First Impressions - D.C. United 4 : 1 Toronto FC

Damn. Due to personal commitments, I didn't go to RFK for this game, but did catch the archive match on MLSLive.TV. Then I wrote a First Impressions post, thought I posted it, and only now when I started the debrief do I see nothing came up. Still, there is a rhythm to such things, and I must write impressions, tardy as they are, and come up with them before doing the debrief. So here goes...

United did what they had to do. The benefits of beating Toronto by multiple goals are slim: we should beat them, and it shouldn't be close. Yes, United now has a positive goal differential two games into the season, and that's something. And yes, United's marquee players, Gallardo and Emilio, have tallies, so we don't need to start a running "When will they score?" feature. And yes, I am fully aware of the fact that this is only Toronto, so I shouldn't overread. Yet still, caveat away and what remains is something that United all too infrequently does not accomplish: Take on an inferior team and not play to their level, but instead put the game out of reach early and not look back. Combined with the sentiment that this had to be a statement game, United accomplished everything it could, and wrung out every last drop of goodness out of this game.

So let me address the general situation. Pachuca is upcoming, and even after this result I will be surprised if it were not United's last game in the CONCACAF Champion's Cup. Pleasantly surprised, but still surprised. Still, provided United puts forth a credible effort, I don't think we go through the season feeling as though we start with a failure. United is, for the moment, a team whose limits are uncertain, but is not a team in trouble.

As for the particulars, I also want to say this. I'm not saying I'm buying directly into rebirth Tino Quaranta for the season, but I am willing to say that he's done everything right in a Year-To-Date sort of way, and that's all I can ask for. And to be fair to Tino, that's more than I thought I'd be saying. So full credit to Tino.

Update: I wrote this at 7AM, and it didn't post again. BARRGH!

Tino to the Gals

The Washington Post is reporting that Santino Quaranta has been traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Apparently DC is expected to receive a portion of a player allocation. I am not sure on how smart this move is for DC United. Tino is a very good player that has been injured for most of the year, and showed very well last year. He is only 21 and it is way too soon to be giving up on somebody with his talent, especially considering Moreno and Gomez aren't spring chickens. That said, it really depends on what DC United does with the allocation (and how large it is), if this is a good move or not. Goff mentions that DC might not use the allocation until the off season.

Hopefully, at the very least Tino will benefit from the change of scenery. There is no question that he should start for the Gals, while he was having a hard time breaking into DC's line-up even when semi-healthy. I for one hope he shines against everyone but us. Also that he is the only bright spot for a team that doesn't make the playoffs this year or the next five, but that might be pushing it.