For much of its 11-year history, D.C. United has prided itself on owning the most attractive, attacking style of any team in Major League Soccer, an approach embodied by a 3-5-2 formation that was a staple under former head coach Peter Nowak.
While United (3-3-1) returned to that setup for part of the second half in Toronto, it’s current four-game unbeaten streak has been largelydue to the switch to a traditional and much more defensive-minded 4-4-2. D.C.’s last three wins, including Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Houston — have been marked by gritty, grinding efforts as the team has shown fight both coming from behind and protecting leads.
“The times we did get in trouble [against Houston], it seemed like guys were bailing each other out,” said midfielder Ben Olsen. “That’s so nice to see that we at that point where people are helping out each other.”
Head coach Tom Soehn said he still wasn’t happy because his team didn’t shut out the Dynamo — United’s streak of league games without a clean sheet is now at 21, and second-half opposition goals still come with regularity — but D.C. has begun to embrace its new personality, one that espouses toughness and selflessness over the need to play pretty soccer.
“Even some of the best teams around the world, they have games where they have to grind it out,” said midfielder Clyde Simms. “I’m sure the more we get used to the formation, the prettier the soccer will get.”
Not quite the same Dynamo
Houston (2-5-1) has now lost five of its last six games, leading to an hour-long, soul-searching team meeting immediately following the game Saturday night at RFK Stadium.
“We’ve been struggling … so we’re starting to feel sorry for ourselves,” said Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson.
As defending MLS Cup champion and a preseason favorite, Houston’s current struggles are similar to those of D.C. United at the beginning of the year.
“They were having the same problems that we are,” said Robinson. “Maybe they figured out … we have to go out and do it ourselves.”
