When it comes to D.C. United’s formation, the temptation right now is to tinker, at least at this point, when there are still 27 games left in the regular season.
But despite troubles containing Real Salt Lake with a three-man back line last weekend, United (1-2) appears almost certain to employ a similar formation tonight against visiting Columbus (2-1), at least in part because of the doubtful status of central defender Gonzalo Martinez, who is expected to be a game-time decision due to hamstring tightness.
With a crowded corps of capable attackers on the field at the same time — namely Luciano Emilio, Jaime Moreno and Marcelo Gallardo — D.C. can best neutralize defensive woes by scoring goals.
“What we did against Pachuca, we want to do that here,” said United midfielder/forward Santino Quaranta. “It makes sense to play the same way, with the three and get our attackers on. If we play three, we have to do the right thing. It starts up top, and if we’re not working hard, three in the back, it’s tough. I think Gonzalo Martinez is out so it makes it even tougher because he’s a good defender.”
Determined to make up for a 4-0 loss in Utah, United’s worst defeat since the 2005 playoffs, D.C. head coach Tom Soehn said his team is refocused and reenergized.
“Granted, Real SaltLake did what they did,” said Soehn. “But it was mostly us, I think. We basically — tactically, I don’t think, as a staff, we did a good enough job to take a defensive approach because we were going to be tired. We had five games in 15 days. But we’re through that, it’s in the past, and we’re just excited to get moving forward and get back to work in MLS.”
Offense remains United’s forte, but the Crew, who beat D.C., 3-2, in last year’s regular-season finale, enter with a confident mix of youth and experience, including 20-year-old former Maryland forward Robbie Rogers (two goals) and 34-year-old Argentine playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto (one goal, two assists).
“Just watching their last couple of games, when you give certain guys — and this is any guys in the league — when you give guys space to make plays, they’re going to make plays,” said Soehn. “You have to be compact and organized.”
