Here's my recap: 1st half had some good preseason matchups with both sides possessing and moving the ball up and down the feild creating scoring chances. In the second half, and really the end of the first half, the fitness of DCU started to show. The boys in black started taking over the game, possession and shots on goal. Payol had several looks on goal. His first goal off a cross was nice, but his second goal--where he collected the ball at his feet at the top of the 18, waited for the keeper to come out and cut down shooting angles and then beautifully chips him in no man's land--was excellent. The only substitution before the massive 11-man sub at the 60' was DeRo went in for DeLeon around the 30-35' mark. DeLeon played well, but the announcers think he got subbed for fitness or mild injury or something; Nick was surprissed to see his number called. Tampa only subbed a couple of players, so all those heavy legs created space for the young DCU players and trialist that came on in the 60th. Seaton looked composed and attacked defenders, crosses and the keeper to a setup Kemp's easy tap in for his first DCU goal. Neal, Richter and Seaton worked the right side of the field with ease providing tons of service into the box. Kemp, playing left-mid while the Danish/Dutch trialist <forget his name> occupied the leftback spot, scored a second goal and should have been greedy at the end of the game and tried for a third. The rest of the players did fine, but were not really tested since thier opponents legs gave out around the 75' mark. Encoraging preseason game to watch, indeed. I hated watching the video feed during the first 20 minutes due to it breaking up on my computer; it was fine after that.
i went back and watched the game now that i could actually see it without it breaking up. breakin down my thoughts bullet point style I thought neal looked composed as always. Pajoys second goal was great. some of the young guys were fast and encouraging. glad pajoy always proves me wrong. why did dero not have a vw logo?
Really did not like Nane. Porter is the only trialist that looks interesting to me. It really addresses my biggest concern ... wing depth. Between seeing Porter and Kemp I'm more hopeful that we can solidify those wide spots.
In terms of trialists, Porter was way behind Jan Frederickson. I wasn't expecting anything from him and I don't know anything about him, but he seems to be able to pass well, but given the competition, maybe he's just ok.
I like Frederickson's size and mobility. Also seems very confident on the ball. Porter did very well for himself. Set up the second goal and should have scored on his header in the first half. He put himself into every dangerous attack up to the second goal. That should count for something. I'm a Richter fanboy. Loved him last preseason and his two assists last night won't change that. Again, good size and speed and always looks to attack. Agree with Nane - there's a reason why he's been cut by both Colorado and NE. As the color man Jason Sanghi said, he's good at breaking up plays and shielding players off the ball, but his passing is poor and will add precious little to the attack. He would be good roster fodder but he would take up an international spot and that's too valuable for a player that simply wouldn't play much anyway..
Odd in that pleased with everything, but have to keep it in perspective. If Kemp scores two goals all regular season I'd be happy with that production from him. Overall a solid performance against inferior opposition. On lighter side DCUnited ran this story which type I always like. ------------------------ http://www.dcunited.com/blog/united-notebook/2013/02/09/united-fans-in-florida Last month D.C. United received a very special email from a family in Florida. The family, and particularly their youngest daughter Brooke, are diehard D.C. United fans, despite living almost 1000 miles from Washington DC. When they heard the news that the Black-and-Red would be playing in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, they made plans to travel to Orlando for the first match versus the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Following the match, D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen surprised Brooke with a quick visit at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The young fan told Kitchen that he shared the same number as her, and was therefore her favorite player on the team. Thank you to Brooke and all of the D.C. United supporters who made it out to Orlando for the match! ---------------------------- Perry is honestly a guy I'd love to do everything possible (including making a DP someday) to keep as a lifetime player and someday captain. He grows every year and would argue type of player that has those leadership qualities that are hard to quantify.
D.C. United Matchday @DCUmatchday #DCU Starting XI: Hamid; Korb, McDonald, Jakovic, Woolard; DeLeon, Saragosa, Kitchen, Pontius; De Rosario, Pajoy Starters vs SKC tonight. Looks like this could be a glimpse at the opening day lineup.
I see referee Ricardo Salazar is in midseason form. Michael Seaton gets his legs taken out from under him and he calls a foul on Seaton for landing on the guy who fouled him...
Uneventful first 45. I thought United defended pretty well. DeRo needs to stay a bit higher to give Pajoy some support, but we all know he's our roamer out there.
DeRo and Pontius looked like they had played Monday, traveled to NY the following day, travel back to Florida to play. Soooo they looked tired.