All of a sudden, I’m twisted in knots over D.C. United. It could be the sleep deprivation after having a baby last week, but my head is spinning because United’s season is teetering between utter disaster and actually not that darn bad — and it may not even be up to them to decide which it ends up being.
Did you see United draw with Toluca last night? The second time in 19 matches that a MLS team has gotten a draw on Mexican soil. The other 17 were losses. Excuse me, but are you talking about the same team that tanked its five-game homestand by losing three consecutive league matches at RFK for the first time? Can’t be. I recognized Luciano Emilio, who not surprisingly struggled again with poor touches, slow runs and was basically a non-factor. In fact, FSC analyst Christopher Sullivan rightfully recognized that Emilio taking a free kick was tough call but no one else on the field had enough clout to argue with him. And of course, Emilio, shanked it back to Mexico City.
After his ridiculous strike — which probably won’t change the fact that he’s slipping in the MLS rookie of the year race — Chris Pontius should’ve been awarded free kick duty for the rest of the night. Steve Cronin also has been an amazing example the backdoor route to get a huge roster addition. Yes, head coach Tom Soehn deserves credit, but Raul Nava’s header off the woodwork probably did more for United’s belief at halftime than any tactical adjustment.
But wait, you’re telling me that the same Emilio scored a cheeky game-winner against the defending MLS Cup champions last weekend? Again, you jest. He was before my time at the Examiner, but there has to be some Roy Lassiter feel here, right?
So, where do we stand? D.C., which was all but dead and buried two weeks ago, is in the mix both at home and abroad. I can’t figure it out.
On Thursday, United will need two TVs. The first on FSC — with the sound down – showing San Juan Jabloteh vs. Marathon. Surely the Hondurans should manage more than a draw against a team that looked little better than a high school squad against D.C. a few weeks back. If they don’t, D.C. goes through to next spring’s knockout quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League. That would be a nice achievement built on a four-game unbeaten run (three wins) after going 0-7-3 in its first 10 CCL matches.
Meanwhile, D.C. will be rooting hardcore for Chivas USA – which, in my opinion, was superb in its win over United on Oct. 3 – to beat Chicago on ESPN2. If that happens, D.C. could still get the SECOND SEED IN THE EAST with a win at Kansas City on Saturday night. Of course, no win, no dice. Do they even deserve to be in contention for home field advantage, much less a playoff berth? (Don’t even start on their potential to actually win MLS Cup.) It’ll be more about Chicago and New England stinking up the joint than a United push for the postseason, but that’s why the games are played.
I can’t be bothered to figure out the rest of the potential playoff scenarios just yet, I haven’t had nearly enough shut-eye, and the offseason changes required seem to be many. But for a couple more days, hold off on calling this season a bust.
