Black And Red United - MLS 2014 Week 7: D.C. United versus Columbus Crew StoryStreamThey can't hold us back. We are United.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47471/blackandred-fave.png2014-04-22T12:34:42-04:00http://www.blackandredunited.com/rss/stream/53849752014-04-22T12:34:42-04:002014-04-22T12:34:42-04:00Professional Referee Organization admits error in Eddie Johnson DOGSO call<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.proreferees.com/news-play-of-the-week---2014---wk7.php">Professional Referee Organization admits error in Eddie Johnson DOGSO&nbsp;call</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Steve Goff of the Washington Post had quotes about this over the weekend, but the Professional Referee Organization now has its Play of the Week Article up; in it, PRO training and development manager Paul Rejer goes through the reasons why the play was a clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity. However, there is no indication of whether or not there will be any corrective action taken.</p></p></div>
https://www.blackandredunited.com/2014/4/22/5640180/professional-referee-organization-admits-error-in-eddie-johnson-dogsoBen Bromley2014-04-21T12:30:02-04:002014-04-21T12:30:02-04:00The Last Word on #CLBvsDC: A Template for Success
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<img alt="United and the Crew wrestled to a draw on Saturday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/81L0zJ2AFwu4j06fxNZ5RLzw1Jk=/0x0:2892x1928/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31892175/485683737.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>United and the Crew wrestled to a draw on Saturday night. | Matt Sullivan</figcaption>
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<p>It was close to a win, oh so close, until D.C. United gave up a late goal. But, they still left Crew Stadium with a result many fans would have gladly accepted entering the weekend. And they did it using a template we may see the rest of the season.</p> <p>After conceding another late-game goal on Saturday night, D.C. United narrowly missed a stunning road victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a>, Major League Soccer's second best team entering the match. The 1-1 result, however, and the disappointment we fans felt in it, showed just how far this team has come since it's opening night loss to the Crew. It also showed a template for how the Black-and-Red, with continued progress, can compete with the league's top teams.</p>
<h3>Their Words:</h3>
<p>- <b>Steven Goff</b>, via <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/dc-united-1-columbus-crew-1-late-equalizer-spoils-dcus-bid/2014/04/19/b3a392be-c82c-11e3-8b9a-8e0977a24aeb_story.html">washingtonpost.com</a>: "D.C. United had found its stride at home this month, but questions lingered about this rebuilt MLS club's ability to earn points on the road. United provided a partial answer Saturday night, carrying the lead into the 90th minute before conceding <span>Hector Jimenez's</span> sensational equalizer and settling for a 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew before 11,437."</p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/19/5632426/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-result-final-score-draw-fabian-espindola-goal"><b>Adam Taylor</b></a>: "In the end, D.C. got a point on the road from the conference leaders. Perhaps we should look on the bright side and note that the fact that we are unhappy - downright angry - with a draw is such a contrast to 2013, when even a non-embarrassing loss was a step forward. But this one stings - we had three points all but sewn up, and we let two of them get away when there's no reason to have conceded an equalizer."</p>
<p>- <b>Andrew King</b>, via <a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-19-columbus-crew-vs-dc-united/recap">mlssoccer.com</a>: "United snagged the game's first goal against the run of play in the 31st minute, when an uncharacteristically poor first touch from Federico Higuaín gave <span>Nick DeLeon</span> a breakaway behind the Crew midfield. DeLeon found a streaking Espindola to his left, who fired a high shot past Steve Clark. Despite ending the half with 63 percent of possession and the advantage in shots, corner kicks and passing, the Crew showed little venom in the final third, and couldn't find a goal as D.C. seemed content to drop their ranks into defense and defend their lead on the road."</p>
<p>- <b>Dan Karell</b>, via <a href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/04/fight-draw-united.html">soccerbyives.net</a>: "Even though they were down to ten men, the Columbus Crew were rewarded for their persistence. In a game filled with emotion and intensity that at one point boiled over in the Crew's goalmouth, the Crew battled back thanks to a Hector Jimenez goal in the 90th minute to tie D.C. United, 1-1, on Saturday night at Crew Stadium."</p>
<p>- <b><span>Ben Olsen</span></b>, via <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/04/post-match-quotes-april-19">dcunited.com</a>: "Yeah, I thought it's a good sign to get a point at Columbus. That's what I keep trying to tell myself...I don't think we managed well. I would say we managed it well if we get the second goal...[Columbus is] going to go with their numbers you just have to punch them for it. We didn't do that part. We also didn't possess the ball well and we should have been able to do that, and we didn't do it...Absolutely, this is a good measuring stick for us because of how recent the game was against them...[Columbus] is a team that has been as good as any in the league and we came in here and I thought we had a good game plan but at the end it still hurts...[<span>Fabian Espindola</span>] had a great goal. Whether it's him or somebody else, we have to do better with finishing teams off but Fabi is a special player. He is going to continue to make special plays for this team; [we're] still figuring him out and his teammates are still figuring him out but I am extremely happy we have him and once again tonight he proved to be the game changer."</p>
<p>- Columbus Crew coach <b><span>Gregg Berhalter</span></b>, via <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/04/post-match-quotes-april-19">dcunited.com</a>: <i>On the team's struggles against D.C. United</i>: "It takes two. They had a good game plan, they wanted to press us, they wanted to disrupt our rhythm and, at times, it didn't disrupt us, but at times it did, and it affected us. The goal was a careless play, but I don't get too wrapped up in that though because we're asking the guys to play. We're asking them to take risks, to pass the ball. So we'd lose the ball, and now it's about recovering from losing possession, and [D.C.] did a good job countering and they scored."</p>
<p>- <b><span>Bobby Boswell</span></b>, via <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/04/post-match-quotes-april-19">dcunited.com</a>: "We pride ourselves on keeping zeros. We've done it the last two weeks and I thought this was going to be more of the same. I think we got a little disconnected. Obviously I want to see the video before I talk too much. It was a hell of a shot. It wasn't necessarily a fluke play or a real dumb play that got it. It was a piece of brilliant play from them. We'll look at it from an analytical point and say what could we have done when we have the ball going forward to make sure it doesn't come right back down our throats."</p>
<p>- <b>Gregg Berhalter</b>, via <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/04/post-match-quotes-april-19">dcunited.com</a>: <i>On Wil Trapp's assist</i>: "That was a real play. That's why he's who he is. That's amazing. First, he recovers off of [Fabian] Espindola, then he takes the ball from him, then he drives I don't know how long, then he makes a pass. That's a real play by a real player."</p>
<p>- Columbus Crew midfielder <b>Hector Jimenez</b>, via <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/04/post-match-quotes-april-19">dcunited.com</a>: "Before I kicked it, I saw a little gap and I was just happy it went in. We would have loved to have three points tonight, but it's always nice to get one. [D.C. United] did a really good job of sitting back, and they didn't give us much. We were able to keep pushing forward and luckily get a goal."</p>
<h3>My Words:</h3>
<p>Eight points in four matches is an excellent run of results for D.C. United. Placed within the context of this four-game non-losing streak, the Black-and-Red's draw in Columbus is a perfectly respectable result. For casual MLS fans who didn't watch the game but only saw the final scoreline or read a news story recounting the action (or maybe looked at the <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-04-19-CLB-v-DC/stats">match stats on mlssoccer.com</a>), the narrative will likely be D.C. United continues to get results while playing "ugly". For those of us who watched the match, however, we saw an imperfect team play a tactically astute game which led them to the brink of what would have been their first road win in the league since Oct. 6, 2012, when D.C. United defeated <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> on an 88' goal by <span>Hamdi Salihi</span>.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, one of the early-season storylines developing for this D.C. United team is their propensity for giving up late-game goals (goals scored after the 75'). In the first six matches, it's already happened three times with the result being D.C. United has dropped four total points (and we should acknowledge D.C. United has scored one late-game goal of their own).</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="795">
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<col width="107">
<col width="107">
<col width="112">
<col width="167">
<col width="98">
<col width="99">
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<tr height="36">
<td style="text-align: center;" height="36" width="107"><u>Date</u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="107"><u>Home Team</u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="112"><u>Visiting Team</u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="167"><u>Goal Scorer</u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="98"><u>Minute</u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="99"><u>Final Result</u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="105"><u>DCU Points Dropped/Gained</u></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td style="text-align: center;" height="17" x:num="41706">8-Mar-14</td>
<td>D.C. United</td>
<td>Columbus Crew</td>
<td>Federico Higuain (CLB)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">90'</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0-3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td style="text-align: center;" height="17" x:num="41727">29-Mar-14</td>
<td>D.C. United</td>
<td>Chicago Fire</td>
<td>Quincy Amarikwa (Chi)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">82'</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2-2</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="34">
<td style="text-align: center;" height="34" x:num="41734">5-Apr-14</td>
<td>D.C. United</td>
<td width="112">New England Revolution</td>
<td width="167">Chris Rolfe (DCU)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="98">90'+3'</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="99">2-0</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" width="105">0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td style="text-align: center;" height="17" x:num="41748">19-Apr-14</td>
<td>Columbus Crew</td>
<td>D.C. United</td>
<td>Hector Jimenez (CLB)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">90'</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1-1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>We'll keep track of all the late-season goals for and against D.C. United this season, and their impact on total points, to see if this bad luck evens out over the course of the next 28 games, or if the soccer fates have truly destined this to be a theme of 2014.</p>
<h3>The Last Word:</h3>
<p>Following <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United's</a> opening night 3-0 loss to Columbus, many pointed to Saturday's return match in Ohio as a measuring stick game for the team. How far would United progress following that first poor performance and during the ensuing four matches? This past weekend we found out.</p>
<p>Rather than being a team looking like they had never played together, Saturday's D.C. United squad took the field with what played out as a tactically proficient game plan built on their strengths--strong defending, trusted goalkeeping, and all the tools to develop a consistently effective counterattack. Despite descriptions of the game focusing on D.C. United's extreme defensive posture, Olsen opened the game playing toe-to-toe with one of the league's best possession teams. United was never going to win the possession battle in this game, but in the first 30 minutes (immediately preceding Espindola's 31' goal), the possession battle only tilted to the Crew 54%-46%. Following the goal, Columbus completely dominated possession over the final 60 minutes 64%-36%, yet D.C. United was unfortunate not to have gotten at least one more goal on the counter while giving up very few goal-scoring opportunities to the Crew (until the 90', sadly).</p>
<p>For me the lingering question is why D.C. United had such a difficult time finding meaningful possession following the opening goal (and even when up a man). Individually, the team's players have made significant progress since opening night, and Saturday's performance was the best collective team defensive performance we've seen this year. I'll leave it to the writers and commenters on this site who specialize in tactics to analyze what D.C. United must do to consistently find some possession during critical phases of the game. But, if the team can add just enough effective possession to their defensive shape and goalkeeping, while perfecting the counterattack they seem capable of developing, then Saturday night offered a template for how this year's D.C. United side can compete against MLS's and CONCACAF's upper-tier teams.</p>
<p><i>Next week, D.C. United will be put to the test with the league's best, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a>, coming to RFK Stadium to close out the month of April. What do you expect when the Hoops come to town? Is a counterattacking strategy OK with you if it results in points?</i></p>
https://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/21/5633470/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-draw-tie-fabian-espindola-hector-jimenezstephen.whiting2014-04-20T20:13:09-04:002014-04-20T20:13:09-04:00Player Ratings for United's tie against the Crew
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<figcaption>Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A 1-1 tie would have been a good result going in; but given the circumstances some fans will have a sour taste in their mouths.</p> <p>It can't ever be easy can it? Around midway through the second half, it looked as though United had a solid chance at another gritty 1-0 victory...but then Juan Guzman struck and struck hard. I don't know what compelled Guzman to decline to red card <span>Giancarlo Gonzalez</span> on a textbook clear path foul, but it shouldn't have kept United from closing out a game where they gained a man advantage just ten minutes later. Even while up a man, United couldn't keep the Crew from controlling the game and eventually securing the equalizer late on. Guzman's decision stung, as you never want to see a ref influence a game like that, but United need to have the resiliency to close that game out. Here are the match ratings.</p>
<p><b><span>Andrew Dykstra</span>: 5</b></p>
<p>I don't blame Dykstra for Hector Jimenez's late equalizing goal, but it was the only time he was truly tested and for that his match rating suffers. This doesn't change my thoughts on Dykstra, he is after all partially responsible for both of United's clean sheets this season, but does a healthy <span>Bill Hamid</span> makes the match-winning save on Jimenez?</p>
<p><b><span>Sean Franklin</span>: 5.5</b></p>
<p>Franklin had a uncharacteristically sloppy game in the attack third, failing to cleanly combine with DeLeon and the center midfielders on multiple occasions. That aside, his defense was largely very sturdy before his unfortunate decision to rampage up the field on the counter attack that led to the Crew's tying goal. Plays like that are difficult to lampoon because it becomes a excellent decision if Espindola slots home Franklin's pass, but instead Espindola was dispossessed and Jimenez scored soon thereafter from the spot where Franklin should have been.</p>
<p><b><span>Bobby Boswell</span>: 6</b></p>
<p>Defended well all night before standing off Jimenez too far on the tying goal. Jimenez is tricky and Boswell should have had help from Franklin but that was ultimately the crucial moment in the game. Optimism still abounds however because we saw a third consecutive game of quality defending from the back line and would have had a third straight clean sheet if a few breaks went United's way.</p>
<p><b><span>Jeff Parke</span>: 7</b></p>
<p>Another 90 minutes of strong defending from Parke and with <span>Ethan White</span> continuing to languish on the bench in Philly that trade is looking better and better.</p>
<p><b>Cristian: 7</b></p>
<p>Cristian! The Spaniard's best performance in black and red so far was my biggest positive from the match. Even without venturing into the Crew's half for most of the match, Cristian turned in another competent performance defensively. <span>Chris Korb</span> is still injured and <span>Taylor Kemp</span> requires more Richmond seasoning, so let's hope for more 7's from Cristian.</p>
<p><b><span>Perry Kitchen</span>: 5.5</b></p>
<p>For a second straight match <span>Ben Olsen</span> had his midfielders sink back into their half and let the Crew's midfield trifecta have the majority of the ball. The tactic again worked well up until Bernardo Anor's red card. At that point Perry Kitchen and <span>Davy Arnaud</span> should have seized more possession of the ball bringing United out of its own half. Instead, United let a ten man Crew side continue their encampment in United's half and secure the tying goal in short order.</p>
<p><b>Davy Arnaud: 5</b></p>
<p>I suppose Arnaud technically plays the "attacking" position in United's midfield duo, but more often than not he feels like a wind-up toy. He gets stuck into challenges, chases the ball, and scampers forward when possible. Grunt work is needed but we also need more skill there. Arnaud is United's second best midfield option at the moment, but it makes me yearn for a better option. If United doesn't make a move this summer for a center mid, then it needs to be on the top of next off season's shopping list.</p>
<p><b><span>Nick DeLeon</span>: 7</b></p>
<p>The most consistent criticism on DeLeon since his entering the league has been his occasionally lacking end product. This season DeLeon has used his power and pace to find himself in plenty of dangerous positions, only to pick the wrong option. His pass to Espindola for the opening goal was exactly what I've been looking for from DeLeon: quick, decisive, and accurate.</p>
<p><b><span>Chris Rolfe</span>: 5</b></p>
<p>Rolfe never got into the game, so was often reduced to defending on the left flank. He did fine, but Rolfe's game hinges on how many times he gets on the ball in dangerous positions.</p>
<p><b><span>Eddie Johnson</span>: 6<br></b></p>
<p>Sigh. It wouldn't be fair to give EJ a rating below 5 because he is doing all the little things so well: holding up the ball, providing pressure up top, getting into dangerous positions. Juan Guzman's decision on the breakaway was ridiculous, and will get a lot of attention, but it's important to note that it was caused by the power and speed of EJ. The way United is playing isn't conducive to EJ,'s game. There isn't much service from the flanks and the players up top often have to fashion chances out of occasional counter attacks. But eventually he needs to start making good on these chances. That comes with the territory of being a DP.</p>
<p><b><span>Fabian Espindola</span>: 7</b></p>
<p>Prior to Espindola's thunderous finish, it wasn't shaping up to be a great game to him and to be honest he didn't do that well after. However, such is the life of a striker, one powerful moment provided the early advantage for United, and nearly set the team up for a win. United's style of play seems well-suited to Espindola. He's always been a player who thrives on the break, feasting on chances that spring up on turnovers. Until EJ finds his feet, it looks like United's attack will be relying on Espindola to make good of those counter attacking chances.</p>
<p><b><span>Lewis Neal</span>: 5.5</b></p>
<p>Fine, I guess. As I'm sure most of you have noticed, most Lewis Neal games go the same way.</p>
<p><b><span>Conor Doyle</span>: 5</b></p>
<p>Honestly, he did next to nothing in his time on the field.</p>
<p><b><span>Alex Caskey</span>: 4</b></p>
<p>Olsen brought Caskey on to solidify the defense and a goal was scored on his side of the pitch five minutes later. Hard to frame that in a positive light.</p>
https://www.blackandredunited.com/2014/4/20/5634526/player-ratings-for-uniteds-tie-against-the-crewDlewis2014-04-19T22:05:46-04:002014-04-19T22:05:46-04:00DCU 1-1 Crew - Juan Guzman = coward (+ DC is DC)
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<figcaption>Matt Sullivan</figcaption>
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<p>D.C. United had some help in dropping two points that were basically in the bag, but they still gave up a late equalizer to a 10-man Crew to draw 1-1.</p> <p>I'm going to be saying this a lot in this write-up: Juan Guzman is a coward. On a night where <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> traveled to Ohio and drew the Eastern Conference-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a> 1-1, referee Juan Guzman is the story. And I hate it when the whistleman is the story.</p>
<p>D.C. United took an arguably undeserved lead into halftime, thanks to a spectacular counterattack goal from <span>Fabian Espindola</span> that was entirely made by Nick DeLeon's efforts. The Louisville product dispossessed early-season MVP frontrunner <span>Federico Higuain</span> at midfield and carried the ball well into the attacking half before releasing the Argentine forward, who blasted an absolutely nasty shot into the roof of the net. The Black-and-Red's organized defense, while completely ceding the attacking impetus to their hosts for the night, proved capable through the first 45 minutes of keeping the Crew well away from <span>Andrew Dykstra's</span> net.</p>
<p>That goal was really the only highlight either side really had in the first half. And in the second, Juan Guzman showed us all that he is a coward.</p>
<p>Again, it was a rather dull affair when the teams came back out. United forced Columbus to play in front of them, and countered when they could, but neither team did much that could be called inspired. Until Eddie Johnson turned <span>Giancarlo Gonzalez</span> - he of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/4/14/5613252/giancarlo-gonzalez-columbus-crew-flop" target="_blank">elbow-and-dive</a> (which earned a fine, but not a suspension) - at midfield and raced toward Steve Clark's goal. About 20 yards out, Gonzalez caught up with Johnson and brought him down from behind in what can only be described as a textbook example of a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. During the chaos that followed, Crew midfielder <span>Bernardo Anor</span> thought it right and proper to push Fabian Espindola into the net for having the audacity to try and take the ball when United had a free kick.</p>
<p>But Juan Guzman is a coward. Despite providing the most obvious red card-worthy play of the young MLS season, Gonzalez only saw yellow, and Anor was unpenalized. Ultimately, Nick DeLeon's free kick went well above the crossbar, and Juan Guzman was a coward.</p>
<p>Anor must have had the class to feel bad for remaining on the field, as he very shortly went in on <span>Perry Kitchen</span> with a two-footed tackle, and Juan Guzman, coward that he is, could not help but send him off. But United would still fail to hold on 11-v-10.</p>
<p>Fabian Espindola was seemingly in on goal alongside <span>Sean Franklin</span> on a counterattack in the 90th minute when a bad touch allowed Wil Trapp to dispossess him and send Columbus the other way. He might have tried to pull the ball back and keep some possession, but his attacking instincts trumped, and he tried to shake the defender and his own momentum, failing on both counts. Trapp took control, and ball eventually found its way to Hector Jiminez, who beat Andrew Dykstra with a curling, dipping shot to the back post from the top of the 18 - in exactly the place that Sean Franklin would have been occupying had he not joined in the late glory-seeking counter. Ten-man (should-have-been-9-man) Columbus were level. All thanks to Juan Guzman's cowardice and United's inability to either manage the game or put the weakened opponent away.</p>
<p>In stoppage time, United had several almost-chances to retake the lead against a 3-man Columbus back line and were stopped at least once by strong individual play from a certain Giancarlo Gonzalez, who should not have been on the field (either for his violence-and-deception act against San Jose or for his DOGSO, you pick). But like I've said, Juan Guzman is a coward.</p>
<p>In the end, D.C. got a point on the road from the conference leaders. Perhaps we should look on the bright side and note that the fact that we are unhappy - downright angry - with a draw is such a contrast to 2013, when even a non-embarrassing loss was a step forward. But this one stings - we had three points all but sewn up, and we let two of them get away when there's no reason to have conceded an equalizer.</p>
<p>Ultimately, we are left with three take-aways from tonight: (1) United were generally second-best against a very strong Crew XI, but (2) they still should have closed out the game and claimed all three points thanks to a generally excellent-except-for-one-decisive-moment defensive effort from our boys in black. And (3) Juan Guzman is a coward.</p>
https://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/19/5632426/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-result-final-score-draw-fabian-espindola-goalAdam M Taylor2014-04-19T16:30:01-04:002014-04-19T16:30:01-04:00DCU @ Crew streaming info, previews & gamethread
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Vengeance shall be ours!</p> <p>Well, it's not exactly the biggest revenge we've ever sought as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> fans, but tonight's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a> does potentially offer a measure of recompense for the season-opening debacle at RFK Stadium. It also represents a chance to see how far the Black-and-Red have come since that 3-0 dismantling. The Crew have gone on to build one of the stronger records in the league so far this young season, but other teams have shown that <span>Federico Higuain</span> & Co. can be contained. That's the task facing <span>Ben Olsen's</span> charges tonight as United look for their third win in a row.</p>
<p>Let's do this.</p>
<p><b>Time:</b> 7:30pm EDT</p>
<p><b>Venue:</b> Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> None in the DMV, unless you have Direct Kick. (And if you're a Crew fan who found your way here, and you're in the C-bus environs, you'd better hope you have Time Warner Cable, or you're out of luck, too!)</p>
<p><b>Live Streaming:</b> This will be on MLS Live, and there shouldn't be a DC-area blackout. If you aren't a subscriber, you can also catch the game on <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/live" target="_blank">dcunited.com/live</a>.</p>
<p><b>Projected DC XI:</b> Look for an unchanged side from last weekend's Atlantic Cup win over the Metros. 442 - <span>Andrew Dykstra</span>; <span>Sean Franklin</span>, <span>Bobby Boswell</span>, <span>Jeff Parke</span>, <span>Cristian Fernandez</span>; <span>Nick DeLeon</span>, <span>Davy Arnaud</span>, <span>Perry Kitchen</span>, <span>Chris Rolfe</span>; Eddie Johnson, Fabian Espindola. For more discussion, check out <a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/16/5620288/dc-united-columbus-crew-lineup-bill-hamid-lewis-neal" target="_blank">our lineup projection</a> from earlier in the week.</p>
<p><b>Previews:</b> As always, check out <a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/101st-us-open-cup/2014/4/16/5620934/mls-2014-week-7-columbus-crew-vs-dc-united" target="_blank">our StoryStream for all our coverage</a> of this week's game. Included: an episode of Filibuster (our podcast, don'cha know) dedicated to <a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/podcasts/2014/4/15/5615026/filibuster-podcast-andrew-dykstra-chris-rolfe-bobby-boswell-jeff-parke/in/5384975" target="_blank">analyzing last week's win and previewing this week's match</a>, <a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/17/5625020/columbus-crew-vs-dc-united-preview-federico-higuain/in/5384975" target="_blank">our questions answered by a Crew blogger</a> and, of course, the <a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-formations-tactics/2014/4/18/5626680/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-scouting-report-federico-higuain-josh-williams-dominic-oduro/in/5384975" target="_blank">best scouting report on today's matchup</a> you'll see anywhere. Plus more! Also as always, dcunited.com has a <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/04/talking-strategy-dc-united-vs-columbus-crew" target="_blank">tactical preview</a> and a <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/04/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-match-preview-april-19" target="_blank">video preview</a>. They've also added a new video feature, called <a href="http://www.dcunited.com/blog/unmarked/2014/04/18/unmarked-ep-1-ben-olsen-micd-up" target="_blank">Unmarked, starring a mic'd up Ben Olsen</a>. For the home side's perspective, check out our SB Nation colleagues over at <a href="http://www.massivereport.com/2014/4/17/5626872/d-c-united-at-columbus-crew" target="_blank">Massive Report</a>.</p>
<p><b>Prediction:</b> 1-0 to United thanks to <span>Eddie Johnson's</span> first goal of the year. Less because United have shown that they ought to be able to keep a clean sheet against the Crew - because there's very little indication that should be the case - and more because I've predicted los Capitalinos to win the last two games 1-0 with an EJ goal, and they've won both of those without conceding. Why mess with a good thing on my end?</p>
<p><b>What Are You Drinking?:</b> It's finally spring (again?) in the Nation's Capital, and I'm going to be mixing up the official native cocktail of the District of Columbia, the gin rickey.</p>
<p>You know the drill: this is your place for pre-game, in-game and post-game conversation and commentary. Vamos!</p>
https://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/19/5630782/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-live-streaming-previews-lineup-gamethreadAdam M Taylor2014-04-18T15:44:21-04:002014-04-18T15:44:21-04:00DCU @ Crew predictions thread
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<figcaption>Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
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<p>In which some of us get optimistic that United keep their winning streak alive while others face the cold, hard probability that the Crew are the (vastly) better team.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> travel to the Buckeye state this weekend to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a> in the year's first rematch for each team. Here's what the B&RU staff think will happen out in Ohio. Be sure to let us know your predictions in the comments.</p>
<h5>stephen.whiting</h5>
<blockquote>
<p>For <span>Eddie Johnson</span>, he has four games remaining with the Black-and-Red before the USMNT is called into camp on 14 May in preparation for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a>. Now is the time for him to score, and he will get chances in this match as the midfield continues to provide reasonable service. EJ finally finds the back of the net, and <span>Chris Rolfe</span> adds a second goal which is enough to give D.C. United the 2-1 win over the Crew as the defense only gives up one goal (but about a dozen chances). The defense's bend-but-don't-break strategy continues!</p>
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<h5>blazindw</h5>
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<p>This is our first shot at revenge this year. I've never been more upset during a road trip than after the Scoreboard Fire of 2013, so our team decides to create their own flames this time. We get revenge for the opening game by winning on the road 2-0.</p>
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<h5>Bald Pollack</h5>
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<p>So if I have it right, D.C. has taken one point home from Columbus in 5 games dating back to 2007(!), and for as much as we all enjoy the current unbeaten streak, they still remain at the bottom of the Lig when it comes to putting shots on target and on goal and still have some questions about their offense. While I think D.C. gets a goal off a corner, the Crew gets two and wins 2-1.</p>
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<h5>touchline</h5>
<blockquote>
<p>Every week, I predict EJ will put one in. Every week, he does not. So let's alter the routine. Goals by Kitchen and Espindola. Dykstra lets one slip but otherwise has another phenomenal game. The Crew are asleep at the switch, thinking these are the same guys that they man-handled on March 8. They're not. And the Crew doesn't know what to do with Hurricane Rolfe. He was just a tropical storm with Chicago. DC wins, 2-1. Again, in case the soccer fates did not hear me earlier, EJ does not score.</p>
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<h5>BlasianSays</h5>
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<p>What can <span>Perry Kitchen</span> do against <span>Federico Higuain</span>? The Crew star has either a goal or an assist in four of the five Columbus matches this year, and he scored two against DCU in the 3-0 win at RFK. This is probably the most important matchup on the field. The predictability of United's attack must change. Hitting inaccurate (16% success) long balls down the middle and almost completely neglecting the left side (9% of DCU shots come from there) has led to just one of United's five goals coming from open play. That said, on the road, against a team that beat us 3-0 already, I expect an even more defensive setup instead -- Jeffrey in for Espindola perhaps. 1-0 Columbus</p>
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<h5>Ben Bromley</h5>
<blockquote>
<p>Can Davy Arnaud and Perry Kitchen slow down Federico Higuain? It can't be any worse than last time. A 1-1 draw would be enough revenge for me, against a hot team that utterly thumped us in the opening game of the season.</p>
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<h5>dlewis</h5>
<blockquote>
<p>The result comes down to whether United has a plan for containing Higuain, or if they let him freely stroll all over the park like the opening match of the season. I say United does, and they grind out a 1-0 win because of it. <span>Bobby Boswell</span> with the crucial goal.</p>
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<h5>Adam M Taylor</h5>
<blockquote>
<p>The last two weeks, I've predicted the Black-and-Red to win 1-0 on the back of an Eddie Johnson goal. The last two weeks, DC have claimed all three points. I am therefore refusing to change my prediction: EJ gets off the mark while <span>Andrew Dykstra</span> keeps his third straight clean sheet. Hell yes, I'm superstitious.</p>
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<h5>Ryan Bacic</h5>
<blockquote>
<p>There's a more defensive setup for DCU these days with Arnaud in for Silva, plus more confidence after a rare pair of back-to-back wins. An out-and-out win might be asking too much against the Eastern Conference-leading Crew, but I'd say a 1-1 result isn't out of the question. I think that's what we'll see, too, as the Black and Red continue their recent upswing.</p>
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<h5>ChestRockwell</h5>
<blockquote>
<p>Columbus is really good, and they're not happy with themselves for letting a 1-0 lead turn into a 1-1 draw in San Jose last week. United's issues with tracking midfielders and outside backs making later runs is pretty much the last worst issue to have when facing the Crew, and I don't think a week was enough time to improve on that front. I don't expect to see Columbus rip <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-tennis">us open</a> like in the opener, but I still don't see a positive outcome here. Eddie Johnson will grab his first goal of the season heading in a corner kick, but the Crew will be up 2-0 at the time and they'll grab a third in the last few minutes. 3-1 Crew, Higuain with at least one goal.</p>
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https://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/18/5628880/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-week-7-predictions-threadAdam M Taylor2014-04-18T10:00:02-04:002014-04-18T10:00:02-04:00Scouting Report: Columbus Crew
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<figcaption>If you're not worried about this man, you should be. | Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>D.C. United has come a long way since losing to the Columbus Crew in the season opener, but is it far enough to make up for the fact that the 3-0 scoreline that night was actually a bit flattering for the Black-and-Red? We're looking at what makes Columbus so good, and just what United can do about it.</p> <p>It's been a strange start to the 2014 season for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> fans. First and foremost, we're actually able to win games. Sure, it's mostly due to being better defensively - both as a team and just having better individual players - and United still struggles to create shots (17th in MLS in both shots per game and shots on goal per game). And yes, the Metros were in total control for 40 minutes last week, so much so that the narrative about that game has gone from "United lucky to hang on" to "NYRB should have scored at least 600 goals during that game!!!1!"</p>
<p>This season has also strange when you take a look around the league. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> is winning games, which is always weird, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/">Chivas USA</a> is decent. Meanwhile, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> are now stumbling around due to various reasons (no direct player in their front four due to injuries, central midfielders and defenders who played way above themselves last year aren't doing so now), and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> are on a three-game losing streak.</p>
<p>That brings us to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a>, whose expansive, technical style of play is flat-out bizarre given their past. From their 90s slogan claiming they were "America's Hardest-Working Team" to the dour teams Robert Warzycha put out, even the best Crew teams were more about effort, power, and size mixed with just a dash of true class (Guillermo Barros Schelotto, for example). At no point in MLS history has Columbus ever been a team you seek out for sheer entertainment value.</p>
<p>Today's Crew doesn't fit the bill. As United was the first to learn, <span>Gregg Berhalter</span> wants to play "the right way;" no matter what that phrase means to you, this Columbus side probably meets the requirements. He shipped out the brawnier players and benched the guys who run hard but don't do much with the ball other than shuttle it as quickly as possible to someone who actually wants it.</p>
<p>We had little clue that United was set up for an ambush. The Crew's new-look back four certainly seemed more geared towards possession soccer, but what virtually no one expected was to see Berhalter - that's career center back, rumored to have been fired at Swedish side Hammarby for not being attacking enough Berhalter - to push both fullbacks up as high as possible. People weren't expecting a team relying on an undersized 21 year old at defensive midfield to attack with relish.</p>
<p>The funny thing is, despite the surprise attack United was totally unprepared for, it could have been worse. The Black-and-Red got to play Columbus on a night when they were without <span>Dominic Oduro</span>, suspended for an incident in the final game of 2013. Granted, <span>Jairo Arrieta</span> has had success against United going back to the first-ever CONCACAF Champions League, but still: In the opener, we weren't even facing the best Crew eleven, and they tore us apart.</p>
<p>This underlines the difficult task in front of DCU tomorrow night at Crew Stadium. Even if United was in top gear right now, whatever that might look like, the Crew would still be a bad match-up. The things this DC team has a hard time with, the Crew are built to exploit. There are a few things United can do that the Crew aren't solid on, which we'll get to, but the balance of strengths and weaknesses between these two teams tilts firmly towards Ohio.</p>
<p>The Crew have lined up with the same 4231 formation in every game; in fact, as was pointed out in <a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/17/5625020/columbus-crew-vs-dc-united-preview-federico-higuain">Behind Enemy Lines yesterday</a>, ten of the eleven starters from the opener have started every game since. The only change Berhalter has made was bringing Oduro in for Arrieta up front after their second game.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4319121/976399_Columbus_Crew.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="976399_columbus_crew_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4319121/976399_Columbus_Crew_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1397805114926"></p>
<p>Berhalter's fixed eleven does have some injury-enforced question marks. <span>Josh Williams</span>, who was the best player not named <span>Federico Higuain</span> at RFK on March 8th, left the Crew's game against San Jose last week with a knock. Our SB Nation frenemies at Massive Report note that, at practice mid-week, <a href="http://www.massivereport.com/2014/4/17/5625396/wednesday-and-thursdays-practice-pitch-updates">Williams was declared "fine,"</a> but any time a player picks up an injury there's at least a little question about their availability.</p>
<p>Columbus has a ton of possible ways to replace Williams, but the most likely move they'd make is to just plug Academy product Chad Barson. He's another capable attacking fullback, though perhaps not as relentless and definitely not as athletic as Williams. If Berhalter really wants to go for the jugular, he could also move <span>Hector Jimenez</span> to right back and bring in <span>Justin Meram</span> or <span>Ethan Finlay</span>, but that seems unlikely.</p>
<p>The other question is actually Oduro; the aforementioned (aforelinked?) practice report notes that he left training on Wednesday early and didn't return. Berhalter also said that Oduro should be fine for tomorrow's game, but apparently made a point to mention Arrieta and towering rookie <span>Adam Bedell</span> as "ready to go" if Oduro was out.</p>
<p>I'm expecting to see Oduro, but don't be surprised if Arrieta gets the call instead. The difference between the two is in approach: Oduro is arguably the fastest player in MLS, while Arrieta relies far more on his cunning off-the-ball movement. Oduro usually either beats people on the run or gets on the end of low crosses, while Arrieta actually has a habit of trying to find his shots from along the top of the box. Both are difficult players to face, though I'd rather see Arrieta given the lack of speed United has at center back.</p>
<p>Speaking of having two bad choices, that's something Columbus does really well in a lot of different ways. Williams and left back <span>Waylon Francis</span> are, by a wide margin, the most attacking pair of outside backs in MLS. Most teams have one guy, like a <span>Chris Klute</span> in Colorado or <span>Sean Franklin</span> for United; for the Crew, both players push high as frequently as possible.</p>
<p>That leaves teams with a tough choice to make. Do your wide midfielders focus on making sure those two don't have much influence? If so, you end up leaving your own outside backs 1v1 against Jimenez and <span>Bernardo Anor</span>, and you also end up asking those wide midfielders to contribute to the attack a) from deeper starting points and b) while they're tired from doing so much defensive running.</p>
<p>The alternative is actually something TFC was disciplined enough to pull off: Stay organized and compact, and let the fullbacks get plenty of touches but little penetration. This may not have been part of Ryan Nelsen's plan from the start, but once <span>Michael Bradley</span> scored early it became the main idea. More importantly, it worked: The Crew fired in 48 crosses (or 41...Opta offers different numbers between the Chalkboard and the stat sheet), which means they got away from the short combination play they do well.</p>
<p>I'm spending a lot of time on the outside backs, but it's based on how badly United fared against Williams last time out. The communication down the flanks needs to be a hell of a lot better than it was between <span>Christian</span> and <span>Nick DeLeon</span> on the killer second goal for Columbus in the opener. Williams got in behind on that play, and that's when things went from "this is mildly dangerous" to "they're definitely about to score a goal on us."</p>
<p>TFC kept Williams and Francis from getting all the way up the field with the ball and/or with space to attack, and they showed why they're fullbacks. They started hoofing crosses in because they didn't know what else to do, and the Crew are not a team that lumps the ball into the box and hopes for the best. Oduro, Arrieta, and Higuain are not scoring goals due to size and bravery; in fact, the Crew has one of the smallest starting lineups in the league.</p>
<p>I don't think United can simply copy TFC, though. For one, it requires an early goal, and good planning doesn't include willing goals into being just because it'd be nice. The Crew shifted away from what they're good at out of desperation; it'll be harder to get them off their game at 0-0.</p>
<p><span>Fabian Espindola</span> is going to be crucial in this game for United. It's not just that he's been involved in every single goal we've scored this season (scored one, took the corner on our two CK goals, released Chris Rolfe with the best single pass we've had all season, and released Christian to cross for the Goncalves own goal). Espindola's ability to attack outside backs in the run of play is a vital threat to keeping those two home. Those last two goals I mentioned both came with Espindola in a wide position, and teams know full well that it's an area he thrives in.</p>
<p>The other way Espindola can help is more traditional when we're talking about second forwards. He's been clever between the lines, moving well and using his quick feet to dribble out of traffic. Espindola should take his cue from what Higuain did to us on March 8th, operating just out of Trapp's central post just ahead of the back four. <span>Tony Tchani</span> doesn't really drop back much if he doesn't have to, and I'm confident that <span>Davy Arnaud</span> and <span>Perry Kitchen</span> can provide enough of a threat to burst forward that Tchani can be distracted (focus is not a strength of his).</p>
<p>That should see Espindola in spots where he can actually create, either by switching the point of attack or via combination play. I'm interested to see him link up with Rolfe in those situations, because the two seem to be on the same wavelength. It's not quite a Jaime Moreno-meets-Christian Gomez instant chemistry, but the two see the game similarly enough that I think they can pry open the Columbus defense. In particular, I think Espindola needs to attack the channels, where Williams is still not 100% - he's still not done his conversion from longtime center back - and Francis can be reckless.</p>
<p>Back to the Crew and the tough choices they force you into, there's an even more difficult one in the middle. If you play a deeper line to cope with Oduro's speed, you are either a) playing so deep as a team that your attack will suffer badly or b) increasing the space you leave between the lines, which means Higuain has more space. No one ever wants to give Higuain more space, but if you push up you're opening the door for a simple through ball or chip over the top for Oduro to race onto, and we don't have <span>Marvell Wynne</span> suiting up in black.</p>
<p>It's a high wire act without a net, basically. I'm of the opinion that Higuain should be the first concern, and by playing a higher line and taking a more aggressive (perhaps it's better to say "less conservative" instead) stance United can at least offer a real attack rather than hoping for a jailbreak counter or set piece goal. I've seen every Crew game that Oduro has started this season, and he doesn't look to be in particularly good form. We're picking poisons here, and if it were me I'd cheat towards denying Higuain space and time.</p>
<p>The other issue with Higuain is one that United can't use tactics to fix. Higuain's ability to lose markers and get on the end of service has been unleashed by Berhalter, and he's as good as anyone in MLS at that particular art. United, meanwhile, has had real issues with tracking runners between the lines all season long. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/04/17/columbus-crew-vs-dc-united-april-19-2014-preview-scouting-report">MLS's own video scouting report</a> for this game illustrates the point well. </p>
<div class="pullquote">If United isn't organized, attentive, and excellent in terms of communication, we're going to have issues.<span></span>
</div>
<p><br id="1397810273024"> If United isn't organized, attentive, and excellent in terms of communication, we're going to have issues. The Red Bulls repeatedly took advantage of Black-and-Red players ball-watching during attacks, and the Crew made NYRB's ability to burst into the box late look negligible by comparison.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Higuain and Anor are both very good at getting involved in the passing move, then waiting for attention to turn elsewhere before getting themselves into good spots. With Higuain, his preferred run involves a few hard strides followed by abruptly cutting off his run, which usually sees his marker continue running towards the endline and Higuain ends up open around the penalty spot. Jimenez, meanwhile, is less of a goal threat but is dangerous as a set-up man when he gets in behind.</p>
<p>United simply can't get by without being better in possession than they've been this season. In particular, a repeat of the second half against the Metros would be disastrous. United needs more players to show the courage and composure to connect passes rather than simply hit the ball towards <span>Eddie Johnson</span> and hope he can hold it forever. Columbus has had the possession advantage in every game they've played thus far, but it's a lot easier to defend during a 55-45 game than 65-35. United isn't so organized or cohesive yet that the defense will carry the day, so the front six will need to string passes together for 90 minutes.</p>
<p>Speaking of EJ, he's one of the mismatches in United's favor that I alluded to some 1500 or so words back. Simply put, Johnson has a significant physical advantage over both <span>Michael Parkhurst</span> (height, physical strength) and <span>Giancarlo Gonzalez</span> (strength again, plus speed), and he needs to make it count.</p>
<p>There was a lot of frustration in the stands at RFK last week with EJ for his inability to finish, but he was very smart about making sure he did most of his hold-up play against <span>Ibrahim Sekagya</span> rather than <span>Jamison Olave</span> specifically to give himself the same kind of mismatch, and his hold-up play was good. This week, he doesn't have to be so choosy.</p>
<p>With his back to goal, Johnson should have no trouble keeping the ball long enough for United to support him if we're not looking at everyone else being extremely deep and having to cover 40 yards to get close enough to receive a pass. If we can actually establish some midfield possession and get Johnson facing goal, all the better. Both Crew center backs will be in real trouble if Johnson is running at space while another United player has a window to find him, and they'll also struggle if we can get the ball wide and put in some crosses (high or low).</p>
<p>The other major issue for the Crew is that, suddenly, United is actually a good set piece team. Actually, we're overly dependent on them for goals right now (three of five goals), but that's an issue for a different day. The Crew are both a short team and not a particularly powerful team. Williams and Tchani are big (though Tchani isn't a particularly attentive marker), strong guys, but Gonzalez is a bit on the light side, Parkhurst's bio has been padded unless he grew 2 inches playing in Denmark, and the rest of the team is average in size or smaller.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, United has <span>Bobby Boswell</span>, EJ, <span>Jeff Parke</span>, Christian, and Kitchen going up for set plays. Williams will almost certainly mark Boswell or Johnson, but after that Columbus will be at a loss going 1v1. Berhalter is precisely the kind of modern coach that would attempt zonal marking, but I don't think his Crew have enough collective soccer IQ to pull it off well enough to make up for the disparity in size and aggression here. If Espindola's service is as sharp as it has been recently, this is an even more likely source of chances than Johnson's athleticism in the run of play.</p>
<p>Bottom line: This is a huge test of how much progress United has made in the last few weeks. This isn't an out-of-form Revolution minus <span>Kelyn Rowe</span>, and it's not an overly tense NYRB side missing <span>Tim Cahill</span> either. Columbus is confident, they're probably not going to be missing anyone, and they're playing a style of soccer that tests teams in terms of soccer IQ, positional discipline, organization, and focus. United has proven to be better at all of those things than in 2013, but they've still shown a lack of attentiveness when the ball gets pinged around.</p>
<p>If that's the case tomorrow night, the Crew will be celebrating their fourth win of 2014. However, if United can embrace the challenge and use the confidence gained from two straight shutout wins to fuel an improvement in the mental side of their game, we could actually see a more even game. In that case, set piece prowess and some intriguing defensive weaknesses that dovetail with United's strong points open the door for what would be a far more impressive win than the previous two.</p>
https://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-formations-tactics/2014/4/18/5626680/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-scouting-report-federico-higuain-josh-williams-dominic-oduroJason Anderson2014-04-17T15:25:06-04:002014-04-17T15:25:06-04:00Behind Enemy Lines: Columbus Crew, part 2
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/URErih5xb906FAiaVansIsPLIy0=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31770067/20140322_jla_br2_487.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>In which we check up with Pat Murphy from Massive Report to preview the Crew once again.</p> <p>In <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United's</a> first bid for revenge this season, they take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a> in Columbus. To preview the game, we went back to our friend <a href="https://twitter.com/_Pat_Murphy_">Pat Murphy</a> from <a href="http://www.massivereport.com/">Massive Report</a> for his take on the Crew so far this season.</p>
<h3>Questions for Massive Report</h3>
<p><b>B&RU: Since the Columbus Crew embarrassed D.C. United in early March, much has changed; what is different about the Columbus Crew?</b></p>
<p><b>MR:</b> In terms of lineup, very little. The Crew has started just 12 players this season, with <span>Dominic Oduro</span> starting ahead of <span>Jairo Arrieta</span> after the first two games being the only change in the first XI this year. The team is still playing the same way, teams now have an idea of what to expect. I wouldn't say teams have figured the Black and Gold out, but there is less of an element of surprise.</p>
<p>I think the Crew are still trying to figure things out. After the opening win, there were signs of cracks in the armor against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a>. Columbus found ways to get wins, but this is still a team in transition learning from a new coach. <span>Gregg Berhalter</span> recently called the season "a process" and the Crew are in the early stages. They've continued to dictate games and gotten results in all but one outing, so things have gone well in the early stages.</p>
<p><b>B&RU: With their torrid start to the season, do you think that the Crew can sustain this pace?</b></p>
<p><b>MR:</b> No, I think it would be very tough for anyone to sustain this pace. I recently wrote about how fast starts do not equate to trophies in MLS because I think fans here have forgotten how long the season is. Just look at how hot <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> was last year before the wheels completely came off after two months of the season. There will be ups and downs throughout the course of the campaign, but what will be interesting is how this team responds to adversity. We got to see a small sample size of that after the loss to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (team earned a road draw with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a>), but what about when things go south for an extended period? This may be the best start in team history, but they've also gone two games without a win...</p>
<p>I do think this team can do some nice things this year, but it's too early to say how nice.</p>
<p><b>B&RU: What happened in the game against one of the league's two worst teams, the San Jose Earthquakes? Should <span>Giancarlo Gonzalez</span> been suspended?</b></p>
<p><b>MR: </b>The coaches and players were quick to point out in the lead up to the game that San Jose is one of the more respected teams in the league. Crew defender <span>Josh Williams</span> told me you don't get respect in this league unless you earn it and results hadn't gone the right way for the Earthquakes so far. I do buy it a little, having watched San Jose play multiple times, but I believe Columbus should have left with three points.</p>
<p>The first half was good but not great and the Crew led 1-0. It was a bad start to the second half that hurt the Black and Gold and five corners in five minutes against a big team like San Jose hurt them. Despite, being smaller <span>Chris Wondolowski</span> made a good run and got the equalizer. The Crew had a couple of opportunities, but the fire that was in the team's attack in the first few games wasn't there in the second half.</p>
<p>As for the Gonzalez play, I'm amazed it's received this much attention. Yes, it was a dive (and a bad one at that) but there are dives all over MLS. I think if you suspend Giancarlo, you open up a can of worms that the league doesn't want to deal with. If the league would have made an example of him, I would have understood, but I think a precedent would have been set on a player who has had no issues in the first four games of his MLS career.</p>
<p><b>B&RU: Projected lineup?</b></p>
<p><b>MR: </b><span>Steve Clark; </span><span>Josh Williams, Giancarlo Gonzalez, <span>Michael Parkhurst</span>, <span>Waylon Francis</span>; </span><span><span>Bernardo Anor</span>, </span><span><span>Tony Tchani</span>, Wil Trapp, </span><span><span>Hector Jimenez</span>;</span><span> <span>Federico Higuain</span>; </span><span>Dominic Oduro</span></p>
<p><b>B&RU: Prediction?</b></p>
<p><b>MR: </b><span>I'll go 2-1 Crew.</span></p>
<h3>Questions for Black and Red United</h3>
<p><b>MR: Last time the Crew saw D.C. United, the Black and Red were walking off the field after a disappointing home opener. Now the team is riding a two game winning streak with two consecutive shutouts. What has changed for United over the last month? Is the chemistry starting to come together after all the offseason additions?</b></p>
<p><b>B&RU:</b> There have been two main changes so far: time and Davy Arnuad. When we last saw the Crew, <span>Davy Arnaud</span> was starting as a wide midfielder and <span>Luis Silva</span> was starting as the point of the diamond. Since then, Silva has gotten hurt, Arnaud has moved inside, and D.C. United have traded for and started <span>Chris Rolfe</span>.</p>
<p>In the time department, the slew of new players that United have brought in have had time to learn each other. Over the past two games especially, <span>Jeff Parke</span> and <span>Bobby Boswell</span> have had time to learn each other's playing style, and this game against the Columbus Crew will be a good indication of have far they have progressed.</p>
<p><b>MR: <span>Eddie Johnson</span> is still yet to score for his new team. What has hindered him so far and are there any signs he could break out of his slump soon?</b></p>
<p><b>B&RU: </b>The main thing that has hindered Eddie Johnson so far has been a lack of support from his midfield, especially early in the year. I'm not going to blame Luis Silva outright, because he may have needed time to gel with the forwards as much as they have needed it; however, coincidentally, the team has looked better since he has gone out with an injury. With Davy Arnaud looking even more comfortable in the middle, it may be some time before Silva can reclaim his starting spot.</p>
<p><b>MR: D.C. recently acquired Ohio-born Chris Rolfe from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a>. What has he brought to the team in his first two games and what will he add going forward?</b></p>
<p><b>B&RU: </b>Well, in his first game he scored the game-sealing goal, and in his second he was the man-of-the-match; therefore, I would say that Rolfe has had a giant impact on United so far. More particularly, he just looks like he has a new breath of life since he has left the Chicago Fire. Especially with the additional surgeries required by <span>Chris Pontius</span>, the trade for Chris Rolfe is one of the key offensive acquisitions this offseason. When/if Eddie Johnson goes with the USMNT to Brazil, Rolfe will become even more important.</p>
<p><b>MR: Projected lineup?</b></p>
<p><b>B&RU: </b><span>Andrew Dykstra</span>; Christian, Jeff Parke, Bobby Boswell, <span>Sean Franklin</span>; Chris Rolfe, Davy Arnaud, <span>Perry Kitchen</span>, <span>Nick DeLeon</span>; <span>Fabian Espindola</span>, Eddie Johnson.</p>
<p><b>MR: Prediction?</b></p>
<p><b>B&RU: </b>1-1 draw</p>
<h3></h3>
https://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2014-season/2014/4/17/5625020/columbus-crew-vs-dc-united-preview-federico-higuainBen Bromley