Soehn, D.C. United face challenging stretch run
The next two months will be the toughest challenge of Tom Soehn’s head coaching career with D.C. United.
For the first time in three years, United isn’t assured of the Supporters’ Shield and a place in the playoffs. Instead, Soehn’s team, already beset by injuries and plagued by inconsistency, faces a daunting eight-week slate of matches including make-or-break league games for a place in the postseason, the U.S. Open Cup final and six games in the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League.
Whether D.C. comes out of this stretch with its first tournament trophies since 2004, or more disappointment — followed by an offseason dominated by questions about priorities, failed signings and player selection — depends largely on Soehn’s ability to utilize, manage and inspire his entire roster.
“I think [United’s success] has a lot to do with Tommy managing the players he puts on the field for certain games,” said United defender Devon McTavish, who hasn’t missed a game since mid-May, playing every minute of the last 18 matches in all competitions. “You always, in the stretch coming, have to get a good rotation of players that bring energy and desire to play every game.”
Neither energy nor desire were consistently present during the summer. Injuries are partly, but not solely, to blame.
“We’ve had games where we look like the best team in the league,” said United midfielder Santino Quaranta. “Then games where we look like a team that belongs in the reserve division.”
This weekend’s opponent, New York, is unbeaten in five straight matches, a stretch that includes a 4-1 demolition of D.C. earlier this month. As United (10-10-1, 31 points) and the Red Bulls (8-6-7, 31 pts) are tied in the standings, a winner Saturday will gain a massive tiebreaker advantage in a very tight playoff race.
But D.C. must save something for the U.S. Open Cup final four days later, as it may be its best chance to claim a spot in 2009-10 Champions League.
“I think that when you keep telling yourself, ‘It’s a lot, and we’re going to be a little tired here and there,’ you go into a game sometimes thinking that you’re not going to do as well,” said Quaranta. “We’re trying to stay away from that whole, ‘Did you hear how many games we’ve got coming up in this about of days.’ It’s important just to stay positive, and it’s a good opportunity every time we get a chance to play.”
