DC United 1: New England Revolution 0 :: Soccer Fans Everywhere: 0
What an ugly game.
The game was uneventful except for a couple flashes to excitement from both teams. DC got the win which is all that really matter but I would've liked to have seen more from both teams.
The tempo was set early by the ref. The Revolution quickly realized that the ref was letting the teams playing more aggressive that usual. Normal fouls weren't called and fouls deserving yellow cards drew a simple whistle. He let plays go on even when there was no advantage. It was reminiscent of the Chicago game at RFK during the playoffs last year. Just ask Jaime Moreno how much the ref was calling. I felt like I was watching the first half of his career when the way teams contained him was to foul him hard. To be fair, I'd be upset if I saw my keeper and one of my defenders get completely embarassed by him.
The physical play seemed to benefit New England but they couldn't capitalize. They had periods where they were stringing 5+ passes together seting up a shot on goal but could not get past Troy Perkins. I thought he did an amazing job expect for the one cross he dropped near the top of the box and the almost goal that everyone in the stadium thought tied the game but was ruled offsides. Pat Noonan left the game relatively early with something it was odd because one minute he was dribbling through the defense, the next he just bent over hurt. It was strange and the outcome may have turned out differently for the Revs but that's how the game is sometimes. New England did have a good opportunity at the end of the game which was their highlight of the night. Cancela had a free kick right around the 92nd minute. It reminded me of last year when New England had a penchant for scoring game-winning goals at the very end of games. But again, this isn't last year and Cancela hit the ball straight at Perkins.
Defensively, it was a bit of a mess. There was a whole lot of stabbing at the ball with out following through and there were too many uncontested crosses. Like I said, Troy had another solid game. There is a world of difference between 2004 Troy, where he was good but still unsure of his role on the team, and 2006 Troy where he is steady and much quicker and more physical. He even seems to have a swagger, which all the good keepers need. Something unknown to the television viewer is that Nick Rimando was warming up in the goal prior to the game from around 7:10 until the team went back to the locker room. Troy on the other hand looked none too happy when he walked back to the locker room at around 7:15. It at least looks good that Novak is letting them compete for the starting position. It'll bring out the best in both keepers. Right now I feel Troy has played well enough to keep the starting position until he makes a drastic mistake. Nick should also learn how to sit on the bench as a #2. If DC has another Columbus-type game then I think he should get some playing time. But for the time being, he should accept that he's not the starter.
The biggest story of the game is Jaime Moreno's 101st goal. And it was gorgeous. A perfectly timed run combined with a sweet move that ended in a goal. Though, Jaime could have hit the ball a little harder because he gave the NE defender plently of time to clear the ball off the line. Fortunately for DC, he tried to be fancy instead of just blasting it off the line and the ball went between his legs. It may have been the slowest nutmeg I've ever seen. The move was nice, the finish could have been better. And the run was onside, no matter what anyone says. The farside defender kept him onsides. It's not Jaime's fault that the Rev defend collectively kept running upfield which made Jaime look offsides. It was a beautiful pass and Jaime has the experience to get past the keeper and get the goal.
Other offensive notables: Alecko Eskandarian had one of his patented break aways and had only Matt Reis to beat (which would have been the sweetest revenge) but his shot lacked the spin to get around him into the back of the net. The ball got past Reis but just missed. It was a gorgeous play that was left unfinished. Adu also almost came up huge with a volley that came from a cross (though I'm not sure that was his intention) from Domenic Mediate. The high cross fell in perfect line with Adu's favored left foot and his volley was a laser of a shot that Reis had no chance of saving but it hit the crossbar and the score remained 1-0.
Notes from the stadium: It was Armed Forces Appreciation day and I still become a six year old when I see the helicopters and humvees. The U.S. Army Drill Team performed during halftime which drew a bunch of ooh's and ahh's from the crowd.
All in all it was an ugly game that saw good chances for both teams but only Jaime Moreno could find the back of the net to reach 101. DC United is now undefeated in it's last five games (W-T-W-W-W).
Next up: Bottom feeder Los Angeles Galaxy. With even less threats than New England and Columbus, the rivalry may not present itself, then again, it is an away game.
The game was uneventful except for a couple flashes to excitement from both teams. DC got the win which is all that really matter but I would've liked to have seen more from both teams.
The tempo was set early by the ref. The Revolution quickly realized that the ref was letting the teams playing more aggressive that usual. Normal fouls weren't called and fouls deserving yellow cards drew a simple whistle. He let plays go on even when there was no advantage. It was reminiscent of the Chicago game at RFK during the playoffs last year. Just ask Jaime Moreno how much the ref was calling. I felt like I was watching the first half of his career when the way teams contained him was to foul him hard. To be fair, I'd be upset if I saw my keeper and one of my defenders get completely embarassed by him.
The physical play seemed to benefit New England but they couldn't capitalize. They had periods where they were stringing 5+ passes together seting up a shot on goal but could not get past Troy Perkins. I thought he did an amazing job expect for the one cross he dropped near the top of the box and the almost goal that everyone in the stadium thought tied the game but was ruled offsides. Pat Noonan left the game relatively early with something it was odd because one minute he was dribbling through the defense, the next he just bent over hurt. It was strange and the outcome may have turned out differently for the Revs but that's how the game is sometimes. New England did have a good opportunity at the end of the game which was their highlight of the night. Cancela had a free kick right around the 92nd minute. It reminded me of last year when New England had a penchant for scoring game-winning goals at the very end of games. But again, this isn't last year and Cancela hit the ball straight at Perkins.
Defensively, it was a bit of a mess. There was a whole lot of stabbing at the ball with out following through and there were too many uncontested crosses. Like I said, Troy had another solid game. There is a world of difference between 2004 Troy, where he was good but still unsure of his role on the team, and 2006 Troy where he is steady and much quicker and more physical. He even seems to have a swagger, which all the good keepers need. Something unknown to the television viewer is that Nick Rimando was warming up in the goal prior to the game from around 7:10 until the team went back to the locker room. Troy on the other hand looked none too happy when he walked back to the locker room at around 7:15. It at least looks good that Novak is letting them compete for the starting position. It'll bring out the best in both keepers. Right now I feel Troy has played well enough to keep the starting position until he makes a drastic mistake. Nick should also learn how to sit on the bench as a #2. If DC has another Columbus-type game then I think he should get some playing time. But for the time being, he should accept that he's not the starter.
The biggest story of the game is Jaime Moreno's 101st goal. And it was gorgeous. A perfectly timed run combined with a sweet move that ended in a goal. Though, Jaime could have hit the ball a little harder because he gave the NE defender plently of time to clear the ball off the line. Fortunately for DC, he tried to be fancy instead of just blasting it off the line and the ball went between his legs. It may have been the slowest nutmeg I've ever seen. The move was nice, the finish could have been better. And the run was onside, no matter what anyone says. The farside defender kept him onsides. It's not Jaime's fault that the Rev defend collectively kept running upfield which made Jaime look offsides. It was a beautiful pass and Jaime has the experience to get past the keeper and get the goal.
Other offensive notables: Alecko Eskandarian had one of his patented break aways and had only Matt Reis to beat (which would have been the sweetest revenge) but his shot lacked the spin to get around him into the back of the net. The ball got past Reis but just missed. It was a gorgeous play that was left unfinished. Adu also almost came up huge with a volley that came from a cross (though I'm not sure that was his intention) from Domenic Mediate. The high cross fell in perfect line with Adu's favored left foot and his volley was a laser of a shot that Reis had no chance of saving but it hit the crossbar and the score remained 1-0.
Notes from the stadium: It was Armed Forces Appreciation day and I still become a six year old when I see the helicopters and humvees. The U.S. Army Drill Team performed during halftime which drew a bunch of ooh's and ahh's from the crowd.
All in all it was an ugly game that saw good chances for both teams but only Jaime Moreno could find the back of the net to reach 101. DC United is now undefeated in it's last five games (W-T-W-W-W).
Next up: Bottom feeder Los Angeles Galaxy. With even less threats than New England and Columbus, the rivalry may not present itself, then again, it is an away game.
posted by SccrPlaya at 10:38 PM
1 Comments:
Ugliest game ever. Just watched it again! Cheers,
John
www.spotlightsoccer.com
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