Poor showing in back remains a big problem
Crisis is becoming commonplace for the D.C. United defense.
Riding a five-match unbeaten streak after an up-and-down start to the season, D.C. United again looked shaky in the back in a 4-2 loss to San Jose on Saturday. It was the fourth time this year United has allowed four goals in a match.
D.C. United (4-5-4) has allowed 24 goals — the second most in MLS — and doesn’t have many options to make changes on defense. Only subtle tweaks are possible for a youthful back line that continues to make the same mistakes, but a move at goalkeeper could come into play for the first time since April.
Bill Hamid made a brilliant first save almost immediately against the Earthquakes but had only himself to blame after misjudging the threat of Steven Lenhart’s header in the 60th minute. Instead of an easy retrieval, Hamid raced off his line too late, allowing Lenhart to clinch a hat trick with San Jose’s final score. It also helped raise Hamid’s goals-against average to 1.70, the highest among MLS keepers with 10 or more starts. Backup Steve Cronin has yet to see any action after breaking his wrist during the preseason.
“We all made it kind of hard on each other,” United defender Ethan White said. “There wasn’t enough communication in the back. We weren’t stepping up for him. I wouldn’t blame anything on Bill.”
One of three rookies on the youngest back line in MLS, White knows both of Lenhart’s first two goals were preventable had D.C. United’s defenders been more attentive to the bruising Earthquakes forward. Missed assignments could lead United coach Ben Olsen to bring back right back Jed Zayner — who returned to the game-day roster vs. San Jose after recovering from a second hamstring injury — but Dejan Jakovic (hamstring) and Marc Burch (hamstring) are sidelined, and Rodrigo Brasesco hasn’t proved capable in first-team matches. Reserve Brandon Barklage has yet to make an MLS start this season.
One challenge Olsen doesn’t face is dissension within his locker room.
“When we went to Portland [3-2 win] and we went to L.A. [scoreless draw], 11 guys committed to the task, and we went out and did the work,” forward Josh Wolff said. “It’s not because one defender or two defenders stood on their heads.”
But having been on teams where “there were fistfights every week and we were unbelievable,” Olsen knows the value of hard lessons, the kind being imparted on his young team.
“Maybe it’s a good thing that we got punched in the face and knocked down because maybe we will get the message that even at home you don’t get games handed to you,” Olsen said.
