Soccer By Ives

D.C. United Update (Notes on Colorado match, Szetela and more)

By TRAVIS CLARK

It's been 11 days since their last competitive match, and with the Colorado Rapids heading to the nation's capital on Saturday, D.C. United will be anxious to be back home for their first league match at RFK since June 13. Their home record of 4-0-4 leaves a bit more points on the table than most team's would prefer, but they remain right in the thick of things in what is becoming a tightly-contested Eastern Conference.

Revenge will be on the docket as well, with the corresponding fixture in Colorado having been all Rapids, as two goals and an assist from Omar Cummings doomed United to a 3-0 defeat back on June 20. With Jamaica failing to secure passage into the Gold Cup quarterfinals, it is likely that the speedy attacker will be available to wreak havoc on a depleted United back line.

More important than revenge is ending their tendency to tie at home. As previously mentioned, D.C. has tied half of their games in front of the RFK faithful. While that hasn't killed their standing, it's no secret that come playoff time, it would be a tremendous boost to be the higher seed.

Here are some other D.C. United notes:

Szetela looking for fresh start

 

                                                            Photo courtesy of DCUnited.com

 

Danny Szetela could have kept on chasing the European dream, but he had spent enough time on the bench to know that he needed a complete change of scenery.

That desire for a fresh start, and the chance for regular playing time led Szetela to come back to MLS, where he has joined D.C. United.

"There were some other opportunities in Europe but with me not playing for so long I felt like I needed to come back home get some of my confidence back," Szetela told SBI on Wednesday. "I want to get back to playing the way I know I can and I feel like D.C. is the perfect place for that to happen."

Danny Szetela joins D.C. United

 

Danny Szetela is officially back in MLS.

The former U.S. Olympic team midfielder has re-signed with Major League Soccer and was allocated to D.C. United on Wednesday, completing his return to the league just two years after leaving the Columbus Crew to sign with Racing Santander.

Szetela, 22, joins a strong D.C. squad that already boasted one of the best groups of young talent in MLS, with rookies Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace leading the club's recent youth movement.

Szetela returning to MLS, D.C. United the front-runner for his services

 

                                                  Photo by ISIphotos.com

Former U.S. Olympic team midfielder Danny Szetela is on his way back to Major League Soccer, but he won't be coming back to Columbus or heading home to New Jersey.

According to multiple sources, Szetela has agreed to a new contract with MLS after having his deal with Spanish club Racing Santander finish. Szetela spent the past season and a half on loan to Italian club Brescia, but is now a free agent set to return to MLS two years after leaving the Columbus Crew for Europe.

As a former youth international with three appearances for the U.S. senior national team, Szetela would have to go through the MLS allocation process. FC Dallas is currently holding the top spot in the allocation order, but already has a roster full of young players and is expected to pass on him. That would leave Szetela to fall to D.C. United. Sources tell SBI that Szetela was in Washington D.C. on Tuesday and met with D.C. United officials, who are very interested in the 22-year-old midfielder.

D.C. already boasts Clyde Simms, Andrew Jacobson and Ben Olsen as defensive midfield options, but the club did just lose rookie midfielder Brandon Barklage for the season with a torn ACL.

Quaranta continues his remarkable comeback

 

                                                                      Photo by ISIphotos.com

By TRAVIS CLARK

The look on his face said it all. After scoring the first goal in last night's Gold Cup match, the emotion surged over Santino Quaranta, the D.C. United midfielder. It's been a long road back for the player whose playing career, not to mention his international career, seemed all but over. Last night, his ascension continued in dramatic fashion, as his first-ever international goal helped the U.S. overcome a scrappy Honduran side.

"The guy's battled through a lot, and he deserves this. I think it's incredible," said former United teammate and starting USMNT goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

It was an understandably emotional night for Quaranta before the goal, as he started in front of his home crowd at RFK Stadium. Instead of the usual Black-and-Red fans were accustomed to, it was the white kit of the U.S. Playing on the right side of the midfield, Quaranta got off to a slow start as he tried to work through some pre-game emotions.

"It was a very special night for me personally, but to be back wearing the jersey was probably more special. Just to be back on the field with the team, and to listen to the anthem was very emotional for me. It’s been such a fun and long road back."

Mid-Day Musings (More thoughts on USA-Spain, MLS All-Star Game and the Showdown in Chinatown)

                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

Plenty to discuss in the world of soccer on the day after the Miracle in South Africa so let's get started:

Know how many fouls Michael Bradley, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu and Ricardo Clark combined for against Spain? Try two. Bradley's lone foul was the one he was issued a red card for. One foul, one red card. Good job there Jorge Larrionda. Between that call and the two red cards he gave American players at the 2006 World Cup, you can't blame U.S. fans for hoping Larrionda isinvolved in a scandal at some point.

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CONCACAF releases Champions League schedule

D.C. United will host its first CONCACAF Champions League match of the year on July 28 (vs. Chalatenango of El Salvador) while the New York Red Bulls will host its first Champions League match on Aug. 5. (vs. W Connection of Trinidad & Tobago), a week after traveling for its first competitive international match on July 30.

As for Toronto FC fans? You can start booking your trip to Puerto Rico around Aug. 4th, when TFC travels to take on the USL Islanders.

Those matches were two of the ones whose dates and times were announced by CONCACAF on Tuesday. The full schedule for the two-leg preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League is now set, meaning you can begin making your travel plans.

Here is the full schedule:

Late own-goal gives D.C. United draw at Seattle

The Seattle Sounders looked well on their way to another home victory when Fredy Montero cooly slipped a shot inside the left post to give Seattle a 3-1 lead on D.C. United, but a fierce comeback by D.C. helped the Eastern Conference leaders escape Qwest Field with a point.

Halftime substitute Christian Gomez brought D.C. United within a goal with a second-half strike before Tyrone Marshall headed a Chris Pontius cross into his own net in the 87th minute to help give D.C. United a 3-3 tie on Wednesday night in one of the more exciting matches of the MLS season.

Seattle dominated play for much of the match after overcoming an early goal from Pontius. Osvaldo Alonso blasted a long-range strike for the equalizer before a Marc Burch own-goal gave the Sounders the lead.

Montero made the score 3-1 with a dribble through the D.C. defense before sliding a left-footed shot past Josh Wicks in the 57th minute. Six minutes later, Gome started the comeback with his third goal of the season.

Surprised to see Seattle blow a two-goal lead? Impressed with Gomez's second-half performance? Starting to believe in D.C. as a serious title contender?

Share your thoughts on the match below.

D.C. United 2, Chicago Fire 1: A Look Back

By TRAVIS CLARK

At the end of a tightly contested 90 minutes, D.C. United stood victorious, and with the result now sit in first place in the Eastern Conference. Their one point of breathing room in the standings equaled their margin of victory over the Fire last Saturday night.

The match had all the chipiness one would expect from such two bitter rivals facing off. Hard tackles and a stray elbow or two were visible. United rookies Rodney Wallace and Chris Pontius most likely woke up the next morning with a bruise or two, as they were on the receiving end of a hard tackle or two.

Don't get me wrong, Chicago didn't come to RFK taking aim for the player and not the ball. They came out attacking, looking to feed balls to Brian McBride. Maybe it was their stellar road form, or perhaps their visit to the White House that inspired the confidence, but they didn't just park the bus in front of the net. This created one of the most exciting matches I've seen on the year.

D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire: A Look Ahead

By TRAVIS CLARK

The Chicago Fire has already had a big day, getting a chance to visit the White House and the Obamas at the White House. Hopefully that sideshow will be far from their mind as they face a difficult challenge against D.C. United at RFK Stadium on Saturday. First place is on the line as the two Eastern Conference rivals clash in what always provides an entertaining and fiery encounter.

Having already visited RFK once this season, the Fire managed to come from behind to salvage a point. Patrick Nyarko found the net that evening, one of two goals he's managed on the year. His side will be hoping to bounce back after suffering back-to-back losses at Toyota Park.

United can't really complain with their solid start to the 2009 season. With 19 points through 13 games this season, there is plenty to be positive about. The acquisition of Dejan Jakovic and the stellar play of veteran Bryan Namoff have helped to steady a defense that struggled mightily last season. Josh Wicks has brought a stabilizing presence to the goalie situation over the last couple of weeks, making a couple of strong saves to preserve a win against New York last week.

Going into Saturday's game, United will be without striker Luciano Emilio, who was sent off after throwing a temper tantrum after being subbed out against New York. While his presence will be missed, the depth Tom Soehn has available will make his loss less significant. Jaime Moreno, Chris Pontius, and Santino Quaranta are all options to step into the lineup as a forward.

Here is a closer look at this weekend's Eastern Conference showdown:

D.C. United 2, Red Bulls 0: A Look Back

 

By Travis Clark 

At times it wasn’t the prettiest display of soccer, but D.C. United managed to grind out a much-needed win last Thursday against the New York Red Bulls. The result was a welcome difference from the draws that were becoming commonplace at RFK Stadium.  Coach Tom Soehn was content, despite his team being far from their best. 

“It wasn’t our best soccer day, and we didn’t create our normal chances, but at least we were opportunistic with the ones we did,” he said after the game. 

With rain falling throughout the match, players on both sides had a hard time maintaining solid footing. The slick turf made it difficult to keep possession, and in the second half the rain picked up to a heavy down pour.

Red Bulls at D.C. United: Match Night Commentary

The New York Red Bulls are in their favorite house of horrors, RFK Stadium, tonight to take on arch-rival D.C. United (7:30pm, ESPN2). The last-place Red Bulls are in dire need of points, but finding some tonight will be difficult against a D.C. team that has had their number this year (and most years for that matter).

No Mac Kandji for the Red Bulls tonight, but Jorge Rojas is in the starting lineup as head coach Juan Carlos Osorio trots out an attacking lineup, with the hope of putting some pressure on D.C.

I will be providing commentary on the match throughout the evening so please feel free to follow along, and, as always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (lineups after the jump):

Red Bulls at D.C. United: A Look Ahead

By TRAVIS CLARK

The last time New York visited RFK Stadium, Juan Carlos Osorio labeled it one of the worst performances he had ever coached. The 5-3 drubbing in that U.S. Open Cup play-in game will be something New York needs to have forgotten as they return to once again take on conference rivals D.C. United.

United, victims of poor finishing and a dubious referee decision last Saturday against New England, will rely on the comforts of home to end a five game winless streak in league play. Most of those have been draws, but to keep pace with Chicago three points are vital.

Scoring goals hasn’t been the issue this season for D.C., as they boast the second-best goal scoring mark in the league. What’s been difficult for them is keeping them out, even with the solid defensive play of Bryan Namoff and Dejan Jakovic. Containing the speedy Macoumba Kandji will no doubt be one of United’s highest priorities.

From a New York stand point, there’s no point in dwelling on their last visit to RFK. Anytime spent pondering that, and the Red Bull will already be fighting an uphill battle. Burying any lingering thoughts from that and attacking United from the opening whistle is essential.

Here is a closer look at tonight's match-up:

New England 2, D.C. United 1: A Look Back

By CARL SETTERLUND

New England needed a little help from the referees, but a last-minute penalty, coolly finished by the incomparable Steve Ralston, was just the break they needed to snap out of their six-game winless skid and grab a 2-1 win over D.C. United.

Taylor Twellman made his first appearance of the year, subbing in for Jeff Larentowicz (concussion) in the 25th minute and he might have had the biggest impact on the game out of anyone, even though it won’t show up in the box score. Twellman drew two defenders and goalie Josh Wicks to him on the first goal, which allowed Shalrie Joseph to make a free run into the box and head home a Kenny Mansally in the 55th, and he also drew the 89th minute penalty to set up the game-winner.

Fred had a stunning 36th minute goal that we’ll talk more about a little bit later, and United definitely looked sharp offensively and held the momentum in the first half. They came out a little flat though in the second half and that left the door open for the Revs to come back and grab three points.

D.C. United are still in healthy shape at 3-2-7 (16 points) and although the Revolution sit a little lower in the standings at 3-3-4 (13 points), they’ve got two games in hand over most of the Eastern Conference so they’re not in terrible shape either.

On to some thoughts about the game:

D.C. United to face Real Madrid in August

By TRAVIS CLARK

In what will be a rematch of a 1-1 draw exactly three years to the day, D.C. United will host Real Madrid on Sunday, August 9 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. The occasion marks United’s highest profile friendly since the two sides met at Qwest Field in 2006, drawing a crowd of 66,830.

D.C.’s last glamour friendly at FedEx Field was a 3-2 loss to reigning Premier League champions Chelsea on July 28, 2005. Attendance that day was 31,473 in a stadium with a capacity of 90,000+. Given the sore state of the economy and the high ticket prices, the allure of a large club like Madrid will be relied upon to bring in higher numbers.

(U.S. Open Cup) D.C. United 5, Red Bulls 3: A Look Back

 

                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

So how did the Red Bulls walk into a four goals in 26 minutes haymaker from D.C. United that effectively ended last night's U.S. Open Cup qualifier before it began? They can point the blame squarely on one coach and a handful of bench players who made the least of their chances to impress.

Juan Carlos Osorio got it wrong. No, he couldn't be blamed for wanting to rest starters ahead of Sunday's crucial league match vs. Chicago, especially considering the team's desperate need for points, but where he went wrong was in trotting out a team made up completely of reserve players.

Osorio wasn't just wrong for leaving out all of his top regulars, he's wrong because it was easy to see coming, and easy for D.C. United coach Tom Soehn to gameplan for. Soehn had to know that Osorio would trot out the iceberg-slow Andrew Boyens with the faster-but-still-not-fast Carlos Mendes for Wednesday's match, so he started two fast forwards, Boyzz Khumalo and Ange N'Silu, and let the track meet commence.

The result wasn't pretty for the Red Bulls. In fact, it might have been the ugliest 30 minutes in the history of a club that knows ugly all too well.