Opponents have learned lessons about breaking down D.C. United’s defense. Just ask Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan.
“I watched a game last week against Colorado and after they gave up the first goal, they were all over the place,” said Donovan, who scored two goals and caused a third in Saturday’s 5-2 thrashing of United. “But they get down and they start throwing people forward andthere’s a lot of space.”
Those comments drew little argument from United.
“After the goal in the second half, [Donovan is] right, we didn’t do anything,” said D.C. midfielder Josh Gros. “It just felt like nothing was going our way.”
The problems run deeper than one game. Although United (13-3-8) still technically owns the best defense in MLS (25 goals against), D.C. is winless in its last five league matches.
“I just know that they can be exploited defensively,” said former United player Santino Quaranta, who provided insight on his former team to his Los Angeles teammates. “They play three in the back, and they’re not disciplined enough. They’re phenomenal in the midfield — the best team in league in the midfield and going forward. Defensively — I think we have good players, Landon, guys running at them — it’s trouble, it always has been.”
Meanwhile, Donovan also has a special place in his heart for his visits to RFK Stadium.
“I always get up to play here, [the fans are] pretty vocal, pretty rude, and if they want to motivate me, they’re going to get that every time,” said Donovan, who counted Bryan Namoff’s own goal for his own. “Keep doing it. Keep bringing it. Bring it louder, bring it stronger and I’ll get four next time.”
