SuperLiga game #2: Atlante 3 - DCU 2
07/15/2008 10:52 PM by Kyle Sheldon
What to say about that match? Obviously, not the team's best performance. Tommy Soehn had some strong words in his post-game press conference, which I'll post shortly. The team is all but eliminated, depending on tonight's result in Houston. You can read Charlie Boehms dcunited.com account of the game right here.
The team will take tomorrow off and reconvene on Thursday for training. Saturday's game against Houston is set for 8 p.m. The Dynamo will stay in D.C. following the match as the squads will square off again three days later in the make-up game following the June 4 cancelation.
I've added a few photos to the Video & Pics page.
UPDATE: Chivas' 1-0 win over Houston means United is still in the hunt to advance to the knockout stage, though not by much. Here's how it would have to break down:
- Chivas would have to beat Atlante on Saturday and United would need to top Houston;
- Chivas would win the group with nine points, while each of the other three teams would all have three points each;
- The first tie-breaker is head-to-head results, but because each team would have beaten one of the others (Houston over Atlante, Atlante over United, United over Houston) it would go to the second tie-breaker which is goal differential;
- Following tonight's matches, Houston's goal differential is +3, United's is -2 and Atlante's is -3.
- All that considered, United would need to beat Houston by three goals in order to go through.
- Confused yet?
Here are the post-game quotes..
D.C. United Head Coach Tom Soehn
On tonight’s game
Our performance, particularly in the first half, was atrocious; we had no commitment, no passion, and we played flat. It is unacceptable, especially in a tournament like this. Every time a player wears the D.C. United uniform, they should be proud. This team is well known for its pride, and that’s something we did not show today. We didn’t appear in the first half. Thus, we couldn’t contain any team. We tried in the second half, but that was too late. We cannot do that in this competition. Whether you are tired or not, you have to put in an effort. And that sweat wasn’t out there today.
D.C. United Midfielder Fred [via translation]
On the game
[We’re] very disappointed because we worked hard all week and we lost two in a row. Now we really want to get back to MLS play and get some more wins there. We just played really badly, that’s why they won. We didn’t play our game.
D.C. United forward Luciano Emilio
I think between us we haven’t fixed the defensive problem we have. We can’t win because we give up goals in all our games. We always score but never even it up. We have to fix that now. The time to fix it already passed. We still haven’t gotten a shutout and that complicates things because we always have to come from behind. But we’re all responsible; we have a defensive, offensive and midfield problem. The whole team is responsible.
On the tournament
SuperLiga is an interesting tournament, where the best teams from Mexico and the US play. You want to at least make it to the final.
D.C. United defender Devon McTavish
On the game
We did a good job getting that first goal back and then we just let off the gas and then they got two against us. It’s tough to come back from two goals down. We just weren’t that good together. I think we had an off night together and lost a lot of guys back there. I think we just weren’t on the same page at the time.
Atlante Head Coach José Cruz [via translation]
On D.C. United’s attacking strategy
On the alignment sheet, when I got it, there were four forwards. To me, it seemed that they were underestimating us after our last lost. Whenever there is a wounded team, as we were, you have to be careful because they need to win. So I think they were a little overconfident.
On the Houston game compared to tonight
We just committed too many errors for us to have a chance to win the Houston game last Saturday. They were also able to capitalize our opportunities.
On the team’s changes from Houston’s game to D.C. United’s game
Last game against Houston I started it with a defensive line of four, three midfielders and an upside triangle for the three forwards, Gabriel Pereyra, Giancarlo and Rey. The team lost all control of the sides, lost possession – all we have been practicing daily is the basics. Therefore, we came back to our usual strategy with five defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
On Atlante and the Mexican League
We are a very limited team in terms of players. I would have loved to bring with me, David Torredo; a very important strategic key. However, it was impossible to do this on time. Thus, we must make an enormous effort to affront the Mexican League and the CONCACAF Cup.
On the Mexican national coach and his presence in tonight’s game
At yesterday’s practice, we were honored with the national coach’s presence. I think he will consider players such as Christian Bermudez, Alan Zamora, José Guerrero y Fernando Navarro for future competitions. The national coach is a very dedicated man, and he will enrich Mexican soccer.
Atlante midfielder Gabriel Pereyra [via translation]
On coming back after the 4-0 loss at Houston
We’re the Mexican champions form the tournament before last. We have merits but I think we didn’t play well in Houston. But now we showed improvement and more concentration and we got the result.
On D.C. United
It’s a team that plays very well. Out of all the US teams we’ve faced, it’s the one I like the best, the one that plays the best and thankfully we were able to beat them. We finished the chances we got.
Comments
13 Comments
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07/15/2008 11:28 PM by TCompton
Two bad defensive mistakes by Burch cost us big. Oh well, good time for the Reserves to get a game in against a tough Houston team on Saturday.
07/15/2008 11:33 PM by ArlingtonforUnited
I am not impressed if Tommy has some strong words. Why did he bring Dychencko over and over again? He brings nothing. Why did he sub Thomson. He plays with hussle unlike anyone else yet most of the players didn't pass the ball to him even if he was alone. If I am not mistaken, the first goal was came from him.
I am tired of loosing to Mexican teams. Either DC United needs to find someone who can identify a solid player or change the entire roster.
07/15/2008 11:38 PM by HeroicBlackandRed
I hope this is a wake up call to the entire squad. There is still plenty left in this season to salvage (U.S. Open Cup and the League) but this is a massive disappointment. If this team wants to be MLS club built to compete on all fronts its needs to construct a deeper squad.
You can’t blame injuries or fatigue but its obvious there are some players that just need rest.
07/16/2008 12:14 AM by Konoha7
I never thought I would say it, but I think Wells was our MVP. We would have been out without his saves. The defense let us down and we played absolutely horrible and couldn't pass at all
07/16/2008 1:20 AM by stewartdc8
I agree, Wells has been getting better and better. There's not much he can do when his defense lets breakaways through.
I didn't think we played "atrocious" like Soehn said, but we looked like a battered and bruised team out there. Tino was a nice surprise, but you could tell he's not 100% yet.
oh and... assist for Thompson! a nice one too
07/16/2008 9:11 AM by HeroicBlackandRed
I believe I just read that Gallardo might need surgery for his groin. I know injuries are always hush-hush but if it is something serious I think some info would be nice.
HBR
07/16/2008 9:16 AM by DOUGG
[begin super optimism]
Even after all that, we still have a chance. Let's whip Houston and hope that Chivas beats Atlante...
[/end super optimism]
07/16/2008 9:16 AM by Lucius
Yeah, I haven't been the biggest Zach Wells fan, but he's definitely played pretty well the last couple of games. I hope he keeps it up. ALTHOUGH, that one he tried to let go out of bounds and the player got to it was an absolute BONEHEAD play. Just pick it up!
The defense was downright atrocious. The depth is hard to do with limited roster size and salary cap. The MLS needs to increase both (if possible), otherwise we'll never be able to compete on the international scene.
07/16/2008 10:27 AM by Comulles
Soehn should field his 1st team, no questions.
This is the SUPERLIGA, not some forgettable Open Cup. Why was this tournament created in the first place? To replicate the Champions League? Well why isn't United acting like it then? Soehn puts out some of his starters, fields a lot of his reserves. No wonder we lose. Winning a tournament like this should mean something. If Soehn doesn't care about it, he's defeating a cause and he's not allowing this tournament to grow like it should. SuperLiga should mean something, it's as simple as that.
Put out your 1st team, bro.
07/16/2008 12:41 PM by dogboy
Well, the first half resembled the begining of the season, although Jamie was all over the field.
The boys looked flat, looked like a defeated team. I dont understand it. Too many touches outside the 18. They needed to pull the trigger like Simms does.
The second half looked a lot better but, unfortunately, some of the boys just had a bad game. Burch was obviously one of them.
I agree with the comment that they need more depth. I really hope that the boys do not continue this trend.
07/16/2008 2:27 PM by dcuoffside
play ALL scrubs. Superliga SHOULD mean something, and may in the future, but as of right now, the team is illequipped for int'l tourneys and should focus on their domestic efforts.
07/16/2008 2:28 PM by stewartdc8
United is taking the Open Cup seriously this year. And I'm glad they are, the Open Cup doesn't get the respect it deserves. It's like, the second oldest tournament in all the United States. Superliga is in it's second year, and although I do think we should take it seriously and try to win, it's not the most important one. I can't wait for the new Champions League this season.
Champions Cup, MLS, Open Cup, Superliga, Champions League... man, just think if we were invited into Copa Sudamericana again this year?
These are a lot of games for us.
07/16/2008 10:20 PM by DC_DURSK
Yeah screw Superliga. I agree with mostly everyone else - focus domestically first (The east is starting to become a pretty tight race) - and also on the US Open Cup. If we beat NE in the open cup and I am almost positive we could defeat the USL side. We gotta rest our boys. Bring in 2-3 players in this transfer period to add depth (we already added Vide).