D.C. looks to turn corner
The days of dismissing the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup may not be over. But the teams that don’t put a realistic effort into winning in are missing out.
Nobody knows better than D.C. United, which had a squad of reserves bounced last year by a third-tier minor league team. But United can end its recent dismal run in elimination competitions, earn its first tournament trophy since the 2004 MLS Cup and secure a spot in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League with a victory over visiting Charleston.
“I’m realistic about different teams approach the U.S. Open Cup in different ways,” said United midfielder Ben Olsen. “But this year it’s been one of our priorities, and we’re in the finals now. That’s a good thing on D.C. United’s part.”
United last hosted and won the U.S. Open Cup in 1996.
The Battery, currently third in the United Soccer League’s first division — one tier below Major League Soccer — are making their first finals appearance, having beaten two MLS teams already, Houston and FC Dallas. They boast three former United players: John Wilson, Lazo Alvanja and Stephen Armstrong.
Olsen’s latest ankle troubles will likely keep him out tonight, but Marcelo Gallardo (hernia surgery), Fred (hamstring) and Luciano Emilio (groin) are all probable, signs that United may be ready for this championship and a strong stretch run this fall.
“Nobody’s ever going to look past us,” said Olsen. “But we’ve got to get to the point where we starting winning things. We’ve won the last two Supporters’ Shields, but that’s not what people pay attention to in this league so we need to start winning championships, and it starts with this one.”
