Alecko Eskandarian reluctantly gave his perspective Tuesday of D.C. United’s defensive performance in last weekend’s 1-1 tie with New York.
“My mom told me if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it, but we definitely cannot lay balls on a platter to the other team’s forwards,” said Eskandarian. “The guys know that, but it needs to be corrected.”
United defender Facundo Erpen was singled out for a number of questionable plays, including overplaying the ball, leaving his man or simply making a bad pass.
Erpen called it one of his most difficult games with United but said the pressure on him hasn’t changed. However, he’s the most obvious candidate for replacement in United’s starting 11 for this weekend’s MLS Eastern Conference final against New England.
“Defensively he still made a couple of mistakes but for the most part he was solid,” said United head coach Peter Nowak. “The passing stuff, seeing things, and even if you are in trouble, just clear it, an easy clearance. He cannot do it in [the conference final] so that must be better. That is for sure.”
MLS awards doled out
Major League Soccer named Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein rookie of the year and Chivas USA head coach Bob Bradley coach of the year on Tuesday.
Bornstein, 21, a fourth-round pick, started every game and had six goals and four assists. Bradley, in his first year with Chivas USA, won his second coach of the year award, having won it previously with the Chicago Fire. Chivas had the league’s worst record in 2005 but made the playoffs this season.
