04/17/2008 10:41 PM
by
Kyle Sheldon
Last year, the team started 0-3 and then put together the best record in the League, clinching the Supporters' Shield. It's a 30-game schedule and there's a long, long way to go. The team has a nice break now, as it prepares for a rematch with Real Salt Lake - this time at home - a week from Saturday (April 26, 7:30 p.m. ET).
With that said, the team's reserves will play their first game of the year tomorrow morning on the D.C. United Training Fields (located at the intersection of Oklahoma Ave. NE and C St. NE). Game time is 10 a.m., so if you're looking for an excuse to skip work, here it is. Admission is free and the bleachers are three feet from the field. Bring the kids and a picnic (and a hat for the sun).
UPDATE: Here are a few post-game quotes... I've also added a few photos that you can access via the Video & Pics section, including a few of Gallardo and Schelotto.
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH TOM SOEHN
On the game: I didn’t think we were as sharp as we needed to be. We talked all week about breaking them down, and making sure that [Guillermo Barros] Schelotto and [Alejandro] Moreno on the counter attacks didn’t hurt us. We gave them way too much space and they punished us for it.
On losing: We’ve been through a tough stretch, I feel like this is déjà vu from last year. We’ve got a long week coming up and we’re going to work real hard to make sure we are where we need to be, because we’re not there yet.
On the Crew in the second half: You know they’re going to pack it in and protect their lead, and it’s going to be hard to break it down. We need to finish our chances when we had them, because we had plenty of opportunities to score and open them up.
On Luciano Emilio: We injected as many offensive-minded guys as we could. When you’re chasing a goal that’s what you need to do, and it’s unfortunate – he got himself in good spots again, but he didn’t finish.
On scoring opportunities: We found openings, we just didn’t finish our chances, and that seems to be the sage of the last few games.
On the busy schedule: We need to rest and then this week work really hard to make sure we’re clinical in the areas we need to be clinical in.
On the backline: It should have been better than it was. They punished us for it, and we didn’t do a good job.
D.C. UNITED FORWARD LUCIANO EMILIO [via translation]
On the game: We tried to win the game, we don’t have to give excuses but we have a lot to say, the team wanted it but couldn’t get it. This is something we are trying to overcome together and we are going to try to do our best next game.
On not scoring: I’m not desperate, but obviously I want to score some goals and when that doesn’t happen we are left wanting it because that is our job.
On the team’s mindset: There is no frustration here, we know the potential we have. We’ve lost two games in a row but we know we can go on. We don’t have to get frustrated or cry over it. Next game we must look for the result we want.
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER MARCELO GALLARDO [via translation]
On the development of the game: In the first half we played well, we tried to get good touches, go in on the wings, not get desperate. Unfortunately, we found ourselves with a goal against us. From there we played well until we tied but we made a mistake at the end of the first half and they got another score. In the second half we tried but they defended well and we couldn’t score.
On what United lacks: We need to get a couple of wins so we can gain confidence, not get desperate, try not to make mistakes because those always end up costing us the game. This needs to be our mentality, not give up, have confidence because we have a competitive team and we’re just starting, unfortunately not how we wanted to.
On playing against Schelotto: It hurts more to lose a game at home than to lose a dinner [previous bet]. Of the four games, we’ve lost three – not what we had hoped. We all wanted to get a good result but we don’t have to get desperate, we have to work to correct our mistakes.
D.C. UNITED DEFENDER GONZALO PERALTA [via translation]
On the team’s morale: We’re disappointed because we were hoping for something else. But we have to keep working and look ahead, that’s all. We’re optimistic. You feel bad because things don’t go your way but that’s how life is, you keep moving forward.
On the own goal: I wanted to clear the ball because it was on the line and I don’t know if I touched it inside or out. I don’t know, I think I got it on the line. I wanted to clear it but I didn’t make it.
On the lack of results: Game after game you have to deliver, even more a team as big as this. We’re not getting results. The problems are evident; today we had many scoring opportunities. Then they came and scored goals, so on defense we weren’t very good either. It’s a team problem so we have to work together – defense, forwards, goalkeeper, midfielders – to get better.
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04/18/2008 1:52 AM by stewartdc8
I'm remaining calm. Give it time and we'll start jelling. One game at a time. COME ON UNITED.
04/18/2008 5:28 AM by jazzdog
Fred was, again, our best player on the field. He continues to show heart and passion.
Emillio was non-interested. His head was not in the game, he made many horrible passes, quit runs or stood still waiting for the ball to come to him. Wells looked flat footed and out of position at times...not to mention the problems with the back line communications.
The creativity is not there in the last 1/3 of the field. I guess we can blame fatigue...but I'm seeing something more than that. I hope we figure it out, fast. These points were dropping earlier are going to be harder to overcome this year.
04/18/2008 10:25 AM by dogboy
As I sit here, fighting through the alcohol induced haze, there were a few glaring issues that I saw out there on the field.
I agree, Fred was playing with passion. When Neill came out, and Tino, we seemed to spend more time in the Crew's end, however, they spent too much time passing the ball. Just like the Caps on a powerplay.
Martinez has the skills to take the ball down the field, I will not deny that, but when he trots back to his position, he leaves the back line short. Peralta has to cover for him etc.
I've heard rumblings, calling for Tommy's head, but I'm not there, yet. I do question some of his decisions, but, I want to give him more of a chance. Hopefully we can rebound next saturday and exact our revenge on RSL, so I can scream myself hoarse with unabashed joy.
04/18/2008 4:33 PM by Jughead
Uh...I know we had the same start last year but it still sickens me to watch the buys out-class a side and still lose. Columbus is really starting to gel, but I am still not over the RSL Match to be truthful. TS needs to sort things out and get back to the fluent football that we saw last year!
04/18/2008 4:51 PM by DC_hXc
I have to agree with dogboy. There is entirely too much passing. I counted at least half a dozen excellent chances to take a shot from range during the course of the game but the boys tried to force it into the box (especially when the Crew were packing it in during the second half). It should not be left to the back line to take shots from outside the box in the dying minutes of the game to try and level the score.
Additionally, I thought Wells looked very shaky in goal. Yes, there is still issues with communication which was clearly visible, but I thought his positioning and agressiveness just were not there. I know he is our starter, but I would like to see a little more of Carvallo too.
As for Soehn, I am still a fan. Several core positions are filled with new players to the league and each other. I would have expected to see a bit more gelling by now, but, he started last season similarly and I fully expect very shortly the team will take off and equal and surpass last year's performance.