10/26/2008 7:02 PM
by
Doug Hicks
Season over.
Two hit posts and a crossbar? 19 shots? It was there for the taking, but the ball would just not find the back of the net. United finishes the regular season with a 11-15-4 record and out of the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
The team was understandably gutted after the game. Though the team was officially eliminated from the post-season tonight, no one believe it was tonight's game that left us out. A poor start to the season, injuries, a cluttered schedule and a bad final stretch put the team in the position it found itself tonight - needing a win in the last game of the year to extend the season. It was a tall order. Coach Soehn addressed the players after the game noting that nothing he could say would ease the pain of losing.
Hard to believe that the goal post that turned away two of United's shots in the first half was the same one Brad Evans' shot careened off on his goal. It's a merciless game sometimes, isn't it?
Post-game quotes are below and a few photos can be found here.
D.C. HEAD COACH TOM SOEHN
On his team’s chances in the match:
“You come into a day like today where everything’s on the line, and I can’t fault the guys, they did everything possible. We hit the post three times; I don’t know what else they could have done. We just came up short, as far as chances.”
His overall thoughts on the game:
“I think both teams played with urgency, but if we finish one of our chances, then the game’s going to open up a little bit. On all the chances – there were tons of them – just an inch or two here and there and it’s a different game. Obviously, you’re on the road and you’re playing against a team that’s had great success defensively and it takes a goal to open them up. And like I said, our guys did everything I’ve asked them to create those opportunities.”
On United’s difficulties this season:
“It’s been a really tough year in so many areas, whether it’s injuries or personnel changes; it’s been non-stop with that. We’ve been on the wrong end of so many calls this year, so we’re all going to take time and reflect. We still have to use it as a spring board to make us stronger. It’s a frustrating night and everybody’s going to do a lot of reflecting over the course of what the season brought.”
D.C. GOALKEEPER LOUIS CRAYTON
On the end of D.C. United’s season:
“It’s just hard to explain. This is just part of life. It would have been a good birthday present for me and my assistant coach, and for the entire team if we had won this game today. I’m still grateful to be a part of this unique organization and I’m very, very happy and I believe that, next season, things are going to be better.”
D.C. DEFENDER MARC BURCH
On D.C.’s missed chances this season:
“It definitely comes down to the entire season, it wasn’t this game. We should never be in this position. We let a lot of games slip that we could have won where we ended up tying or ended up missing just one play that could have set us out of the playoffs. Everybody fought hard tonight, it was a team effort and sometimes you get unlucky.”
COLUMBUS HEAD COACH SIGI SCHMID
On the fans’ support of his team this season:
“It’s just great to see the Nordecke and the support that’s been there all season. I don’t think it’s ever been like that; just the emotion and the passion that is there in the corner. We don’t want to ignore the other fans. The rest of the fans as, as well, the season ticket holders, we don’t want to ignore them.”
On his team’s victory tonight:
“It’s just the culmination of a great season. Today, we dodge a few bullets. We ended up scoring an outstanding goal. If goal of the year hadn’t already been given out, that would be a very close candidate. Our team all year has found a way to win. We found a way to win games.”
On the squad’s mentality coming into the game:
“When the other team has to win, when you’re going into your last game and you know you’re playing next week, you want to make sure you don’t get hurt or go into a completely reckless tackle. You work and do all of that stuff, you just don’t have that bite. It was a good win for us. I’m confident next week. Everything is on an even-level playing field, and we’ll come in with that bite. We knocked out one team tonight. We want to knock out another team in two weeks, then one after that, then one after that.”
COLUMBUS GOALKEEPER WILLIAM HESMER
On the squad’s mentality coming into the game:
“It’s hard to find that little extra inch that you’re going to go in with a tackle and that little extra bite, so guys were smart, guys were making sure they didn’t go in – we saw last night where there were some questionable red cards – we wanted to make sure that we didn’t even put it into the referee’s mind that we get any red cards. So in that sense, you can’t really play all out, but at the same time, I think we did exactly what you have to do in a playoff game. You’ve got defend, you’ve got work hard and you’ve got to just trust that the goals will come.”
COLUMBUS FORWARD PAT NOONAN
On the importance of tonight’s victory over D.C.:
“We lost in New York; and say you lose against D.C. and now they’re in the playoffs, and all of a sudden, you lose you’re last two and you’re thinking ‘What’s going wrong?’ and you question things. But to get the win tonight in kind of a playoff atmosphere already; it’s big, because now we get that confidence again going into the playoffs. We’re going on the road, but I think we’re in the right frame of mind mentally to go out and get a result in Kansas City.”
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10/26/2008 7:19 PM by Krista
I'm sad. Not a way to end a year. Can't say the heart and hard work wasn't there. I really enjoyed watching this team this year. Even though it wasn't a year we wanted we can take all the hard losses and learn from them.
10/26/2008 7:24 PM by Red&BlackAttack
The boys played their hearts out today. Whatever one can say about the season as whole, this performance was one of the best of the season. Crew MVP of the match was clearly the stage-side near post, with two saves and a goal.
It's time to sleep till March.
10/26/2008 7:47 PM by ArlingtonUnited
A few people needed to be sacked right now. If I were MacFarlan, Chang or Payne I wouldn't wait until tomorrow morning. Let them pack their stuff. It's time to clean up. DC United is not like this.
10/26/2008 8:17 PM by Joe Public
I hope the front office takes a look at why they made so many changes the last off season to the core of a team that had won the supporters shield two years in a row.
Gallardo is a great talented player and obviously no one wanted the injury problems, but the 2 million salary means sacrifices across the board, and soccer is still a team sport (just ask L.A. Galaxy)
The team played great today, and was very unlucky but that passion and determination was missing from too many games this season to put us in this spot.
10/26/2008 8:41 PM by Konoha7
I wasn't dissapointed with the team today. I was dissapointed in Khumalo's 'finish' but that's not the point. We learned how reliable Janicki is and hopefully we'll offer him a full contract
10/26/2008 9:11 PM by PConner
Disappointed? Yes, but the boys played with heart. Hopefully we'll add some gritty players with speed for 09, because we need some toughness.
10/27/2008 11:00 AM by dogboy
Watching them play last night, was a joy. As frustrating as it was, watching the ball hit the post 3 times, really summs up the season in general.
Unlucky on some occasions, undeserving on others. Though, last night, they played with the fire and desire they lacked in many games.
There does need to be some changes on that team, namely giving Janiki a contract. He has proven solid in the back and has continued to impress me with his play.
I do hope, though, that the changes that are made, are not as extensive as they were last season. We need to keep the team together, build that trust and intimate knowledge with their team mates, so they know where they will be and how they play.
10/27/2008 12:46 PM by Nerroth
Well, there is still the home game against Marathón, to try and at least end the season with a win...