Match 24 - DC United x Colorado Rapids
August 19, 2006
RFK Stadium
Washington, D.C.
- By Joseph Schoenbauer, Wednesday, August 23, 2006
DC United slowed by the Rapids
DC United came from behind to tie the Colorado Rapids 1-1 Saturday afternoon in front of 18,000 subdued fans at RFK stadium. Maryland native Kyle Beckerman put Colorado ahead in minute 32 with a header off a Niko Hernandez corner before DC United’s Christian Gomez leveled after a terrific assist from his fellow South American Jaime Moreno in minute 56. It was the fourth straight game DC failed to win, making it their worst run of results of the season.
“I'm really tired of this one point, one point, one point...We have to be a bit more hungry," declared head coach Peter Nowak following the game.
In a listless first half, DC United looked in need of a rest, and while they were not overly outplayed, Colorado’s 5-man midfield, anchored by Pablo Mastroeni, was plugging the passing lanes to great effect.
Peter Nowak’s frustration at his team’s inability to use the wings capitulated at half time when he took off David Stokes, moved Josh Gros to full back, and inserted the speedy Jamil Walker at right midfield.
The move looked to be a brilliant one as moments after the second half whistle blew Walker was played through one-on-one with Colorado’s goalie Joe Cannon, only to see his one-time shot sky over the bar and into La Norte’s section behind the goal.
DC United continued to pick up the pressure, recording 8 of their 10 shots on goal in the second half, and was unlucky not to pull level on several occasions. 10 minutes into the second half they scored their equalizer. Jaime Moreno found himself in possession inside Colorado’s 6-yard box once again. After failing to take advantage on two other occasions, Moreno this time deftly found Christian Gomez lingering near the far post, who made no mistake in powering his shot past Joe Cannon.
For the remainder of the game Colorado stuck with their game plan of defending with 4 defenders and 5 midfielders, leaving ex-DC United striker Thiago Martins to hustle and bustle alone up top and in the end achieved their goal, earning a point on the road against the best team in MLS.
The defensive tactics shown by Colorado may be a sign of things to come for DC United, who have now drawn 3 and lost 1 in their last 4 games, including a 0-0 tie against Wednesday’s opponent the New York Red Bulls.
Player Ratings (0 – 10 in ascending order)
DC United
Troy Perkins (Goalkeeper) – (6.0) Can not be faulted for the dodgy marking which allowed Beckerman to head past him. Did well to thwart Thiago Martins on a number of opportunities.
Bobby Boswell (Defender) – (5.5) Not his greatest effort. Martins was able to get behind the United defense far too easily, and Boswell must take his share of the blame. Played final 5 minutes in an advanced position as United searched for a winner.
Facundo Erpen (Defender) – (6.0) Avoided the lack of concentration which has led him to be dispossessed or lose the ball in dangerous areas in the past. Was solid in the tackle, and unleashed a rocket from distance in the first half which Joe Cannon did well to touch over for a corner kick.
David Stokes (Defender) – (5.5) Rewarded by Coach Peter Nowak for solid displays in practice and in the reserve match against New York, Stokes was pulled at halftime as United opted for a more attacking formation in the second half. His half of work was characterized by solid defending and poor distribution.
Freddy Adu (Midfielder) – (5.0) Touch seemed a bit off, as he lost the ball a number of times under minimal pressure. Had one nice sequence in the first half before shooting over the bar. Unable to step up and lead United to victory from central midfield when Gomez exited.
Brian Carroll (Midfielder) – (6.5) Once again excelled in his role as ball winner in the center of United’s midfield. Passing was sharp and efficient.
Christian Gomez (Midfielder) – (6.0) Did well to get forward and grab his eight goal of the season off an unselfish pass from Jaime Moreno. Final ball was a bit off on a number of occasions. Suffered a strained hamstring late in the game.
Joshua Gros (Midfielder) – (5.0) Uncharacteristically poor performance from United’s model of consistency this season. Was unable to go by Colorado’s outside backs and his service was lacking from the wing.
Ben Olsen (Midfielder) – (5.5) Quiet match from United’s midfield engine. Was unable to stamp his authority on the game.
Alecko Eskandarian (Forward) – (6.0) Worked hard with minimal reward. Was sharp on the ball in the first half, and looked dangerous down the flank in the second. Was taken off in minute 87 in a questionable decision by Nowak.
Jaime Moreno (Forward) – (6.0) Tale of two halves for United’s mercurial Bolivian. Looked like he would rather be on the beach in the first half before inspiring United’s comeback with a wonderful assist to Gomez. Came close to bagging the winner with a cracking full volley two minutes after the equalizer.
Substitutes:
Jamil Walker (Midfielder) for David Stokes (Defender), Minute 45 – (6.0) Added pace and liveliness after the break to what had been a static United attack in the first half.
Domenic Mediate (Midfielder) for Christian Gomez (Midfielder), Minute 70 – (5.5) Was not too involved in the play after coming on for an injured Gomez. Unable to get forward in support of United’s attack.
Rod Dyachenko (Midfielder) for Alecko Eskandarian (Forward), Minute 87 – (no rating) Only touched the ball a few times in his 5 minutes of action.
Colorado Rapids
Joe Cannon (Goalie) – (6.5) Did well to withstand a United barrage in the second half. Was fooled by Moreno’s clever cutback on the United goal. A very solid effort in all.
Hunter Freeman (Defender) – (5.5) Solid if unspectacular effort from former University of Virginia standout.
Dan Gargan (Defender) – (6.0) Former Georgetown University defender was able to effectively shut down Gros on the left and distributed the ball well.
Aitor Karanka (Defender) – (6.0) Commanding performance in the center of defense from the former Real Madrid defender. Distribution could have been better.
Mike Petke (Defender) – (6.0) Paired well with Karanka in center of Rapids defense. Blew kisses to Barra Brava before kickoff, who did not return the favor.
Kyle Beckerman (Midfielder) – (6.5) Bossed the Rapids team from central midfield. Arundel native seemed inspired by a return to the area. Grabbed his fifth goal of the season by heading in at the near post in minute 32.
Nicolas Hernandez (Midfielder) – (5.5) Was not very involved in the first half before emerging in the second. Well-played ball allowed Beckerman to head home opener.
Pablo Mastroeni (Midfielder) – (6.0) Typically rock solid in the tackle, Mastroeni helped the Rapids outplay United in center midfield.
Jacob Peterson (Midfielder) – (6.0) Full of running, but often outran his support and was often afraid to take the last defender on. His energy caused problems for United’s defense and kept them on the back foot.
Daniel Wasson (Midfielder) – (6.0) Recovered the ball well in the center of the Rapids midfield.
Thiago Martins (Forward) – (5.0) Took five shots in all and really should have had at least two goals.
Substitutes:
Colin Clark (Midfielder) for Daniel Wasson (Midfielder) – (no rating) Not very involved in the play as United pushed for equalizer.
Man of the Match:
Rapids Midfielder Kyle Beckerman
.jpg)
Matias Donnet, the key to DC United’s push for MLS Cup.
DC United acquires Matias Donnet from Boca Juniors
Joseph Schoenbauer, DC Soccer Correspondent
August 21, 2006
Having recently transferred Santino Quaranta to the LA Galaxy, DC United moved quick to acquire 26-year-old right winger Matias Donnet, formerly of Venezia of Italy, and most recently Boca Juniors of Argentina. “It was a good choice for me to come at this stage in my career,” explained Donnet, following DC United’s 1-1 draw with Colorado on Saturday. “Back in Argentina we don’t see much of MLS, but we know the US National team has made great progress, so we know US soccer is growing.”
Matias Donnet joined Boca Juniors from Venezia in 2003, a year in which a Carlos Tevez-inspired Boca Juniors won the Torneo Apertura, the Copa Libertadores, and the Intercontinental Cup. Donnet’s greatest contribution came in the Intercontinental Cup against then European champions AC Milan, when he scored the equalizer in regular time, and then scored the third and decisive penalty kick in the shoot out to give Boca Juniors the championship.
Donnet explained that he would likely need up to a month to reach peak fitness. Therefore, DC United fans can expect to see Donnet for the first time at RFK stadium for the Real Salt Lake game September 9, or more likely, against the New York Red Bulls, in just over one month’s time, on September 23.