With a victory last weekend in Toronto, D.C. United (2-3-1) posted consecutive wins in league play for the first time since last July, when it beat Columbus twice in a row.
The first of those two games against the Crew was also the last time United had a shutout victory in league play, a stretch that is now 20 games long.
“It’s bonus money, it’s confidence, it’s awards, it’s everything,” said United goalkeeper Troy Perkins of what is known as a “clean sheet.” “But it’s not important, to be fair. If we’re winning that’s all that matters.”
D.C. was proud of the grit and determination it showed at BMO Field — “That’s going to be the toughest place for everyone to play this year,” said Perkins, but the team is still searching for a complete 90-minute performance.
“Once you throw a clean sheet out, you start having the mentality that no one’s going to score against you,” said United head coach Tom Soehn. “That’s something that we still have to do a better job with.”
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Ben Olsen’s scraps last weekend with Toronto midfielders Carl Robinson and Andy Welsh epitomized the physical battle that has become a signature part to MLS matches this season.
“The pressure in the midfield here and the fight is a lot more intense right now in MLS,” said Olsen, comparing it to international competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and the upcoming Copa Sudamericana.
Adjusting their game isn’t an immediate priority for United, who don’t face CD Guadalajara in the Copa Sudamericana until September, but the lessons are clear from this spring series against the same Mexican club that winning an MLS Cup and succeeding internationally require distinctly different styles of play.
“In the CONCACAF matches, its more of an attractive football,” said Perkins. “It’s on the ground, it’s moving off the ball, it’s a rhythm. In MLS, it’s just about who wants it more and who’s willing to fight it out more.”
For a good cause
In response to the recent fire that severely damaged Eastern Market, D.C. United will donate $3 from each ticket sold for Saturday’s match against Houston to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation to provide assistance to market merchants and their employees.
