Results tagged “mls>”

            

On the surface, there wasn't much separating D.C. United and the Chicago Fire heading into their match at RFK Stadium last night. Both teams had scored and allowed the exact same number of goals -- 20 for, 17 against. Both held large margins in the way they score, namely, from the run of play -- United had scored 70% of goals in open play, the Fire, 65%. United had not lost at home, while Chicago boasted a spotless record on the road.

Say what you will about United's performance this season on the whole, but even the most pessimistic of supporters would have a difficult time arguing that this year's encounters with our rivals to the north, New York, have been anything but enjoyable. In the first two matches -- one, a thrilling, last-minute, two-goal comeback at Giants Stadium, and the other a game in which United led by four after 30 minutes in the Open Cup -- D.C. has earned positive results amid an ocean of mediocre draws. As they should: the league's runner-up last season, the Red Bulls currently wallow in dead last at an anemic 2-7-3, having only managed to score more than two goals in a game once this year.

           

From the start, it just seemed like a match that one goal would win. After all, the evening's opponents just so happened to be winless (0-4-0) on the road, without a single goal to their name. But unfortunately for United, that vital tally never came -- the team couldn't avenge their loss to Real Salt Lake earlier this season and sent 16,089 away kissing their sisters after last night's 0-0 draw at RFK.

            

If there was anything to glean from United's 5-3 whupping of the New York Red Bulls last night, it was that any analytical recap angles this writer planned to explore went out the window after United struck four times in the opening 30 minutes. Oh, and that Chris Pontius is really, really good in the air. With apologies to topics like goalie Josh Wicks and how he compares to United's other keepers and United's incredible bench strength, last night's win -- which earned United a place in the First Round Proper of the U.S. Open Cup -- was simply about one side running roughshod over the other for 45 minutes, and, of course, the further emergence of United's newest goal-scoring phenom.

D.C. United takes a break from a seemingly endless string of stalemates in league play to continue their Open Cup defense tonight at RFK. The country's oldest soccer tournament, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, unfortunately doesn't save places for defending champs -- despite bringing home the cup last season, DCU have to play in the early qualifying rounds this year because of their poor league finish last year. Up to speed? The Black-and-Red dispatched of FC Dallas with ease in qualifying round one, and tonight their rivals, the New York Red Bulls, make the trek down I-95 to battle for a spot in the Round of 16.

The U.S. Open Cup is one of those tricky tournaments for a coach to figure. Great history, nice tradition, and anyone who supports professional soccer in this country has to pull for this tournament—which, at its best, could pit aging, part-timer amateur teams against the likes of David Beckham in a rinky-dink stadium just about anywhere—to continue to grow in prestige and prominence. It's a goal that requires clubs to take it seriously, which means sending out quality teams and, you know, actually caring. DC United's Open Cup title last year didn't exactly make up for an otherwise poor season, but it did give die-hards and players a chance to enjoy one of soccer's most satisfying moments: the lifting of the cup in front of the home fans.

It has been well-documented that there is a significant divide between player salaries in Major League Soccer. For a league that's still getting its legs after only thirteen years in existence, it is easy to see why that is -- as the league tries to bolster its image and fanbase with larger signings in the Beckham mold, developmental players are de-emphasized. With time, salaries for lower-tier players should rise as the league finds success. But the thorny issue remains in the present: there are a large amount of professional soccer players in the United States that don't even come close to making a living wage playing professionally.

           

Well, it was almost too appropriate.

When it comes to covering D.C. United, we're unabashed homers; so, we're kind of more-than-hoping that the Black-and-Red are able to deliver in what is, without hyperbole, a must-win match tomorrow night in Columbus. Fellow blogger and Chicago Fire striker Chris Rolfe did United a real solid, notching an impressive hat trick and leading the Fire to a 5-2 thrashing of the New York Juicers Red Bulls on Thursday night. United must defeat the Crew - who have already clinched the 2008 Supporters Shield for best overall record - on the road, or else the season will end playoff-less for the first time since 2002. Behind the Badge has the math on the potential playoff scenarios, but it's all meaningless without a victory in central Ohio tomorrow. Sunday's match kicks off at 5 p.m. and will be televised on Comcast SportsNet.

D.C. United have made a habit of dropping points this season, especially lately. A 5-2 laugher in Los Angeles was followed by successive pathetic shutouts against Dallas and Chivas USA. All results that somehow made last weekend's goalless draw at Houston look like a major victory while simultaneously dwindling D.C.'s playoff hopes.

       

It's been quite the season for Major League Soccer, at least in terms of parity. Coming into Saturday's activity, only Columbus had laid claim to one of the eight MLS Cup playoffs spots, and every single team in the league remained mathematically alive in the chase for the playoffs.

Poor D.C. United. US Open Cup success aside, it's been about as frustrating a season as a team could have. The first few months were filled with growing pains, trying to find a way to mold the side around new Argentinian signing Marcelo Gallardo. It began to pay off in early summer, with the team finally finding form and playing with the easy-on-the-eyes attacking style in such a marked contrast to some of the league's less attractive approaches. The end of the summer brought Louis Crayton in goal, and an unexpected string of defensive resolution from the usually charitable United defense. But they never really made a big dent in the MLS standings, and now their CONCACAF Champions League campaign is as good as over before it could even really take off.

It's certainly been a long and winding road for D.C. United's recent addition Thabiso Khumalo. The South African forward was drafted in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago - but never saw the field. The man they call "Boyzzz" has subsequently been on a three year odyssey through a veritable tour of second and third division American soccer - stops in Charleston, Wilmington, and Pittsburgh have resulted in varying levels of success: twenty games per year, a few goals here and there, even recognition as one of the best players in USL-2. It's fair to say that the man (who is a co-founder of a non-profit which encourages South African youth, no less) has logged more than his fair share of miles in trying to grab a spot at the top.

              

One could make the argument that D.C. United is the most decorated outfit in Major League Soccer - after all, the team has won 11 pieces of silverware in just 12 years of existence, and no other squad can come close to matching that rate of success. But for all its triumphs as the flag-bearers of the still-fledgling American first division, the simple fact remains: the last time the Black and Red actually lifted a physical trophy and added to their haul was almost four years ago - their most recent MLS Cup victory in 2004.

With only ten minutes remaining in DC United’s match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night, previously beleaguered comeback-player-of-the-year candidate Santino Quaranta worked his way through midfield and slid a wonderful angled pass behind the New York defense to MLS all-time leading goalscorer Jaime Moreno. Moreno’s first touch was immaculate and his second eluded the NY defender, forcing him into a rash challenge that brought down the United legend and won a penalty.

             

Consistency is of pinnacle importance to a team's success at the highest level of club soccer. Unfortunately for D.C. United, finding consistency and keeping it has been this season's significant challenge. After dropping three points on the road to the New England Revolution midweek, the squad had alternated wins and losses in their previous five matches. On the plus side, their opponents on Saturday night were their Western Conference mirror image - the Colorado Rapids had succeeded in taking the maximum return in only three matches since the beginning of June. With both teams on the fringes of the MLS playoff race - United currently in seventh position, and the Rapids four points off the pace - something had to give.

              

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup may not have the allure of its English counterpart, the FA Cup, but it's still one of the oldest competitions in the world, now in it's 94th year (out-dating the main cup competitions in both Germany and Italy by years). But even though it's fun and unpredictable cup football, when one of the notable claims to tradition of the tournament is the triple victories achieved in 1980, 1982, and 1983 by the (no kidding) New York Pancyprian Freedoms — well, it's safe to say that the tournament is going to have some difficulty drawing significant interest. Cue the D.C. United supporters who rarely disappoint — the small crowd of 6,797 was at it's throaty best, voicing for a crowd twice as large. It's no wonder that United responded in kind, overwhelming the New England Revolution 3-1 to move on to the 2008 Open Cup final.

          

A string of Superliga losses followed by one of D.C. United's worst showings of the year against Houston left the second half of the season somewhat in doubt. Which D.C. United would show up for MLS' crucial home stretch? The confused squad that started the season 2-7 and lacked any form of cohesion, or the offensive dynamos that ran roughshod over their MLS opponent en route to a 5-0-1 record preceding the All Star break?

At least this time it didn't occur halfway through the match.

             

Rising temperatures and high humidity created oppressive conditions during yesterday's match between D.C. United and the L.A. Galaxy. The Galaxy ended up taking the worst of it, with United's attack providing the most unbearable heat.

Saturday's early game storyline must have seemed awfully familiar to D.C. United. After dominating possession for several stretches in the opening minutes, a momentary lapse of coverage in the defense led to a successful opposing counterattack. To add to the similarities, the protagonist of the counterattack was none other than last Wednesday's lone goal scorer, Danny Dichio. Though United fought back to tie the score, the 6'2" target man added another strike in the closing seconds of the half. And yet, for the first time in nearly a month, United did not suffer another demoralizing loss. The home side's inspired play led to two second half goals, and D.C. secured a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC before 18,647 grateful fans.

         

One wonders what DC United Coach Tom Soehn said to his team at halftime. Down 1-0 after dominating possession in the first half, without two banged up star midfielders, but at home against a tough but beatable Chicago Fire team, did he make tactical changes? Did he exhort the players to make the second half a turning point in the season? Did he pull misfiring forward (and reigning MVP) Luciano Emilio aside and give him a little confidence boost?

He'd never admit it, but you know that somewhere, sometime before the start of the season, D.C. United coach Tom Soehn looked at his team's busy schedule for the first month of the season, and then said a small bit of thanks for who they were playing. Of their first five MLS games, they were scheduled to play exactly one playoff team from last season. They had home games against perennially struggling Columbus, anemic Toronto, and generally woeful Real Salt Lake. Exactly the kind of schedule you want to open up the season. But after a 4-0 thrashing on the road in Salt Lake City, and a lackluster 2-1 home defeat to the Crew, the reigning Supporters Shield holders went into Saturday night's home rematch with Real in last place and badly needing a win.

              

Last night, D.C. United had a chance to get their MLS season back on track. They came into the match with a 1-2-0 record in MLS play this season, including a recent 4-0 loss at much-maligned Real Salt Lake. A home date against a manageable opponent seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. Instead, United suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Columbus Crew that left them searching for answers.

A banner weekend, indeed. The Washington Capitals and Wizards clinched a playoff berth within 24 hours. This week we have another full lineup of Washington area sports, highlighted by a jampacked Wednesday night featuring three local teams playing home games in front of massive crowds. Our picks for this week are below. Go on and add your own in the comments.

Many doubts regarding D.C. United's attack were squelched Saturday night. Following a pair of 0-2 defeats last week, United had a chance to start fresh at home. Riding the strength of their high powered attack, they dispatched Toronto F.C. cleanly in front of 20,161 RFK faithful.

The Washington Capitals have won eight of their last nine games. Will they be able to maintain their run of form for the final three games of the season? The Caps sit on the edge of the playoffs, though they are on the outside looking in. Their three home games this week should give fans some of the more thrilling moments in recent seasons. What's more, there's plenty of other regional sports action on the table this week. Feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments.

While much of America is focused on the NCAA Men's Tournament, we are forced to turn elsewhere upon the elimination of our area's three teams. And come on, you know you aren't going to win that office pool your friend pressured you to join. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternative sports viewing options this week. Feel free to leave your own in the comments.

The Houston Dynamo won a second consecutive MLS Cup on Sunday at RFK, besting the New England Revolution in a come-from behind 2-1 victory. The Revolution lived up to their tag as the league’s nearly men, losing yet again in the championship match. This loss had to be especially painful for the Revs as they opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Veteran playmaker Steve Ralston found space on the right and crossing perfectly...

Our beloved D.C. United may have crashed and burned (again) in the MLS playoffs this season, but life goes on. Also, the playoffs go on -- right in our backyard, in fact. Many moons ago, Washington was picked to host the 2007 MLS Cup this Sunday at noon, at RFK. Time to put aside your grieving and check out the game. Tickets start at $30, maybe even less on Craigslist. When else are you going...