Looked like a pro team for the first minute. Putting the Audi Field sign up in Navy and Marine Corps Memorial Stadium took balls. At least no DC flags we're visible This may turn out well.
The dumped a big 'ol bucket of grit all over that field, LOL. Balls out for 90. They earned the 3, although I think we got lucky on the non-goal. It sure looked over the line to me. Clark was MOTM without question, but the back line looked solid also. Great effort and a well earned win.
I'm pleasantly surprised Clark didn't cough one up -solid stopping, distribution is far from optimal but well done
Big 3 points, well earned after that horseshit red card. MLS highlight package shows the foul, the yellow, then the ref red carding Arriola. No replay, because it was a horseshit call and we know they wouldn’t make themselves look bad. Goal was a thing of beauty, should be GOTW contender. Clark was def MOTM. was on the DC side for the second half, we were all chanting from it hard, he loved it during and after the game. I think he keeps the spot. I was excited because I had row 1, then find out there are closer lettered rows. Stadium is awful on the sides for soccer. Missed much of the 1st half action because of sight lines. People were very confused about sections. Very proud of everyone’s effort and performance given the circumstances. Unfortunate bunkering was needed to hold on, but 3 points.
The play resulting in a red was replayed several times on Channel 8's HD coverage on cable and there was intent by sweeping the left leg studs out at the opposing player. It was stupid red card or no red card. Birnbaum took a shot to the head, I hope he doesn't develop any late symptoms
I wonder how many more times Birnbaum will be able to take those head shots. It certainly wasn't pretty. And I thought Olsen was nuts for playing with 9 defenders but it worked in the end. Very disjointed game. Apparently possession was something like 69-31. I thought the red was red. I was surprised Elfath only gave him a yellow. And not surprised he sent him off eventually.
Apparently it is in fact a fair red from what else i’ve been reading, and just have my homer glasses on. haven’t been able to see any replays apart from the live shot.
By the last quarter of the match we had no fewer than six defenders among the nine field players: Fisher; DeLeon; Brillant; Birnbaum; Opare; and Mora, plus DM Durkin. Our "attack" was Asad and Segura. And it worked. Grit payed off. BTW, Nicky didn't suck. Clark was my MOTM. Watching him warm up with coach Thornton he was rock solid - nary a bobble - and it gave me a good feeling. I wanted Stieber on the pitch with Arriola. Now we will get Stieber without Arriola.
For those that didn't see it, the red wasn't for the sweeping left leg. It was for the studs up tackle with the right leg onto opponent's achilles heel. That's a red card by the letter of the law. Studs up, from behind, nowhere near the ball. Also, this DC team is unwatchable. Columbus was dominating us from the 5th minute on, long before the red card. This was Bennyball at its most nauseating extreme. If I have to state a positive, I'll say the center backs did well. Switching to a 5 man back line is not the stupidest thing Olsen has ever done. If you can't coach them to play soccer, might as well park the bus. Also I'll give the team credit for effort. They competed well on a lot of 50/50 balls. Made it hard for Columbus.
I agree the Red was a Red. The more I saw the replay the more I was inclined to a Red - Tackle from Behind, Studs Up and Reckless following a loss of possession. If desperate defending for almost the whole game with Cark channeling Hamid results in a 1-0 win at home, you know this is a way below average team.
I agree with your comment on the Red Card. Definitely Red based on the TC replays. But for the rest of it, maybe we were watching different games. I thought the team had a lot of energy and was doing what was necessary to stay in it after going down a man. It's hard enough to hold a 1-0 lead, much less with 10 men. Great goalkeeping made the difference IMHO.
I'm surprised no one is in here saying Steve Clark sucks today after seeing people repeatedly say it here at the end of last season.
Disagree. The follow thru with the left leg is what got his sent off. Elfath rightfully gave a yellow for the initial challenge, but you simply can't whip that other leg in there.