First Impressions - D.C. United 3 : 1 New England Revolution
D.C. United Advances to U.S. Open Cup Finals
Look, I want to be ecstatic. We have a game to play, and it's a game for silverware. And if we win, we get another year of international competition. And we won with multiple goals, right?
I can't fake it. We beat the New England reserves. Not just the reserves, but the reserves with a man sent off for a third of the match. And every single fault of the season was once again on display - the Jackson Pollock defense, the long stretches of possession that would culminate in mystifying give aways, the feeling on ennui that would settle on the team for ten minutes at a time. I felt the midfield at time belonged more at home in a Paris cafe, drinking a merlot and smoking Gauloises.
But somehow we're through. That's the goal. But if you want me to be optimistic, I just don't feel it. New England rolled over, but if there's any team that's capable of dropping the US Open Cup to a USL team, it's this D.C. United team. I don't want it to happen, and I'll cheer my head off if we're at RFK (or even in Seattle) but I can't say this game was reassuring. Still, to the extend that Tom Soehn had a choice between New York and this match, he made the right choice.
Labels: 2008 US Open Cup, DCU, First Impressions, New England Revolution
posted by D @ 9:16 PM
12 Comments:
The goals were in play and beautiful though, Buzz-Crasher.
Lighten up - the magic is back. Peralta looked good, Tino is back, Gallardo will be back soon, we are in the Cup final against Charleston, it's all good baby! Nothing but blue skies now. We will be peaking just in time for the playoffs and the Champions League.
Yeah man, you're mellowing my high.
To an extent, you're entirely correct. I was okay with the long possession spells, they served their purpose to an extent (by the way, you wrote "extend" rather than "extent." I don't really care, but you seem to correct typos) even if they were anti-climatic. The defense was a sore spot again. I hate to say it, I really do, but I think McTavish has to go before this team can be consistently a contender. He'd be fine as a left or right back, but not central. He just makes too many mistakes and I am not prepared to say he should replace Namoff or Martinez. Fred continued to do everything but finish (everything includes some giveaways by trying to take too many defenders too often). The goals were pretty - reserves nothing, Namoff's cross looked pretty textbook perfect to me, that was going in against the regulars. Guerraro (sp?) disappeared for part of the first half, but continues to look good otherwise. Tino scored, but also pulled some bonehead junk. At this rate, I'm going to review each player.
Could this team lose to a USL team? Yes, it wouldn't shock me. I am more positive though, I don't think they will. And in the end, a win is a win and the trophy is the trophy. It can be belittled by the spiteful, but it can't be taken away. And I'm excited that they're in the final; might be the only one this season.
Need for recalibration...
Consider the need for momentum.
The Rev's enjoyed it last year and maybe this is an omen for DCU this year.
In either case, let's not scoff at legit hardware opportunities...
If you need to be a pessimist, consider the stakes for the final: a MLS team up against a USL1 team... let's hope DCU doesn't give the Rah-cha-cha Rhino's company in the record books - eh?
We are all overlooking 2 vital performances from last night:
-- the stadium lights stayed on
-- the weather was outstandingly rain-free
'nuff said...
I'll take it. This team and us, its fans, need something to smile about after the past month. This is that. C'mon 9/3 and Charleston!
It would be nice to win the Open Cup -- let's hope they don't blow it. With International play secured for next year, the pressure would be off a bit.
And that would leave nothing to play for this year, except pride. I like the prospects of a healthy DCU playing for pride.
hey RKE think there's still a bit more than pride to play for this year... they can still win the MLS Cup this year! Would like to see a fifth star on the shirt and that silver ball has been in Houston too long...
-K
K,
That's the pride I'm talking about...
I'm just thinking they might play better if they get one monkey (next year's int'l) off their back.
... maybe "tradition" would have been a better word than "pride."
i know this team is shaky, but i'm going to travel to d.c. for the final in the hopes of seeing some hardware lifted. can you give me some suggestions for the best sections in the stadium for viewing the game? i'm interested in quality soccer sightlines, not necessarily amongst the screaming eagles. thanks. patrick_f_dye@hotmail.com
> best sections in the stadium
A matter of taste really. Good news is that once you're in, you can pretty much go where you like.
My experience is that seating is fairly open at RFK, as long as you're polite and don't sit on anyone's lap.
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