Dc 5, Rsl 1

Czar Jake · 02-08-2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasoncox

I'm not sure this is as big an issue as you might think. With 2 of the projected 4 starters missing on the back line, this would be expected wouldn't it? I would expect similar results from any team in this situation. So atleast 2 of the starters from this game will be sitting on the bench come April.

The other issue is obviously just the lack of time these guys have been playing together. The DCU article on the game points to the athletic play of the RSL defenders and credits them for saving a couple other potential goals during the first half. So it doesn't sound like a lack of effort on their part. A big part of this preseason will just be the players getting comfortable playing with each other.

I think you're right. But the fact that Pope for one will be gone quite a bit this year does mean our D is going to have to be deep off the bench. What I mean is we need quality backups. I agree that getting that comfort level as a team is the most important part of the preseason. Unfortunately some big pieces are missing from that process right now. It will be interesting to hear James' reports from the upcoming games to see how they progress.

SoccerPrime · 02-08-2005, 03:47 PM

Hi guys, I know I am much later than James (Not Pele) but I do just get back never the less.

The game was pretty much as James described it. RSL without potent players like Mathis, Pope and maybe Rojas played DC's A-team minus Forever Gone Nelson and USMNT Ben Olsen. I agree that Dipsy's speed was very good and he had some great tries. I also agree that Kreis and Whitfield got nothing going on on the right side.

The formation for the first half was:
Selowane-Kreis
-----Williams
Brenes-Whitfield
----Kamler
Behncke-Akawri-Dunseth-Pierce
----Countess
The worse breakdown was the backline Akawri was working hard the whole match (only player to go 90). But Dunseth and Pierce had the 2nd and 3rd foulest mouths out there and let way too many past. (Eskedarian was #1 f-bomber). I don't mind ppl swearing at mistakes, but I got the impression, as did those with me, that Pierce and Dunseth were blaming Countess and Behncke for all the backline probs. Especially when it was clear they were making the errors.
Pablo Brenes was great. He really worked hard and got a lot of ball. Just couldn't find the net or Dipsy enough. Akawri stopped Esky good several times. Moreno did smoke Behcke several times, Jaime is fast. Alecko is very good and aggressive, seemed too much for the RSL defenders.

The second half had this line up:
Steven Rhyne-Jamie Watson
-------Kevin Ara
Sergio Flores-Luke Kremameyer
------O'Brien(trial)
Bryan Jackson(trial)-Kenny Cutler(trial) -Nelson Akawri-Kevin Novak(trial)
-------Jay Nolly GK

Second half was rough. DC got out a lot. Eliseo Quintanilla scored a hattrick I think.
Flores, Novak, Watson and Luke looked good but really couldn't put much together. Midfield is definetly the problem. O'Brien took a penalty shot that almost made it, but otherwise I didn't "see" him too much. Jamie Watson had Luke Kremameyer for an assist on Luke's goal. Nice goal.
At the very end Kevin Ara got nailed trying to head it in. He was bleeding when the reg blew the whistle. (He was ok).

Other than that, I met James and Trey. Brian Kamler gets my vote for the nicest player in MLS, even came over and shook our hands. RSL has a great FO (thats for you Trey). DJ Countess and Brian Dunseth had a good time talking smack (from the bench) at the refs. Actually, it was good material.

I'll post some pictures later, I'm beat!
CYA

SoccerPrime · 02-08-2005, 04:16 PM

Just love this picture of Luke Kreamamayer

Arelius · 02-08-2005, 04:17 PM

Thanks for the report!

Jose Luis Luviano · 02-08-2005, 04:18 PM

Thanks for the report, Prime!

Moreno's not that fast, and he's 30 something now, and he's had injury problems. That's not a good sign.

SoccerPrime · 02-08-2005, 05:00 PM

I don't think Moreno is that fast either, I think Matt Behncke is just not fit yet. I think he was out last year. Plus Moreno is a pretty smart player.

montgjules · 02-08-2005, 06:26 PM

It's disappointing to hear about a 5-1 loss, but <sarcasm> isn't DC United supposed to be a pretty good team?</sarcasm> I mean we could have lost to a couple other MLS teams and felt even more humiliated.

SoccerPrime · 02-09-2005, 06:05 AM

Wanted to add, as the score seems to be depressing some ppl, that 4 of the 11 players in the 2nd half are trialists and not even on the team yet.
Though I think Novak might get an offer.

PS I updated my previous post line-ups.

SoccerPrime · 02-09-2005, 06:10 AM

James Edwards official match report:
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600110759,00.html

Jim Umber · 02-09-2005, 06:57 AM

Actually, I think the news is encouraging. It sounds to me as if they, at least the first team, can play with those guys on a fairly even basis. After working out the bugs, a bit, they may even be able to whoop them good.

Remember, they've been together for a while and they won the MLS cup, while we've been together a week, and we're still not all there. Give the boys a break! They're going to be a DYNAMITE team!:D

I'm excited! I'm stoked!
Uh...uh...

...Is it April yet?