Official Post-Match Thread:: DCU at the Whiz [R]

[JoeW]

Since I didn't see a post-match thread, here it is.

Good-Guys: 1
Wiz: 0

As usual, no trolls.

[DCSharksFC]

Troy Perkins MOTM
Devon McTavish MOTM 2

ugly game, kc needed a few inches to win today, and they were short each time, great game by perkins

[BigKris]

I don't think I've ever seen a team play a more putrid first half and yet enter halftime with the lead. I'd have been thrilled with a tie in this game; a win is out and out theft.

Troy MOTM.

[TowsonDad]

Sometimes you have players that won't let you lose,,

Thank you Troy and Emilio!

[ursula]

First place baby!

[ursula]

kc needed a few inches to win today, and they were short each time

Kansas is the Cobi Jones of scoring. :)

[Publius]

KC seemed to have more chances today than they did at RFK. There were at least six times when I was absolutely certain they would score. Perkins was huge. MOTM without question.

[Winoman]

I don't know who should be Man-of-the-Match for DC, McTavish or Perkins. Between them, they kept the score from being 9 - 1 for KC. Our passing game wasn't very tight, but got better as the game progressed.

There were some defensive meltdowns, but that's to be expected to a certain degree since Vanney only practiced with the team on Thursday. Onalfo has built a very dangerous team. I think we're very fortunate that EJ was not there to run on to some of those through-balls.

Nice, clinical finish by Luciano Emilio. Have I ever said what a terrific move that was, signing him? If not, I'm saying it now! :)

[BigWave]

Yeah, Troy came up huge! So why were Luciano and Gomito arguing at the end of the game???

[Hedbal]

And it could easily have been Bad Guys 3 or 4, Good Guys one. Perkins absolutely controlled his area and showed Rimando-like reactions. And how about Devon McTavish? It's not clear to me that Boswell-Vanney is a total lock to start in the middle. Or maybe Namoff moves left and McTavish goes right. Or Vanney goes left and McTavish stays in the middle....

[ursula]

The daytime summer MLS games are a world apart. A little energy is expended at the beginning of the game then things get slower... and slower... slow...er......s...l....o...w....e.....r.... Skills deterorate as the game goes along with games usually turning on one play of skill. They have no bearing on how good a team really is come September but they mean a lot to the Supporters Shield.

[apqjr]

That was a steal.

Thank you Troy! Thank you Luciano!

Anyone else watch the KC feed? What is up with all the interviews? Did they think we used TV timeouts?:confused:

[sch2383]

Random thoughts:

We did what good teams do, grind out tough wins on the road.

McTavish came up huge, Perkins made some great saves, it was team win.

I hope there are no lingering effects from this game, the travel, exhaustian, dehyrdation, etc.

This team is clearly on a roll, which makes me wonder how our Copa America players will be worked back in to the rotation. Moreno more than Boswell or Olsen.

[sitruc]

.nheoS eriF Vanney didn't impress. McTavish is a tackling drinking game. BC had his iffy moments. You know, the moments where he had the ball. Moose was great energy and movement in the sluggish first half. Mediate didn't do much for me today. Where was he? Addlery didn't show himself much either. Adjustments were made at half. We got decidedly more possession in the second half. The midfield did a little better in the second half. Gomez showed some heart and a work rate I love at times today. Also, he was good in the midfield holding the ball and distributing. Even Gros had his moments of greatness(the turn and shot that was stopped only by a great save and getting back on D a few times). I like the Brazilian connection. It's always good when Luciano scores. I'm glad players got to play today. It will be good to get the Copa guys back.

[Knave]

I'm glad we won but boy do I hate watching KC home games. The whole time I can't help but sit there and think about how empty the stands are. I really do wish the Wizards would fold or move to Philly or something.

[JoeW]

I've got a couple of reactions:

1. Troy is "en fuego." Fine match by him. Besides a couple of great saves where he had to confront an attacker, notice how he had an extra 10-20 yards on his distribution over Hartman.

2. I liked how we closed this one down. While KC probably had the better of the possession, what I liked was how we had probably 5 sequences of 7-8 consecutive passes, mostly using the entire field. We're getting our possession mojo back. And we stayed organized defensively. Most of the good chances I remember us giving up weren't from defensive mistakes or losing shape or falling asleep but from an attacker just beating a defender outright. Given McTavish and Simms back there and Vanney new to the team, you'd expect to see some of that. But organizationally I thought we were sound and tight.

3. This team continues to use the width of the field better. Nice play from a lot of people. And while KC is in a losing streak and can't score, that doesn't ignore the reality that they're a good team that plays smart, tactical soccer so a win against them (especially the way we did it) is a major plus.

4. Really like Vanney's distribution with his left foot. I thought he had one corner where he put the ball to Addlery or Fred? at the far corner of the penalty area and that player was unmarked but they had a bad first touch.

5. Addlery's first touch was terrible and that led to a lot of lost possession.

6. Man is Emilio dangerous. He blasted a long ball that was a waste but he's a great target player, works hard off the ball and he's dangerous running at people. What an addition. BTW, this is a game that in the past two years would have likely ended 0-0 b/c we'd have blasted away ala KC but not finished. This is what Luciano Emilio gives us--an efficient finisher.

7. Contrary to a post in the in-game thread, I wouldn't nominate McTavish as co-MotM. Actually, I thought he got turned at least twice and also let Movsisyan slip by him twice. I do think he shows great potential, never stopped working (got beaten by Movsisyan at the end but stayed on his feet and hustled over to block the shot on goal).

8. This team used to be the Mo and Go show. I think we're showing that we're much more difficult to defense now b/c our younger guys are stepping up and we're playing better team soccer than is less dependent upon 1 or 2 players.

And oh yeah--first place!

[JeremyEritrea]

Sometimes you have players that won't let you lose,,

Thank you Troy and Emilio!

And Devon. McTavish was incredible.

[Publius]

I'm glad we won but boy do I hate watching KC home games. The whole time I can't help but sit there and think about how empty the stands are. I really do wish the Wizards would fold or move to Philly or something.

Their supporters section looked full and looked good. Unfortunately, I think the rest of the stadium combined had as many fans as did the Cauldron. Box score says 7,872 for the attendance.:rolleyes:

[ursula]

This team is clearly on a roll, which makes me wonder how our Copa America players will be worked back in to the rotation. Moreno more than Boswell or Olsen.

Jaime slots right back into the starting spot, no question.

[JoeW]

BTW, kudos to whatever DCU fans were there on the match. I remember at one point on the telecast/webcase I could hear "go Rod! Go Emilio!" and it sure seemed like it was coming from the stands.