Official D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire Eastern Conference Semi-final Leg 1 Post-Match Thread[R]

I won't wait until next week. I'll tell you right now that of all the players brought in under the so-called "Beckham Rule" Blanco is the one who has made a real impact on his team. JPA is second, but Blanco has done more in half the time.

And one other point about last night's game: love 'em or hate 'em, you have to give the Chicago fans their props - they really brought it last night.

 

I find this discussion quite interesting because, to me, it points to DC United's most glaring failure in the last several drafts and other second level pre-season signings: while some other teams (not all, of course, but enough for me jealously to notice) have done well drafting or otherwise procuring cheap, young forwards who can step up in a pinch and present at least a marginal (as opposed to laughable) threat on goal, DC United has failed to do the same. In other words, in getting our big name goal scorer in Emilio, we forgot to procure a serious understudy for Emilio.

Is that bad drafting? Bad scouting? Or is it poor player management once we've signed them? I have no idea. But I do think it's a problem and one that bit us in the ass yesterday.

 

Based on last night and watching the Fire/Galaxy game last weekend, I think Soehn should make the following shift: flip Olsen and Fred. Against LA, the Fire gave Chris Klein the entire right side of midfield. Let Fred run there and use his speed and skill on that wing. Since the ball in on this right foot "outside", he should have less inclination to cut back to the middle. Olsen is a beast and will give adequate play on either side, so moving him left shouldn't hurt.

This flip also helps the defense. Namoff is DCU's steadiest defender. He is the best equipped to deal with Fred's on and off again defending. Conversely, Burch is new and would be helped by Olsen's attention to all facets of the game. Also, I think Olsen and Burch would combine better than Fred and Burch, although I have no rational basis to support that conclusion. (That's why I post on BS.)

 

That's actually a very good idea. My only concern would be the quality of crosses that would be sent in by two wingers playing on the 'wrong' side. Of course, since Fred hardly ever sends in conventional crosses from the wing, that might not be too much of a problem. Benny does send in good crosses, but he's good enough to cut in before sending a ball into the area w/ his right.

I agree that such a switch would help settle Burch down a bit. I think he'll grow into a very useful defender, but he needs experience and mentoring.

 

I agree with Harks, you fans are nuts! so am I for reading these quotes but the fact that you all write and blame this guy or that guy is a joke. Enjoy the game, stop bitching I'll bet none of you have even played high school levels. But your so good at sitting on you a** and coaching. GO DC!!! KICK THE CRAP OUT OF tHE fIRE AND MOVE ON.

 

I agree.

You got me. Saturday will be the six-week anniversary of the day I first saw a soccer ball.

I agree.

 

I honestly think that DC's injury situation was worse than people are giving credit for. I could see Gross playing left mid and Fred or Gomez pushing up top with the other playing centrally. Three starters being injured is catastrophic for ANY team in MLS that is not named Houston.

Houston played half this season missing at least 3 starters or something. (Davis, Dalglish, Ching, DeRo, Clark, Waibel...they had to combine to miss 90 games or something).

Hindsight is 20/20 but DC didn't play that poorly. Other than a blunder in the back this game is really a nothing in it 0-0 with the momentum on DC's side. Its obvious that Moreno in from the start makes DC's attack a bit more dangerous, but it also is not obvious as to whether or not that prevents DC from giving up a soft goal.

DC just needs to show their class in the home leg. It will be hard to score and in the end it may be another soft goal that is their undoing as much as anything. They should definitely score at least once if not twice with their arsenal.

 

Kick the crap out of the Fire and move on?

You see, none of us can really control that. You may not know this from our goofy monikers (like Autogolazzo, for instance), but most of us here do not play for DC United.

Whispers... Psst.This "Harks" person that you agree with is probably not former DC United player and current NY Red Bulls coach John Harkes.

 

A question for you folks:

There was a time earlier in the year when this exact same team was horrible in their transition game from defense to offense. We puttered our way upfield and when we finally got into the final third, we dinked the ball around, afraid to shoot, until we would give the ball up to the opposition. We couldn't score to save our lives. It was incredibly frustrating to watch.

Over the last 3-4 weeks, have we reverted to this type of game?

 

personally i would like to see a mix in mls. the u.s. has always been able to take in all sorts of variety, i'd like to see english and south americans go at it side by side, each with his own background. mix it up and see what gives!

 

Well that confirms it for me you are idiots. So now stop acting like you play for DC. And I have a cute quote for you , "not one single player on the team gives a rats ass about you or you coments" Psst!

 

Actually, that's not true.

 

If you were expecting neutral analysis here, what can I say, perhaps the problem is with your expectations.

 

I'll bite. I think Soehn saw an opportunity in the final 15 or so to nick a goal and send this back to DC tied (or even better). Chicago has a tendency to give up goals late. DC was carrying the play much better than they had been and while they were somewhat menacing, they weren't quite dangerous. For Soehn, the risk of reinjury to Emilio in the last ten minutes was worth the possible payoff of returning home tied 1-1 and with United all up in Chicago's heads because they couldn't hold the lead.

Didn't pay off because we didn't score, but we didn't lose a goal either and Emilio probably got a decent feel for how his ankle was. I was glad Soehn was aggressive in the later stages of the game with his subs and the high defensive line we were playing. It made for interesting soccer in a game that Chicago was clearly trying to tone down.

 

Perhaps, you are the idiot.
This is Bigsoccer!

Fans of every sport enjoy discussing coaching tactics, player performance, etc. who have never played sport. Do you think even a small minority of NFL fans have ever played organized American football?

Supporters are just having fun discussing the sport they love. I'm sure that DCUnited are glad that there are people who are passionate about their team. These are the same people spending money on merchandise and tickets.

 

Perspective appreciated.
That's why he's the coach. It appears that nothing was lost. As a fan you have to at least respect an aggressive approach. However, if Emilio had any set back we'd all be crying now. One could argue that the fact that DC looked better in the second half, would be reason to keep Emilio out. Once again, this is why I don't quit my day job.

 

Why?

It is what it is. It's 540 minutes of futility in which I can scarcely remember even a handful of effective scoring chances. It doesn't matter if it happened 10 years ago or last week. What Chicago has done to us in the playoffs is unprecedented and may never be matched for futility.

The fact of the matter is that Chicago has a major physcological advantage over us right now and if you think it is a non-factor, well then with all due respect you are wrong.

If and when United can finally score against Chicago, I feel all the pressure will evaporate and we can get down to business. As it stands right now, we are not in a good position due to the fraility of confidence on this team especially in regards to Chicago.

Tom Soehn fed the monster with his ridiculous 4-5-1 lineup that essentially conceded the match to Chicago once they scored. Playing scared is a big reason why we are trailing and why we have never scored against the Fire in the playoffs.


I desperately hope that my preceding words will have an enormous reverse phycological effect on the game on Thursday and we will defeat the mighty Fire!

 

That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

 

Why does this situation with Chicago remind me of the corner-kick goal scoring drought of a few years back?

Maybe we need a "score-against-the-Fire-in-the-playoffs" pool to help work some reverse voodoo.

 

What!?!

Yes, DC United needs to find a way to make the ultra-conservative Fire pay for their strategy.

BUT, and this is a BIG BUTT, "ridiculous lineup" and "playing scared", PLEASE!

Do you do realize the injury situation that led to the 4-5-1?

That's not playing scared, but is directly attributed to the fact that the two main offensive weapons were banged-up.

There is nothing "mighty" about the fire. They play a physical game with numbers in the back. I, for one, am glad that DC United does not play this type of "soccer".

And I hope DC United puts them in their place this Thursday.

This is WAR. It's going to be INTENSE, but I will be there with all of the HARDCORE fans supporting the only team in the world that matters. DC United!

 

You're all missing the point. I don't disagree with anything you said. My earlier post acknowledged his impact on attendance generally and on the Fire's play and attitude specifically. Bully for them, great for the league.

What's not bully or great is the actual way that Blanco plays. He's a lousy diving piece of shit that makes regular soccer lovers as well as casual (non-Mexican) fans cringe.

Both of these statements can be true.

Jeez.

 

I think he dives quite well.

 

I honestly don't know what you're worried about. It's our destiny to win MLS Cup 2007 in front of tens of thousands of screaming DC United fans.

 

If you begin the day with love in your heart, peace in your nerves, and truth in your mind, you not only benefit by their presence but also bring them to others, to your family and friends, and to all those whose destiny draws across your path that day.

Thank you Jeremy.

 

While there was a ring of truth in what I wrote, I think the smiley face at the end probably should have clued some people into what I was really thinking.

That being said, the numbers ain't on our side. However, we have a great opportunity to either put to rest permanently this hideous scoreless streak or to settle into another restless off season of "what if's".