Since no one's put it up yet, I might as well do it... Metros 1-0 United First three game win streak for any team in MLS since God-knows-when. Flying first half, couldn't buy a shot in the second. And yet, I'm happy with the win. Really showed them who's boss tonight.
If you combine Mathis' forty five minutes vs. Mexico with his first forty five tonight....some fantastic stuff. If he remains healthy I think we're in for some vintage Clint this season. Super all around effort in the first half...would have loved to see more of a killer attitude in the second, but the result never seemed in doubt tonight, and I think that affected the intensity level.
Good game, solid defense. Offense worked nicely in the first half. In the second I am not sure it was becoming complacent but more of DC United becoming more offensive. Despite their offensive bias in the second they did not create a good chance the whole night. Great pass by Guevara to set up Clint's goal. Of course, Clint's first touch was AWESOME and the shot was definately vintage Mathis. I like the team, only difference I would have liked to see is more offense in the second half, but the result is what counts.
Almost forgot...I would've liked to have seen much better finishing from Magee and Guevara. It could've been 2-0 or 3-0 at the break.
First half was absolutely beautiful. It was great to see Mathis finish a shot that, well, Mathis couldn't miss. I jumped up even before he struck it. There was no question. Shaky second half. They seemed almost willing to concede 3/4 of the field for stretches. Wish I was there (darn family commitments). Hope the crowd was good. Did anyone get one of those damn horns shoved down their throats? This is better than I thought they would be this early in the season. I think this is mailny due to Clark and how fast Jolley and Pope got together. Digi has been contributing well (coming out of nowhere for the steal several time). Zaide looks to be getting to where he needs to be. Magee needs a sandwich (I will stop criticizing 1 second after the first brilliant goal he scores) Can't ask for more this early. Looking forward to the new guys to add some depth. We needed subs early in the half that we didn't have. Petke played well. Stoichkov remains the world's best at getting a rise out of the other team's players. Rimando was decent. Overall, though, DC is not impressive. I feel bad for Earnie. Side Note: Bruce Arena, what the ^!#$ is so funny all the time. That smirk is getting to me. Nice for Bradley to get K Arena out there for a minute. Maybe he isn't gone when the new visa's clear.
Whoever has already voted before me were extremely harsh! The best player they rated was at 6.4! After a wih over such a big rival, that's crazy!
Check the "Ratings Key" at the top. 6.4 is average, its on the goodside of avreage actually. I dont think anyone was exeptional. I mean just cause someone scores he doesnt deserve a 10 or a 9 or even a 8. But then again I dont get to REALLY watch the game at the stadium, Ill do that in a few. Just keep in mind the ratings.
The only downside was that I couldn't make it to the stadium, and had to watch on MSG. The difference between the team this year and last is unbelievable. I love the possession and the passing. We really look solid. To be on a three game winning streak right now is fantastic.
Every game we're improving, and that's the key. It was always going to be tough early on in the first few games as the players got to know each other. I'm surprised we're doing this well so early. With wins comes confidence and with confidence we will get better. DC on the other hand...going downhill fast, but they should be better than they are. Then again, they do have Hudson as coach so that explains a lot.
I was a bit bothered by Tim's decision (three straight times) to clear straight ahead as opposed to the sides in the second half. He got away with it tonight, don't think he can do that against better opposition.
I thought both sides played equally bad tonight, but DC was not willing to take a chance and push the ball up. Petke fell behind for one second and Mathis made him pay for it....There must be changes made in DC or the shine is really going to be taken off their dynasty from a few years ago, but then again, there aren't that many guys left from that dynasty.
Most of the games between Metro and DC have sucked for the past three years, and this one was no exception. Just a lot of physical play, with few decent chances for either team. But Clark and the defense were all as solid as they have been all season tonight, shutting Stewart, SQ and Esky down almost cold. Of the three, I think they had one decent shot between them. Nice to see that Magee got a big hand from the crowd when he was subbed out. We also learned that Guevara is not a finisher. One of his second half shots was cleared to land at Teterboro.
Hehe, jokes only tri-staters can make. I think we've more than put our mark on the sport for one night.
You would have enjoyed the play of some of the younger players on both teams tonight. Quaranta, Convey for DC and Clarke and Lisi all had nice games. Stewart was disappointing for DC. Guevara in my oppionion was playing out of position tonight. He was right flank instead of offensive mid inside the field. This had to be new for him because he stayed on the flank much to long. That left him open for double teams and he had no 2nd attacker help at those times. So it was either back pass or lose the ball. I don't want to see this guy put in a position that he has to back pass. I want to see him move forward into the attack. Mathis played well a lot of nice touches and he scored on a pass by Guevara when Guevara moved inside the field. He took a few corners. I want to see Mathis on the business end of a corner, and not a server on a corner. Magee disappointing at least to me. He did have one good chance to score moving on the keeper from the left side. He shot into the keeper on near post because of lack of experience. He should have faked the shot, then do a Cruyff and shoot with right foot into open far post. You have to get these shots in practice so you know how to beat the keeper from the experience of doing it many times before. That would have been a fantastic goal if he had done that. He needs a lot of service in practice from both sides of the field, and from the middle finishing these shots. That is what he should be doing in practice. -------------------------- It was a good game for us because we were good defensively against a lot of talented offensive players. Howard nice game. Pope another great game defensively.
Magee still has the deer in the headlights look every time the ball is played to him. A liitle bulking up and a few more right place right time strikes on the goal line and he should be just fine.
Metros' defense stood out the whole game. However, the offense was really spotty in the 2nd half when DC started to attack more. It's almost as if the team were content to play for the 1:0 win for the whole 2nd half. Nevertheless, a win is A WIN...