better side in the first half, and had the a goal to backup the claim. But United could not match that output in the second half, and allowed Patrick Nyarko to score the Chicago goal in the 53rd minute.
Midfielder Clyde Simms agreed with Olsen, saying that, "there was a little lapse, coming out in the second half, for the first fifteen minutes". Despite the similarities in the results of the first two games, the games themselves played out differently.
Against the Galaxy, DC struggled in the first half, having to work in a new formation, as well as integrating new starters. But United took the lead at the end of the first half, and then added to that in the second half, when the team was playing better.
Things took a turn for the worse, though, when defender Greg Janicki and midfielder Devon McTavish knocked heads together. United was left with nine men on the field temporarily. While United was reeling, the Galaxy scored on a penalty, and five minutes later, Landon Donovan added a second goal to earn LA a point.
Against Chicago, however, DC United came out strong in the first half, and were rewarded with a goal seven minutes into the game, courtesy of striker Luciano Emilio. Although they dominated the first half, they only had the one goal to show for it. That eventually came back to haunt them, when their chances were limited in the second half.
Head Coach Tom Soehn focused on the team's energy as a reason why the three points was lost against Chicago. "Our legs were a little heavy when we came out in the second half, the tide changed, and we lost it" said Soehn at the press conference following the game.
While DC might be disappointed with having only picked up two points from their first two games, they have no time to focus much on those results, as they entertain the Houston Dynamo this Saturday at RFK.
Soehn now has the luxury of calling on some more experienced players against the Dynamo, but has been satisfied with the performances of the backups, including rookies Rodney Wallace and Chris Ponitus.
Despite still missing wingers Fred and Santino Quaranta, Soehn has remained upbeat, saying "Everybody has been spot on to what we’ve expected. At any point, anybody can play and make a difference".
For the game against Dynamo, United are still unsure about some players returning, as McTavish is listed as 'doubtful', while Quaranta and goalkeeper Louis Crayton are listed as 'questionable' by the team. Fred and Janicki however, will probably be at Soehn's disposal, either starting, or making the substitutes bench.
Kickoff against the Dynamo is set for 7:30 PM on Saturday, at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
In the first game, United dramatically let go of a two goal lead in the final 10 minutes of the game against the LA Galaxy. Last weekend, in a 15-minute spell after the halftime break against the Chicago Fire, United managed to lose the momentum of a game they were controlling, and allowed the goal that would be the eventual equalizer.
After the draw against the Fire, the players recognized the period of the game that changed the outcome of the game. Ben Olsen said that "a ten to fifteen minute span where we did not focus" was one of the reasons why DC only ended up with one point against Chicago, and not the full three points.
DC was the better side in the first half, and had the a goal to backup the claim. But United could not match that output in the second half, and allowed Patrick Nyarko to score the Chicago goal in the 53rd minute.
Midfielder Clyde Simms agreed with Olsen, saying that, "there was a little lapse, coming out in the second half, for the first fifteen minutes". Despite the similarities in the results of the first two games, the games themselves played out differently.
Against the Galaxy, DC struggled in the first half, having to work in a new formation, as well as integrating new starters. But United took the lead at the end of the first half, and then added to that in the second half, when the team was playing better.
Things took a turn for the worse, though, when defender Greg Janicki and midfielder Devon McTavish knocked heads together. United was left with nine men on the field temporarily. While United was reeling, the Galaxy scored on a penalty, and five minutes later, Landon Donovan added a second goal to earn LA a point.
Against Chicago, however, DC United came out strong in the first half, and were rewarded with a goal seven minutes into the game, courtesy of striker Luciano Emilio. Although they dominated the first half, they only had the one goal to show for it. That eventually came back to haunt them, when their chances were limited in the second half.
Head Coach Tom Soehn focused on the team's energy as a reason why the three points was lost against Chicago. "Our legs were a little heavy when we came out in the second half, the tide changed, and we lost it" said Soehn at the press conference following the game.
While DC might be disappointed with having only picked up two points from their first two games, they have no time to focus much on those results, as they entertain the Houston Dynamo this Saturday at RFK.
Soehn now has the luxury of calling on some more experienced players against the Dynamo, but has been satisfied with the performances of the backups, including rookies Rodney Wallace and Chris Ponitus.
Despite still missing wingers Fred and Santino Quaranta, Soehn has remained upbeat, saying "Everybody has been spot on to what we’ve expected. At any point, anybody can play and make a difference".
For the game against Dynamo, United are still unsure about some players returning, as McTavish is listed as 'doubtful', while Quaranta and goalkeeper Louis Crayton are listed as 'questionable' by the team. Fred and Janicki however, will probably be at Soehn's disposal, either starting, or making the substitutes bench.
Kickoff against the Dynamo is set for 7:30 PM on Saturday, at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
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