Splishy Splashy
United's starting lineup was surprising and inherently mysterious, as
if Schroedinger's cat had been placed into Pandora's box. Confounding
expectations, and just when the team seemed to be gelling with four in
the back, Soehn sent out a 3-5-2. This was particularly alarming given
that Columbus has shown superior flank play this season that could--and
did--expose United's outside mids.
From the opening whistle Columbus looked quicker and more purposeful. They would continue to be more successful in winning and keeping the ball as the match wore on. But DC United, on the back of a fine performance by a loaner keeper and one inspired connection between Boyzzz and Emilio, got the job done. It was workmanlike and ugly, but the fans finally got to watch a league win at home.
Look at the match statistics:
Crew D.C. United
Total Shots: 10 3
Shots on Goal: 6 2
Total Saves: 1 6
Fouls: 7 12
Offsides: 1 3
Corner Kicks: 7 2
As the game played out, United's five-man midfield did not dominate the center of the pitch, and United's defense was put under great pressure, but it bent and did not break.
To the extent you could call walking the ball up the middle of the field and then resorting to square and back passes "offense," United played its slow build up game. Thus, in addition to reverting formations, United had retreated from the wide and penetrating patterns of play it had been developing recently. Hey, whatever works, man . . .
What United had going for it was cohesive defending by the defensive midfielders and backs as a unit, all the more surprising given that this was a newish line-up playing in bad conditions.
The goal was built on the hustle of Khumalo. Boyzzz is a player who is not afraid to dribble at people but who, unlike Fred, can do so while seeing the field. He proved this again by slotting a perfectly weighted through ball to Emilio that the Brazilian was able to finish.
Credit Soehn for recognizing the ongoing problems McTavish was having on defense. The insertion of Vaughn at the half was both scary and encouraging. And is it me or did we switch back to a 4-4-2 as well?
In the second half, Columbus came out looking dangerous, playing a direct and physical game. Yellow shirts seemed to be everywhere. After Moreno was substituted for Gomez (who looked particularly ineffectual, perhaps because the conditions do not suit his playing style), here we were in the 58th minute and DC had reverted to complete bunker mode, withstanding wave after wave of Crew attacks and then hoofing the ball upfield.
Doesn't United ever learn? If you're ahead in the second half and don't want to let in a goal, you need to keep possession, but don't play the entire game in your own third. United would need luck if it was to succeed by sitting back and absorbing the Crew's onslaught for most of the second half. Luck for United, a team that started the season snakebit (do you remember all the blood? the poor calls at decisive points in games?) and went downhill from there.
The final minutes were heartstopping while United struggled to find possession even though it had a man advantage. But United's luck would hold.
Fans who are beside themselves with glee and are preparing to hoist the MLS Cup need a reality check. On the other hand, you cannot argue with the result, and good individual defensive performances by various United players deserve praise.
Cronin had a great match: heads-up, athletic, and communicating well with his teammates. He seems to be quicker and smarter than Wicks. Also, he is not insane. Can we keep him?
Good work by Jakovic, James, and Wallace in this one too. Even Emilio was moving around more than usual. Perhaps he does not like standing like a statue in the rain.
Things that are worth doing aren't easy--they are hard. In the cold rain, United was uglier, gutsier, and luckier, surviving ninety minutes of trench warfare to get a result.
At this point in the year, surviving feels good.
Talon Rating: 3 out of 5 birds
Overheard at the match:
- McTavish is a defensive breakdown waiting to happen.
- What is with all the backpassing?
- My ass is cold and wet.
Goff's official write-up is here.
Post-game quote sheet is here.
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