Nov 19, 2007
Houston Downs New England at RFK for 2nd MLS Cup
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…
Nov 16, 2007
MLS Cup 2007 Preview
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…
Oct 01, 2007
United’s Dominant Second Half Downs TFC, 4-1
Saturday night’s meeting of D.C. United and Toronto FC looked like a mismatch on paper. An expansion team with the worst record in Major League Soccer lined up against the most decorated club in the league’s history and current point leaders. Add D.C.’s distinctive home field advantage and you have a recipe for a blowout. Yet for one half, TFC hung with their hosts. Indeed, at many points in the first half Toronto was the…
Sep 13, 2007
United Emerge Victorious
Sunday afternoon D.C. United went toe-to-toe with the New England Revolution in a battle for supremacy of the Eastern Conference, and arguably the entire MLS. The match did not disappoint. It was a competitive affair in which each side took turns playing from behind before United dealt the knockout blow and cruised to victory. By most standards, it was a fantastic match. Flash forward to last night. D.C. United is facing a Real Salt…
Sep 10, 2007
United Quell Revolution, 4-2
Yesterday afternoon’s contest between D.C. United and the New England Revolution carried several levels of significance. With six games remaining for United and most of MLS, teams are becoming increasingly desperate to capture the three point bounty of each remaining game in the scramble for playoff spots. The Revolution came into RFK Stadium as the toughest foe remaining on United’s schedule. The game constituted the last time United would face a sure-fire playoff team….
May 29, 2007
Gomez Leads Resurgent United to Victory
As bad as United struggled to open the season, the Houston Dynamo have taken the worst of it. Like United, the Dynamo began the MLS season with high expectations, coming off of CONCACAF Champions’ Cup success. Houston also had the auspicious task of defending their MLS Cup. While the Dynamo have been unable to turn their season around, United came into Saturday night’s match unbeaten in three games with wins in their last two. Before…
Apr 16, 2007
United Rocked by K.C.
After weeks on the road in hostile conditions, United had been looking forward to Saturday night’s MLS home opener for quite some time. The boisterous 22,358 in attendance were determined to make United’s homecoming a pleasant one. The driving rain and potent Kansas City Wizards offense were not. The Wizards took advantage of United’s defensive lapses with polished finishing to claim a 4-2 victory. It took only 3 minutes for the Wizards to deliver…
Dec 21, 2006
Nowak to Leave D.C. United
Pending an official announcement (currently broadcast live at United’s web site), D.C. United coach Peter Nowak is leaving the team to become the U.S. men’s national team assistant coach. United is expected to name Tom Soehn as their new coach. The transition shouldn’t be too difficult for the team, as Soehn has been Nowak’s right hand man on the bench for the last three years. Nowak’s departure doesn’t come as a complete surprise. His name…
Dec 12, 2006
United Ship Adu, Rimando to RSL
D.C. United sent shockwaves through the U.S. soccer landscape yesterday when they traded teen sensation Freddy Adu and 5-year veteran goalkeeper Nick Rimando to Real Salt Lake for backup goalie Jay Nolly, a major player allocation, and future considerations. When we learned of this decision, we were amazed. Any time the league’s most recognizable and marketable star is traded, it’s bound to turn a few heads. However, the more we think about this deal,…
Nov 06, 2006
D.C. United Denied By Revolution, 1-0
Last year, D.C. United disappointed their home crowd, bowing out of the playoffs to the Chicago Fire. Defensive lapses led to an astonishing 4 goals conceded. The offense sputtered, taking only 9 shots to the Fire’s 15. Play turned ugly as 4 United players were booked for misconduct. The loss was an embarrassment on all levels. Yesterday, United’s play beared absolutely no resemblance to last year’s debacle. A swarming defense allowed one shot on…