DC United Poised to Topple Torrid Toronto

DC United Poised to Topple Torrid Toronto

Mike Martin

May 23, 2008

DC United hosts Toronto for their second match in four days, with the confident Canadians coming off a victory over DC and riding a six game unbeaten streak. But the last time Toronto lost a game was right here and DC United is beginning to look like a team primed to topple Toronto to start a run of their own.

Washington D.C.,

Obviously, United didn’t get the result against Toronto on Wednesday and that loss is especially galling coming right when it looked like the team had gotten healthy and was putting in the requisite effort. However on the good side, United just got a bit unlucky. DC clearly deserved better than that painful loss and if they match that intensity again playing in RFK should be enough to get them over the hump.

It would be especially cruel of the soccer gods to find a way to undermine United in this match like they did with that appalling goal McTavish gifted them, as well as the painful missed opportunities bestowed upon Fred. But, teams make their own luck and if DC plays as hard as they did Wednesday, the goals and the wins will come very likely starting this Saturday against Toronto.

United is likely to start a same lineup with the possible exception of Moreno. Jaime had a difficult game against Toronto four days ago, and probably has earned a rest, especially with another crucial game in NE coming up next Thursday. Assuming he does sit, Santino deserves a shot at his natural forward slot as Moreno’s replacement, which will likely push McTavish into midfield on the right, return Burch to left back and push Martinez back into the center with Peralta.

Which by the way, is the exact lineup that thrashed Toronto in the home opener. Santino was the catalyst in that match as his and Fred’s incisive runs deep into the box opened things up for Emilio and resulted in an early lead United never looked back from. Quaranta’s natural attacking flair is a perfect counterpoint to Fred, and very similar to the things Gomez used to do to create room for Emilio to pounce on chances against unbalanced defenses scrambling around in futility.

Another encouraging sign is that Emilio took a huge step forward in terms of effort and effectiveness against Toronto on Wednesday. He was integral in collecting passes, distributing possession, and making good runs off the ball that unfortunately weren’t rewarded as Moreno and Gallardo weren’t quite as good as they normally are. Toronto could also afford to key on Emilio as Jaime was not really able to take any pressure off him.

But a lively Santino unleashed closer to goal alleviates that, especially with Fred now an obvious danger man as well. Toronto cannot afford to double up on Gallardo and dare someone else to beat them. They got away with that gamble as Fred missed his chances, but I don’t believe that happens two games in a row.

Of course, the entire team needs to replicate that outstanding work rate, and even more importantly eliminate the almost comical mistakes that are submarining the team. But, they actually look like a team ready to do just that for the first time this year. I doubt Toronto has a chance if DC replicates that level of effort as United was virtually toying with them four days ago. Aside from the beast Dichio magically getting away with felony assault, DC absorbed everything Toronto could throw at them with ease. Truly it was a grand effort in players covering perfectly for each other and United was never really threatened in the game at all.

Moving Martinez inside to help Peralta control the Dichiosaurus will also have the added benefit allowing Martinez to use his speed to help Simms contain Guevara, whose wily presence caused a bit of concern if no real outright chances. But above all, Martinez’ strength and savvy simply has to be closer to Peralta to help with Dichio since you clearly can’t rely on the referees to protect him from the beast’s flailing body parts.

McTavish and Namoff should be able to contain the dread Robert well enough as he was made virtually invisible in the first game with Quraranta as the defensive help. McTavish is much better defensively. Plus, while Brennan is tough and smart, McTavish should be able to push him enough that he won’t be able to bail out Marshall and Velez in the middle very often.

Obviously, Fred on the other side is another key player, not only in the attack to keep the speedy Wynne pinned back and desperate, but also to help out but Burch containing Ricketts, who was lively if ineffective against Martinez. Toronto’s dual defensive midfielder set up will probably continue to keep Gallardo in check, but even if he only gets loose one time, he can make the killer pass or another fantastic goal soccer gods willing. But, assuming Fred and Santino open up the field as they are well capable of doing, Gallardo may well be the icing on the cake in the second half.

So, there you have it. Assuming DC continues with the effort and eliminates the comical mistakes, and a win will surely follow. Especially as I think Santino playing forward gets the better of Velez and Marshall who had a career game keeping DC in check, but neither has the speed or imagination to contain a Quaranta playing as good as we’ve seen since his precocious first season with the team. Q will score or open up room for someone else to put at least one in the net. Mark my words. I also think the defense is ready to pitch a shut out for the first time all year as their switching and covering for each other was magnificent on Wednesday and is a very promising sign for the future.

United is so close to having the whole puzzle figured out. It would be cruel to have the rug snatched out from under them now. Another yeoman effort leading to a good solid win should trigger some of the confidence they need to keep the good times rolling. Four of the next six are at the friendly confines of RFK, and the team needs points. Even a win tomorrow and DC is still in last place by at least two points. No matter what though, the team desperately needs to keep up the effort because any backsliding or lack of concentration leading to any more losses at home in the next few weeks, and the season really will be over.

United has had two exciting wins at home this year and scored some spectacular goals, but truly the game in Toronto this week was the first time all year I was actually proud of the team. They showed organized effort and guts, worked hard, did enough to get the result, got unlucky, but never gave up. I’ll gladly cheer for that team all year, win or lose. But, if the team plays like that from here on out, we won’t have to worry because they’ll win way more than they lose. Count on it.

Match Previews

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DC Knows the Way to San Jose
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