An injury-laden D.C. United put forward one of its better performances of the season last night, beating the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in front of 11,593 at RFK stadium.
Riding goals from Dwayne De Rosario and Hamdi Salihi, the black and red were dominant for the full 90 minutes. It was perhaps D.C.’s most complete team performance since their 4-1 drubbing of FC Dallas in late March.
“You could tell we had some soccer players out there,” said United head coach Ben Olsen. “Some guys that really know how to move the ball around.”
Without the services of Chris Pontius, Maicon Santos and Nick DeLeon, Olsen once again was forced back to the drawing board. Ironically, the offensive unit he went with last night ended up being much closer to what many DCU fans had expected to see all season. For the first time since opening day, United’s three highest paid players—Salihi, De Rosario and Branko Bošković—were in the starting 11. The trio looked in sync and threatened repeatedly throughout the match.
Bošković’s 71-minute shift was his longest since going the full 90 in the 2010 season finale, and he was productive throughout. His service on corner kicks was consistently dangerous, and he very nearly found the back of the net twice, once from distance and once at close range.
“You see him on the field today, he brought nice composure, played the ball wide, kept us in possession,” said De Rosario, who played up top, allowing Bošković to start at midfield. “He’s very good on the ball,and that’s what we need in that position.”
Branko’s performance only adds more intrigue to what’s sure to be an ongoing storyline in the next month or two. His current contract runs through the end of June, at which point United will have a decision to make. While some may view him as an overpriced bench player, others will point out that he’s United’s best option at attacking midfield when De Rosario is called up top. Without him, United be forced to rely on the likes of Stephen King or Josh Wolff, or seek help elsewhere.
D.C. was dominant throughout the first half. Chris Korb and Lewis Neal worked together brilliantly on the wings, and in the 25th minute it would be Neal setting up De Rosario for his 3rd goal of the season. After collecting the ball in his own end, Neal ran some 40 yards upfield, eventually feeding a well placed through ball to De Rosario, who provided the clinical finish.‘
The game could have easily turned into a four- or five-goal victory, but Colorado keeper Matt Pickens was spectacular, stopping eight of United’s 10 shots on goal.
United would put the game out of reach in the 60th minute. Lewis Neal provided a pinpoint cross into the area, which Bošković headed directly at Pickens. With Pickens unable to hang on to the shot, Salihi found himself in the right place at the right time and slotted the ball home from close range.
After a slow start that saw him end up warming the bench, Salihi has come alive in the past few matches. He was asked after the match if his scoring touch had returned.
“When you score, it’s always good. It gives you confidence. I’ve said this before, I’ve always believed in myself and in my quality. I work the same way every day, it doesn’t matter if I score in one game or if I don’t, I work the same way.”
While United’s offensive stars made the game relatively stress free, its back line kept the clean sheet. Daniel Woolard once again found himself at center back—filling in for a still injured Emiliano Dudar—and continued to impress.
“I don’t mind it; I actually enjoy it. I’ve played there quite a bit in the past, so I’m comfortable there,” Woolard told the assembled media after the match. “If [Ben Olsen] needs me there I’ll stay there.”
Olsen will have to keep him there for the time being, and will have yet another decision to make when his defensive corps gets healthy again. “Woolard really seems to be liking center back,” Olsen quipped during his post-game remarks. “Now I’ve gotta deal with that shit. It’s a good problem to have.”
United next gets Toronto FC, still winless after last weekends loss. They’ll be on three days of rest and coming off of a cross-country flight, after having given up the lead in their 1-1 draw last night in Vancouver (check out Whitecap Eric Hassli’s absolute wonder strike here) in an Amway Canadian Championship match. On paper, it’s a game D.C. should win easily. But ask any United fan, and they’ll tell you—those have often been the games the club ends up losing.
Team Notes: DCU’s U.S. Open Cup plans solidified this week, as the team got more information about their first matchup. United will face the winner of Richmond Kickers-Aegean Hawks FC on Tuesday, May 29. If the Kickers win, the black and red will travel to Richmond for the match. If Aegean FC—an amateur side from the Washington area—wins, United will play the match at the Maryland Soccerplex … Nick DeLeon and Dejan Jakovic are almost completely recovered from their injuries, while Emiliano Dudar seems a bit farther away … Caps players Joel Ward, John Carlson, Brooks Laich and Mathieu Perreault were spotted at the game and later sported DCU jerseys in the locker room, trading war stories with Danny Cruz and Dwayne De Rosario … United paid tribute to late local legend Chuck Brown throughout the evening, playing his music during pre-game warmups and at halftime.
