The coaching staff needs to continue what they have been doing. By rotating the starters, and adjusting for the second half they have managed to win games...and keep the players fresh. Last year it was obvious that the players didn't have anything left in the tank by the time the playoffs came around. Slowing down too much now is costly, because it tends to put the players in a funk they can't break out of when the playoffs arrive. Going full throttle is also dangerous due to injuries. Basically the rotation of starters has kept them fresh to get to this point, keep doing the same thing to keep them fresh to the end.
In another thread, Bootsy Collins stated far more eloquently than I could why we maybe can't just go balls-to-the-wall the rest of the year. Check out that thread. Here's the crux of the point: This is the idea behind this thread, to my mind - I know we'd love to go all out every game every week and always win, but that's not really realistic, especially not with our schedule. Under Nowak we learned the hard way that there's no prizes for being the best team in the league after 25 games. All y'all who are voting that we keep pushing, you sure about that?
I'm sorry, but I love United more than I hate LA. Anything that stands in the way of United's achievements are a threat. Right now that would be Chivas ......... not the Galaxy.
What he said. Seriously, I'd vote for a choice that isn't up on the list: keep rotating and play each game seriously. 1. We want to win the SS. It ain't in the bag yet. 2. We want to end the season on a roll and go into the playoffs hot. For an example of how NOT to do this, look under DC United 2006 season. 3. We want to win SudAmerica. And while we've achieved where we are right now, Soehn has not hesitated to bench players he felt weren't doing well (such as Vanney or Boswell or Emilio or Fred or Carroll or Moreno), he hasn't hesitated to play people who he felt earned it in practice, he has emphasized work and serious commitment to games and this rotation/sub business only drives this home (b/c if you don't perform you'll sit). I think the only thing he does different (and it really isn't different) is if someone comes up gimpy than the player gets a rest (which he's been doing this season: see Moreno, Vanney, Olsen and Gros all as examples of players who had tweaks that Soehn felt needed to rest even though the player felt he could go on). The swagger that this team had going into the playoffs in 2004 was something to behold. I want us to regain that swagger. And Soehn has shown that he has the approach to do that and prepare for the playoffs. For instance, all of the card suspended players is a bummer but it gives them a rest (and subs get PT) and also sets them up to focus on SudAmerica.
It feels weird to say it sometimes, but I absolutely agree. Normally, it would be selfish, but I still think having DCU in the final at RFK may be a valuable and key moment in our push for a stadium in the District. Whatever it takes to win MLS Cup (rotation), whatever else it takes to place well in CS (resting players), and whatever you have left for the SS.
I'm not so sure. The Supporters Shield is so close to being ours, wouldn't it make sense to push for it since we have come so far? As for the Sudamericana, I think the yellow card suspensions give us a good opportunity to really press hard in the first round since key players will be rested. But beyond that, the mix of playoffs and CS games is going to make it a tough call on what to concentrate on.
copa sudamerica should be out #1 concern now. we can walk all over mls with 2-3 starters out (see the last 2 matches). we already have a big lead in the standings and as long as we dont play horribly we will have home field. we should play our full 11 when theres not a sudamericana match coming up.. when there is one give a few guys a rest so that we can take it to em and show what mls is about.. but do NOT take the foot off the throttle.. keep the same tactics but rest cant hurt.
I can't believe this is even being discussed. Did you guys see Soehn Wednesday night. Did you see him pacing, yelling and turning red even more than usual? If that doesn't tell you about how much emphasis he's putting on the SS, you must be blind. The SS is a guarantee for CCC appearance next year and it adds a trophy to the case. It's HUGE!! The playoffs are usually a crapshoot anyways. You can win or lose on one freak play or a PK. Why would anyone want to put all their eggs into that basket. As far as Sudamericana is concerned, I guarantee you that DC will take it seriously. They will play their A team. Right now the guys are entering a nice stretch of rest and the suspended guys will have even more time. This team should be physically prepared for Chivas. If we win the series, we reevaluate. I admit it will get more difficult if we make it to the next rounds right in the middle of the playoffs. Basically new territory for any MLS team.
1. I'm convinced that part of the reason our season started so slowly (our MLS season) is that our team thought: "we're going to run away with the league, just look how we did in the CCC in preseason--we're going to own these guys." Yeah, we made personnel and scheme and tactical changes. But it also started with work--good hard work. Soehn emphasized this. 2. I'm worried that an attitude of "we're in the playoffs, lets rest up a bit, don't run the risk of injury, don't strain anything, it's only the MLS Cup that really matters anyway" will lay the seeds for playoff disappointment. Yes, I really want to be at RFK with 45,000 black clad screaming and standing maniacs watching the stands bounce (and if everyone or almost everyone is standing than you can make it look like the entire stadium is bouncing--trust me, it's an amazing sight to see!) with my team in the Finals. But to get there, we can't let the pedal off the metal. The single most important thing we can do to do well in the playoffs is to retain form. For instance, right now Emilio is "EN FUEGO." The single smartest thing we can do with Emilio is to play him. He's so confident, he's so happy that he's forcing the action--he's right exactly where you want your prime goal scorer to be. Rest him and let him possibly lose his touch or lose timing on runs and see his confidence start to waiver or have him press? I don't think so. If this team wins the SS and (be still my beating heart) runs the table the rest of the way, we enter the playoffs with a swagger and other teams enter RFK with fear in their hearts. That's how you set yourself up for playoff success. Additionally, we play our remaining games against the teams who are competing to face us in the playoffs (unless we lose a bunch and drop to 2nd or 3rd seed in the East). We've gotten this far by consistently playing 14 players per match. Soehn isn't Nowak--he doesn't go with the same 11 every game--you can earn a start or PT via your practice work.
Huh? Uh, no we don't. If Chivas wins their two games in hand (which seems awfully, awfully likely), they're tied with us in points.
Exactly. Right now, if United and Chivas run the table by winning all remaining games, they wind up tied on points. I don't want the Supporter's Shield being decided by some goofy tie-breaker, but just by winning it outright.
Not definitely, just likely. Who do you think we're going to lose points to from here on out? And in what games do you think Chivas is going to lose more than that? We need(ed) them to drop points at every opportunity; we can't be picky.
Couldn't agree more. Though the SS is nice, just look at all the SS banners around RFK stadium to understand how much DCU really cares about it.... Copa Sudamericana is a fantastic opportunity, and a trip to at least the semi's seems possible, but if somebody is a little fatigued or has a muscle tweak or two, Tommy better sit them the hell down and not play in the CS....(Jaime, I'm looking at you!!!) A home MLS Cup final is FAR more important.