Match 2.27 The Result: DCU v TFC 9-29-07

DCU 4 TFC 1

I brought a friend to this one and at halftime I was worried that between our lackluster play and seats behind the press boxes I might have brought him to the wrong game. United did decent with the pace and control of the game in the first half but we certainly were not making the most of our chances. Kpene still can't finish, though I still want to think there is something there because he puts himself in the right places. Troy got caught again on a keeper side free kick... that can't happen anymore.

Olsen and Moreno came in at half for Gros and Kpene. The difference that those two make on the field is unbelievable. The Supporters often talk about what will happen when they are gone, but we have yet to come up with any solutions. I hope we get a few years with them as super-subs when they can no longer go the full 90. Back to the game... with Olsen in, Fred goes to his more comfortable left flank and starts to inflict damage on Toronto. The equalizer comes in the 52nd on a back heel from Fred to Burch at the corner of the box and then Burch sends a laser in for his first goal. BURCH FROM DISTANCE! Then Fred takes his chance from nearly the same spot as Burch in the 57th and puts a beautiful shot past the keeper. And the goals continued with Jaime scoring in the 66th on a great ball from Clyde Simms and then Emilio finished us off in the 70th with an insane rebound left foot sky volley... whatever it was, it was amazing. 4 goals in 20 minutes to come from behind and win. So it turns out this was a good first time match. Hopefully we can bring them back again.

Facts and Reality for Match 2.27

1. We were the better team but we waited until the second half to show it.
2. Fred gets an assist and a goal and Emilio gets #20.
3. The infield was not gone yet, but we are getting close.
4. Burch from distance!!! Like a laser rocket.

HDNet, thanks for allowing us to have the highlights this time.

Match 2.27 The Setup: DCU v TFC 9-29-07

Toronto Fried Chicken comes calling at RFK with pretty much only the draft in mind. I guess crashing DC United's Supporter's Shield Party would also be a decent consolation prize. DC will not be overlooking Toronto as they need the points to continue on the path to the Shield.

United will be at full strength while TFC will be missing Sutton (GK), Dichio (F), and O'Brien (M) which are some of their better players. I want to see us get back to our goal scoring ways. The stadium should be packed and the weather will be beautiful, see you at RFK.

Hope and Dreams for Match 2.27

1. We are the better team and we show it.
2. Fred and Emilio get back into the swing of things.
3. The new, non-infield grass is down.
4. Burch from distance. As noted by Fullback Files, we should probably start a pool on this.

One last note:
MLS and DC United, you should thank the unavailability of HDNet because that is the reason we felt compelled to go tonight. We are sitting in terrible seats thanks to procrastination on my part and what I'm guessing will be a huge crowd.

Match 2.21 The Result: DCU v. TFC 8-25-07

DCU 1 TFC 0

This was the funniest game I have ever seen. It was stressful until Fred put his shot away and then it just became laughable. It looked liked a contest to see which team could give the ball away more. I have never seen so many balls passed to someone or something out of bounds. Terrible, sloppy play. Slide tackles that didn't even come close to the ball. I swear one time a sliding Toronto player came up short on the ball and continued to scoot along the turf to get to the ball. The Edgell Supporters were literally laughing out loud during most of the match. Toronto even broke the most minutes without a goal record previously belonging to RSL. Congratulations.

I know turf is supposed to make the game faster but the ball and the players looked extra slow tonight. It looked like the players on both sides couldn't get their feet moving because the turf was too soft (or maybe wet according to Max Bretos or Christopher Sullivan). Toronto had a lot of possession but they were less than dangerous with it. A lot of their service went wide or out of bounds. DC looked quite disorganized to begin the game but the defense played well enough to keep themselves out of danger. When Moreno came in DC at least started to show some form and string a few passes together. Maybe I'm sleeping on how much possession Olsen brings to the game because our midfield was unable to hold on to the ball for any decent amount of time.

For inquiring minds, the actual lineup (substitutions):

Perkins

Namoff-McTavish-Vanney-Burch

Simms

Carroll-----------------Fred

Gomez (Mediate)

Addlery (Kpene)-Dyachenko (Moreno)

We won on the road with three regular starters out and Moreno sitting for the first half. We kept a clean sheet which means we haven't given up a goal in the run of play in 5 games. We beat a team we were supposed to beat. These are all good signs even with the lack of chemistry on the night. On the other hand, we need to find someone besides Emilio to score goals and Olsen to keep possession (Am I off on the Olsen=possession theory? Does Carroll=the opposite of possession?).

Side note: Add Carl Robinson to the dirty players list.

Facts and Reality for Match 2.21

1. Kpene looked a little more creative than he has in awhile, no goal yet though.
2. Fred and Gomez didn't really work together, but then nobody really worked together until sometime in the second half.
3. Three points, not particularly beautiful, but three points it is.
4. Burch didn't have a lot of opportunities so we're still waiting for his goal.

Match 2.21 The Setup: DCU v. TFC 8-25-07

The easy supposedly easy points are never easy for DC United. If we want to make a run at the Supporter's Shield, we have to pick up the easy points. In comparison to what we've done over the last four MLS matches, today's match at Toronto FC should be easy points. But again, the easy points are not always a given for DCU.

To make the situation more difficult we will be missing several starters. Gros is still out with the concussion and will be until he gets back from the specialist in Pittsburgh. According to Goff, Olsen and Emilio did not travel with the team so they will also be unavailable. Toronto on the other hand should be returning some of their players that have been out over the last few weeks. I believe that both Dichio and Cunningham should be back for the TFC attack. Not that those two are amazing strikers, but they'll be hungry for goals.
[UPDATE: Jeff Cunningham will not be playing due to season ending surgery.]

If Dichio plays we need to have Boswell's physical play on the back line. I'd like Boswell in no matter what, but if TFC is without Dichio I'd be ok with Vanney given his current form. Other than that I don't think we need to change much up except to replace the starters that are out. The lineup I'd like to see is:

Perkins

Namoff-McTavish-Vanney or Boswell-Burch

Simms

Moose----------------------Fred
Gomez

Moreno-Kpene

If we take this match lightly I think we go down a goal early but we pull it back and settle for the draw. If we come out prepared and ready to kill we will be able to put this match away shortly into the second half.

Come on ya Black and Red!

Hopes and Dreams for Match 2.21

1. Kpene puts it in the net.
2. Fred and Gomez continue to work together, I really feel if those two continue to develop chemistry we could see some magic.
3. Three points, anything less than three from this game is a disappointment.
4. Burch from distance.