Lead Story
With stars out, Chicago rains on DC United’s parade
Zach Wells’ stance says it all. DC United were thoroughly outplayed and lost again Thursday night. Chicago got goals from former United midfielder Justin Mapp in the 39th minute and a wonderful left footed blast from Cuauhtemoc Blanco just past the hour mark, for his 3rd goal of the season to defeat DC United on the Thursday national TV showcase on ESPN2.
United (2-5-0, 6 points) have now lost four of their last five league matches, languishing firmly at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. “It’s very concerning,” said DCU head coach Tom Soehn. “We’ve got to really evaluate and make sure now that we turn this around. It’s getting to a crucial time.”
Chris Snear reports from RFK with photos by Jonathan Larsen/Diadem Images
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Match Reports
Gomez, Erpen drop DC from a mile high»Former DC United players Christian Gomez and Facundo Erpen each scored against their former clubs and the Colorado Rapids prevailed, 2-0, in Sunday afternoon’s match at Commerce City, Colo.
For DC United, practice means progress as basics improve»A tweak to D.C. United’s pressuring tactics seemed to work wonders, as the team rebounded from a series of poor performances to defeat Real Salt Lake 4-1.
Steve Long reports from RFK with photos by Jim Brault.
DCU fall to Crew at RFK»
Marcelo Gallardo and DC United got knocked down by the Crew last night. Can they get up again? If so, how soon? The United faithful can take comfort from the fact that last year’s team started poorly as well, and eventually won the Supporters’ Shield.
Steve Long reports from RFK stadium, with photos supplied by Jonathan Larsen/Diadem Images
Weekly Commentary
Soehn holds ‘Back to Basics’ meeting»
After a rather pedestrian performance in last week’s 2-1 home loss to Columbus, Head Coach Tom Soehn and his staff convoked his weary side for the proverbial, almost cliché, team meeting to sort out their issues.
“We have to make sure we are harder to play against and the rest will fall into place,” Soehn said regarding the meeting and its content. “I think there is more of a demand from each of us; me on them and them on themselves and when you have that, things get tighter and you become harder to play against.”
After an arduous early season schedule where goals away from home have been scarce and results marginal, United finds themselves perhaps in need of that proverbial signature game against the Columbus Crew on national television this Thursday.
DC United looks to shape up at home»
Although DC United has played one game at home already, Saturday’s MLS home opener against Toronto (7:30 PM at RFK) feels like the real beginning of the season for Bryan Namoff and co.
Transfers
Moose heads for Great Northwest»D.C. United announced today it has waived Justin Moose for the midfielder to sign with USL First Division side Vancouver Whitecaps. Moose spent the past two seasons with United after being drafted by the club in the first round (7th overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
Zaher acquired from Toronto»D.C. United announced the addition of Mike Zaher from Toronto FC in exchange for a first round selection in the 2009 MLS Supplemental Draft.
Dynamo midfielder Barlow acquired for draft pick»D.C. United have acquired Jeremy Barlow from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for the club’s natural third round selection in the 2009 MLS Supplemental Draft.
Also Noted
VW reportedly signs jersey sponsorship»Volkswagen has signed a jersey sponsorship deal with D.C. United that will deliver as much as $3.7 million annually to the team, making it the second largest jersey deal in league history, according to the Washington Business Journal.
Curtin, Zaher signed to dev contracts»D.C. United announced today that the club had signed defenders Jeff Curtin and Mike Zaher to developmental contracts. Curtin was obtained in the March 4 MLS Waiver Draft, while Zaher was acquired from Toronto FC on April 3 in exchange for a first round selection in the 2009 MLS Supplemental Draft.
Second round pick Stratford signs»D.C. United has announced the signing of midfielder Dan Stratford to a senior developmental contract.
Youth Academy
U-16s lose both weekend games, U-18s romp»D.C. United’s U-16 squad experienced a loss at the hands of PA Classics on Saturday, 3-2. Sunday did not bring any much-needed luck to the 16s, in a 1-0 loss to FC Delco on Sunday. Saturday, the U-18s let out a scoring explosion on the PA Classics, in the 7-1 win and took Sunday’s game 1-0 over FC Delco.
U-16, U-18s have unbeaten weekend»D.C. United’s U-16 and U-18 Development Academy teams enjoyed home advantage last weekend, as they took on FC Delco and PA Classics. The teams continue to mirror each other in play and record, both logging a tie and a win over the weekend. Near-perfect weather at Maryland SoccerPlex on Saturday did not seem to give […]
