It seems that lately the more D.C. United attacks, the more goals it gives away. United’s 41 shots in its final two matches were its biggest two-game total of the season, but both matches ended in defeat.
D.C. also scored more goals (52) than any team in the league during the regular season, but don’t look for an offensive explosion when United begins its two-game series against New York at the Meadowlands.
“That’s been the focus here. Do we want a five-goal game in the playoffs? Not really, because those games can go either way,” said midfielder Ben Olsen of United’s goals in practice this week. “We want to get our goals but still stay extremely compact, and do a better job defensively as a unit. From the top to the bottom, we haven’t been good, and we haven’t been connected. That’s something that we need to be sharper with this weekend.”
United owns the league’s top goalkeeper in Troy Perkins, but it’s up to the entire defense to keep itself from getting stretched going forward.
“I think where it starts is no matter who has the ball when we’re going forward. It’s my job and the back three’s job to just think about what’s going to happen if we lose the ball right here,” said midfielder Brian Carroll, “being in better position even before we lose the ball so if we do we can pounce on it and try to win possession right back.”
D.C. United’s reputation has been built on offense, but the team must strike a balance if it is to win its fifth MLS Cup.
“[Offense has] always been our strength,” said United midfielder Freddy Adu. “We just need to work on our team defense, and we’ll be OK.”
D.C. United at New York Red Bulls
» When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
» Where: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
» TV: Comcast SportsNet, HDNet
» Radio: WMET-1160 AM, WACA-1540 AM
MLS PLAYOFFS 101
The home-and-home series that make up the first round of the MLS playoffs are similar to what is used in international competition, except in MLS away-goals count the same as those scored at home. Thus, the series becomes a 180-minute contest with eight days of halftime — Game 2 is Sunday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. If the overall score is tied after Game 2, the teams will play 30 minutes of overtime. If still tied afterward, the game will be decided by penalty kicks.
