It’s been a season of fits and few starts for Jaime Moreno in 2009. After knee and hernia surgeries during the offseason, the 35-year-old forward has played a full 90 minutes just twice in D.C. United’s twelve matches.
In contrast, with last week’s 12-minute second-half stint against New England, he’s come off the bench this season three times — only one short of his substitute appearance total (4) in 2008.
“To be honest with you, I don’t like it,” said Moreno. “But this is what the coach decides. I’ve just got to be ready when he needs me, and that’s what I work for every day.”
Moreno is looking to spark United’s (3-2-7) offense, which has scored one goal in the last two games. D.C. has had difficultly maintaining its possession-style offense, with noticeable lags in the second half of matches.
A lack of discipline late in the scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake on May 23 led United head coach Tom Soehn to call out his team for “playing kickball.”
“I think we get into trouble when we start playing direct,” said United midfielder Andrew Jacobson. “At times, it can be good with the right players in. But sometimes when we start playing direct is when we get caught up in kicking to them and dropping in and letting them take the flow of the game.”
