Saturday night’s matchup against the Columbus Crew was never going to be an easy one for D.C. United.
Completely overhauled after a dismal 2013, United took the field with seven new starters and a cautious sense of optimism. They left it reminded of just how much work remains to be done if they’re to contend in 2014, falling 3-0 to the Crew in front of 13,840 at RFK Stadium.
The loss stretches United’s winless streak in league matches — dating back to early August of last year — to 13.
“I don’t think anybody really had a good game on our side,” United head coach Ben Olsen told DCist after the match. “As a group we weren’t great. Some of this is to be expected. It’s a long season, though. This group will be fine.”
Both teams traded half-chances during an uneventful opening quarter hour. Four minutes in, newly acquired left back Christian Fernandez gave United their first chance of the evening, striking an ambitious ball from 40 yards out that sailed just over the bar. Columbus countered with several attempts of their own, all well off the mark.
Hector Jimenez, Josh Williams and Jairo Arrieta would combine to give the Crew their opener 18 minutes in. Jimenez would play a ball through to a streaking Williams on the right flank. Williams struck a curling, one-touch cross to Arrieta, whose first-touch effort found its way past an outstretched Bill Hamid.
The goal was largely caused by a lack of familiarity between midfielder Nick Deleon and Fernandez, two players who’ve had precious little time to get to know each other. “There was definitely a communication issue,” Deleon reflected. “It was just a miscommunication between Christian and I. They had a good one-two and they capitalized it. It’ll come along, though. It’s just all of us getting on the same page.”
Just nine minutes later, Columbus would double their advantage. United midfielder Perry Kitchen and Crew defender Michael Parkhurst grappled while racing for a loose ball in the box, with referee Andres Pfefferokorn ruling that Kitchen committed a foul in the exchange. Federico Higuain would convert the ensuing penalty kick in the 27th minute.
Columbus would be content to sit back and defend in the second half, while United pushed forward in search of an opener of their own. They’d nearly get it five minutes in. Nick Deleon played a bending cross into the box, which Columbus keeper Steve Clark tipped goalwards. A well-positioned Parkhurst, however, would clear the ball off the goal line. Despite a series of offensive-minded substitutions, It would be D.C.’s last genuine chance at goal.
The Crew’s third goal came just moments from the death, with Justin Meram finding an unmarked Higuain in the box for a relatively easy strike.
United’s lackluster performance shouldn’t come as a complete surprise to anyone. With so many new pieces, this was bound to happen, and if United are to put it together this year, it will take time.
I’ve already written March and April off, honestly, as a learning period. If the Black and Red are still dropping games like these in May or June, get back to me. I’ll personally hand you the panic button.
