The Official DC United @ Chicago Pre/In/Post-Match Thread

[JoeW]

1. There is a very good chance that we'll play Chicago in the playoffs. I think they showed their full hand--and we didn't (with all of our missing players). So this was a useful match to see.

2. They had a lot to play for. Many of the guys who give us our offensive direction and cohesion were not there (basically, our entire midfield). So to get a point on the road against a hot team that was desperate for 3--that's a very good result.

[BTFOOM]

This kind of match shows exactly why we don't want anything to do with the SapPhires in the playoffs. Questionable refereeing, Chicago having a good attack, and the fact they play us better than anyone else EVER has in playoff format means we need to avoid them like the plague.

Nice game by United in the end. Getting the equalizer late in the match keeps us moving forward in the table and the momentum moving in the right direction. Take 3 points from RSL in the next match and prepare for the end. I see another SS trophy within our grasp.

[Bolivianfuego]

Goal of the year. That was one of the greatest goals I've ever seen in any league.

Agreed! The curve was wicked, and he had some balls to shoot it! :D

[s0ccerm0m]

.... Take 3 points from RSL in the next match and prepare for the end. I see another SS trophy within our grasp.

Ummmm. We're through with RSL this year, unless we meet them in the playoffs. Our next league match is vs. Toronto.

[Bootsy Collins]

I have no idea why Simms didn't start.
So that he can start Wednesday night.

[Bootsy Collins]

I don't see how you don't get sent off for grabbing someone and throwing him to the ground while he's taking a throw-in,
The Laws of the Game call it interfering with a throw-in, and explicitly dictate a yellow.

[Sachin]

Credit the woodwork there too. Pickens was worried about crashing into the goalpost.

[ZapRowsdower]

This kind of match shows exactly why we don't want anything to do with the SapPhires in the playoffs.

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/s/sapphire/01.jpg

Agreed. But should it happen I'm confident we'll own them like we were DiBiase.

[AlecW81]

I don't see how we'll play Chicago in the playoffs... If they make it, it'll likely be as the 8th Seed, placing them in the West.

[Agent Zero]

I love how Jaime made his goal happen all by himself. Watching the replay was like "Mmmkay guys... this is how you do it." Also, from what I saw, without Simms (and perkins) chi-town would've gone three up in the second half.

[MagpieFan]

Ummmm. We're through with RSL this year, unless we meet them in the playoffs. Our next league match is vs. Toronto.

Well one of those bottom feeder teams...like LA

[onefineesq]

Credit the woodwork there too. Pickens was worried about crashing into the goalpost. You think so? I think that Pickens simply misjudged the ball and thought that it was going to hit side netting. Major brainfart by Pickens ......... major brainfart.

[Cweedchop]

You think so? I think that Pickens simply misjudged the ball and thought that it was going to hit side netting. Major brainfart by Pickens ......... major brainfart.


Agree completely. Additionally, while it was a nice looking goal, I can't give GOTY or GOTW based on a goalkeeper ********up.

[Lowecifer]

You think so? I think that Pickens simply misjudged the ball and thought that it was going to hit side netting. Major brainfart by Pickens ......... major brainfart.

Yeah, I think he misjudged it, though I thought he figured it was going over the bar.

[s0ccerm0m]

Yeah, I think he misjudged it, though I thought he figured it was going over the bar.

Here's his quote on the goal, just to clear this issue up.

CHICAGO FIRE GOALKEEPER MATT PICKENS

On D.C.'s goal:
"(D.C.) crossed the ball in and I got to it. I thought it was going wide, but then I lost it. It's just one of those things that happen. I feel awful. We played good enough to win today."

[Publius]

Apparently they've done studies on that, in pointy-ball, and teams wearing black get called for more penalties.

Well, considering that pool of teams includes the Raiders, I'm not surprised.

I only saw the highlights as I was at a pointy-ball game today, but as cheeky as Moreno's goal was it really looked to be the result of Pickens fearing to crash into the goal post.

[Stan Collins]

1. There is a very good chance that we'll play Chicago in the playoffs. I think they showed their full hand--and we didn't (with all of our missing players). So this was a useful match to see. Actually, one thing this result achieved is that there's a rapidly diminishing chance we'll play them in the playoffs. The league will be using conference play, but sending the 5th placed Eastern team over to the West. So unless they pass KC (they're 4 points back with 4 to play) they'll have to get through the whole Eastern conference and play us (at home) in the Final.

And if they wanted to catch KC, they'd have wanted to make up more ground this week, when they were at home and KC had lost at Chivas. Whereas next week KC's at home versus the Galaxy and Chicago is at Chivas. So the odds are highly against Chicago making up any ground next week.

[Marco10]

Not to hijack this, although I have no problem with a good thread jack, but this playoff format is a bit troubling to me.

The league originally stated that the playoffs would be 1 v 8, 2 v 7, and so on. Now, they say the last East team goes into the West? So, Houston or Chivas gets a huge break?

Now granted, I have no problem avoiding the beastial Fire, but, for example, to have us win the the supporter's shield and play the the 7th team, while the West winner (probably the third place team overall) actually gets the last place qualifier to the playoffs, seems a bit off to me.

Doesn't seem right to me. Am I way off base?

[human2006]

The Laws of the Game call it interfering with a throw-in, and explicitly dictate a yellow.

I'm more focusing on the "grabbing someone and throwing him to the ground" part than the "throw-in" part.

[AlecW81]

Not to hijack this, although I have no problem with a good thread jack, but this playoff format is a bit troubling to me.

The league originally stated that the playoffs would be 1 v 8, 2 v 7, and so on. Now, they say the last East team goes into the West? So, Houston or Chivas gets a huge break?

Now granted, I have no problem avoiding the beastial Fire, but, for example, to have us win the the supporter's shield and play the the 7th team, while the West winner (probably the third place team overall) actually gets the last place qualifier to the playoffs, seems a bit off to me.

Doesn't seem right to me. Am I way off base?

You're right, and it's bullshit. If anything, if more teams are from one division than another, they should take the 3rd place team from the stronger conference (in this case RBNY) and send them to the other conference as their 4 seed.