D.C. still searching for first win of the season
D.C. United doesn’t need to be reminded that they’ve been the benefactor of the last two Major League Soccer players of the week: New England’s Kenny Mansally, who scored on them twice in two minutes two weeks ago, and Philadelphia’s Sebastien Le Toux, who delivered a hat trick in the Union’s inaugural home match last weekend.
“We’ve made a lot of people look very good so far,” said United assistant coach Ben Olsen. “The focus right now is on getting that first result but not panicking and still sticking to what we think is a good bunch of men that are going to be fine once we start figuring out [what] we’re about a little bit.”
Yet D.C.’s depleted defense, which has conceded a league-high nine goals, will be a ripe target for Chicago’s formidable attacking tandem of Brian McBride and Collins John, who once paired together for Fulham in the English Premier League.
“You’ve just got to keep an eye on them wherever they go,” said United goalkeeper Troy Perkins. “They’re going to get into good spots.”
With starting center backs Juan Peña (hamstring) and Dejan Jakovic (red card suspension) both out, veteran Carey Talley is expected to slide from his right back spot into the middle for D.C. (0-3-0), taking charge of a defense that doesn’t fault physical toughness but has an alarming tendency of disappearing at crucial moments.
“There’s been lapses throughout the game,” said Olsen, “and that’s been a trend the last couple years.”
Talley and Perkins said the key will be denial of crosses from the wing, and tracking of John and McBride when they make their runs to the near and far posts.
“With the guys that are around me, they’re young, athletic guys,” said Talley, “Hopefully with that athleticism, we can bring our brains with us, too.”
