ESPN Soccernet Preview for DC

[jason1551]

I figured someone would have posted this earlier, but I guess not. Nothing earth shattering, other than the opinion that Chicago and NE will finish ahead of us. Oh, and Wynalda still has a crush on our team.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=363091&root=mls&cc=5901

[GUTuna]

Key additions: Justin Moose, Rod Dyachenko

Man, I really hope Dyachenko becomes a key addition by sometime this year!

I guess this just emphasizes how little real change we had in the offseason and a lot of the X-factors this year were already on the roster at the end of 2005 (Eskandarian, Filomeno, dare I say...Troy Perkins).

[JoeW]

1. On paper it's hard to rate Chicago behind us when (a) they're young (and you have to figure the youth should get better) and (b) they embarassed us in the playoffs. So that's a "safe" rating by Wynalda and Galestrup.

But I have to see that Chicago is going to play consistently. Or that they won't start the season 0-Spring as they have no home games.

2. The irony is that we could have a lot of change from last year:
--a real finisher on the roster (if Filomeno or Eskandarian performs)
--some offensive talent on the wings (if Adu steps up and Gros improves and Moose continues to impress).
--a backline that has depth, athleticism and is settled at the start of the season (rather than giving quality minutes to David Stokes).

On paper we made no changes. In reality, this is a very different team from the one we started 2005 with.

[Onionsack]

My take, (and it has nothing to do with being a Ny fan) is that DC has gotten older without making any substantail upgrades.

You still have a GK deficit with Rimando and Perkins.

Moreno and Gomez are a year older.

Eski and Filomeno are either damaged or unproven.

The backline is still suspect.

You lost your toughness in the midfield in Kovelenko.

Freddy Adu is still just 16-17.


I just dont see how this team is going to perform better than last season. You do have the advantage of having a good system with a good coach that seems to suit MLS well, but how long before its figured out? How versitle is this team.

I think you lot are fighting to make the playoffs just like us in NY.

[jason1551]

And I would agree with that assessment.

However, I look at this team and see a system and set of players that have proven themselves offensively and defensively. I see a team that has the benefit of playing together for an extended period of time (unlike the constant turnover of other teams), and a core group of players, both young and old, that have proven their worth in MLS. We haven't had to tinker with our line-up to get results, and we haven't had to overhaul our roster just to stay competitive. I wouldn't bet that we win the division, but we sure as hell won't be floundering at the bottom.

[mjsUnited903]

I think the obvious key to DC's season is how well do the Argentines adapt to MLS and if they how well they gell with the team. So far, I really like what I see from Filomeno and Erpen. If Erpen and Bozilla can gell fast and if Erpen can communicate better with the midfield and if Filomeno hits a run of great form, I think this DC team will be very scary. I do think though that New England will be ahead of us although it remains to be seen how they deal with potential world cup losses and how the Clint Dempsey situation plays out. Chicago, I think they will find it tough early on with the extended roadtrip but if they can get on a run of inspired form during their long home stands later in the season then I think the Fire will be a team that may just have extra confidence down the stretch and can finish ahead of us. So, I do agree that DC is third best but we do have the potential to be the best and if we can get some luck this year, we will be on top.

[JoeW]

There are no "dogs" in the East (other than some real BIG DOGs and then some smaller, scrappier types). Any team has possibilities, even Met-ur-uh-Red Bull and Columbus. That said....

I have no problem with someone rating Chicago ahead of us on paper. On paper they could improve a lot and they cleaned our clocks in the playoffs. But the game ain't played on paper.

--I think our backline is significantly improved over least year. We'll see about improved play and consistency from Senior Erpen. Even without that, he's an improvement over David Stokes. Boswell will be better. We've got depth and versatility we didn't have (either a back 3 or back 4). And I think Boswell adds some toughness that people under-rate: the man's no shrinking violet back there, he's a tough player.

--I think our outside midfield play (which was dreadful last year--maybe the worst in the league) will be better. The only potential downside is defensively we might suffer with Adu on the left.

--We led the league in goals scorered without a true finisher. We've got two reasonable candidates this year (Filomeno and Eskandarian). On paper Moreno should be worse. On the field so far he's lost weight and appears to be playing better.

I don't mean to sound like "everything is coming up roses" here. We've got to show we can stay organized against Chicago. We've got to show we can take down NE. We've got to show we can adjust to the "mug Gomez and Moreno, congest midfield" tactics that I talked about at Catolica, by the Metros at RFK, by NE at times, by Chicago on the playoffs and Galercep refers to. So there are certainly question marks.

But what I don't get is the perspective that this team did nothing to improve. If you evaluate last year, you find several positional questions:
--finisher
--improve quality and depth of backline
--add talent and performance to outside midfield.
Well, we've got two finisher candidates (Eskandarian and Filomeno). We've added Erpen and Wilson late last season plus found a way to work Boswell into the mix. And Adu is now at outside midfield and we've added Moose. The other questions about the team are tactical--can the team handle how other squads tried to play against them late in the season? Time will tell that one.

I think Nowak, Payne and Kasper have pulled off something very remarkable. They've significantly remade the team--without turning over a lot of bodies. The turnover happened at the tail end of last year, by the draft or by getting players back who were on the roster last year but not on the field.

[fatbastard]

Screw the ESPN Soccernet preview - I actually saw a 2-page MLS preview in this month's Penthouse! We are picked 2nd behind NE in the East and 1836 was picked to win the West. I didn't notice a champion prediction. When talking about Mathis, they actually call him Cletus ;)

the bleach-blond centerfold was pretty hot too :cool: Let's see Soccernet compete with that.

[JayJay4Pres]

My take, (and it has nothing to do with being a Ny fan) is that DC has gotten older without making any substantail upgrades.

You still have a GK deficit with Rimando and Perkins.



Perkins by himself is better then Meola. And we all know where I rank Perkins in relation to Rimando.

If we wanted your opinion we would of given it to you.

[Cweedchop]

My take, (and it has nothing to do with being a Ny fan) is that DC has gotten older without making any substantail upgrades.

You still have a GK deficit with Rimando and Perkins.

Moreno and Gomez are a year older.

Eski and Filomeno are either damaged or unproven.

The backline is still suspect.

You lost your toughness in the midfield in Kovelenko.

Freddy Adu is still just 16-17.


I just dont see how this team is going to perform better than last season. You do have the advantage of having a good system with a good coach that seems to suit MLS well, but how long before its figured out? How versitle is this team.

I think you lot are fighting to make the playoffs just like us in NY.

Well that's certainly one way of looking at it.

As for the decrepitness of this team, only Moreno and Gomez are 30 or older.


And oh by the way, they just happen to be two of the best players in the league.

If anything United is a very good mix of veteran players who still are playing at a high rate (Moreno, Gomez, Olsen) and young players who contribute quite a lot (Adu, Tino, Esky, Boswell, Erpen).

As for the goalkeeping, I agree, I think this team could be in trouble in that department.

I also agree that losing Dema's toughness is a key loss, but losing his "skill" won't hurt us that much. He had a rough season last year.

The backline suspect? They had one bad match (admittedly at the worst time of the season) and their suspect? They finished tied for second in MLS in goals allowed and that was with a ton of injuries. Erpen will undoubtedly fit in much better this season and Boswell will play steady as always. They will miss Namoff however early on this season.

I think the East is a crapshoot to be quite honest. All 6 teams have a decent shout. I just think that bringing back a team that has it's entire core back (except Dema) from a season where they lead MLS in scoring is not such a bad starting place.

[Onionsack]

Perkins by himself is better then Meola. And we all know where I rank Perkins in relation to Rimando.


Perkins better than Meola huh? I really don't know how to respond to that. :rolleyes:

[Onionsack]

Well that's certainly one way of looking at it.

As for the decrepitness of this team, only Moreno and Gomez are 30 or older.


And oh by the way, they just happen to be two of the best players in the league.

If anything United is a very good mix of veteran players who still are playing at a high rate (Moreno, Gomez, Olsen) and young players who contribute quite a lot (Adu, Tino, Esky, Boswell, Erpen).

As for the goalkeeping, I agree, I think this team could be in trouble in that department.

I also agree that losing Dema's toughness is a key loss, but losing his "skill" won't hurt us that much. He had a rough season last year.

The backline suspect? They had one bad match (admittedly at the worst time of the season) and their suspect? They finished tied for second in MLS in goals allowed and that was with a ton of injuries. Erpen will undoubtedly fit in much better this season and Boswell will play steady as always. They will miss Namoff however early on this season.

I think the East is a crapshoot to be quite honest. All 6 teams have a decent shout. I just think that bringing back a team that has it's entire core back (except Dema) from a season where they lead MLS in scoring is not such a bad starting place.

Well my opinion on the Goals against record i think was more a reflection of the strength of the DC 5 man midlefild last year and their high pressure tactics. It really prevented teams from building attacks and exposing the backline. Where DC was most vunerable was when the pressure broke down and teams were able to spring counters. Then you add the comedy of errors that is Rimando who is the worst on set peices, but a great shot stopper due to his reflexs.

The best hope for DC is that Olsen, Simms and Carroll have good seasons and most importantly Josh Gros, because your left side won't be much of a factor i believe. Teams are going to key in on that side and force Adu (if he does indeed start on the left) to track back and defend.

I think Gomez and Moreno will produce, your right they aren't exactly dinosaurs out there. But Moreno has been living on borrowed time, he does look more fit this season i will give him that.

The thing i see in DC that will make them tough isn't so much the players, but the system they use. Its a proven winner in MLS and no body plays the 3-5-2 as well as DC. Also the club does have an aura about them, like you find with the top teams in other leagues. Its an attitude they carry that they will beat you and they all buy into it.

For the DC fans crying about my posts, get over it. Open discussion is a good thing, if i had come in here and started saying your team sucks, or talked smack i could understand the backlash. But i think you all know i don't do that on your boards...so pipe down.

[jackdaniels]

Perkins better than Meola huh? I really don't know how to respond to that. :rolleyes:

Well, my dear Metroscars / Red Bollocks friend, you are indeed excused of responding to that. We know you have enough with suffering big fat Tony playing for your team as to respond also when someone questions him.

[MattMathai]

Perkins better than Meola huh? I really don't know how to respond to that. :rolleyes:

I think that Perkins at his best (at least what he's shown so far) isn't worthy to carry Meola's boots. At least Meola at his best. However, Tony hasn't been at his best in a long, long time.

Right now, Meola is a just a bigger, more experienced version of Rimando. Great reflexes, utterly fearless, but utterly baffled on crosses. The one thing I like least about Tony is his tendency to complain about every setback. Has a goal ever been scored on him that was his own fault?

I know some of the greats like Peter Schmeichel used to ream their defenders for errors, but Tony's no Great Dane.

[TOTC]

.... Red Bollocks ....

New banner!

[TOTC]

... Tony's no Great Dane.

True.

http://www.zpennycook.com/images/MPF%20dogs.jpg

[Cweedchop]

My take, (and it has nothing to do with being a Ny fan) is that DC has gotten older without making any substantail upgrades.

You still have a GK deficit with Rimando and Perkins.

Moreno and Gomez are a year older.

Eski and Filomeno are either damaged or unproven.

The backline is still suspect.

You lost your toughness in the midfield in Kovelenko.

Freddy Adu is still just 16-17.


I just dont see how this team is going to perform better than last season. You do have the advantage of having a good system with a good coach that seems to suit MLS well, but how long before its figured out? How versitle is this team.

I think you lot are fighting to make the playoffs just like us in NY.

Good call! :D

[Cweedchop]

Well that's certainly one way of looking at it.

As for the decrepitness of this team, only Moreno and Gomez are 30 or older.


And oh by the way, they just happen to be two of the best players in the league.

If anything United is a very good mix of veteran players who still are playing at a high rate (Moreno, Gomez, Olsen) and young players who contribute quite a lot (Adu, Tino, Esky, Boswell, Erpen).

As for the goalkeeping, I agree, I think this team could be in trouble in that department.

I also agree that losing Dema's toughness is a key loss, but losing his "skill" won't hurt us that much. He had a rough season last year.

The backline suspect? They had one bad match (admittedly at the worst time of the season) and their suspect? They finished tied for second in MLS in goals allowed and that was with a ton of injuries. Erpen will undoubtedly fit in much better this season and Boswell will play steady as always. They will miss Namoff however early on this season.

I think the East is a crapshoot to be quite honest. All 6 teams have a decent shout. I just think that bringing back a team that has it's entire core back (except Dema) from a season where they lead MLS in scoring is not such a bad starting place.

Good call! :D

[JoeW]

There are no "dogs" in the East (other than some real BIG DOGs and then some smaller, scrappier types). Any team has possibilities, even Met-ur-uh-Red Bull and Columbus. That said....

I have no problem with someone rating Chicago ahead of us on paper. On paper they could improve a lot and they cleaned our clocks in the playoffs. But the game ain't played on paper.

--I think our backline is significantly improved over least year. We'll see about improved play and consistency from Senior Erpen. Even without that, he's an improvement over David Stokes. Boswell will be better. We've got depth and versatility we didn't have (either a back 3 or back 4). And I think Boswell adds some toughness that people under-rate: the man's no shrinking violet back there, he's a tough player.

--I think our outside midfield play (which was dreadful last year--maybe the worst in the league) will be better. The only potential downside is defensively we might suffer with Adu on the left.

--We led the league in goals scorered without a true finisher. We've got two reasonable candidates this year (Filomeno and Eskandarian). On paper Moreno should be worse. On the field so far he's lost weight and appears to be playing better.

I don't mean to sound like "everything is coming up roses" here. We've got to show we can stay organized against Chicago. We've got to show we can take down NE. We've got to show we can adjust to the "mug Gomez and Moreno, congest midfield" tactics that I talked about at Catolica, by the Metros at RFK, by NE at times, by Chicago on the playoffs and Galercep refers to. So there are certainly question marks.

But what I don't get is the perspective that this team did nothing to improve. If you evaluate last year, you find several positional questions:
--finisher
--improve quality and depth of backline
--add talent and performance to outside midfield.
Well, we've got two finisher candidates (Eskandarian and Filomeno). We've added Erpen and Wilson late last season plus found a way to work Boswell into the mix. And Adu is now at outside midfield and we've added Moose. The other questions about the team are tactical--can the team handle how other squads tried to play against them late in the season? Time will tell that one.

I think Nowak, Payne and Kasper have pulled off something very remarkable. They've significantly remade the team--without turning over a lot of bodies. The turnover happened at the tail end of last year, by the draft or by getting players back who were on the roster last year but not on the field.

Good call!

[JeremyEritrea]

Funny thread.