Good evening foks. I'm coming to you from Washington D.C. I am in town for the Eastern Conference showdown between the Chicago Fire and D.C. United. It should be an exciting match and a chance to see if Chicago can keep its roll going and if D.C. United can turn around an ugly start to the season. The weather is ugly and drizzly, but that's okay, D.C. is still one of the best road trips in the league.
I will be back when I get to RFK Stadium but for now you can feel free to discuss tonight's match. Share your pre-match thoughts below.
Okay folks, I'm at RFK Stadium and the crowd is rocking. D.C. fans are in full voice and trying to make the best of a make-shift lineup.
I will be doing a running commentary during the match so please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions on the match in the comments section below.
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FINAL- That's all for tonight. Thanks for following along.
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FINAL- Fire 2, D.C. United 0. D.C. got off to a good start but couldn't turn that into goals. Chicago weathered that early storm and eventually took control, outworking D.C. all over the field. Bakary Soumare with another stellar performance and Cuauhtemoc Blanco delivers the killer blow.
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90th minute- Dyachenko with a pretty nasty foul on Logan Pause and Thorrington comes in to call Dyachenko out about it. This Fire team definitely plays for each other and the results are showing on the scoreboard.
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86th minute- Moreno with a header off the crossbar. It's been that kind of night for D.C.
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83rd minute- Emilio leaves the match and it is yet another weak effort from the reigning MLS MVP.
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80th minute- So why is Chicago controlling this game? The Fire is defending as a team and moving for each other. D.C. is something altogether different. I know Fred and Gallardo are out, but D.C. looked just as bad against Colorado with Gallardo. I think D.C. misses Fred, but the team is sorely lacking a player with the energy and passion that Ben Olsen provides. With his future in doubt, D.C. needs to make some moves. This current squad is incomplete.
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78th- Attendance for tonight: 18,605. Most of them are pretty disgusted right now.
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69th minute- Chicago is rolling right now and D.C. looks deflated. Can Moreno or Emilio conjure some magic? It's not looking good.
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66th minute- Francis Doe is in for Quaranta as D.C. prepares to run a straight 4-3-3 with Moreno in the playmaking role. This game will either wind up 2-2 or 4-0 Chicago with this group.
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62nd minute- GOAL CHICAGO and Blanco blasts a 28-yard bomb into the top right corner. Clyde Simms was late getting back and Blanco had all day to measure up the shot. I'm afraid to say I saw that coming but you could see D.C. looking fatigued and Blanco pounced. Fire 2, D.C. 0.
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60th minute- Gonzalo Segares misses a second Fire goal by inches as he toasts Quaranta and runs onto a great Mapp pass. D.C. looks tired and this is when Chicago will find a second goal.
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58th minute- Franco Niell needs to come out of this game. He's just not doing anything and service isn't coming. Tom Soehn might want to think about putting in Francis Doe for Niell.
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57th minute- Wells stones Barrett again and Moreno finally has a teammate playing on his level. Here comes Chicago.
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54th minute- Wells with a great save on a Barrett shot after a great sequence from Chicago.
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51st minute- D.C. with a nice sequence, which included a pair of nice Emilio passes, but the sequence dies with a shot right to Busch. There just isn't any creativity in the final third from D.C.
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50th minute- D.C. with a corner and at some point they need to make use of all these set pieces. Nope, nothing again.
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48th minute- The second half is under way and D.C. will need a strong start to the half to avoid falling behind any further.
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HALFTIME- FIRE 1, D.C. United 0. And D.C. leaves the field having failed to test Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch even once in the first half. Moreno is doing his best but there just isn't enough from the wings and Luciano Emilio looks as off as he has looked the past month.
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42nd minute- This has been the Chicago Fire this year. Disciplined defending and patient and opportunistic offense. How will D.C. respond?
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39th minute- GOAL CHICAGO. And it's Justin Mapp finishing a great drop-off pass from Barrett. Great work by Barrett to head the pass to a wide-open Mapp. Where was Mapp's mark? Chicago 1, D.C. United 0.
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34th minute- The slippery field has made for some ugly soccer but credit to both defenses for avoiding any early mistakes.
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30th minute- Chicago started out flat but the teams have settled down and these next 15 will tell us who's ready to take this game.
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25th minute- Is it me or is Franco Niell like a Wal-Mart version of Kun Aguero?
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23rd minute- Loving Moreno in the playmaking role. He has proven very difficult for Chicago to handle.
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20th minute- Emilio comes close with a look from 18. First decent player after a series of terrible attempted passes.
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18th minute- For those of you wondering, Lider Marmol is not in D.C. He is still awaiting his VISA, which he is expected to receive by next week. No truth to the rumor that he's spending tonight burning all the Red Bulls gear he collected during his time in New York.
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17th minute- Chad Barrett stands 12 yards from goal with nobody on him and dishes off to the wing. Hmmm. Drinking game anybody?
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16th minute- Blanco and Peralta exchanging words. The league's longest neck and shortest neck doing battle. Not bad.
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13th minute- Gallardo is out with a tweaked hamstring. There is no truth to the rumor that he hurt himself carrying home his paycheck (I think).
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10th minute- It looks like Niell and Moreno are alternating positions. Moreno can certainly handle playmaking duties. It will be interesting to see if Niell can use his speed to get by Diego Gutierrez, who has lost a step.
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7th minute- D.C. looks lively early on and you can tell that some of these players who aren't regulars are playing with some purpose.
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6th minute- Blanco is down and D.C. fans aren't buying it.
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2nd minute- We're under way and D.C. fans have pulled out all the stops with the signage and an ode to Cuauhtemoc Blanco. "Donde Esta Tu Cuello (Where is your neck?)" Well played D.C.
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PRE-GAME- D.C. is missing Marcelo Gallardo, Fred and Devon McTavish tonight. Can Franco Niell be a creator? We know he can't score so maybe he can pass.
PRE-GAME- D.C. is wearing the new VW-logo jerseys. It's Best Buy vs. Volkswagen, can't you just feel the excitement?
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Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Oh the beautiful RFK, I miss your lowering pitchers mound so. I'm thinking 1-1, but I'm feeling 2-2.
Posted by: Joel Sanderson | May 08, 2008 at 06:39 PM
As much as D.C. United has not been playing to the degree as they should be the Fire will not take them for granted. D.C. is one of two teams that I respect. They have the titles to back them up and their supporters are second to none in the league....after us.
Both coaches know each other very well and should be a defensive battle.
Fire 1
D.C. United 0
Posted by: El Guapo | May 08, 2008 at 06:42 PM
dc united fan here!!! I gave up on my team
Chicago 12 DC United 0
they need to get rid of two people there Emilio and Soehn
Posted by: koolcaio | May 08, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Can't they both lose?
Posted by: Matt | May 08, 2008 at 07:35 PM
DOES anyone know if there is a stream of the game today
Posted by: nicholas | May 08, 2008 at 08:09 PM
I love Namoff telling Blanco to get up and play. He barely touched him. NM
Posted by: Nutmegger | May 08, 2008 at 08:10 PM
And Blanco is still complaining about his knee at the other end of the field.
Posted by: Nutmegger | May 08, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Hey Ives. Maybe do a little compare and contrast of the NYRB-TFC gameday atmosphere and this game? I'd be interested in a little brief commentary discussing DCU and TFC fans. Both are some of the most intense after all.
Posted by: Unoriginal Aaron | May 08, 2008 at 08:14 PM
looks like a slip n slide right now for the players.
Posted by: Victor | May 08, 2008 at 08:16 PM
MMMM, Thuggery.
Posted by: Joel Sanderson | May 08, 2008 at 08:33 PM
I am really impressed by Soumare...he has been tough to beat. Is he eligible to play for the US Nats? I know he is originally from Mali...
Posted by: ag nigrin | May 08, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Agreed, this game is like a wrestling match on a slip-n-slide.
Posted by: Unoriginal Aaron | May 08, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I am really impressed by Soumare...he has been tough to beat. Is he eligible to play for the US Nats? I know he is originally from Mali...
Posted by: ag nigrin | May 08, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Over and over and over and over, no marking.
Posted by: Joel Sanderson | May 08, 2008 at 08:42 PM
wow... DC looks pathetically bad, there is ZERO movement off the ball...
Posted by: Original Aaron | May 08, 2008 at 08:43 PM
DC fans boo every call against them, don't they?
Posted by: Haig | May 08, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I completely forgot about this game, just turned it on, and saw chicago go up 1-0 20 seconds later, which is odd, because usually I miss the goals.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | May 08, 2008 at 08:43 PM
first time seeing franco live....sooo funny to watch him run around.
Posted by: EricJ | May 08, 2008 at 08:46 PM
I wrote Chad Barrett off after his performance in Olympic qualifying. That header back to Mapp was excellent. And, he does seem to hold the ball better now.
Maybe the boy will grow up a little.
Posted by: paul Lorinczi | May 08, 2008 at 08:48 PM
horrific marking by Quaranta, he saw Mapp...just decided not to mark him.
Posted by: nico | May 08, 2008 at 08:50 PM
could there be less 1-touch passes from DC? so slow with and without the ball.
Posted by: EricJ | May 08, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Paul- Barret can hold the ball fine, but shouldn't more be required of a striker?
Posted by: Original Aaron | May 08, 2008 at 08:52 PM
BTW, I'm not trying to be cutting/sarcastic- I'm seriously asking the question. I mean, let's say Barrett holds the ball up better than any player in MLS- does that warrant a spot in the first 11? How long does Chicago stick with a striker whose first thought isn't to go to goal? As long as there are others who are finishing, is great hold-up play enough of a contribution?
Posted by: Original Aaron | May 08, 2008 at 08:55 PM
if it leads to goals consistently enough then sure.
Posted by: EricJ | May 08, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Barrett is doing better this year than last. He has scored some goals too.
Come on, that drop to Mapp was excellent. He had 2 defenders on him. He is doing his job.
I am the first one to rip on him, but he gets his credit when its due. He is having a good game. He is having a good season too.
Posted by: paul Lorinczi | May 08, 2008 at 09:03 PM
good to see the shooting is up to par...yikes
Posted by: EricJ | May 08, 2008 at 09:06 PM
barrett had one particularly bad game which everyone talked about, but otherwise has been much much better than last year. the question now will be if hamlett leaves the team basically as is going forward, does frankowski or barrett start once frankowski's ankle is fully healed? i frankly (no pun intended) haven't been overly impressed w/frankowski so far, so would be fine with either decision.
dc's marking on the goal was terrible.
Posted by: drew | May 08, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Quaranta and Dyachenko aren't good enough to start. Bad coaching by Soehn he seems to be unable to tell Sims how to be a d-mid and Neill keeps playing in the same area as Emilio. Namoff is overrated. DC is simply in disarray.
Posted by: nico | May 08, 2008 at 09:18 PM
I don't know... the header back to Mapp was on the money, but let's be honest, if DC was playing decent defense that ball would probably have been cleared right away and never found its way to Mapp's foot. Yes, he had 2 guys on him, but I just think that in such a situation, a true striker should have a killer instinct and go to goal instead of looking for a knock-down pass. He was what? 10 yards from goal, and he got his head on it... granted, b/c of the weight of the ball and the fact he was moving backwards, I'm not sure how strong a header he could have gotten off, I'm just questioning whether it is worth playing someone at striker who isn't looking to go to goal every time they have a touch within 20 yards...
Posted by: Original Aaron | May 08, 2008 at 09:21 PM
very nice saves by wells on barrett, particularly that 1st one.
Posted by: drew | May 08, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Blanco! early goal of the week candidate...
Posted by: Original Aaron | May 08, 2008 at 09:22 PM
blanco...golazo!!!!!!
Posted by: drew | May 08, 2008 at 09:23 PM
As a Red Bulls fan it is actually nice watching the DC Scum stink up the place...
Posted by: ag nigrin | May 08, 2008 at 09:24 PM
And the tradition continues - I take someone off of my Fantasy Team and he scores. Beautiful goal by Blanco in any case.
Posted by: Jacob | May 08, 2008 at 09:25 PM
It's official: DC United's disappearance is an unsolved mystery.
Posted by: Tony in Quakeland | May 08, 2008 at 09:25 PM
soumare having another solid game
Posted by: Drew | May 08, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Simms is a filthy scab. It gives me great joy to see a union buster fail.
Posted by: Haig | May 08, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Oh, man, I wish I was watching this game...
Posted by: Modibo | May 08, 2008 at 09:39 PM
modibo, you need to concentrate on your thesis! i will be very disappointed if i see you post on here again tonight. ;)
Posted by: drew | May 08, 2008 at 09:41 PM
No more excuses. It's not just a slow start. It's not because they have played a lot of games. It's not because they need time to gel with all of the new players.
It IS because they are bad.
I think Tom Soehn needs to go. Sure it may not be all his fault but there needs to be a change. Things are really bad when they play like this at home. If Soehn was totally responsible for picking these new players and letting Gomez go, that in itself is enough justification for him to be fired.
Posted by: aristotle | May 08, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Emilio looks REALLY slow. Every time he is on the ball he looks like he is running in molasses, what happened to him?
Posted by: Nick | May 08, 2008 at 09:42 PM
He's resting on his laurels. (In this case the laurels are money.)
Posted by: aristotle | May 08, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Peralta is a big goober.
Posted by: aristotle | May 08, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Looks like a lot of DC fans thought that was a goal. They should know better.
Posted by: aristotle | May 08, 2008 at 09:48 PM
uhh.. drew, i don't know what to say... you have to spellcheck sometime... ;)
Go Fire!
Posted by: Modibo | May 08, 2008 at 09:49 PM
listening to the announcers you'd think the Soehn has nothing to do with DC's poor play. They keep blaming lack of passion...I see plenty of hard work, just no strategy or chemistry...things that a coach is responsible for.
Posted by: nico | May 08, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Wells saves the day, or at least further embarrassment. Great pass from Blanco.
Posted by: aristotle | May 08, 2008 at 09:54 PM
DC Disjointed!
Posted by: kofi_x5 | May 08, 2008 at 09:56 PM
The scoreline was misleading. DC is lucky they didn't lose at least 4-0. They applied a lot of pressure after they went down 2-0, but you get the feeling that they could have done it for the entire game and still would not have scored. I think if DC is to even have any chance of even getting into the playoffs they need to dump Soehn soon.
Posted by: aristotle | May 08, 2008 at 09:56 PM
DC needs to dump Moreno. He slows everything way down to his desired rate of play. He no longer looks for anything with speed and quick attack. Nearly all passes all over the field were too slow, failing to lead into the attack with speed.
Posted by: Larry | May 08, 2008 at 10:01 PM
AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
ok. glad i got that out of my system.
for the record, peralta, wells, and namoff all had STELLAR games. martinez was eh, burch was bad, emilio terrible, moreno decent, dyacenko bad, neill eh, quaranta bad, and simms was on and off (so i'd go with decent).
(im not counting the subs, as they had no impact on the game whatsoever)
we need benny olsen. and fred. and a DP BESIDES emilio (are they joking?)...and...christian gomez...and a new keeper...
ach.
Posted by: John | May 08, 2008 at 10:05 PM
John..or you need a new Team
Posted by: MasterShake | May 08, 2008 at 10:14 PM
DC could use Chad Barrett
Posted by: Ted | May 08, 2008 at 10:14 PM
d.c. is playing like how we were before he who shall not be named came in.
not at all the d.c. I know and despise but I will take 3pts on the road anytime.
up next....two time defending MLS Champions Houston Dynamo.
Posted by: El Guapo | May 08, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Well, that was a good laugh.
Posted by: Haig | May 08, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Kudos to the Fire, another win
Posted by: VD | May 08, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Dude Soumare couldn't look anymore like eddie pope. dcu needs to rid itself of those two gross dudes in the back and bring in that eddie pope look alike in the red 2-3
Posted by: MarkVA | May 08, 2008 at 10:45 PM
This Soumare kid is absolutely phenomenal, I watched him play 3 times this season and he was the best player on the field each time... I'm looking forward to see him grow as a player.
Posted by: Patrick | May 09, 2008 at 03:10 AM
Chad Barrett had a smart run to draw defenders away from in front of Blanco on his goal, leaving Blanco with space to shoot. Barrett gets a lot of flak for not producing a lot of goals, but in my eyes, he contributes in other ways when he doesn't score. See also his assist.
Posted by: flyingoose | May 09, 2008 at 03:41 AM
Re: Barrett, I'd say it's in between the two opposing points of view. He really should look for goal a bit more or at least pretend to attack with the ball. BUT, he is filling the role of a target striker rather well. That's only the 2nd time I've seen him for the Fire but it seems to be working.
Re: Dyachenko....could that big dud give the ball away more? Is it possible? No, it's not possible because he lost the ball every single time he touched it. Simply awful.
Re: DCU...this team is not lacking effort as the announcers said...they are just untalented and got crushed in midfield. Some smart poster above mentioned this too.
Regards,
Posted by: Mig | May 09, 2008 at 07:15 AM
Moreno is past it. Soehn needs to go. He was totally out-coached by Hamlett.
Posted by: KingSnake | May 09, 2008 at 07:44 AM
what wis with all the long passes to neil in the air.. he is short, baky is tall soooo.. play it to his feet..
Posted by: EDB | May 09, 2008 at 08:32 AM
> Soumare is a real find for Chicago.
> People are being too hard on Barrett. Chicago has some skilled players in the attacking third,...Blanco, Rolfe, Mapp. Barrett is a hard working, bust-his-ass kind of guy. He works hard and does some dirty work up top. His set-up of Mapp wasn't bad either.
> DCs kit is sweet.
> Great watching a matches from DC and or Chicago.
> Do you think DC regrets letting Christian Gomez go?
Posted by: BrianK | May 09, 2008 at 10:14 AM
DC needs to dump Soehn, Moreno, and basically everyone of the starters except Gallardo, Emilio, Burch, Namoff, Fred and Olsen if he can come back. I would kill for the Carroll, Kovelenko, Boswell and Erpen era. What is Soehn thinking with his bizarre formations? SOS
Posted by: Beckster | May 09, 2008 at 12:44 PM