Perhaps, but I think they had more to "prove" in this, and subsequent DPSC games ... they're a lower-division club looking to eventually make the transition to MLS, so they go into the game(s) with a bit of a chip on their shoulders showing they can at least hang with the proverbial big dogs. Plus, some players are ex-MLSers who couldn't quite make it in the top tier so, again, chip, shoulder, and all that jazz.
Again; I'm going to assume they had plenty of pre-tournament training outdoors due to much better weather........
It's not just match fitness, right now. During these games, Hack will have the guys trying a multitude of different moving formations, types of ball movement, playing this way/playing that way. They're not out there to win these games, but to try various things that may, or may not be part of the plan moving forward.
As a point of comparison, DC beat the hell out of the Rowdies, including a brace from Pajoy. They looked considerably sharper and faster individually and as a team than the U did. Tampa Bay looked immensely worse than Orlando, but hard to say if that was on them or DC.
Hell, Hack even took the blame for OC's goal, saying that the coaching staff was emphasizing playing the ball short out of the back (or something like that). Granted, MacMath should have known better in that situation. http://p.mlssoccer.com/VkXKb/video/1600898/1600898_2013-02-10-172838.640hq.mp4
That is pretty much what the announcers said at the time......Hack telling him to play it short but you still don't do that.
MacMath definitely has to shoulder some of the blame for that, but Caroll really made a mess of it. As soon as I saw him toss it out to Caroll, I knew it was going to be trouble, as Orlando's forwards had been playing high pressure all game.
Sadly I had read the thread about the game before watching, knew it was coming and still had to shake my head at it. MacMath with a pass he shouldn't try, Carroll butchering it and letting the player get behind him and then neither Carroll nor MacMath being able to do anything about it. I give the OC guy credit as he still made a decent shot but all he had to do was put a bow on it because of the wrapping done by the U.
Im not too worried yet. If anything proves that preseason does not mean anything, TFC went 3W-2-D and 1L in 2012 Preseason. Then went 0W-0D-9L in their first 9 games.... NOTE: Did not add 10th game for a reason.
And then they put up a goose egg against SKC. http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2013/02/sporting-kc-prevails-2-0-over-dc-united Funny how things happen ...