Over 16,000 fans poured into RFK stadium Saturday evening hoping to see a newly revamped D.C. United upset defending Eastern Conference champions Sporting Kansas City. What they got instead was a DCU that seemed to pick up right where it left off last season—giving up a goal in the 93rd minute and leaving the pitch without any points.
The match, which ended 1-0 thanks to C.J. Sapong’s header from just outside the six-yard box, was far less competitive than the scoreline might suggest. D.C. United lacked cohesion, repeatedly surrendering the ball in midfield and only mustering two decent scoring opportunities.
DCU spent much of its preseason without several key starters due to injuries and national team commitments, and it showed. “It wasn’t the greatest night for us, but I kind of knew it wasn’t going to be,” said D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen following the match. “It was the first time we’ve stepped on the field for a 90-minute game. It’s not an excuse; it’s just the reality. So we were a little rusty, physically and mentally.”
The rust was visible at nearly every position. Chris Pontius and Branko Boskovic, both returning from long-term injuries, seemed to lack pace and were both substituted out in the second half. Up top, Dwayne De Rosario and new addition Hamdi Salihi were a non-issue, unable to receive the type of service they needed to be effective. D.C. United’s back line looked shaky at times, but defended the box fairly well, given the circumstances. The only real bright spot for the team came in goal, as second year starter Bill Hamid kept the game close into its dying moments.
This D.C. United squad will surely get better and jell as the season goes on, but they had better do it sooner than later. DCU’s next three matches don’t get much easier, as they’ll be taking on defending MLS Cup champions L.A. Galaxy, a good FC Dallas squad and also a reformed Vancouver side that many are suggesting may be one of the surprises of the 2012 season.
When asked how long the squad will take to operate as a cohesive unit, Olsen replied, “I’m not sure. I’d love to give you an exact date. It’ll be a work in progress but there was a lot of good stuff out there. We’ll continue to figure each other out and get fitter, I thought we looked a little tired late in the game. Look, KC is a good team they are as good as it comes in this league right now. I thought they did a good job tonight and credit to them.”
Team Notes: The attendance for the match was some 2,000 less than last years opener … DCU finalized its new 2-year lease at RFK earlier in the evening … Earlier in the week D.C.’s council passed a resolution stating that the local government should commit to keeping the team … The Washington Post obtained plans for exactly where on Buzzard Point the teams proposed stadium would be located.
