It’s happened enough this season to D.C. United that it’s difficult not to accept that disappointing draws are what the team is this season. The 2-2 draw against Chivas USA tonight was hugely disappointing. It just wasn’t surprising.
“The complacency after you do well, then everything’s okay now, then we can afford to let down, it’s inexcusable,” United head coach Ben Olsen said. “I don’t know if we should’ve been up 2-0, but to tie that game is absolutely ridiculous.”
Three observations
Trying to figure out the playoff implications hurts my head. Get this: D.C. United, still with as many as three games in hand over some teams, technically remains in contention to finish the year on top of the Eastern Conference. East-leading Columbus has 41 points from 29 matches. D.C. United has 35 from 27.
Of course, it would be worth pondering if United got any kind of result that indicated they deserve to be in the playoffs in the first place. The way they played tonight, it would almost be better to spare them the embarrassment.
The back line increasingly looks like it won’t make it through the season. Whether it’s rookies Perry Kitchen and Ethan White being inexperienced or out of position, or Daniel Woolard’s extreme limitations going forward as any sort of attacking outside back, or Brandon McDonald’s one or two risky plays per contest, D.C. United simply cannot afford to settle whatsoever at any time during a match. The moment they blink, they get exposed. Tonight it was Chivas, a team desperate for any result. On Saturday, it’s Real Salt Lake, a team determined to contend for MLS Cup.
Olsen’s also still searching up front. Charlie Davies and Josh Wolff are a logical pairing at forward, but there were frequent occasions tonight when Davies struggled, and the tendency for D.C.’s attacking players to try and stretch defenses often comes at the expense of the team’s shape. Meanwhile, there were a host balls coming in from the wing that seemed hurried, forecast and never even reached their intended targets. For one, Andy Najar needs to look up and pick out a target. Others just need to be more composed. Both goals tonight came off set pieces. The rest was awfully hopeful.
Don’t leave until you read Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy’s quote on the penalty kick and save: “I thought it was a rather soft call to begin with. I think DeRo [Dwayne De Rosario] sold it pretty well. We’ve had a tough run of games and been on the short side of the stick every now and again. It’s just a matter of getting the [shot] right and going the right way and I did and I got a good jump on him. So, regardless of how hard he could hit it, I felt like as long he was going to that side the more I could save it.”
Also, take a moment to soak in the first career goal for White, a Kensington native and Maryland product.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “I grew up watching D.C. United, and stepping up and scoring during my rookie year – I wasn’t expecting that. It’s unbelievable, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than celebrating that goal. But walking off the field it’s disappointing, because we could have won that game.”
Oh, right.
The match highlights here:
