Team has not made playoffs since 2007 D.C. United’s recent fortunes have swung as wildly as the stock market as it seeks its first postseason berth in four years. After a 3-0 win over Chivas USA on Sept. 10, United was in playoff position. But with last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Seattle, it was lost again.
“You see what happens if you win or lose each weekend, you’re up two spots or down two spots,” United coach Ben Olsen said. “It’s a pretty wild race right now.”
With Chivas USA (7-12-10) again the opponent on Wednesday, United (8-8-10) senses an opportunity to reaffirm its postseason ambitions. But it’ll require an improved attacking presence without Chris Pontius (broken right leg), who set up all three goals in the teams’ first meeting, and the shoring up of multiple defensive lapses that opened the door for the Sounders.
Pushing for a collective effort on both sides of the ball, Olsen refuted Sounders coach Sigi Schmid’s notion that United players were “thugs” following a Daniel Woolard challenge on Mauro Rosales that sidelined the Seattle midfielder for 2-4 weeks with a sprained MCL.
“I will say our approach to that game was good,” Olsen said, “And as we go down this playoff race, the games get tougher, they get more physical, and we need to be ready for that so that competitive spirit has to be there. I encourage it.”
D.C. will have to wait until this weekend for the return of central defender Dejan Jakovic (right hamstring), but starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid (right hamstring) is expected back after missing the Seattle match. As is midfielder Santino Quaranta (quadriceps), who can boost an offensive unit that with eight matches remaining can no longer afford to use the frequent interchange of personnel as an excuse.
“Whoever Benny decides to play, it needs to work,” Davies said. “There’s no time to gel at this point. We’ve all played with each other at some point during the season so we all know what we’ve got to do to win the game. I think it shouldn’t be difficult.”
