Not many (any?) followers of D.C. United gave them much of a chance against the Vancouver Whitecaps, considering they were still banged up and flying across the country to play on the Caps’ garage floor of a field. But hey, give the Black-and-Red credit for sneaking out of pretty and clean British Columbia with the points in a 1-0 win, their second road win on the season by the end of May, equalling the amount of road wins they had all of 2016.
So let’s see how votes were, shall we?
***
Bill Hamid: 8 (MOTM) | Community: 9.4 (MOTM)
Four saves (that it?) on the night, and while the post and crossbar helped a little, Bill was in good positions on everything he faced, and almost got to Cristian Techera’s extra time penalty kick, which was kept out by the post also. Oh, and is now Lord and savior over Brek Shea.
Chris Korb: 6 | Community: 6.3
Had 4 clearances, a recovery and a block defensively, was a little underwhelming offensively. Sure, made 70% of his passes, but had his teammates wondering about his choices on more than on occasion, and stepped out of bounds on a long throw, which would seem like getting fired on your day off. Oh well, trusty vetern (sic) help that I’d imagine takes a seat this week.
Steve Birnbaum (Captain): 7 | Community: 6.4
2 blocks, a recovery, 5 clearances and 3 interceptions on the day, made 76% of his passes and won 4 aerials against a team with Kendall Waston and Tim Parker, and served as the organizer of a backline that notched up a road shutout which is encouraging for the long term.
Kofi Opare: 6.5 | Community: 6.8
Made 17 of 19 passes, had a shot on goal too, and made 5 clearances, a recovery, a block and 2 interceptions. Came away a little dinged up from Saturday, but handled himself well and still seems to have a moment or two of inconsistency, but so far his 2017 has been much kinder to him than 2016 was.
Taylor Kemp: 6 | Community: 6.2
At 72.1% passing, was the second worst passer on the field (Korb), including 2 of 11 long balls, but with 6 recoveries, 5 clearances, 2 tackles and 2 interceptions, had the most defensive actions of the group. Echoing Jason’s words Saturday on D.C.’s low block, Kemp followed this to a tee:
Jared Jeffrey: 5.5 | Community: 6
Connected on 82% of his passes, 4 clearances, 4 interceptions, 2 recoveries and 2 blocks, along with a tackle. That said, found himself with a little spatial awareness problem here and there (dispossessed twice that I noticed, fairly deep in his own end), but supported the center backs as best he could.
Sebastien Le Toux: 5.5 | Community: 6.1
21 of 26 passing, a won aerial and 5 recoveries. He and Korb were kept busy by Techera and speedster Alphonso Davies so I wasn’t sure what to expect but did fine.
Ian Harkes: 6.5 | Community: 5.4
Most accurate passer on the day and the most passes for the Black-and-Red, connecting on 41 of 46 for an 89% number. Chipped in in back with 5 recoveries, 3 blocks, 3 clearances and a tackle, and as an 8 looked wholly comfortable behind Lucho.
Luciano Acosta (off 78’): 6 | Community: 5.8
Had 2 of the team’s 4 key passes on the day and made 78% of his passes overall, and had a nifty shot that forced a David Ousted save. Had 2 recoveries and an interception, but I’m going to lay his distribution and defensive actions with Harkes for a second:
Look, putting aside the fact that D.C. were without their first choice outside mids and forward, and that the Whitecaps were without their destroyer of worlds in Matias Laba? This is kind of encouraging.
Lamar Neagle: 6.5 | Community: 6.7
Scored a gem of a PK goal, but his other shot was also on goal also. Even had a key pass and connected on 85% of his work. Defensively had 6 recoveries, a tackle and an interception. Spent some time in the 253 between Saturday and today so he should be appropriately buoyed for the game.
Jose Ortiz (off 64’): 6 | Community: 5.4
Had a recovery and clearance in his own half, and in the Caps one, won an aerial, made 14 of 17 passes, had 2 shots (a close range one was blocked), and was part of a nice linkup on the Lucho chance. Gets to hang out at Disney World today for the dive and as far as that goes, from BC Place media row, there was a snap of some sort, then whatever that embellishment was. But thinkpiece alway or something.
Patrick Mullins (on 64’): 5.5 | Community: 4.5
2 aerials won, connected on 3 of 5 passing, appeared to get some sort of knock late and was slow to get up whenever he fell, and DC was essentially playing with 10. Apparently may start today, which considering the team’s travel since Saturday would be interesting.
Marcelo Sarvas (on 78’): 5.5 | Community: 5.1
6 of 7 passes made, a clearance and a shot. Did OK.
Vancouver MOTM:
Christian Bolanos edged out Davies and Fredy Montero as your MOTM:
Sorin Stoica - Referee:
Stoica got an average score of 3.6 on your votes.
***
Weird things apparently happen to D.C. United when they go to Cascadia. Almost six years to the day when Bill Hamid and DCU experienced another strange penalty kick judgment, like the events of that day when they beat the Portland Timbers 3-2 (while Charlie Davies and Dax McCarty sat in the stands with the visiting supporters), the team missing its starting outside midfielders and their forward in a substitute role found a way to win on the road against a Pacific Northwest team.
You can, and have, some debate on the methods D.C. received those points, though I’d go so far as to suggest that it was a result that lifted spirits and made focus to tonight’s game with Orlando City just that much clearer. Goodness knows they’re going to need it because as Jason illustrated, the road stays hard for several weeks to come.
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