Notes Even though DC United lost to the U-23’s by a score of 2-0, it is certainly too early to pull any lessons from the game. That being said, I feel it’s an obligation that I run the game through the proverbial fan strainer . . . . As much as fans enjoy talking about the younger players, let’s face it, DC United entire season depends on the veterans. The first half of the game lined up: GK – Carvallo Defense – Namoff, Peralta, Martinez, Burch Midfield – Mediate, Simms, Gallardo, McTavish Forwards – Moreno, Niell Typical of last year, Simms played a deeper midfield role. Unlike last season with Christian Gomez, Marcello Gallardo didn’t push forward very often at the beginning of the game. This left a great deal of space to the U-23’s, which allowed Dax McCarty to look like a dominating player. . . . and anyone who follows MLS understands how absurd a notion that is through and through. In the 9th minute, the U-23’s domination led to a turnover by Moreno in midfield. As DC United fans are aware, any Peter Nowak team relies on quick transition. With the ball flipped out to their left flank, Auturo Alvarez drove unmolested into United’s defensive third. Alvarez managed to drive a grass-cutter through the box totally untouched, where U-23’s Stuart Holden, who was also totally unmarked, tapped it back into the middle for an easy touch to goal by Jozy Altidore. Just one instance of confusion between the defenders and the U-23’s managed to grab the lead. It might have been a communications issue, but most likely, the simple fact that this was the first time this defense played together. Although DC United had a couple of sporadic attacks on goal in the first 25 minutes, for the most part play was dominated by the younger team, particularly through midfield. Then the tactical change! Devon McTavish slipped inside next to Simms, and Burch pushed up to a more midfield role. . . . a 3-5-2 (although we all know formations mean nothing) to match the U-23’s. Although the onslaught through the middle of the field ended, the U-23’s continued to be effective on the right side with Holden and Marvell Wynn. Slowly but surely as the half progressed, DC United began to assert itself. In large part due to the support Gallardo received in the midfield from the addition of McTavish. Gallardo provided several excellent through balls, but those went for not in part due to the lack of familiarity between himself and the other players. In the 31st minute United’s best chance came when Niell broke down the right flank into the box, effectively shouldering off a defender. Jaime Moreno trailing in support received a pass, danced as aroud U-23’s defender, Patrick Ianni, as only Moreno can, then slipped it to an on rushing Gallardo. Gallardo’s one-time shot was on target, but directly at the U-23’s keeper, Chris Seitz. A couple of minutes later, an almost identical play with Mediate, Moreno, and Niell ended up with the latter 1-timing a shot on goal just wide left. On the other side of the field, there were a couple of defensive efforts to note. First, and most obvious, newcomers Argentinean Gonzalo Peralta and Colombian Gonzalo Martinez are not afraid of being physical. Many times U-23 players attempted to break into the box only to find them face down in the dirt. It did lead to a couple of dangerous free kicks, and might be a problem with potential penalty kicks, but there won’t be any easy moves on goal with this pair. Also, Martinez showed his class late in the first half on a 1 v. 1 break away against Chad Barrett. Although the latter had a couple of steps, Martinez quickly cut down the angle, stepped into Barrett jarring the ball loose, and kicked the ball to safety, and Barrett to the ground without a foul being called. Some negatives were also apparent. Although Marc Burch accuracy with crosses is well reported, and was evident late Friday in practice, he hasn’t shown the offensive spirit to that a wide player needs. That’s particularly odd because he’s a converted University of Maryland forward. If head coach Tommy Soehn decides to push Burch up to the left side of midfield, I believe Burch will eventually overcome his initial wariness. Also, there were distinctive gaps between the lines - forward and midfield, then midfield and defense. In fact, much of the yelling between DC United players came from players on one line pointing and yelling that holes were open and lanes needed to be covered. It is something that comes with time, but with one-half a new starting squad it will obviously take longer. Niell is a very active forward. Although his size seems to be a disadvantage, he certainly makes up for it with great amounts of energy. His style reminds me of former DC United midfielder Eliseo Quintinilla – excellent skill on the ball and willing to challenge opponents 1 v. 1. Unlike Quintinilla, Niell has an outstanding burst of speed with his first couple of steps. Also, he is fearless, willing to go shoulder to shoulder with bigger player. In these characteristics, he looks very similar to Alecko Eskandarian, but without the reckless nature. Simms and Mediate did yeoman jobs, although you wonder where they were at during the goal by the U-23’s. Devon McTavish seemed a little lost once he was moved into the central defensive midfield position along with Simms. Namoff played decently in defense, but suffered the lack of familiarity on Martinez and Peralta. In the second half DC United went with the young players. As much change as there has been in the first sixteen, the reserve players are even more drastic. There are not any real standouts at this point. Jerson Monterio, forward, is certainly big and fast, but lacks real touch. I believe the keeper, James Thorpe, will last only because of his incredible hustle in and around the net. Justin Moose is certainly serious about getting back in the good graces of the team showing outstanding effort throughout the half. The most interesting newcomer is Ardalan Attar. Typical of some forwards, he remained hidden for much of the half. Yet, on a couple of occasions he managed to break free, using good decisions on runs rather than speed. All in all, the game versus the US U-23 brought out some of the pros and cons that DC United will face in the upcoming season. Certainly it will be interesting as the pre-season rolls along.
Your report is a helluva lot thorough than mine!! I bow down to you sir!!! It was a pleasure meeting you!
Just a heads-up, there's also a Q&A over in the US-Youth Teams forum with Peter Nowak: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=13802370#post13802370 Sorry about the delay . . . the radio station website guy went into the hospital on Friday . . . great timing!
hAHAHAHA^^^ Thats exactly what i was thinking. Great write up, Good to hear Niell is hungry and wants to do good upfront. I always suspected that niell's size wasnt going to play a big disadvantage for him, he is very thick and i have a feeling he will be ok, and slowly take jaimes spot. Good to hear though, that jaime still show's some brilliance with his touch. Hopefully him, and gallardo along with fred and olsen and also emilio to form the crucial pentagon from hell lol!!!! I have a feeling if moreno and gallardo get more time together it will bring moreno back to his old touch days with etcheverry, they both would combine incredibly.
The pleasure was mine. Makes watching the games that much more fun for me hanging out with people who know what they're talking about.