DC Soccer - Youth

Match 31- DC United x Columbus Crew
October 15, 2005
RFK Stadium
Washington, DC

- By Brian Weeks, Sunday, October 16, 2005

     DC United settled for a 2-2 draw with the visiting Columbus Crew before 22,463 spectators at RFK Stadium Saturday night. With the playoff seedings already determined coming into the match, United seemingly had little to play for in the season finale. Coach Peter Nowak decided to continue with a full-strength lineup in an effort to build continuity heading into the playoff opener in Chicago Friday night. The only change to the starting lineup from United’s last game against the MetroStars was the addition of Jamil Walker up top and the relegation of Freddy Adu to the substitutes’ bench. Walker was rewarded for his solid play off the bench against the MetroStars as well as his impressive displays for the reserve team, which clinched the inaugural reserve league title on Sunday morning at the RFK auxiliary fields.

     United dominated possession in the early stages of the match, but found itself down a goal when Edson Buddle headed home after a long throw-in by Jamal Sutton. Buddle’s goal was a result of slack defending by the DC backline, in particular Argentinean Facundo Erpen. United’s finishing, which was less than stellar last weekend against the MetroStars, was poor again on Saturday night. Jaime Moreno was slightly unlucky to see his attempted chip bounce off Crew goalkeeper Matt Jordan’s head and out of play. Moreno was able to finish past Jordan in minute 12 after receiving a lead pass from midfielder Dema Kovalenko, but he was ruled offside. Another chance in minute 40 went begging as a swift United counterattack freed Joshua Gros down the right flank and his early service into the box was met with a wild first-time effort by Moreno, who was alone at the corner of the six-yard box and could have taken a touch to bring the ball onto his preferred right foot. United’s dominate the last quarter-hour of the first half, but they were unable to grab the equalizer until Dema Kovalenko struck in injury time. The goal will not win any awards for aesthetics, but serves as an example of United’s battling qualities. Jamil Walker rose like a fish out of water to win a header inside the penalty area and Ben Olsen’s nifty back-heel let Kovalenko into the same spot Moreno had shanked his shot from earlier. The result was different this time, as Kovalenko finished with a stinging left-footed drive inside Matt Jordan’s far post. It was the second week in a row that United had scored an injury-time equalizer at the end of the first half after Moreno’s brilliant free kick against the MetroStars had given United a 1-1 draw heading into the locker room during last week’s game. Head referee Terry Vaughan blew the half-time whistle seconds after Kovalenko’s equalizer and United headed to the locker room in search of inspiration.

     Freddy Adu came on at the start of the second half in place of defensive midfielder Brian Carroll, who made his US National Team debut in midweek against Panama in a 2-0 win for the US. Nowak decided to go with a more attacking formation by dropping Ben Olsen into Carroll’s defensive midfield role and letting Freddy play with Argentinean Christian Gomez at attacking center midfielder. However, it was the Crew who took the lead through Buddle’s second goal of the game, and ninth of the season, in minute 52. The goal came from another set piece, as Simon Elliot’s corner was headed into Buddle’s path by defender Chad Marshall. Buddle was left with a gaping net from six yards out, and the Crew had the lead once again. They could have extended their lead in minute 65, but Chris Henderson shot straight at goalkeeper Nick Rimando after breaking clear from the United defense. After Henderson’s golden chance was thwarted, United began to gain momentum in a match that was dominated by neither side. Argentinean Lucio Filomeno made his debut when he came on for Jamil Walker in minute 68. Filomeno showed some nice touches in his opening minutes and it became evident that he is primarily a left-footed player. United drew level again with Filomeno‘s help in minute 75. Brian Namoff got forward and swung a harmless-looking cross into the area towards Filomeno, who was clattered into from behind by Jamal Sutton. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, and Moreno stepped up to strike the ball past Jordan for his 16th goal of the season. Unfortunately for Moreno, the New England Revolution’s Taylor Twellman also found the back of the net on Saturday to clinch the Golden Boot. In the end, United was fighting for little more than pride in the closing minutes. They did not push the game and seemed content with the draw.

     United now turns its focus to a Friday night match up against the Fire in Chicago. Although United does not look like the same team which was dominating opponents a few weeks back, they will be the favorites heading into the two-leg conference semifinals. The Fire has not won their past three games, and seem out of sorts heading into the series with United. The Fire won only one out of four match ups with United during the regular season. United took the full three points in their latest game on August 6th, as Moreno’s penalty kick in minute 78 turned out to be the game winner at Soldier Field in Chicago. Both United and the Fire also won 4-3 thrillers at home during the season series. The first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw back on April 9th.

     United has struggled historically at Chicago, and needs to get a positive result in the first leg. Two areas where United must improve if they are to have a legitimate shot at defending their MLS Cup championship are defending from set pieces and finishing. The absence of central defender Bobby Boswell, who lost his place in midseason to Facundo Erpen, has been most evident on set pieces. Erpen, although excellent going forward, has a tendency to lose his mark in dead-ball situations. That could prove deadly against the Fire and their massive center forward Nate Jacqua (7 Goals, 3 assists). The Fire’s other forward, rookie Chris Rolfe (8 G, 5 A), has also proven a nuisance for the United backline. The rookie of the year candidate will have to be contained for United to win the series.

     United’s finishing has also been a concern as of late, especially at RFK. However, United has the attacking depth to overcome their recent inconsistencies. The play of Jamil Walker could prove crucial, especially if Nowak chooses to use him in a substitute role. Walker has the ability to terrorize any defense with his pace. With both Freddy Adu and newcomer Lucio Filomeno providing attacking cover, United will have plenty of options off the bench. The United midfield should dominate against the Fire. Most of the Fire’s attacking threat comes from the outside midfielders, especially left-winger Justin Mapp (3 G, 8 A). Joshua Gros will play a key role in defending Mapp. If Gros can shut down service from Mapp, the Fire will find it hard to beat Rimando in the run of play. Chicago holding midfielders Jessie Marsch and Chris Armas are no match for Christian Gomez and Ben Olsen. United will return home for the decisive second leg on Sunday, October 30.