D.C. United Out of Touch, Out of Time
For 25 minutes, D.C. United attacked the Chicago Fire unrelentingly. They poured all of their efforts forward, creating chance after chance. In the process, they scored the two goals they needed to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Unfortunately, United's disjointed play during the preceding 70 minutes allowed Chicago to tally two goals of their own, earning them the 2-2 tie, the 3-2 series victory on aggregate, and a ticket to the next round.
United came into the game knowing that Chicago would likely sit back and defend their one-goal aggregate lead. In the opening minute, the home side almost cracked the defense when a string of passes landed the ball at the feet of Luciano Emilio. The MVP candidate's weak shot was easily handled by goalkeeper Matt Pickens. That first-minute chance stood out as one of the lone bright spots in United's first half.
The Fire's speedy midfield denied United space going forward, while their imposing back line cut off long services before they could reach their intended targets. Though United held possession for most of the first half, they could do little to threaten Pickens' goal. Chicago, in contrast, made the most of their possession time. Mexican midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco played to his reputation: quick passes, great field vision, and reprehensibly poor sportsmanship (I counted at least four dives in the first half alone).
Photos by Kyle Gustafson
Two of Chicago's recent draft picks combined in the 31st minute to deal a crushing blow to United. Calen Carr sent a spectacular service that bent around United's defense, allowing forward Chad Barrett to settle the ball and volley it past Troy Perkins. Just two minutes later, the Fire struck again. Fred's poor clearance of a throw-in was met by Carr, who headed the ball toward the penalty box. Blanco, in turn, whipped a header into the box as Chris Rolfe sneaked past United's back line and flicked the ball over Perkins.
The goal stunned United. They seemed doomed to repeat their playoff futilities against the Fire. In the 41st minute, Coach Tom Soehn inserted Rod Dyachenko for Marc Burch, whose performance was uneven at best -- clumsy, predictable, and ineffective at worst. The opening of the second half showed little improvement for United. They lacked passing rhythm going forward, and were unable to synchronize their runs on long passes.
The home side finally began to show some life when Emilio was subbed out for Nicholas Addlery. The Brazilian gave a gritty performance, but it was clear the injury to his left ankle diminished his abilities. After Addlery's insertion, United began to play more aggressively, sending up to nine men forward. The tactic paid off in the 69th minute.
Devon McTavish, subbed in for a cramping Bobby Boswell 10 minutes earlier, sent a long ball cross-field that traveled 50 yards to Fred on the right wing and into the corner. He promptly crossed the ball to the top of the box. Christian Gomez settled the ball to Dyachenko, who served a slow roller to a charging Clyde Simms. The normally defensive-minded midfielder struck a low, bending missile of a shot into the corner of the net.
The goal was almost therapeutic for United. It was the first they had ever scored against the Fire in the playoffs, and it reinvigorated the entire stadium. United's chances now were coming fast and often. Addlery made a couple of great runs to latch onto passes, but was unable to finish.
United's second goal sent the crowd into an absolute frenzy. In the 74th minute, Dyachenko sent in a perfect ball over the Chicago defense. Gomez barely beat the offsides trap, settled the ball, and blasted it off the bottom of Pickens' arm and into the net.
United continued to produce chances in the waning minutes while preventing a fruitful Chicago counterattack. In the 82nd minute, Gomez' run to the endline allowed him to cross dangerously, but Addlery whiffed on his attempt. Five minutes later, Olsen sent a dangerous cross into the box, but Gomez' header went wide.
United's best chance to force overtime resulted in the match's most controversial call. Gomez looked to double his goal total on the night two minutes into extra time. As he fought to control a through ball in the box, he bounded past Pickens and finished cleanly. The play was whistled dead, however, when Gomez was found guilty of guiding the ball with part of his arm.
In the closing minute, Dyachenko was issued a red card for a late slide tackle, and United's comeback bid fell short.
For the third consecutive year, United suffered a disappointing playoff defeat. This year's edition stings particularly for a team that is probably the most talented in the league, and has the record to show it. D.C. United should be content with a single piece of hardware, but, with the MLS Cup final being played in their home stadium, will likely feel a tinge of lingering regret. To this end, Soehn let his feelings be known after the game. "The final's here and we're not in it. Of course I'm bitter."