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D.C. United played out a relatively dull and featureless 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday night, but the real celebrations would come on Sunday night. The Colorado Rapids scored in the final minutes to pull out an upset over Chivas USA, 2-1, making D.C. United the first team to ever successfully defend the Supporters’ Shield.
It probably wasn’t the stylish way United will have wanted to take the regular season crown, but with only one more regular season game remaining – at home against Columbus on Saturday – it won’t matter. They’ve now sewed up the loose ends, and they can give some of their lesser-used reserves a game of fitness and experience before the real season begins. After two tired showings, Coach Tom Soehn will be happy to grant Ben Olsen, Christian Gomez, Fred, and Luciano Emilio a week off.
But, taken optimistically, Saturday’s tie was a tactical battle and proved that United – so often characterized by a fluid passing attack – can grind out a result when required. Not particularly enticing soccer, maybe, but United contained the Fire’s high profile signings Mexican superstar Cuahtemoc Blanco and Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope with relative ease.
The game wasn’t without a handful of anxious moments for the home team. Fire forward Chad Barrett was a good compliment to the style and flair of Wanchope and Blanco, challenging everything and taking the game to D.C. defenders Devon McTavish and Greg Vanney. In the 20th minute, Chris Rolfe played in to Barrett, who created some space to operate inside the penalty area and fired a low shot that D.C. keeper Troy Perkins had to get down to smother.
At the other end, only a handful of chances were coming to D.C., first with Guy-Roland Kpene firing off the post after a Luciano Emilio run, and second a piece of clever combination play between Fred, Emilio, and Gomez ending with a Gomez blast being palmed away by Chicago keeper Matt Pickens.
With things still scoreless at halftime, Soehn chose to solidify the center of the midfield by pulling Kpene for defensive midfielder Brian Carroll. As a result, United dominated possession, stroking the ball around midfield for minutes at a time, but lacked any kind of presence in the penalty area. Their only real chance didn’t come until ten minutes from time, a weak clearance falling to Gomez on top of the penalty area. He cut inside past two defenders but his low drive from 18 yards was right at Pickens. And, save a scary moment when defender Marc Burch tried to get cute with his clearance and gave Barrett a clear path to goal, Chicago didn’t threaten much either.
As the second half wore on, it became apparent that neither team was willing to risk much for a win, and, in the end, 0-0 seemed a justified result. Not great for the fans, perhaps, but not altogether discouraging either. And, after Sunday’s fortunate twist, a full week of rest awaits with another trophy in the bag for MLS’ most storied franchise.
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If you are a sports fan and you don't like soccer but have never actually been to a game, do yourself a favor and go to RFK on Thursday, Nov 1st for the first home playoff match.
The atmosphere will be electric. You still may not become a diehard fan, but I guarantee you will have blast...and a new appreciation for the game.
NOTE: To many, The Supporters' Shield is as important as the MLS Cup Championship (maybe even more).
Vamos United!
I was kind of sad to see Kpene pulled at halftime - he was attacking the goal like a man possessed during the first 45. It'll be fun to see if he can net his first score on Saturday.
Vamos United!
Two points here that I have to take issue with:
1. "United contained the Fire’s high profile signings Mexican superstar Cuahtemoc Blanco and Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope with relative ease..."
Troy Perkins had to make NINE saves, some of which were phenomenal, point-blank saves, to preserve the draw.
2. "I was kind of sad to see Kpene pulled at halftime - he was attacking the goal like a man possessed during the first 45"
I was also bummed to see him pulled because I think he has a lot of energy and a lot of talent and he really wants to earn himself a spot. But I noticed several times in the first half when he had a reasonable chance to go to goal and he didn't. So I would have described his first 45 as hesitant.