PBP: Aiming for “mid” - the 2026 consolidated match thread - all competitions

I think the hope is that Munteanu gets back our offense will have enough to get the ball to Baribo. Not enough to get up to average, but perhaps enough to bump the offensive numbers up a bit?

Obviously, we really need a few more players to give us better options.

 

If Louis is as advertised, that will help substantially. However, this team needs at least one speedy goal dangerous winger. Neither Peglow nor Hopkins is it. Maybe Clark or Herrera can provide that spark, at least until the summer window. I do think the advantage in hiring an experienced coach like Weiler, unlike the previous three of Losada, Rooney and Lesesne, is that he has an established CV and doesn't feel he needs to prove "proof of concept" right away. He knows this roster is borked and he is trying to use it in ways that maximize its strengths, understanding that it is not a goal dangerous group.

 

The most talented combination of midfielders and forwards on the current roster is:

Munteanu Baribo

Clark Peltola Hopkins Herrera

Of course, this combination has yet to see the field together and even having more than 3 of them on the field at the same time has been rare.

Baribo: As advertised. 5 starts, 3 goals, 2 game winners

Munteanu: 61 minutes across 3 substitute appearances. Looked much more comfortable and impactful in his 3rd appearance, 29 minutes vs Miami

Clark: 43 minutes across 3 substitute appearances. It was very concerning to hear Dax McCarty describe character/attitude issues here during the Atlanta game. However, Hopkins is starting on the wing out of position and Peglow and Pirani are both starting over him. The story checks out.

Peltola: In his best DCU form by far

Hopkins: Playing out of position on the wing. I’d still argue he’s best as a second striker vs. an 8, but he’s not gonna start over Louis or Baribo, so an 8 in the current system is the next best option. We could switch to a 4-4-2 diamond or a 4-1-3-2 to fit this better, but I’m sticking with the traditional 4-4-2 that we’ve employed for this discussion

Herrera: 0 minutes so far. Hefti didn’t come here to ride the bench. Herrera has much more of an attacking presence and was played in a winger role towards the end of last year. His 1 v 1 ability and quality crossing should break down defenses and provide early balls into Baribo

There’s still a lot of holes in this team, and these 6 starting together (with Pirani and Peglow off the bench) aren’t getting us to MLS Cup. That said, this is a far more dangerous group than the team has assembled so far this season, so some better returns are available when we get back next week.

 

Well said. At these early stages, I’m looking for competence and a coherent, professional game plan. I’m also looking for coaching that gets more than the sum of the parts. DC United isn’t making the MLS Cup final with what is still below average talent for MLS. I’m hoping that the coach can build a comprehensive game plan for when they are able to turn over enough contracts to get the talent.

Think like Vancouver and how the current coach took a few seasons to build that system the they took off when they got the talent. Maybe more like Coach Curtin era Union where he and Ernie Stewart started with a pretty bare cupboard after Nowack threw feces all over the wall in his way out. It took them almost a decade to build a comprehensive system and both develop the talent and sign key veterans to make those contenders in the first half of this decade.

 

I thought DCU/Atlanta was a rough watch and then today I watched Spirit/Summit and USA/Belgium and Rene’s squad was 100x more watchable than either of those shitshows.

 

Especially after Wednesday, my anger has been growing and yesterday was not good for my viewing.

 

If it's any consolation, the Azteca was doing that chant at their own goalie.

 

Rowles is listed as out for tomorrow, not due to injury.

Herrera and Munteanu are listed as questionable.

 

Rowles was with the Aussie National Team, I think. They played in Australia. Herrera & Munteanu should be close to being able to play by now, I would think. Weren't they "day-to-day" before the Intl break?

 

There will be fireworks tonight...

Cherry Bloss Festival Petalpalooza Celebration

 

Peltola and Finland played in New Zealand over the break, and he's available for today's game.

Herrera and Munteanu were out before the international break and weren't expected back before today.

 

Peltola played 10 minutes on Friday, March 27th while Rowles went 67 minutes on Tuesday the 31st though.

 

Peltola also played 35+ on the 30th.

 

Herrera and munteanu listed as subs along with 7 others.

When did game day roster go to 20?

 

Well where was that when I looked it up before??

 

Ugh I can't believe we are wasting our GAM on extra bench spots. We should have saved up for a VAR PK.


Sorry I can't actually answer your question.

 

Classy first touch but, way too easy from our CBs there. Maybe we do miss Rowles.

 

Johnson sees the free kick late 0-2 Dallas.

Not sure if that was a foul or a dive but Bartlett shouldn't have taken the risk and kept his hands down.

 

Lots of activity in here tonight!

I can't watch the game but am following it on ESPNFC's Matchtracker.

United are trailing 0-2 in the 45th +1 minute.

 

Our defense is worse without Rowles and our attack is still anemic. You are not missing much.

Pirani, Peglow and Hopkins are all invisible can't believe they are still starting. We really need to shake up the attack.

 

I think that sums it up very well. Dallas with two goals that were products of skill and execution. Pirani is useless, Peglow is almost useless and Hopkins seems to be regressing to his 19 year old self which was overmatched at this level. The defense has been "OK", but the lack of quality up front outside of Baribo condemns this team to matches like this. Dallas just isn't afraid of anything DCU can do offensively.

 

Baribo out now, looks like a groin injury...

 

Looked a bit better after Herrera came on, but it doesn't matter.

0-3 Dallas, headed goal off a decent long cross.

 

We looked better at the top of the second half, especially on the attack. But we don't have anyone in the attack, especially if Baribo's off the field, that can be a force in the penalty area. No penetration, as Hudson once (kinda) said.

 

0 points