So, although I couldn’t get out to the highway from Lot 8 – the gate is still locked – I did get a chance to see the new paving that has been laid down. It looks great, but there isn’t very much of it. Instead, there’s a massive swath still unpaved and fenced off. So with the weather shaping up to be stunning tomorrow afternoon for D.C. United’s home opener, you better get there real early if you want to avoid being redirected to Lot 7 on the north side of the stadium.
Meanwhile, the media got to see D.C. United work on set pieces inside the stadium (so nice to have practices open again) as it prepares for New England tomorrow. The pitch looked extraordinary, with no signs from the field level of markings from last December’s EagleBank Bowl.
And there’s no question United can’t wait to try and bounce back from last weekend’s embarrassment in Kansas City. This is what Santino Quaranta said yesterday:
“We just have to come into the game and really trust in what we have here. I think we were a little nervous going into that game, and we weren’t fully, the surface was tough, the field, you can make any excuse you want, but down to a man, I think we got beat, and it was good for us because we had done so well in the preseason, things came along so fast, that seeing that and understanding that any team can win in any week.”
This is what head coach Curt Onalfo said today, reiterating a stance that hasn’t wavered since I spoke to him on Monday: “Like I’ve said from the beginning, we have a very young team. We’ve made tremendous strides. It was our first step backwards as a group, and you’re going to have those throughout a long season. Unfortunately, it happened in the first game, but we’re going to use it as motivation. We’re going to learn from it and make sure that we get things right on Saturday and moving forward.”
But the difference tomorrow could be that Clyde Simms (hamstring) won’t be at right back, and Juan Peña should start in the center of the defense.
Peña’s first official match in Washington will circle his career back to being with fellow countryman Jaime Moreno for the first time since the pair played together at Blooming in their native Bolivia. Before that, they were also together at the Tahuichi academy.
“We kind of began our career back home together, and we’ve been friends for so long,” said Moreno. “He was fortunate to play in La Liga for so many years. He’s a great professional, a great player, and that’s why he played in La Liga for so many years. It was an opportunity for him to come. I talked to Curt, and as soon as He came, I think they all liked him. He got in with the guys really quick.”
Peña said he had many options after his last season in Spain with Celta Vigo, but Moreno helped get him a look with D.C.
“I had many proposals,” said Peña. “But I didn’t like nothing so when you have some more years, you have to think in your family and feel good. When I came here, I feel very good. The guys are great. The coach is, too, so I feel very good and that’s why I decided to come here. I hope to do well… Jaime always talk good about the team, the city, the fans so it’s easy to come here.”
United GM Dave Kasper said the team’s eyes were opened up immediately when Peña joined them in Mexico and immediately snuffed out any concerns over his age (37) or fitness. Instead, he’s got leadership and supreme skills with the ball and organizing a defense.
“He’s got a very congenial way about him,” said Kasper. “He’s great with younger players, has a got a really soft touch, takes the time to share his wisdom. He sees the game very quickly. He’s played at a supremely high level for a long time. He sprays the ball around, and I think his feet are magic, which is great with how we want to play.”
“He was a big part of our success for the last couple weeks of preseason,” said Onalfo. “He brings a calming influence to our team. He’s a very good passer of the ball so when you’re playing against teams that drop off and play low pressure, he’s a guy who can really help from the back forward, in terms of playing quickly, playing balls over distance and breaking down low pressure. He just brings experience that to our young team.”
Add Penalty Kicks to your RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Penalty-kicks
Follow me on Twitter: @craigstouffer
