D.C. United Lose To San Jose Earthquakes, Set Record For Most Scoreless Matches
by Martin Shatzer on Oct 10, 2025 12:13 AM EDT
in Match Reviews
Email
Print
If you'd asked me prior to game time where D.C. United's goals would come from tonight, I wouldn't have had an answer for you. Maybe a Jaime Moreno penalty kick after Pablo Hernandez gets taken down in the box? I don't know. A shutout always seemed the likeliest result.
The 11 players who started for United tonight have combined for a total of two goals this season. And none since April. And when Moreno was sent off, that number became one.
It's as if our team was resigned to the fact that we were going to set the record for most scoreless matches in a season. But really, with so many players injured and away, we didn't have much of a choice.
The results were as expected. A solid first half of soccer for D.C. yielded plenty of chances but no goals. (I feel like I've written that before.) And then the Earthquakes, on their first real chance of the night, pound the ball into the net. It must be nice having a striker with a nose for goal like Chris Wondolowski. I miss those days.
At least in the first half, I was impressed with newcomer Carlos Varela, who was got his first MLS start tonight. Filling in for the suspended Andy Najar, Varela was utilized in a similar manner, who long crosses to allow him to put his speed to good use against Bobby Convey, who was playing out of position at left back. I actually thought that the double ejection would benefit United because it forced Convey into a more defensive role, taking away some of his crossing opportunities. Turns out that didn't matter too much.
I also liked seeing Stephen King getting involved in the attack. He's been much more reserved in other recent showings, but tonight he wasn't afraid to shoot.
Speaking of being afraid to shoot, what the hell is Pablo Hernandez's problem? He had a clear look at goal from about 12 yards out, but decided to cut back so he could get it on his left foot. C'mon man! We're trying to avoid a shutout here and you won't even shoot the freakin' ball when you're one-on-one against the goalkeeper. I still think Hernandez can be a good player in this league though. Give us Wondo and Hernandez will look like a star.
Our defense was really set up to fail tonight, which makes me feel bad for rating them so poorly. Clyde Simms and Jordan Graye had no business letting the ball bounce and fall to the feet of Wondolowski on the first goal, and it was Jed Zayner who was beaten on the second.
***
The only good news about this match is that we'll never have to see this lineup again. Get set for Najar, Julius James, and Dejan Jakovic to all return next week in Chicago. Branko Boskovic will be out another week as his Montenegran National Team faces a critical first place showdown on Tuesday. His 3-0 side will take on England's 3-0 side for control of Group G in Euro 2012 qualifying.
Tweet
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I've seen plays that were better than this game: Honest to God ... plays!
I have only started following DC United seriously this year and I can safely say that this game was the worst game that I have attended to in person. I have gone to my share of losses, but at least those were exciting and filled with some buzz. This game was ugly and dead from the start.
Najar really carries the offensive attack and he could have probably benefited from the additional space being 10 on 10. Otherwise, we have nothing in terms of offense. Really, no one seems to show initiative. For like 10 minutes in the middle of the first half, defensemen kept playing keep away from San Jose without looking up the field to attack. It’s really nothing new to the season, but I guess the absence of Najar makes it painfully visible.
I told my friend at 41st minute that despite our possession time in the first half, in about five minutes, they will just take the ball down field one time and score and in the 45th minute, they did just that. Its the same old story and the reactions and looks on the players face tells us, “Not again!”
Despite that, I think there is some good in this team and its worth fighting for (See last week’s win at Colorado). I hope we can play hard in Chicago and back home in two weeks for Moreno’s last game.
by HobbesLionheart on Oct 10, 2025 12:42 AM EDT reply actions
Hernandez: to keep or recycle?
It is quite clear at this point that he is miscast as a forward in anything other than certain very specific strike partnerships. He’s really an a-mid who likes to roam from center line to the box. I agree that he looks like starter material in the right situation. He could do a fantastic job acting as the “glue” in a good offense, maintaining attacking possession and shifting the ball from point to point. His passing touch is quite good and his decisions are sound - as long as you don’t ask him to provide a killer move, either for the goal or for the assist. In a way, he’s the anti-Tino - he’s consistent, safe, and only plays one attacking role, where Tino is wildly inconsistent, very aggressive with his on-ball decisions, and can be useful anywhere in the attacking half.
Since he can really only play one way, do you keep him and risk having no connection and chemistry with whoever is available to play up front for us next year? Hernandez is precisely the kind of guy who can end up permanently on the bench, earning good money to do nothing, if the team ends up going in a tactical direction that he can’t adapt to.
So many sticky wickets with this team… :(
by Stunned Duck on Oct 10, 2025 1:42 AM EDT reply actions
Sigh. I’m glad I was at the Caps game instead. The Caps won 7-2, by the way.
A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.
by Jake Shapiro on Oct 10, 2025 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
And I'm jealous
You made the right decision
Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.
by Martin Shatzer on Oct 10, 2025 11:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Vote No on Prop. Hernandez
The shining moment Saturday when all of DCU fandom collectively groaned when Hernandez cut again and lost the ball in the box when he had a perfectly good look on goal encapsulates his season for us. A striker with 0 goals. Awesome. As far as recasting him somewhere else in our team, why would we do that? If he cannot play the position that he is trained for, then what makes you think that he would suddenly excel out of position? This guy needs to go.
by DCUFaninMissouri on Oct 10, 2025 11:48 PM EDT reply actions
Erm...
… the point was that he is playing out of position now. Watch the guy move around the field - he’s a striker in name only. He has skills, whether you choose to recognize them or not. I’m of a mind to send him back and go elsewhere, not because he’s a useless player - he certainly isn’t - but because he’s the sort of player you bring to the team once you know what you’re doing and have to address a specific need.
by Stunned Duck on Oct 11, 2025 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Perkins
Does anyone else think that Perkins was at fault on the 2nd goal?
by DCUFaninMissouri on Oct 10, 2025 11:53 PM EDT reply actions
Yes and no
He made a poor attempt at the ball but there is no excuse for the lack of marking behind him.
by Croftonpost on Oct 13, 2025 10:40 AM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
- Start posting on Black And Red United
- Black And Red United on Facebook
- Follow @blackandredU
- Subscribe to Black And Red United Stories
Related FanPosts on Black And Red United
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2011 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
